A group of seniors from Grand Valley State University have developed an app called, YGR, or Why Grand Rapids. The app features a list of Grand Rapids-based stores, restaurants, companies, and transportation and entertainment options.

In the app, you can get information in six categories: entertainment, community, jobs, living in GR, networking and government. It totes itself as being "a small app to help you discover the big possibilities in Grand Rapids".

The idea for the app came from a partnership between Grand Valley and the City of Grand Rapids that began in 2014. Former Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell asked students at GVSU how to city could attract and keep college graduates in the city.

The students who helped develop the app, called themselves "Advanced Solutions," and included Ryan Banaszak, Brent Bouwkamp, Chris DeNeef, Trent Keusch, and Cameron Lewis.

"YGR allows users to easily find what they need around our growing city," said Banaszak. "With a sleek, modern and fun design, our team believes users will be jumping to come back to the app. The Grand Valley students who have previewed the app feel it will go a long way in promoting the region as a choice place for our generation to develop future careers."

The free app is available in the Android Play Store and the Apple Store.

More From 100.5 FM The River