From Vision to Village: Inside EHTC’s Purposeful Move to Ada
After years of sustained growth and careful planning, EHTC officially moved into our new home in Ada, Michigan, in September 2024. This relocation marked a significant milestone for the firm as we settled into a space designed not only to meet the needs of our growing team, but also to engage more deeply with the community and our clients. Let’s explore why we made the move, what makes our new office special, and how our presence in Ada positions EHTC for an exciting future.
The Decision to Move
“We could see that we had outgrown the office,” said Managing Partner Dave Echelbarger on the firm’s fall 2021 decision to leave EHTC’s long-serving Grand Rapids location. Despite feeling like the East Paris office was recognizable and well-located, it became increasingly apparent that our continued growth necessitated a move.
The lobby of EHTC’s former Grand Rapids location at 2301 E Paris Ave.
While office space in downtown Grand Rapids was considered, ultimately the challenge of team member parking discouraged the firm from moving into the city. Nothing felt “special,” either. That is, until Bill Payne and Jeremy Frost at BP Ventures (BPV) shared with us their passion and interest in developing Ada, MI. “They had this piece of land here,” Dave recalled about discovering the property in March 2022, “and we started imagining what it would be like to actually have an office in Ada.”
Due to rising construction costs first observed in January 2022, Dave and the leadership team weren’t sure at first whether designing a brand-new building was the right move for the firm. But after taking a closer look at Ada’s blossoming business community, “We got pretty excited about it.” The potential was there to create our own space, exactly as we wanted it. In October of that year, we bought the land and put the move in motion.
On Fulton St.
BPV’s lot at 7500 Fulton St. E, across the street from Amway World Headquarters, was originally planned as a multi-tenant space for at least four occupants. “We happened to step in at the exact right time and say, ‘we want the whole thing,’” said Matt Fegan, Valuation Services Partner. Our early timing with BPV meant that we could influence the design and fully execute our vision for the office.
Before signing a contract with Rockford Construction, one main question needed to be answered: How do we create an environment that the EHTC team would love and be excited about? “We had somebody from the outside come in and interview,” Dave said, “and I think that helped us with the design from the very first thing we did.” Our team finalized the design by June 2023, inked the Rockford deal that month, and broke ground on September 18th.
EHTC partners raise a glass at the official groundbreaking of the firm’s Ada headquarters.
A team-focused layout is evident on each of our building’s three floors. Notably, office sizes were compressed to make space for various meeting rooms and other shareable, open work environments. Even the offices left standing are in a way, communal. “People can use my office when I’m not in here for a meeting space,” offered Dave.
The top floor of our building was originally scheduled to become “executive offices,” an idea that now seems unfathomable to those familiar with the way EHTC does business. Instead, it features a large conference space, boardroom, state-of-the-art golf simulator, rooftop patio, and indoor connection lounge for entertaining up to 100 people.
An excerpt from Rockford Construction’s 2024 Year in Review, showcasing the new EHTC office design.
In the past, it felt like networking events and our larger team gatherings required a classic downtown venue. Now, we’re equipped to host groups in a modern, welcoming, and useful space of our own.
The Village
Where you call home matters, especially in a tight-knit community like West Michigan. Ada, affectionately known as “The Village,” shines in its unique blend of small-town charm and entrepreneurial opportunity. EHTC opened the doors of our new home to our clients, team members, and the wider Ada community on September 27th, 2024.
EHTC partners celebrate the opening of the new office alongside Ada and Grand Rapids business community leaders.
Beyond the business advantages, we are committed to being active members in our neighborhood. “One of our core values is passion for living and when we talk about passion for living, we think about being involved in the community,” said Dave. He described the various events that take place in the area and how we’re becoming contributing members of The Village through sponsorship and direct community engagement.
Another way we’ll deepen the connection with our new home is by hosting our annual charitable golf outing at Quail Ridge Golf Club—right here in Ada. All funds raised by the 37th Annual Chipping for Charity will support the mission of AYA Youth Collective as they provide stable housing and resources for West Michigan youth facing homelessness.
Our commitment to becoming an active member of Ada has been warmly received. Kim Rantala, Executive Director of the Ada Business Association, was gracious enough to share her enthusiasm with us:
“The Ada Business Association is thrilled to welcome EHTC to the Ada community. Their commitment to providing exceptional accounting, tax, and advisory services aligns perfectly with Ada’s spirit of innovation and collaboration. As a trusted partner to businesses and individuals alike, EHTC’s presence will undoubtedly strengthen our local economy and enrich our thriving business community. We look forward to seeing their positive impact and are excited for the opportunities this partnership will bring.”
Dave ended with an invitation to cultivate a “go-giver” mindset, expressing that “We are fortunate to be a part of this community, and it is our opportunity to give back.” As a firm, we are committed to giving our time and resources to our communities, wherever they may be. “That was a founding principle of our organization.”
EHTC’s new home at 7500 Fulton St. in Ada, MI.
Our Door’s Always Open
EHTC's move to Ada is more than just a change of address. It's a statement about who we are and where we're going. We've built a space designed to foster collaboration, grow our team with professionals who want to love where they work, and engage meaningfully with our local business community.
Come on over! We invite our clients, partners, and neighbors to visit our new office and experience firsthand the kind of neighbor and business partner EHTC is to The Village. As we settle into this exciting new chapter, our commitment to providing top-quality service and being a positive force in Ada remains unwavering.
Thank you for being part of our journey. We can't wait to see what the future holds in our new home.
