CSM Group To Open Grand Rapids Office

Plans call for CSM Group to open a Grand Rapids office in the recently refurbished Monroe Terrace, formerly the Ammerman Building, located at 600 Monroe Avenue NW in Grand Rapids.

The street-level office in this five-story building overlooks the Grand River and is within easy walking distance of the city's downtown business district. The space won a Certificate of Excellence in the category of Best Interior Renovation in 2004.

Why Grand Rapids? According to CSM Group President Steve East, the time is right and the market is ready.

"CSM has experienced tremendous growth and repeat business based on our skills in all facets of construction management and our deep experience in many industries, including healthcare. Our entry into Grand Rapids is the next logical step.

"We bring a totally unique presence to the Grand Rapids market. Our exclusive branded processes and leadership in the application of talent-based customer service makes us dramatically different from the rest," East said.

According to the August, 2005, issue of Grand Rapids Business Journal's Commercial Quarterly, the City of Grand Rapids' Planning Department has indicated that a staggering $10 billion- yes, billion-will be spent on projects over the next several years...in its downtown district alone!

Those already-named projects include commercial properties, projects related to varied medical developments along Michigan Street, and expansion of the Van Andel Institute and Ferris State University. Other likely sources of commercial construction opportunities include school improvements and repairs, long-term care facility construction and renovation, downtown developments and campus improvements.

The anticipated economic growth actually extends throughout the West Michigan region, south to Battle Creek and west and north through Ottawa and Muskegon counties. So it's no surprise that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's recent quarterly summary of economic conditions shows that Grand Rapids- Wyoming, Muskegon-Norton Shores and Battle Creek were the only metro areas in the state that posted a year-over-year job growth of more than 1 percent in the first quarter of 2005.

CSM Group expects to have the office up and running by November, 2005. Leading the company's new business effort in the West Michigan area will be Project Director Lisa Prasher, with support coming from Project Coordinator Victoria Krisan. Learn more about Lisa in the article below, and Victoria in the News Flash section on page 3.