Strategically located exactly halfway between Chicago and Detroit along the I-94 corridor, Southwest Michigan has all the advantages of big city living but with an affordable cost of living and a fraction of the traffic. Plus, after work and on the weekends, there are some serious perks: You can get to the beautiful beaches of Lake Michigan from anywhere in the region in less than 45 minutes, grab dinner from a local farmer’s market or play a round of golf on one of many beautiful courses! It’s safe to say there’s a bucket list of things waiting for you to do—all within a short drive.
The Southwest Michigan economy is driven by not only the 20 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered or physically present but also by the multitude of companies working in the region’s primary industry sectors. The depth and diversity of companies working in the manufacturing, health sciences, medical devices, design, agriculture and food processing, business services and logistics sectors have made Southwest Michigan well-known for its innovations ranging from the cornflake and turning bed frame to the COVID-19 vaccine and coated recycled board.
Southwest Michigan provides a wide range of living choices too. Like city living? Downtown Kalamazoo’s residential communities are booming. Have a passion for the water? Places like Sturgis, Portage, Mattawan and Vicksburg boast beautiful inland lakes. Like some green acres? Then Richland or Galesburg-Augusta might be a better fit for you. Each of the counties that make up Southwest Michigan offers a unique, but equally lovely, perspective for your preferred lifestyle. The almost 800,000 people living and working in the region are waiting to welcome you!
Start exploring all that the region has to offer.
