Q. Why has West Michigan Works been formed?
A. There are few communities in Michigan, or elsewhere in the Midwest, that provide the level of long-term economic opportunity, security and quality of life that we have in the Holland/Zeeland area. We recognize that our community is unique in this regard. As employers and community leaders in this area, we want to work together to promote and build upon our community’s key strengths.

Q. Isn’t that what the Chamber of Commerce is for?
A. West Michigan Works has a focus that is somewhat different from that of the Chamber. Our central goal is to promote the preservation and continued growth of employment opportunities in the Holland/Zeeland area, and we are working very closely with the Chamber to reach that goal.

Q. How will you achieve your goals?
A. By celebrating the things that make our community unique as an engine of growth and opportunity. By creating public dialogue. By creating greater awareness of our community’s success.

Q. Why are you doing this now?
A. Because now is the right time. Communities everywhere are fatigued from recession and strained by the uncertainties of our times. The Holland/Zeeland area has not been immune to these factors, but employment and opportunity have held up remarkably well here in comparison to other communities. It is important to keep that story visible within our community so that we can continue to focus on the things that have made us successful.

Q. Who are the members of West Michigan Works?
A. Our members include some of the leading employers in our community, such as Trendway, Tiara Yachts, Haworth, Manpower, Gentex, Perrigo and others. We have also earned the endorsements of the Holland Area Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the Holland Economic Development Corporation (HEDCOR), Lakeshore Advantage and all of our community’s leading elected officials. And, we are continuing our efforts to broaden our base of participation in the community.

Q. Does West Michigan Works hold membership meetings? Does the group have a membership newsletter or other kinds of communications?
A. Our goals are to gather solid information about what’s working and about the challenges we face. We will share that information
with our members and opinion leaders in our community. Our primary communication tool will be this website and regular email updates. In addition, we hold monthly meetings of our Executive Committee members and quarterly update meetings for our participants.

Q. How can I get involved?
A. Sign up to be added to our list. For more information, contact Randy Boileau, executive director, at 616.786.4461 or email him at .

Q. What exactly are these West Michigan values that make our community work?
A. We believe it comes down to five ideals:
- We take great pride in our work.
- We value our community as a great place to raise our families.
- We enjoy a reassuring sense of safety, security, and community.
- We boast an intelligent workforce, using our minds as well as our hands.
- We have developed a unique employer/employee relationship built on mutual trust, respect and cooperation.

By themselves, these qualities aren’t all unique to West Michigan, but surely the combination of them, and the strength with which they are held in the community make this area something special.

Q. Why is taking pride in our work important?
A. Members of the Holland/Zeeland community tend to see their jobs as more than just a place to be for several hours each day in order to collect a paycheck. We care about the work we do because it’s a reflection on ourselves and our community. It matters to us that we make a good product that people are happy with and proud to have. When there’s a problem, we don’t shrug our shoulders and say it’s not our job to fix it. We work together to solve the problem so we can continue to be proud of the work we do.

Q. What does West Michigan Works have to do with Holland/Zeeland being a great place to raise family?
A. We work, not just to provide for ourselves and our families, but so our families can enjoy a better life. Our employment environment in Holland/Zeeland is a critical component of our community allowing us to do just that—find a good-paying and personally satisfying job that enables us to lead fulfilling lives. In West Michigan, we’ve chosen to live and work in one of the finest places on Earth, between the small-town values, beautiful beaches and lake access, the resources of colleges and universities and a strong commitment to faith. West Michigan Works is committed to strengthening the employment spoke of the wheel that keeps this community turning—the key to making West Michigan work for families.

Q. What is the connection between safety and security and West Michigan Works?
A. The availability of good jobs helps create a safe and secure community. On a practical level, the threat of crime is lower when there is a strong job market. At a deeper level, a strong and thriving job base provides our best promise of long-term economic security. The stronger our community’s employment environment is, the safer and more secure we all our in our work, in our homes, and with our family. And that is how West Michigan works.

Q. How does having an intelligent workforce strengthen the community?
A. Holland/Zeeland’s labor force is among the highest educated in Michigan. That means we aren’t just going through motions. We’re actively thinking, asking questions, finding new and better ways to do things. Our resourcefulness, creativity and innovation have helped us to stay ahead of the curve and be more self-sufficient.

Q. What does the relationship between employees and employers mean for West Michigan?
A. In Holland/Zeeland, a tradition of mutual respect and support has given rise to a unique relationship between most employers and employees. Unlike other communities where employees and their employers are frequently at odds with one another, Holland/Zeeland employers and employees most often think of each other as partners working toward a common goal. This is a reflection of our community’s heritage, which places a premium on honest dealings, a hard day’s work, fair compensation and a mutual commitment of respect. This special bond has, in turn, helped Holland/Zeeland weather economic hardship and tough times with a more resilient spirit than many other communities. We don’t start pointing fingers and assigning blame. We stick together and help each other, worker and manager, laborer and executive, employer and employee, because we know that we’re not on opposite sides. We’re all in this together.

For more information about West Michigan Works and how to participate, email us at .