Welcome to the electronic newsletter from
Grand Haven Charter Township!

Stay informed on what is happening in the township. This newsletter will deliver up-to-date information including upcoming meetings, development news, township services and more!

You can always find more information on our website or Facebook .
School Elections - Voting Law Changes
The new state law allowing voters to vote by absentee ballot for any reason and allowing for more voters to be permanently placed on the “Absentee Voter” (AV) list had a demonstrative impact on the participation at the school elections.

Although the actual 2018 and 2019 school elections were substantially similar in terms of the election issue, the number of voters increased dramatically … from 1,640 voters in 2018 to 2,331 voters in 2019 – an increase↑ of 691 voters or about 42.1%. Most of the voters ( over 83%) participated through absentee ballot.

If you are interested in joining the AV permanent list, please contact Deputy Clerk Kristi DeVerney at kdeverney@ght.org or (616) 604-6343.
Ottawa County Population Growth Continues
If the latest population estimates are any indication, Ottawa County is indeed where you belong. The estimates were released by the US Census Bureau naming Ottawa County the fastest growing in the state between 2010 and 2018 with an 10.12% increase. Ottawa County was also the fasting growing last year in Michigan among the ten largest counties in the state. The county's population is now an estimated 290,494 – up 3,572 new residents since 2017 numbers were tabulated last March. Ottawa County remains the 8th most populated in Michigan.

“The fact that once again, Ottawa County leads Michigan population growth is yet another indicator of the quality of life we enjoy here: bountiful natural resources and parks, strong employment base with innovative business, great K-12 and higher educational opportunities, low crime and access to health care make Ottawa County THE place to be,” said Al Vanderberg , Ottawa County Administrator.

  • 48% of Ottawa’s population growth between 2010 and 2018 was the result of a natural increase, meaning there were more births than deaths in the county (natural increase of 12,826 people).

  • 52% of Ottawa’s population growth between 2010 and 2018 was the result of a positive net migration, meaning more people moved into the county than moved out of the county (net migration of 14,031 people)
Common Interest Agreement
Grand Haven Charter Township joined Algoma Township, Plainfield Township, Sparta Township, the City of Kentwood, Rockford Public Schools, Kent Intermediate School District and Grand Rapids Community College to share information and efforts as they relate to the Wexford court decision and how this is being utilized by “so-called” non-profit businesses to avoid paying any property taxes.

At this early stage there is no “cost sharing” involved – but, this will be discussed at future meetings.
Grand River Waterways Dredging Project
The proposed Grand River Waterways project will be discussed at the May 13 th Township Board meeting. Community interest and opposition to the river dredging project continues to increase. ( This proposed dredging project should not be confused with the annual harbor dredging that the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers does regularly in sections of the Grand River from the bascule bridge to the end of the piers.)

Ottawa County has adopted a resolution ( 9 to 1) to oppose the Grand River Waterway project, which entails dredging a 50-foot-wide channel along a 22.5-mile stretch of river to allow for larger watercraft to travel between Grand Rapids and Lake Michigan.

In addition, the Grand Haven City Council voted unanimously to oppose the project.

A white paper on the biological and physical impacts of dredging the Grand River is available from MSU Extension and Michigan Sea Grant. The paper is from Dan O'Keefe, Ph.D. – who is with Michigan State University, Southwest District Extension Educator, Michigan Sea Grant, and the Michigan State University Extension. Click Here to Read the Summary of Research Related to the Potential Physical and Biological Impacts of Dredging to Channelize the Grand River
(616) 842-5988   | info@ght.org | www.ght.org