Market Report from the MLCC, MAF, & EA: please be sure to allow images to fully enjoy this newsletter.
February 2014

                

Upcoming Events

January and February Employment Numbers will be released in the March Market Report at the end of next month. 

 

 

Employment Numbers

 

Labor force
Nov 2012 = 82,500      

Nov 2013 = 84,600
Dec 2012 = 83,100
Dec 2013 = 84,100 


Employment

Nov 2012 = 76,300
Nov
2013 = 77,900           
Dec 2012 = 76,200
Dec 2013 = 77,300


 

Employment by Sector
 
Goods Producing

Nov 2012 = 14,700
Nov
2013 = 15,000
Dec 2012 = 14,800
Dec 2013 = 15,000

Service Providing

Nov 2012 = 47,300
Nov 2013 =
48,600
Dec 2012 = 47,300
Dec 2013 = 48,200  

 

 

 

Business Counseling Appointments

 

SCORE & MI-SBTDC
Dec 2012 = 29
Dec
2013 = 31
Jan 2013 = 52
Jan 2014 = 48

 

 


Home Sales (Muskegon County)

 

Homes Sold
Dec 2012 = 138   

Dec 2013 = 174
Jan 2013 = 132
Jan 2014 = 228

 

Average Sale Price
Dec 2012 = $80,208   

Dec 2013 = $83,991 

Jan 2013 = $75,512
Jan 2014 =$91,873

 

 

 

Airport Traffic

 

Takeoffs & Landings
Dec 2012 = 1,898
Dec 2013 = 1,421
Jan
2013 = 1,561
Jan 2014 =1,272   


Airport Cargo in lbs.
Dec 2012 = 37   

Dec 2013 = 4,955
Jan 2013 = 14
Jan 2014 = 8,314


Commercial Passengers

Dec 2012 = 3,106
Dec 2013 = 3,059
Jan 2013 = 2,791
Jan 2014 = 2,132

 

 

 

Michigan Works Statistics

 

Job Orders 
Dec 2012 = 101   

Dec 2013 = 71
Jan 2013 = 59
Jan 2014 = 71

 

Job Seekers
Dec 2012 = 7,787
Dec 2013 =
2,691
Jan 2013 = 4,146
Jan 2014 =2,691

 

Employers seeking employees
Dec 2012 = 61
Dec 2013 = 14
Jan 2013 = 76
Jan 2014 = 14

 

Known Hires
Sept 2013 = 36
Nov 2013 = 137
Dec 2013 =
119
Jan 2014 = 119

  

 

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.
Check out the County's latest HOT JOBS!

Hot Jobs List

Mercy Health Plans $220 Million Medical Center in Muskegon  
Conceptual Rendering Courtesy of Progressive AE/HGA

 

Mercy Health updated business leaders on their plans for a $220 million renovation
project during a Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce breakfast on February 28.
Included in the project is construction of a new nine-story tower on the southwest section of the existing Mercy Campus to accommodate lab, central processing, surgery, critical care, labor & delivery, pediatrics and medical/surgical. The plan also involves rebuilding portions of the existing Mercy campus, a completely new state-of-the-art emergency department, inpatient rehab and additional parking.

 

"Transforming is big in our world right now," Mercy Health's new President, Greg Loomis told the 200+ business leaders. "We have to focus on our patients and create a model that is sustainable for the future."

 

Mercy Health initiated a unique planning process called "True North". They are one of the first hospitals in the country to participate in this level and depth of strategic planning and management.  This planning process created a comprehensive care facility that simplifies communications and flow between employees, providers and patients.  Over 300 colleagues, medical staff, current and former patients, participated in the intensive planning process. 

 

This plan still requires a final approval from the Mercy Health Muskegon's board of trustees, Certificate of Need (CON) approval, and Michigan Department of Public Health and approval from parent organization CHE Trinity Health. Final approval and pending decisions are scheduled to take place in 2014 and completion of the project is projected for 2018 or 2019. 

 
New City Manager Brings Energy & Excitement 
 

Community leaders and residents are responding positively to the energy of new City of Muskegon Manager, Frank Peterson. A recent example is the February 7 goal setting session held at the Muskegon Museum of Art.  During this meeting, Peterson, along with the Muskegon City Commission and key City Hall department heads narrowed down a large number of priorities and goals to nine that will be tackled in the next 12 months and seven more that will be addressed over the next 36 months. 


These immediate goals consist of items such as:

  • Improving the City image
  • Establishing a funding plan for city roads needing rebuilding
  • Fighting blight in city neighborhoods
  • Pushing private development at several key sites
  • Supporting youth recreation and employment programs
  • And many others... click here to read about 2014/2015 goals

"Frank's vision, energy and creative problem solving are accelerating developments in the City of Muskegon," said Downtown Muskegon Now Executive Director, Jonathan Seyferth.  "Working with him has been a great experience and I am excited to continue developing our working relationship over time."

 

The 33 year-old city manager was the city manager in Springfield, Mich., just outside Battle Creek, for six years prior to accepting the position of Muskegon City Manager last September. He recently bought a historic home in the City of Muskegon where he lives with his wife and three children.

Legislators & Businesses Support Muskegon Port River Barge Access 

river barge
Ninety-Four State Legislators and the local business community are supporting a request to the U.S. Coast Guard to expand river barge access on Lake Michigan as far north as the port of Muskegon. The Coast Guard is currently accepting comments on a proposal that if approved, would provide the Muskegon port the same access rules already in place for ports in Illinois and Indiana - opening the doors for new shipping activity and job creation on the Muskegon Lakeshore.

 

"Adding the option of river barge transportation will provide West Michigan companies a competitive advantage by increasing opportunities for affordable and efficient movement of goods to and from the region," says Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber President Cindy Larsen.   "New barge traffic will maximize the use of a valued resource, the Muskegon Port, and additional public and private investment in port infrastructure will create jobs locally and support the Great Lakes shipping industry." 

 

Under current rules, the Coast Guard authorizes certain vessels, including barges, to operate for commercial purposes along certain, set routes in various water bodies, including the Great Lakes.  River barges are those that generally operate on the Mississippi River and its tributary river systems.

 


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

380 W. Western Avenue, Suite 202
Muskegon, MI 49440