Shocking News: DeVos controlled Grand Rapids DDA approves DeVos/Van Andel development plan

Recently, the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority (DDA) approved a proposal from the DeVos/Van Andel. This should not come as a surprise to anyone who bothers to follow the DDA and who controls it. (See October 9 DDA Agenda)

The Grand Rapids DDA is made up of a 9 member board and two of those members – Greg McNeilly and Richard Winn are both DeVos employees. Richard Winn is the President of AHC Hospitality, which is a DeVos-owned company that manages 14 Hotels/Inns, most of which are in West Michigan. In addition to sitting on the DDA Board, Richard Winn is also on the boards of the Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority, Experience GR, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Grand Action 2.0. All of these entities work in collaboration to make sure that the DeVos and Van Andel families get what they want.

The other DeVos operative is Greg McNeilly. McNeilly was the campaign manager for the failed gubernatorial campaign of Dick DeVos in 2006. McNeilly is currently the Chief Operating Officer of the DeVos run Windquest Group, an entity that is owned by Dick & Betsy DeVos. McNeilly has also been the former President of the Michigan Freedom Fund, a far right political group that was also created by the DeVos family. McNeilly ran the campaign to oppose the Voters Not Politicians ballot initiative. In 2021, McNeilly defended the Enbridge Corporation and their plans to build a tunnel underneath the Great Lakes for the Line 5 oil pipeline.

Most of the recent of the DDA Board has some connection to the DeVos family as well, whether it is business dealings or receiving campaign funding, so there is no real opposing voices on the DDA when it comes to the most powerful families in this city.

Once you understand how the Grand Rapids Power Structure functions in this city, you will then be able to understand the decisions and the policies that are adopted by elected officials and groups like the Grand Rapids Downtown Development Authority.