SITE SELECTION

The Hastings Area enjoys many natural and economic advantages. It is located in the midst of the strongest economic region in Michigan, yet it is sufficiently removed from the hustle and bustle of the heavily urbanized portions of the region that it retains a strong rural, small town identity. Barry County, of which Hastings is the county seat, is the most heavily wooded county in the lower peninsula of Michigan and the County is home to nearly 250 lakes. Residents and visitors can readily enjoy these features even as they go about their day-to-day lives. The Thornapple River and its associated ravines wind through the community creating a beautiful and interesting landscape of rolling wooded hills and wetlands and offering recreational opportunities. The public institutions of the community – its schools, library and community organizations – offer a complete range of services and programming to round out the quality of life for local residents.   (Excerpt from the Hastings Area Plan – Introduction…reprinted with permission of the Joint Planning Committee)

Barry County is home to over 59,000 individuals and is often described as a bedroom community serving as a great place to live and raise a family with a large percentage of the available workforce traveling outside of the County to work.  At the same time, employment opportunities are strong within our rural county with the vast majority of Barry County’s business make-up being locally owned businesses with a relatively small but strong base of industry. 

Barry County is part of the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area including Kent, Barry, Ionia and Newaygo counties lending strength to a regional economic development strategy attracting quality employers and a highly skilled workforce.

Looking for Commercial or Industrial Property in Barry County?

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Barry County Master Plan

Barry County Planning & Zoning
220 W State St, Hastings MI 49058
Phone (269) 945-1290
Fax (269) 948-4820
James McManus:  Director

Hastings Area Plan – A Joint Future Land Use Plan
Prepared by:
The City of Hastings
Rutland Charter Township
Hastings Charter Township
Barry County

Barry County Parks & Recreation Master Plan 

Local Communities