GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A footwear company plans to relocate its headquarters from Portland, to Grand Rapids, Michigan, a move officials in that state said would create up to 61 new jobs and a $1.5 million capital investment.
HOLO Footwear, which describes itself as a sustainable outdoor footwear company, plans to lease space at a downtown office building and hire up to 61 workers with an average wage of $1,629 per week plus benefits, according to a memo from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The economic development group on June 22 agreed to provide HOLO up to $250,000 over a three-year period contingent upon HOLO meeting its job creation goals.
HOLO was founded in 2020 by Rommel Vega, and late last year the company began selling its products in Nordstrom, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Backcountry, Macy’s, Public Lands and REI. The company chose to expand in Michigan over competing sites in North Carolina and Oregon, according to a news release from Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office.
“As HOLO continues to expand, we found that West Michigan is an excellent location for our growth,” Vega said in a news release. “It’s a fantastic environment for our business, with access to talented designers and people from the footwear industry. We’re excited to get to work to create stylish, responsible and functional outdoor footwear.”
A news release from the governor’s office said the company chose western Michigan for its new headquarters because of its “robust outdoor recreation assets, strong talent pool, and attractive business environment.” By locating in Grand Rapids, the company would offer a “home for design students to begin and grow their career and subsequently retain that talent in Michigan.”
In addition, Michigan is home to several companies that focus on using natural or recycled materials, and HOLO is in negotiations to create partnerships with these companies, according to the MEDC.
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