I recently spent three days in Grand Rapids, Michigan, prepping for this year’s Chamber Inter-City Visit (ICV). I expected to tour a city with great ideas. I left convinced that this could be our most impactful ICV yet.
For those unfamiliar, an ICV brings business and civic leaders together to explore how another community is tackling challenges, creating opportunities, and shaping its future. The goal isn’t to copy another city. It’s to spark ideas for Durham.
Grand Rapids is a city that does exactly that.
While it’s smaller than Durham by about 100,000 people, Grand Rapids has built a reputation for thinking big and acting boldly. Whether the challenge is housing, transportation, economic development or community investment, the city’s approach is remarkably consistent: find partners, build momentum and say “yes” to ambitious ideas.
Three Projects That Stood Out
Neighborhood Investment That Starts with Residents
Amplify GR is a neighborhood-based community investment organization rooted in Grand Rapids’ Boston Square neighborhood, designed to create pathways for residents to benefit from growth rather than be displaced by it. Their work includes mixed-use housing, commercial space for local entrepreneurs, childcare, wellness services and workforce development. Taken together, these efforts are building a self-sustaining neighborhood ecosystem in Boston Square.
A Community-Wide Vision for Big Projects
Grand Action 2.0 brings together public and private leaders to identify and advance transformational projects. From downtown investments to river restoration and major entertainment venues, the organization helps turn big ideas into reality through collaboration and shared commitment.
Childcare Built Into Public Transit
One of the most innovative projects we visited was a childcare center located inside Grand Rapids’ central bus station. Parents can drop their children off on the way to work and pick them up during their commute home. This is a simple but powerful example of designing services around how people actually live.
Why It Matters for Durham
Throughout our visit, one theme kept emerging: Grand Rapids sees challenges as opportunities. The city has built systems, partnerships, and a culture that allows it to move from vision to action time and again.
This fall, we’ll explore these ideas firsthand while also diving into placemaking, economic development, education, and community partnerships. Most importantly, we’ll have the opportunity to ask what Durham can learn from a city that has successfully created a framework for bold, community-driven growth.
And as a bonus, we’ll be there at the height of a Michigan fall during ArtPrize, one of the most impressive public art festivals in the country.
I can’t wait for Durham to experience Grand Rapids. I hope you’ll join us.
Register for the ICV
This year’s Inter-City Visit runs from 09/29/2026-10/02/2026. You can register here. Please email me (rritchie@durhamchamber.org) with any questions.