Labor market conditions remained essentially unchanged in regional metro areas in February. Unemployment rates were similar to the prior month’s levels, and private sector job levels in most metro areas were little changed. Over the past year, regional jobless rates have edged down and payroll job gains have occurred. Labor Force Was Up Over the [...]

Seasonal job cuts in January resulted in higher unemployment rates throughout the Southwest Michigan region.  Seasonal job reductions were recorded in construction and leisure and hospitality in January.  According to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, temporary holiday-related retail job levels also fell in January. Furthermore, seasonal layoffs of support staff in education [...]

LANSING—Sen. John Proos met with area realtors on Friday to discuss the status of the real estate industry in Southwest Michigan. Proos took part in a legislative panel during the meeting, which was hosted by the Southwestern Michigan Association of Realtors at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center. “Home sales and property values are important to our [...]

LANSING – Sen. John Proos announced on Thursday (March 14) that he is hosting a social networking bracket tournament in which 32 high schools from throughout Southwest Michigan will compete for who has the most school spirit. The first round of the competition begins on Monday, March 18 at noon and will go through noon [...]

LANSING – The Senate on Thursday (March 7) approved legislation allocating more than $23 million from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) to natural resources improvement projects across the state, said Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph. The NRTF is supported by annual revenues from the development of state-owned mineral resources, largely oil and gas, [...]

LANSING – State Rep. Al Pscholka and state Sen. John Proos are pleased that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Emergency Dredging Plan includes a proposed $105,000 for the St. Joseph West Basin Marina harbor, $1 million for the New Buffalo Municipal Marina and $436,050 for the South Haven Municipal Marina. The DNR 2013 [...]

Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates rose in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in December, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment levels decreased in most regions over the month, while labor force levels increased in the majority of areas. “December labor market activity throughout the state [...]

Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates declined slightly in 14 of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in November, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment and labor force levels decreased in all regions over the month. “Unemployment rates declined over the month throughout Michigan mostly due to a reduction [...]

The Southwest Michigan labor market analysis from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget reports that typical seasonal employment changes were observed in September. Employment rose in the education sector (public and private), while jobs declined in leisure and hospitality services. At the same time, students and other seasonal workers continued to leave the [...]

World War II prisoner of war (POW) work camps in Southwest Michigan will be in the spotlight during a meeting of the St. Joseph County Historical Society on Sunday, October 21 at the organization’s museum in downtown Centreville. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. by Silver Spoons Catering ($7.50). The program – presented by [...]

The Department of Natural Resources invites residents to “Go-Get Outdoors” and enjoy state parks and recreation areas in Southwest Michigan while helping to protect their natural habitat. Volunteering for these October workdays is a great way for park visitors and area residents to get outside, have fun, and enjoy the fresh air and fall colors. [...]

Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in July, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment and labor force levels declined in the majority of regions over the month. “July jobless rate increases are typical in Michigan’s local labor markets,” said [...]

Lansing – Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased in all of Michigan’s 17 major labor market areas in June, according to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. Total employment and labor force levels rose in most regions in June. “Workforce and employment levels in most Michigan regions expanded in June as summer and seasonal [...]

ST. JOSEPH, MI – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) applauded Sunday’s (July 1) disaster declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for southwest Michigan fruit farmers who are facing one of the worst crop losses in decades.  A mild winter followed by unseasonably warm temperatures in March caused Michigan fruit trees to bud [...]

LANSING – Southwest Michigan farmers or specialty food business owners who are looking to grow their business or find new markets for their produce should download a free guide full on valuable tips and information, said Sen. John Proos. “Southwest Michigan’s thriving agricultural community provides countless opportunities for small businesses and supports thousands of families [...]

May marks the beginning of the summer break for colleges and universities. As a consequence, many college students start to look for summer jobs in May, leading to a rise in the labor force. Despite better job opportunities in May in most local labor markets (nine out of twelve), not all jobseekers managed to secure [...]

Summer is a perfect time to get outdoors in Michigan state parks and recreation areas and join the effort to protect critical dune, prairie and forest habitats stretching from Berrien to Muskegon counties. State recreation officials recently announced the schedule of volunteer stewardship activities for the month of June throughout southwestern Michigan state parks and [...]

Unemployment rates fell in April in all Southwest Michigan labor markets by a full percentage point on average. In April, seasonal job gains were recorded in leisure and hospitality (including hotels, restaurants and recreational activities), professional and business services, retail trade, and construction. In Branch County, the April unemployment rate was 7.6 percent, down from [...]

WATERVLIET, MI – Wednesday morning (May 23), Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) got a firsthand look at the devastation wrought on southwest Michigan fruit farmers by unseasonably warm temperatures this March followed by April freezes.  Upton toured three Berrien County farms to survey the recent damage to local fruit crops – including apples, cherries, grapes, [...]

Having clean water is not only essential for our health and well-being, but it is also essential for our economy.  There is so much water in southwest Michigan – hundreds of miles of streams and rivers, hundreds of inland lakes and of course Lake Michigan.  What are communities and landowners in southwest Michigan doing to [...]