Regional Industries

Health Sciences

Greater Grand Rapids is home to the Medical Mile, a world-class healthcare destination attracting medical professionals from around the world

West Michigan is home to some of the most advanced healthcare, research, manufacturing and education facilities in the Midwest, many of which are housed on the Medical Mile.

The Medical Mile, located just north of downtown Grand Rapids, is renowned as a world-class healthcare destination. The clinical, research and academic institutions that line the Medical Mile have attracted medical professionals from around the world.


The West Michigan region is also host to the highest concentration of medical device manufacturers in the state. From development and design, to manufacturing and distribution — West Michigan is your single source for high-tech biotechnology and medical device solutions.

Industry Quick Facts:

  • More than 100,000 health sciences jobs in West Michigan
  • 7,000+ STEM graduates awarded annually
  • A 10-year job growth rate of 8%, outpacing the national average by 11%
  • 516 health science establishments in West Michigan and 55 medical device manufacturers
  • 4,100+ health and medical science degrees granted annually

Contact Eric for more information

Eric-Icard-Headshot

Eric Icard

Senior Director of Business Development

Eric provides retention and expansion assistance to Right Place clients. He provides site location assistance to national and international life sciences firms. He also serves as the facilitator for the MiDevice group.


Full Bio

Infographic: Health Sciences in West Michigan

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Regional Developments

With one of the fastest growing life sciences cluster in the United States, West Michigan has benefited from more than $2 billion in recent investments, including:

  • The $85 million Doug Meijer Innovation Building
  • A $44.7 million Perrigo North American Corporate Headquarters
  • A $70 million Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health GVSU
  • The $80 million Michigan State University Grand Rapids Research Center
  • A $60-80 million Spectrum Health Center for Transformation and Innovation
  • The $120 million Michigan Medical Tower
  • The $90 million Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Secchia Center
  • The $60 million Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM) pharmaceutical manufacturing and packaging facility - the company's third facility in the region
  • The $60 million Hauenstein Neurosciences Center. The only comprehensive neurological center of its kind in the U.S.
  • A $70 million Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital main campus expansion

MiDevice: A Consortium for Michigan Medical Device Companies

MiDevice, run by The Right Place, is the only Michigan-based organization dedicated to medical device design, development, manufacturing and distribution. MiDevice gives medical device companies the opportunity to collaborate, cooperate and promote their expertise in the industry.

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