1 Bold Step worked with the City of Grand Rapids, Small Business Association of Michigan, and the Small Business Administration to navigate environmental tests as well as the purchase process for the 3,700 sq ft building.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - 1 Bold Step, a marketing operations agency, purchased the former CK & Co Media Production building at 1255 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Founder and CEO Jennifer Jurgens, alongside co-owner Adam Clarke, worked with the City of Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority to acquire the building located at 1255 Front Ave NW. The company was able to purchase the property in collaboration with the Small Business Administration (SBA 504 loan program) and Consumers Credit Union. The Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) was also integral in helping the agency navigate the loan and purchase process.
“This entire process has made me incredibly hopeful for small businesses and the support they can receive,” said Jennifer Jurgens, CEO and founder of 1 Bold Step. “When you hear about economic development in the news, you always hear about big companies like Amazon and Walmart. But, small businesses employ nearly 50% of the workforce in Michigan. This is where we need to put our resources.”
The 3,700 square foot building will house the company’s 12 employees and includes 2 executive offices, 3 conference rooms, an open kitchen and “family room”, shared working space, and more. The agency was just recognized as one of Michigan’s 50 Companies to Watch and is a Platinum HubSpot Solutions Partner. In the last year, the company has added 4 employees, one intern, and 20 clients.
“We all love the flexibility of being remote but genuinely miss each other and the in-person interactions,” said Adam Clarke, co-owner of 1 Bold Step. “The space will provide quiet places, small group places, and large meeting places to accommodate the different ways in which a marketing team needs to work. We’re looking forward to welcoming our clients and colleagues into the space.”
A portion of the funding was granted to 1 Bold Step through the City of Grand Rapids’ Brownfield Redevelopment Program. This helped cover the costs of environmental testing and assessments required by the State of Michigan. The Brownfield Redevelopment Program helps to offset some of the extraordinary costs associated with the urban development of contaminated or functionally obsolete properties. This program is a partnership between the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
“As a city that values the contributions of its local businesses, we intentionally designed the Environmental Site Assessment Grant program to be easy to access and to reduce financial risk in the due diligence phase of property purchases,” said Jono Klooster, Assistant Economic Development Director for The City of Grand Rapids. Supporting a small business like 1 Bold Step as they grow in Grand Rapids is exactly what this grant program is meant for. We look forward to the company’s continued success in our City.”
“Jennifer Jurgens adds value to everything she is a part of,” said Brian Calley, President & CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan. “We are delighted to have her so involved and engaged with SBAM and are excited that she is creating such an awesome space for her creative and talented team.”
1 Bold Step is currently renovating the space with help of several other local companies including Kentwood Office Furniture, CS Erikson, DHE, Bouma Construction, Vos Glass, and Architektura. The agency will move into the building in late fall.
