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Employment Numbers Labor force Mar 2012 = 82,500 Mar 2013 = 83,500 Apr 2012 = 81,700 Apr 2013 = 83,900 May 2012 = 83,300 May 2013 = 86,500
Employment Mar 2012 = 74,572 Mar 2013 = 76,500 Apr 2012 = 74,800 Apr 2013 = 77,100 May 2012 = 76,100 May 2013 = 79,000
Employment by Sector
Goods Producing Mar 2012 = 13,900 Mar 2013 = 14,500 Apr 2012 = 14,200 Apr 2013 = 14,800 May 2012 = 14,400 May 2013 = 15,000
Service Providing
Mar 2012 = 45,800 Mar 2013 = 46,700 Apr 2012 = 46,200 Apr 2013 = 47,200 May 2012 = 47,100 May 2013 = 48,400
Business Counseling Appointments
SCORE & MI-SBTDC
Apr 2012 = 33 Apr 2013 = 42 May 2012 = 28 May 2013 = 59
Home Sales
Apr 2012 = 149 Apr 2013 = 170 May 2012 = 184 May 2013 = 217
Average Sale Price Apr 2012 = $75,894 Apr 2013 =$100,845 May 2012 =$85,488 May 2013 =$90,510 Airport Traffic
Takeoffs & Landings Apr 2012 = 2,641 Apr 2013 = 2,129 May 2012 = 2,935 May 2013 = 2,425
Airport Cargo in lbs. Apr 2012 = 85 Apr 2013 = 2,027 May 2012 = 31 May 2013 = 1,519
Commercial Passengers Apr 2012 = 3,119 Apr 2013 = 2,880 May 2012 = 3,317 May 2013 = 3,089
MI Works! Employment Stats
Job Orders Apr 2012 = 16 Apr 2013 = 98 May 2012 = 39 May 2013 = 107
Job Seekers Apr 2012 = 9,683 Apr 2013 = 8,492 May 2012 = 10,793 May 2013 = 3,378
Employers seeking employees Apr 2012 = 63 Apr 2013 = 26 May 2012 = 21 May 2013 = 23
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.
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Check out County's latest HOT JOBS!
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More People Relocate to Muskegon
217 homes were sold in Muskegon County last month which is the second highest number of sales in the past six years. Also, realtors are saying that more homes are being purchased by those who do not live in the area than in the past, as opposed to people moving within the county.
Nexes Realtor, Steve Schuitema said he is currently working to relocate people from Chicago, Kentucky, Oregon and California. "The attractiveness of Muskegon is growing," Schuitema said. "We are seeing an increase in interest from the Chicago market as well as the east side of the state."
Schuitema also said that while a lot of the clients he works with are discovering Muskegon for the first time, many are also moving back after a period of time away. A California client who is interested in purchasing a home in Muskegon County told him that Muskegon is a hidden treasure and there is nothing like it in California.
The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce has sent out 81 relocation packets in the past six months to families moving here and companies recruiting employees to the area. The online relocation tool, Living on the Lakeshore has already been viewed 20,363 times this year by people in nine different countries (see map above). Chris Brown, Chamber Information Specialist said that the requests are coming from all over the country for visitor information. "I am actually sending a relocation packet to a family in France today that is interested in relocating here for work," Brown said.
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Young Professionals Step up in Muskegon
Muskegon is undergoing a generational shift. Jonathan Seyferth, Muskegon Area First Business Development Manager and local young professional advocate, said, "The young people of this community are really stepping up and taking on leadership roles typically served by the baby boomer generation."
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Earlier this month, The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce and Mlive/Muskegon Chronicle partnered on a new event called the Future 15, a program recognizing local young professionals who are making a significant impact along the Muskegon Lakeshore. This group of young leaders (shown above) is planning local festivals, starting their own companies, filling the roles of the older generation, and giving back to the community.
Also this month was the Chamber's annual Intern Meet and Greet. Now in its fifth year, this event gives professionals new to Muskegon County and college students interning at local companies the opportunity to meet, network with business owners, and tour the Muskegon Lakeshore. This year the event had record number attendance with 50 new professionals and interns attending. Participants came from all over the state and country with one intern coming from as far as Mexico.
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Muskegon Businesses Pave Way for Sustainable Community
A number of Muskegon Lakeshore businesses and community organizations received Sustainability Awards from the Muskegon Area Sustainability Coalition. The awards recognize those making a difference on all three "corners" of the sustainability triangle: economic vitality, social equity, and environmental harmony. The winners worked on projects that included everything from environmental clean-up efforts, providing health care to low income residents, wild animal rescue, and recycling. Area businesses and individuals who received the award include...
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Advanced Manufacturing Institute to start again this fall
After a successful first session last winter, the Advanced Manufacturing Institute will start again in the fall of 2013. This program will include 8 weeks of training that provides an overview of working in manufacturing. The course covers an Industry Introduction, Lean 5S, Applied Math Fundamentals, Basic Mechanical, Basic Electrical, Industrial Blueprint Reading, Quality Management, and much more!
Twelve participants graduated the initial program, many were sent by local companies. At Scherdel Sales and Technology, the two participants, Derrick Hobart and David Maynard, have followed-up on the class by pursuing an Associate's degree at MCC. "The class content and instructors really helped us to understand the systems around us at Scherdel," said Maynard. "The class benefited us, and our employer," added Hobart. Two of the initial class participated on scholarships provided by Sun Chemical. One participant received employment in the manufacturing center upon completion.
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