Downtown Grand Rapids sees growth in 2022

(GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.) Businesses in downtown Grand Rapids are seeing foot traffic that is at or better than what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Statistics from Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) and Experience Grand Rapids Inc. highlight the growth in businesses and visitors to downtown. 

In 2022, downtown Grand Rapids welcomed 21 businesses. 

Of the new businesses that opened, 24 percent have ownership by Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC). 

When looking at downtown businesses overall, 13 percent are owned by BIPOC, and 20 percent are women-owned. 

Another statistic looking at how many visitors the downtown area says the average increase in visitor activity was 17 percent in September when looking at a five-year September average. 

The number of visitors staying overnight also increased.

In the summer of 2022, hotel room sales went up by 38 percent compared to the summer of 2021. 

"We're very pleased to see continued positive momentum Downtown across the board," said Tim Kelly, the President and CEO of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. "A vibrant and healthy Downtown is essential to the overall success of the region. 

According to the Grand Rapids Police Department, certain crimes in the downtown area have gone down in 2022 compared to 2021. 

Aggravated assaults, which are unlawful attacks using weapons or causing bodily harm, are down 9.8%.