Economy Archives

17 Of Michigan’s 18 Regional Labor Markets Report Smaller Workforces

17 Of Michigan’s 18 Regional Labor Markets Report Smaller Workforces

Michigan's statewide labor force is down 124,000 from a year ago as West Michigan growth slows and tariffs, oil prices and uncertainty squeeze businesses GRAND RAPIDS - Michigan's workforce is shrinking — and the problem stretches across nearly the entire state. Seventeen of Michigan's 18 regional labor markets reported smaller workforces in June than a

By Mike Brennan|2026-08-10T13:47:35-04:00August 10th, 2026|Economy|

MICHIGAN’S NEXT ECONOMY – Pentagon Pushes Weapons Production As Iran War Drains Arsenal — Could Michigan Capture Billions?

MICHIGAN’S NEXT ECONOMY – Pentagon Pushes Weapons Production As Iran War Drains Arsenal — Could Michigan Capture Billions?

GM, Ford and thousands of Michigan suppliers could compete for new defense business — and potentially new manufacturing, engineering, AI and skilled-trades jobs — as Washington races to rebuild depleted weapons inventories. ANN ARBOR - The Iran war has exposed a potentially dangerous weakness in America's military: the United States can fire some of its

By Mike Brennan|2026-08-09T14:10:12-04:00August 9th, 2026|Economy|

Michigan Workers Lose Ground As Jobs Stall And Inflation Eats Wages

Michigan Workers Lose Ground As Jobs Stall And Inflation Eats Wages

DETROIT — Michigan workers are getting squeezed between a weakening job market and rising living costs, with private-sector employment down about 22,000 jobs over the past two years and inflation-adjusted hourly wages still 2.7% below where they were seven years ago. New federal data released Friday add to the warning signs. U.S. employers unexpectedly cut

By Mike Brennan|2026-08-07T14:38:42-04:00August 7th, 2026|Economy, Government/Politics, Politics, Politics/Government|

Pentagon Munitions Concerns Reach White House As Iran War Strains U.S. Arsenal

Pentagon Munitions Concerns Reach White House As Iran War Strains U.S. Arsenal

Analysts warn rebuilding key missile stockpiles could take years, raising questions about America's readiness for a second major conflict WASHINGTON – The United States has enough weapons to continue military operations against Iran, defense analysts say. The larger concern is what happens if another major conflict erupts before America can rebuild its depleted inventories of precision-guided

By Mike Brennan|2026-08-06T18:02:42-04:00August 6th, 2026|Economy, News|

Michigan Built A $3 Billion Cannabis Industry – Now Comes The Hard Part

Michigan Built A $3 Billion Cannabis Industry – Now Comes The Hard Part

Michigan's cannabis market has matured into one of the nation's largest. Now businesses are battling shrinking margins, relentless discounts and higher taxes in the fight for survival. LANSING - Michigan's legal cannabis industry has become one of the state's biggest economic success stories. Adult-use marijuana sales reached approximately $3.17 billion in 2025, making Michigan one

By Mike Brennan|2026-08-05T03:30:32-04:00July 30th, 2026|Economy, Marijuana Business, News|

Michigan CEOs Turn More Cautious on Economy, But Continue Investing and Hiring

Michigan CEOs Turn More Cautious on Economy, But Continue Investing and Hiring

DETROIT — Michigan's largest employers are growing more cautious about the economy, but they're not yet hitting the brakes on hiring, capital investments or their long-term commitment to the state. A new second-quarter survey from Business Leaders For Michigan found CEO optimism declined sharply compared with the previous quarter as executives weighed continuing uncertainty surrounding

By Mike Brennan|2026-08-24T15:29:49-04:00July 14th, 2026|Economy, News|

Michigan Keeps Creating Great Ideas. Why Do Startups Leave?

Michigan Keeps Creating Great Ideas. Why Do Startups Leave?

New Innovation Alliance hopes to turn more Michigan inventions into Michigan companies—and keep billions of dollars in future value from leaving the state. LANSING - For decades, Michigan has been one of America's great innovation engines. The state is home to world-class research universities, global automotive and manufacturing companies, a growing artificial intelligence sector, and

By Mike Brennan|2026-08-24T11:52:51-04:00July 10th, 2026|Economy, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurs, Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

The Risk Is Back: Renewed Middle East Fighting Threatens Michigan Drivers, Auto Industry

The Risk Is Back: Renewed Middle East Fighting Threatens Michigan Drivers, Auto Industry

ANN ARBOR — Michigan drivers may not feel it immediately, but the latest flare-up in Middle East fighting has once again put gasoline prices—and much of Michigan's economy—on an upward path. Oil prices jumped this week after renewed fighting between the United States and Iran reignited concerns that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-09T14:57:20-04:00July 9th, 2026|Economy, News|

Manufacturing Leads Michigan’s Economy Higher as West Michigan Posts Best Performance in Five Years

Manufacturing Leads Michigan’s Economy Higher as West Michigan Posts Best Performance in Five Years

GRAND RAPIDS - While headlines over the past several months have focused on tariffs, inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, one of Michigan's most closely watched manufacturing indicators is telling a more optimistic story. The latest Purchasing Managers Index from Grand Valley State University's Seidman College of Business shows West Michigan manufacturers enjoyed their strongest month in

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-09T14:49:01-04:00July 9th, 2026|Economy, News|