Community Profiles

The Boston Square community of Grand Rapids Michigan is a severely distressed neighborhood plagued with a high unemployment rate and a poverty rate above 30%. The area is in desperate need of resources that will help empower residents to be prosperous and in doing so, create a prosperous community.

Amplify GR, a local non-profit, is remediating a brownfield site and constructing a new 45,000 SF multi-service community hub to anchor the master-planned revitalization of a Grand Rapids community. The project will house a health clinic operated by Spectrum Health, an early childhood education center operated by Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, Amplify GR’s headquarters, a co-working space to support minority businesses, and suites for additional nonprofit tenants providing community services.

The project will address the service area’s disinvestment by delivering critical services. Key impacts of the project include serving 7,194 individuals (92% low-income) with services targeting area needs, including early childhood education, healthcare, and workforce development. Through the introduction of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center, 72 ECE slots will be created in the community, addressing a significant area shortage. The project also supports 51 FTEs, 96% of which pay a living wage and/or benefits, and 63% of which are accessible without a four-year degree. This project is minority-focused, targeting 15% MBE participation in construction, and will serve minority entrepreneurs through discounted rates at co-working spaces.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Quick Facts 

Square Footage: 49,000

Total Investment: $34,495,229

Sponsor: Amplify GR

QALICB: Boston Square Hwec

Allocatees: MBS Urban Initiatives CDE, Cinnaire, Petros, PNC

NMTC Equity Investor: PNC Bank

Projected Construction Jobs: 160 FTEs

Projected Permanent Jobs: 51 FTEs