Health and wellbeing company Amway has made a $33m (£26m/€31.3m) donation to a project for a new professional soccer stadium in Grand Rapids, securing naming rights to the Michigan venue.
Headquartered in Ada, Michigan, Amway has struck the deal with Grand Action 2.0, the not-for-profit economic development organisation which is behind the venture. The $33m investment is intended to be the lead gift for design and construction of what is envisioned as an 8,500-seat facility.
Amway Stadium will be designed as a multi-purpose, professional venue driving economic growth and development in an urban district. It will become the home of professional soccer in West Michigan and will serve as a broader community asset supporting youth, high school and collegiate clubs. It is currently unclear who will play at the venue, with an announcement of a team expected before the end of the year.
Amway Stadium will be located just blocks west of the Grand River and within walking distance of the heart of downtown, expanding the collaborative community vision for a revitalisation of the riverfront to Grand Rapids’ west side.
Over two years of construction and 30 years of operation, the project’s backers have said the stadium will drive creation of 330 new full-time equivalent jobs. In the same period, the stadium is projected to generate $408m in net new economic impact for the City of Grand Rapids.
In August, a proposal to raise Kent County’s hotel tax to fund the new stadium passed with more than 53% of the vote. The result saw the county’s hotel tax increased from 5% to 8% to fund the stadium, as well as a new amphitheatre and aquarium.
It is hoped that the tax will enable the public-private partnership building the venues to close a projected $120m funding gap for the stadium and amphitheatre. The stadium is due to cost around $175m, with $50m of that secured in private funding.
Amway’s investment, combined with other philanthropic commitments, puts the Next Wave campaign over 80% toward its goal for private donations. Grand Action 2.0 has also secured the necessary approvals for public dollars to complete the project.
Executive architect, Progressive Companies, will finalise construction documents for the venue in January. Rockford Construction, in a joint venture with AECOM Hunt, will lead construction management and is expected to break ground as early as spring 2025.
The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority, which will own and operate the facility, hopes to host the inaugural match in the spring of 2027.
“I am profoundly grateful to Amway, a global company so deeply committed to its home community that it is investing $33m in what is essentially a gift to the people,” said Tom Welch, co-chair of Grand Action 2.0.
“I share the excitement that so many in our community have for the role the Amway Stadium will play as an anchor in the grand vision for one of the largest active downtown riverfront redevelopment projects in the country. That’s happening right here. Right now.”
Grand Rapids Mayor, Rosalynn Bliss, added: “This stadium is about building a stronger, more vibrant community. We’re talking about jobs, more active neighbourhoods and new customers for our local shops, bars and restaurants.
“It will be a source of pride for the West Side and all of Grand Rapids. It will bring us together as fans, open opportunities for youth leagues, bring more excitement to our community, attract visitors and put us on the map as a serious sports city.”
