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Grand Rapids family owned-owned business is planning a multi-million dollar expansion

Notions Marketing is a big operation. What started out as a family-owned business in 1938 has grown to employ more than 800 people with a 1.2 million square-foot headquarters located in Grand Rapids. It claims to be the world’s largest distributor of creative arts products with shipping and retail outlets in 97 countries.

With product demand there’s the need for additional space and employees.

Nation Marketing is investing in a $33 million expansion at its 600 Cottage Grove location adding 40,000 square feet. The company says it currently handles nearly a quarter of a million products at this location. It plans to add 250 new jobs to its 800-plus workforce.

Regional non-profit economic development organization, The Right Place, assisted Notions Marketing. In a news release, it explains the “Michigan Strategic Fund Board has approved a performance-based grant for the company through the Michigan Business Development Program,” and “The City of Grand Rapids plans to provide local municipal support for the expansion throughout the project and is considering the approval of a (P.A.328) personal property tax exemption.”

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.