Introduction

Last Chance Mile: The Reinvention of an American Community tells the story of how the people of Grand Rapids, Michigan have changed the way the world sees their community and how the community sees itself.

It was a scramble. Everyone was scared to death Grand Rapids would be the next Detroit, and like the Motor City, would be crushed under the rubble of the Great Recession.

Did it work? To answer that would be a spoiler and to give a “yes” or “no” answer would be unfair because the struggle continues. However, it is safe to say, this is not the Grand Rapids that I moved into in 1990. Or is it? Again, just as the struggle continues, so does the debate.

Let’s get started.

—Rod