With construction well underway for Michigan State University’s Grand Rapids Research Center, the project continues to receives support in many ways.
Just last month, the project received a financial commitment totaling $15 million - $10 million from Richard and Helen DeVos and $5 million from Peter and Joan Secchia.
Now, a donation of work boots has been made to construction workers working on the project from the shoe company, Wolverine. The company's national campaign, Project Bootstrap, provided more than 100 crew members with new work boots, apparel and even breakfast.
“Project Bootstrap shares the same core values of Wolverine’s founder, G.A. Krause. Krause believed in the possibility of opportunity, supporting employees and the local community, and the importance of building for the future,” said Todd Yates, president of Wolverine Brand. “Project Bootstrap was launched summer of 2015 and Wolverine is happy to continue this campaign to thank those who share our bootstrap values and are building our future.”
The $88.1 million, six-story building will include five core labs and research program spaces.
“We thank Wolverine for their recognition and support of our local building trades,” said Aron Sousa, interim dean in the College of Human Medicine. “These men and women are constructing a center for discovery that will join our health science partners along the Medical Mile in building a healthier future for our community and beyond.”
The research center is set to open in late 2017 and will support 260 members of the College of Human Medicine’s research teams, including 33 principal investigators and their labs.