Through an August 1st ‘SNOOK’S NOOK BLOG’ entry entitled “Our predicament,” I provided links to two items from The New York Times, including one written by David Stockman, former budget director in the Reagan administration and once the congressman from Southwest Michigan. That post has now been expanded to add a link to a National [...]
Whether it’s fine wines from the Leelanau Peninsula or electric vehicles built in Wayne County, some of the best products in the world are made or grown right here in Michigan. When we buy these products, we’re supporting our economy and our local businesses that employ our families, friends and neighbors. That’s why House Democrats [...]
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm Friday (June 4th) said that Michigan must continue diversifying its economy and educating its citizens to be competitive globally. The governor’s remarks came during her address at the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual policy conference on Mackinac Island. “The world has changed, and we must change, too, by [...]
LANSING – In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer Granholm Friday (March 19th) said that progress is being made every day in diversifying Michigan’s economy and creating new jobs and cited some recent examples from around the state.
“It has been awesome.” These are words used by Rev. Maria Rutland, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Three Rivers, in describing the response to efforts in recent months to launch a weekend homeless shelter to address the needs of those in St. Joseph County affected by the current economic downturn.
LANSING – Governor Jennifer Granholm has joined the governors of Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin in writing Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner to request that the Treasury Department consider additional initiatives to help manufacturers gain access to credit. The governors said that additional assistance for American manufacturers can help them diversify into new industries, [...]
LANSING – In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer Granholm Friday (January 15th) said the future of the American auto industry is on display at the North American International Auto Show.
The start of a New Year often spurs hope for positive change and improvement. After a year that was quite a challenge, many of us, I am sure, have a strong desire for 2010 to bring “positive change and improvement,” particularly in terms of the economy and employment.
In spite of a tough economy, the City of Three Rivers did “very good” in 2009. That’s the assessment of Mayor Allen Balog in a wide-ranging New Year’s Eve interview with the River Country Journal.
It’s easy to think “gloom and doom” when it comes to Michigan’s beleaguered economy, but there are some positive things to report amid the stories of job losses and budget problems. For some balance and encouragement – including some positive indicators from Southwest Michigan – check out this article from The Center for Michigan: SPECIAL [...]
Kalamazoo-Portage area employers expect to hire at an unsteady pace during the first quarter of 2010, according to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
What Should Michigan Be Doing to Promote Long-Run Economic Development?
“It’s been a challenging year economically.” These words from Cathy Knapp, executive director of the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) – described as “a dramatic understatement” – led off her remarks as she presented the EDC’s Annual Report to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners during the group’s December 1st meeting, a [...]
ANN ARBOR, Mich.—This year has been one of the most brutal years in a generation for Michigan’s economy and next year will still be difficult, say economists at the University of Michigan. But the Michigan economy will begin to turn the tide with modest job gains by the end of 2011, and an extrapolation of [...]
The Center for Michigan will host a free, morning-long “Action Group” town hall meeting in Lansing on Tuesday (November 17th).
Equalization Director Judy Nelson brought some rather grim news regarding the economy and revenues as she presented the 2009 Apportionment Report to the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners Tuesday (October 20th).
Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in September edged upward by one-tenth of a percentage point to 15.3 percent, according to data released Wednesday (October 14th) by the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth (DELEG). Total employment decreased by 14,000 and unemployment increased slightly by 4,000, as the state’s labor force recorded a 10,000 [...]
The US-12 Heritage Trail Council has announced plans for a “Heritage Route Summit” later this month and is inviting heritage advocates, community leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, students, educators, and politicians to learn more about tapping into existing assets to create thriving communities.
Julie Mack’s latest opinion column – published Saturday (October 10th) in the Kalamazoo Gazette – offers some strong criticism of the Michigan Legislature’s handling of the state budget. In it, she mentions “clueless and inept leadership” and “ideological foxholes” and cites a need for “pragmatic problem-solving.” There’s also criticism of Governor Granholm for “a lack [...]
If you’re in need of a boost in the midst of these trying times in Michigan, an item from The Center for Michigan may help a bit. To access the piece, written by John Bebow, click on the following link: Good business, good news
