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February 2013

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Upcoming Events

Business Counseling Appointments  


SCORE & MI-SBTDC
Dec 2011 = 43
Dec 2012 = 29
Jan 2012 = 39
Jan 2013 = 52



Home Sales 
Dec 2011 =123
Dec 2012 = 138
Jan 2012 = 90
Jan 2013 = 132
 

Average Sale Price
Dec 2011 =$80,208
Dec 2012 =
$85,327
Jan 2012 = $77,978
Jan 2013 = $75,512
 

 

 

Airport Traffic

Takeoffs & Landings
Dec 2011 =2,139
Dec 2012 = 1,898
Jan 2012 = 2,441
Jan 2013 =
1,561 

Airport Cargo in lbs.
Dec 2011 =1,016
Dec 2012 = 37
Jan 2012 = 1,588
Jan 2013 = 14


Commercial Passengers
Dec 2011 =3,224
Dec 2012 = 3,106
Jan 2012 = 2,380
Jan 2013 = 2,791



MI Works! Employment Stats

Job Orders

Dec 2011 =17
Dec 2012 =
101
Jan 2012 = 32
Jan 2013 = 59


Job Seekers
Dec 2011 =10,462
Dec 2012 =
7,787
Jan 2012 = 9,871
Jan 2013 = 4,146


Employers seeking employees
Dec 2011 =30
Dec 2012 = 61
Jan 2012 = 19
Jan 2013 = 76



Employment Numbers 
(The State will not be releasing the January employment numbers until the end of March.  Look for these up-to-date numbers in the March Market Report)


Labor Force
Nov 2011 = 81,400
Nov 2012 = 80,088
Dec 2011 = 80,700
Dec 2012 = 81,100
 

Employment 
Nov 2011 =
74,600
Nov 2012 = 74,093
Dec 2011 =
73,400
Dec 2012 = 74,100


Employment by Sector 

Goods Producing 
Nov 2011 =
12,200
Nov 2012 = 12,700
Dec 2011 = 12,000
Dec 2012 = 12,500


Service Providing 
Nov 2011 =
47,100
Nov 2012 = 46,500
Dec 2011 =
46,900
Dec 2012 = 46,600




Statistics provided by:
The Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth; Local Municipalities, The Michigan Association of Realtors, the Muskegon County Airport, Muskegon Area First, the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Works! Muskegon/Oceana and the Small Business Technology & Development Center.

Muskegon County Third Highest GDP Increase in Michigan 

Muskegon County had the third fastest growing real gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011 among Michigan's 14 metro areas.  This recent data release shows a healthy 2.82 percent growth for Muskegon from 2010 to 2011.

This data also reveals that outside of the Detroit area, West Michigan is rebounding faster than the rest of the state with Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland, and Grand Rapids all ranking in the top four for GDP increases in 2011. Michigan cities like Kalamzaoo, Lansing, Bay City, Battle Creek, Monroe and Niles actually lost GDP in 2011.

Muskegon Area First President Ed Garner attributes Muskegon's increase to the economic diversity of the community.  "Muskegon's economic activity is being equally generated across half a dozen business sectors," said Garner.  "We are continuing to work with businesses on expansions and relocations to the Muskegon market. At any given time, we are typically working with 20 development projects." 

 
Those interested in gathering data on our community, or expanding in Muskegon, should contact Jonathan Seyferth at Muskegon Area First at 231-722-3751.  

Another National Festival Chooses Muskegon!


B.A.S.S. announced this week that the 2013 Bassmaster Classic Toyota All Star-Week will take place in Muskegon September 27-29. Fourteen of the nation's best bass fishermen will compete September 27-28, and their combined tournament weights will be used to determine the top four. These four anglers will then vie for a piece of a $100,000 payout. The winner will earn $50,000, and all 13 other competitors will take home paychecks.

"This is going to be a star-studded competition on Muskegon Lake and an overall tremendous event," said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. "Fans who want to see outstanding fishing action will want to attend."

The event will take place at Muskegon County's Heritage Landing and will be featured in a two hour broadcast on ESPN2 in October. This is the second national festival to recently select Muskegon as an event site after the National Hot Rod Power Tour took over Downtown Muskegon in June of 2011 and 2012.  

If you are interested in holding an event or bringing a festival to the area, contact the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau at 231.724.3100. 

Downtown Muskegon Businesses Featured on International Shopping Panel

Two Downtown Muskegon business owners are being featured on a panel at the International Council for Shopping Centers (ICSC) regional program in Grand Rapids next Tuesday. Kathleen Reigler, Owner of The Cheese Lady and Jeff Jacobson, Co-Owner of Unruly Brewing Company will represent Muskegon in a forum featuring retailers from Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Zeeland and Kalamazoo.Click here for the details of the program.  
 

The ICSC West Michigan Alliance brings together the public and private sector of retail development. "In putting our program together this year, we noted the importance of food retailers and their impact on revitalization of our cities and neighborhoods," said Anne Marie Bessette, 2013 ICSC West Michigan Alliance Program Co-Chair. "Our goal is to showcase the great examples of this throughout West Michigan and The Cheese Lady stands out: an entrepreneur who began at the Muskegon Farmers Market who was able to move to a permanent location of significance, and now has sold two franchise businesses."

The March 5th forum will also cover beer and brewing, a growing identity of West Michigan. "We have many outstanding award-winning breweries with various approaches, and are pleased to be able to include Unruly Brewing Company, one of the newest, with a planned opening in April," Bassette added. "The unique aspect of community brewing that they bring is great for increasing entrepreneurship and development, and will be a fun addition to this panel." 


This report it brought to you by:
Muskegon Area First, Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and the Employers Association of West Michigan

380 W. Western Avenue Ste 202
Muskegon, MI 49440