JR Automation’s $72.8 million investment in Zeeland was just one of many exciting developments happening in Ottawa County in September.
Below is a list of six developments local planners reviewed in September. Projects are in various stages of planning, and construction timelines are contingent on final approval from the local municipality.
JR Automation Zeeland headquarters
Holland-based JR Automation generated a buzz when it announced on Sept. 3 that it was doubling down on its West Michigan roots and building a new $72.8 million global headquarters in Zeeland.
The 286,000-square-foot facility at 800 Riley St. in Zeeland will consolidate approximately 350 employees from several Holland locations onto one campus. The company also expects to add at least 150 new jobs at the new location.
The project, led by Lakewood Construction of Holland, is expected to be completed by late fall 2026.
JR Automation is a key example of Michigan manufacturing, having grown from a small tool and die shop to a global powerhouse in industrial automation technology.
Despite its acquisition by Hitachi Ltd. in 2019, it is evident that JR Automation is committed to staying local for the foreseeable future.
“When Hitachi acquired JR Automation, they continued to invest in the business,” Dave DeGraaf, CEO of JR Automation, said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “And, when we came to the board with regard to this proposal, it was again encouraged to not only invest in the business but also invest in West Michigan, where they know the hub of automation, the skillset and the expertise is prevalent.”
The plan to build a new global headquarters in Zeeland followed a strategic meeting in Tokyo with JR Automation and Hitachi leaders and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The Zeeland Planning Commission, during its Sept. 4 meeting, unanimously approved JR Automation’s site plan and special land use permit for the project.
Chinook Pier
The Grand Haven City Council during its Sept. 15 meeting approved a 35-year lease agreement with CopperRock Construction for the commercial redevelopment of Chinook Pier.
CopperRock Construction, based in Grand Rapids, plans to develop the property into three commercial buildings ― a restaurant, an office and retail building, and an indoor/outdoor market facility. The development is expected to cost $17.9 million.
The city still has to approve a development agreement before construction can begin in spring 2026.
The lease of city land to CopperRock includes options for extensions. It will start at $100 per year for the first three years, according to city records, and will increase to $15,000 per year after that and continue to increase over time.
The last structure at Chinook Pier was built in 1984 and housed 10 businesses. It was purchased by the city in 2004 and closed in 2020 after mold overtook the space and forced the businesses to evacuate.
El Rancho Zeeland
The Zeeland Planning Commission on Thursday, Sept. 4, approved a special land use application for a 4,500-square-foot, 132-seat El Rancho Mexican restaurant on the main floor of 17 E Main Ave., a $7 million mixed-use development in downtown Zeeland.
The new addition comes nearly a year after Geerlings Development and Midwest Construction broke ground on the project, which city officials predicted would transform an underutilized property into a” vibrant gateway” to downtown.
The three-story, 28,212-square-foot building features 22 residential units, which already have begun accepting tenants, as well as 9,404 square feet of ground-floor commercial space.
Developer Scott Geerlings said El Rancho is expected to open by the end of the year, and he already has other retail tenants lined up for the remaining spaces.
Mead Johnson Expansion
Zeeland-based baby formula manufacturer Mead Johnson continues to pursue rezoning approval to make way for its soon-to-be finalized expansion and modernization project.
The Zeeland Planning Commission on Thursday, Sept. 4, approved a temporary land use application from Mead Johnson to construct a 300-by-253-foot, 136 space, temporary gravel parking lot on the interior of existing industrial sites at 55 N. Division St. and 637 and 725 E Main Ave.
The temporary parking lot was proposed to provide additional capacity for Mead Johnson employees and external contractors as the company prepares for its $836 million-plus expansion and modernization project.
Mead Johnson returned to the planning commission for a public hearing on Sept. 23, to consider the rezoning of three recently purchased properties at 515, 549 and 553 E Main Ave. for general industrial use.
The parcel at 515 E Main Ave. was previously home to Bether Church and is currently zoned for public facilities. The parcels at 549 and 553 E Main Ave. are zoned residential and currently are occupied by single-family homes.
At the most recent meeting, the planning commission took action to direct the city attorney to prepare resolutions recommending that the parcels be rezoned for industrial use. Those resolutions are expected to come before the commission for action on Oct. 2.
If the planning commission adopts those resolutions, the rezoning requests would likely be considered by city council on Oct. 20.
The city council in July voted to rezone two adjacent parcels at 605 and 633 E. Main St. from residential to industrial use.
Casey’s gas station Grand Haven
The Grand Haven Planning Commission during its Sept. 9 meeting approved a plan for a Casey’s gas station at 1102 Robbins Road.
The location was previously a Comerica Bank. Despite undergoing a remodel, the location has been vacant for about a year. Complete demolition and construction are expected to begin in early 2026, with the gas station potentially opening by the end of the year.
The gas station will have six pumps, and the convenience store will sell variety of food items. It is expected to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Harbor Transit expansion
Due to increased demand for services, Harbor Transit, the transportation network serving Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg, is planning to develop a new operations center in Grand Haven Township.
The Grand Haven Township Planning Commission on Tuesday, Sept. 2, recommended the township board approve of a rezoning application on behalf of Harbor Transit for 14623 172nd Ave. from agricultural to commercial use.
Harbor Transit received funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Bus and Bus Facilities Grant to acquire the approximately 30-acres located between Aldi/Speedway and Walmart along US-31.
The township board formally adopted the rezoning at its Sept. 22 meeting.