A Win for Kent County!
Kent County Voters Say ‘Yes!’ to Destination Kent Ballot Initiative
Kent County voters gave a decisive thumbs-up to enhanced financial support for future cultural assets in the County when they passed the Destination Kent lodging tax proposal on August 6.
The successful vote allows Kent County to levy an additional 3% tax on hotel and motel room stays throughout the county. The funds—generated by visitors staying in Kent County hotels, motels, and short-term rentals—may be used to finance construction, improvements, and the enlargement of Kent County stadiums, arenas, sports complexes, and aquariums.
This clears a path to generate an additional $9 million in visitor tax per year. When added to current lodging tax revenues—which support local convention and entertainment facilities—officials expect total annual visitor-generated lodging tax revenues to reach $24 million.
The Kent County Board of Commissioners has supported these efforts with an option to levy the new tax and direct these vital public dollars to develop highly anticipated venues, including Acrisure Amphitheater and a downtown soccer stadium.
Massive Economic Impact
Acrisure Amphitheater
The 12,000-seat outdoor performing arts space, set to welcome its first show in the spring of 2026, will draw more than 54 ticketed events and 300,000 visitors each year.
Estimates show the venue will support nearly 800 new jobs and generate $807 million net new economic impact for Kent County.
Professional Soccer Stadium
A new 8,500-seat professional soccer stadium just blocks from the Grand River would draw scores of fans from across the region to watch the world’s most popular sport.
Developers seek to breaking ground in the fall of 2024. The facility could to host 17 professional matches each year, drawing nearly 165,000 annual visitors, while also welcoming dozens of collegiate, high school, and youth sporting events annually.
The stadium is estimated to support 465 jobs and generate $388 million in net new economic impact for Kent County.
A Proven Track Record
These transformational venues and others could emulate the trajectory of other downtown Grand Rapids visitor destinations: Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place Convention Center, and DeVos Performance Hall.
Past catalytic public-private investments have been economic drivers for our downtown, which is now thriving with a great mix of restaurants, retail, office space, and residences. They have helped elevate Grand Rapids and Kent County as a visitor destination, and they remain a force for retaining and attracting residents and businesses.
Investments in the arena, convention center, and performance hall led to over $11 billion in additional investment in new hotels, residences, office buildings, entertainment venues, and small businesses.
With 60% of ticket sales coming from outside Kent County, these regional attractions have a combined estimated annual economic impact of over $82 million and support 1,265 jobs.
