Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids, MI: what AI and automation could touch

The Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro has 598,260 jobs in federal wage data. On generative AI (cognitive) exposure it scores 45, 5 points below the US average and in the second-lowest fifth of US metros. On robotics and autonomy (physical) exposure it scores 56, 6 points above the US average and in the top fifth of US metros.

21% of local workers hold jobs in the most cognitively exposed quarter of US work (US: 25%), and 35% in the most physically exposed quarter (US: 25%).

Where the exposure sits

• Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand: 18,840 workers, mainly physical, 1.7 times as common here as nationally.
• Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: 19,540 workers, mainly physical, 3.6 times as common here as nationally.
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: 10,820 workers, mainly physical, 1.4 times as common here as nationally.
• Fast Food and Counter Workers: 13,190 workers, mainly physical, about as common here as nationally.
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners: 11,490 workers, mainly physical, 1.4 times as common here as nationally.
• Stockers and Order Fillers: 10,960 workers, mainly physical, about as common here as nationally.

Data centers on the table

• Microsoft data center campus proposal, Gaines Township (proposed): Microsoft owns about 320 acres in the area already zoned for the use and asked the township to rezone five more parcels (nearly 104 acres) to light industrial for a data center campus. Its draft conditional rezoning contract offered a 65 dB noise cap at residential lines, 150-foot setbacks, no use of local groundwater, no local property tax abatements, payment for water and electrical upgrades, and about 9.5 acres for open space.
• Microsoft hyperscale data center proposal, Covenant Business Park, Lowell Township (paused): Franklin Partners, which owns the business park property, requested a rezoning without naming the end user. In January 2026 Microsoft confirmed it was the interested company, described the project as in its most preliminary stage, and asked the seller to pause the rezoning so it could engage the community.
• Unnamed technology company exploring data center campus, Solon Township ("Project Peninsula") (unknown): Reporting in June 2026 described an unnamed technology company exploring a data center campus of up to 800 acres about 20 miles north of Grand Rapids, internally called Project Peninsula, with talks run through the economic development group The Right Place. Planet Detroit, citing Data Center Dynamics, reported it could exceed $1 billion and cover up to 800,000 square feet.
• Microsoft data center site on hold under 12-month moratorium, Dorr Township (adjacent, Allegan County) (paused): Microsoft bought land in Dorr Township for a potential data center. In early March 2026 the township board voted 4-2 for a 12-month moratorium on data centers, choosing it over a six-month option suggested by its attorney.

Questions for one-on-ones

• Where has AI or new automation already shown up in your work or your family's work?
• Who decided how it was used, and was anyone on the floor asked first?
• What would you want a say in before your employer, school or city adopts more of it?
• If a data center is proposed here, what would you want to know about power, water, jobs and tax breaks?

Read this before quoting the numbers

Exposure means AI or automation could touch a large share of the tasks in a job. It does not predict layoffs. Whether exposed work gets augmented or automated depends on employers, policy, bargaining and community choices. Federal wage data leaves out self-employed workers, private household workers and most farms that hire directly, so farm-heavy metros are undercounted.