Galati Yacht headed to Michigan

The recession forced many local companies to seek business outside Florida, but one firm took that trend to a surprising place: Michigan.

Given the heavily covered woes of Detroit and other urban areas, the Great Lakes State isn't necessarily considered a hotspot of economic recovery. But Galati Yacht Sales, a family-run yacht sales and service company based on Anna Maria Island, nonetheless sees opportunity up north.

The company, with seven locations in Florida, Alabama and Texas, plans to open an office in Holland, Mich. Holland is in western Michigan, 180 miles west of Detroit and 25 miles southwest of Grand Rapids.