Grand Rapids has five other sister cities: Omihachiman in Japan, Bielsko-Biala in Poland, Ga District in Ghana, Perugia in Italy and Zapopan in Mexico. Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said in the release conversations between officials of the two cities revealed “complementary communities with similar strengths and opportunities to build and grow cultural, commercial, and artistic ties.” The new sister city is 6,500 miles away from Grand Rapids, with a 13-hour time difference. Gangnam also has its own ArtPrize, inspired by Grand Rapids’ ArtPrize. Both have seen a lot of growth and development through the furniture industry, and both have had recent growth in the health care industry as well as the brewing and distilling industries. Gangnam, one of 25 autonomous districts of Seoul, has many similarities to Grand Rapids, the city said. The city commission approved a sister city agreement with Gangnam District on Tuesday, Grand Rapids said in a Wednesday release.
(WOOD) - Grand Rapids is getting a new sister city: Gangnam District in South Korea. Seoul National University Hospital Daehan Center / Silver Prize Upon the announcement of the 15th Korea Ecological Architecture and Environment Award.
