Governor touts ‘Growing Grand Rapids’ Act as boost for local economy [Video]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer says legislation she signed two weeks ago will help the greater Grand Rapids area continue to grow as a major metropolitan area.

The “Growing Grand Rapids” legislation allows cities and townships in Kent County to collect an elevated hotel tax, if voters approve the increase. Previously, Michigan’s accommodations tax act limited the tax rate on hotels and motels to five-percent. Now hotels in Kent County can be taxed up to eight-percent. The City of Grand Rapids could also tax hotels at two-percent, on top of the county tax.

“There’s a lot of great things happening in Grand Rapids,” said Whitmer.

State Representative John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) sponsored the bill with the aim of allowing communities in Kent County to collect a more money from people visiting the area. With the planned development of an amphitheater and soccer stadium in downtown Grand Rapids the hope is there will be more …