New $10.5M business incubator opens in Holland, offering support to high-tech startups

HOLLAND, MI - Lakeshore Advantage is ready to welcome Holland startups to its new business incubator.

The economic development organization for Ottawa and Allegan counties had an open house this week for the Next Center, located at 65 E Seventh St. in downtown Holland.

The $10.5 million facility is located within Holland's SmartZone, which was established in 2016 and allows for the capture of state education taxes to support high-tech startups and entrepreneurs within the zone's boundaries.

"It really started with a dream that this community has always had to make sure entrepreneurship is growing and vital and that entrepreneurs have the resources they need to succeed," Lakeshore Advantage President Jennifer Owens said at Wednesday, Nov. 13 open house and ribbon cutting.

The three-story, 20,000-square-foot building in December will welcome startups and tenants that are currently using the Surge Center at 44 East 8th St.

The Surge Center has been Lakeshore Advantage's business incubator since 2022. That space will be leased to a new tenant after move-ins to the Next Center are complete.

The first floor of the Next Center will be able to support up to 50 startups and provide educational programming. Lakeshore Advantage moved its offices to the second floor, where there is additional office spaces leased by organizations supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The third floor is currently a white box and has office suites available for lease.

Lakeshore Advantage announced the plan to build the Next Center in May 2023 during its 20th anniversary celebration. The organization at the time said the center would "serve as a hub for innovation and business growth to strengthen West Michigan's entrepreneurial ecosystem."

Construction and design were led by Holland-based general contractor EV Construction and GMB Architecture and Engineering out of Grand Rapids.

"The EV Construction team has a passion for innovation and growth, so we used that energy to deliver a special project for Lakeshore Advantage," John Parker, vice president of project development for EV Construction said in a statement.

"This facility will help us all as Lakeshore Advantage continues to advocate for economic growth in the region."

The center's office furniture comes courtesy of Haworth and ROL in Holland and MillerKnoll of Zeeland.

"MillerKnoll is proud to support the next generation of entrepreneurs in this region with our forward-thinking office furniture products," MillerKnoll CFO and Lakeshore Advantage Board Chair Jeff Stutz said in a statement. "West Michigan's entrepreneurial spirit is on display at the Next Center."