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Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park’s popularity continues to attract more visitors who are spending more money in West Michigan

Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

The Economic Impact of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park report authored by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business reveals data.

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is drawing roughly 755,000 visitors each year. An 87,400 increase over 2022’s attendance.

The comparison drawn from The Economic Impact of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park report authored by Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.

It reveals an annual economic impact of $138 million supporting 1,167 jobs. By comparison, the 2017 report concluded the gardens generated roughly $75 million dollars and just over 800 jobs.

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s regional and global appeal outlined within the report, “with 62% coming from outside the local area. Notably, 50% of these nonlocal visitors are first-timers.”

Guests who spent $20.9 million in direct Kent County spending generating more than $353,000 in county tax revenue.

Full report: https://www.meijergardens.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GVSU-x-FMGSP-Economic-Impact-Report-2023.pdf

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.