Current State of Economy: GR & West Mich (Detroit, Grand Rapids: home, to buy)

[virgokid1]

I've been eagerly perusing recent news articles from across the trustworthy internet, and have since discovered the following:

Western Michigan appears to be booming economically compared to the South-eastern quadrant. I've read of companies moving in rather than out. Hiring seems more prevalent than firing.

Can anyone else attest to this?

[magellan]

"Booming" is probably a stretch, but "employment is slowly growing" is probably accurate.

You can see it here: down overrall from 2001 because of the 2003 recession, but up since 2003:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Data

Certain sectors are really growing, like financial services and healthcare, while construction and manufacturing are shedding jobs.

[suydam]

Booming relative to Detroit? Maybe.

Job growth in Western Michigan still lags the national average. But at least it's job growth.

[joedekock]

Living in West Michigan and working in a job that takes me all over Michigan to different business', I can say that "booming" is an inaccurate description. Very slowly progressing is more like it.

What has always set West Michigan's economy apart from the rest of the state, (particularly Detroit), is the work ethic. (I am not knocking Detroiters work ethic).

West Michigan has always had that "nose to the grind-stone", work harder to make things better for your self and others. And I think the key there is the "others" part. Business owners on the West Side tend to be much less greedy. They are willing to sacrifice a huge salary and bonus for themselves to re-invest in their workers or company. And the same can be said for the workers themselves. Then when the times are good, that's the time to buy that second home or Corvette.

I know for a fact, that our Chamber of Commerce in Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and Holland is full of business' and their owners who literally have a heart for improving the entire economy that they are involved in. They are not just a part of the Chamber to rub shoulders at fancy cocktail party's and discuss their yachts.

[virgokid1]

Sounds like Western Michigan is really a great place to do business as well. The idea of strong work ethic appeals to me. I can't knock Detroit-area businesses either, because I haven't worked for very many. I will say however, that it appears as though western Michigan and particularly GR exudes an aura of "do-it-yourself" attitude.. which I like. It would then seem likely that a city like GR would find itself home to a bevy of entrepreneurs and self-starters who appreciate their city, community and neighbors. I found this to be the case when I visited Kent County a few times this year.

I think one of the better things I've noticed about GR, is that it's industry seems a whole lot more diverse than the Auto-dominated Detroit.

[joedekock]

Originally Posted by virgokid1

Sounds like Western Michigan is really a great place to do business as well. The idea of strong work ethic appeals to me. I can't knock Detroit-area businesses either, because I haven't worked for very many. I will say however, that it appears as though western Michigan and particularly GR exudes an aura of "do-it-yourself" attitude.. which I like. It would then seem likely that a city like GR would find itself home to a bevy of entrepreneurs and self-starters who appreciate their city, community and neighbors. I found this to be the case when I visited Kent County a few times this year.

I think one of the better things I've noticed about GR, is that it's industry seems a whole lot more diverse than the Auto-dominated Detroit.

100% right on with everything you have said. That is from my life time of experience of living and working in West Michigan!

[Br1234]

A lot of west-siders are a little resentful of their money being fleeced by grandmole and sent to Detroit for "social programs". In all fairness, that has been going on long before she came along.

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by joedekock

Living in West Michigan and working in a job that takes me all over Michigan to different business', I can say that "booming" is an inaccurate description. Very slowly progressing is more like it.

What has always set West Michigan's economy apart from the rest of the state, (particularly Detroit), is the work ethic. (I am not knocking Detroiters work ethic).

West Michigan has always had that "nose to the grind-stone", work harder to make things better for your self and others. And I think the key there is the "others" part. Business owners on the West Side tend to be much less greedy. They are willing to sacrifice a huge salary and bonus for themselves to re-invest in their workers or company. And the same can be said for the workers themselves. Then when the times are good, that's the time to buy that second home or Corvette.

I know for a fact, that our Chamber of Commerce in Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, and Holland is full of business' and their owners who literally have a heart for improving the entire economy that they are involved in. They are not just a part of the Chamber to rub shoulders at fancy cocktail party's and discuss their yachts.

I'm not denying that there is truth in your statements, but why don't you just call it Dutch country and call it a day? You can't take the good generalizations about GR without taking the bad. No one will probably flinch at what you say, but what if we called the area a white, conservative, dutch reformed stronghold? I KNOW most people won't take this generalization sitting down. Just trying to add some perspective.

[Br1234]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

You can't take the good generalizations about GR without taking the bad. but what if we called the area a white, conservative, dutch reformed stronghold? I KNOW most people won't take this generalization sitting down.

Even if what you said were to be true, what about that is bad?

The way you put it makes it sound like a utopia.

[joedekock]

Originally Posted by Cato the Elder

I'm not denying that there is truth in your statements, but why don't you just call it Dutch country and call it a day? You can't take the good generalizations about GR without taking the bad. No one will probably flinch at what you say, but what if we called the area a white, conservative, dutch reformed stronghold? I KNOW most people won't take this generalization sitting down. Just trying to add some perspective.

Because that is not a good description of what all of West Michigan is. Like someone posted earlier, it is very diverse. Culturally, and economically.

Yes, West Michigan as a whole is conservative, but you are wrong if you think a place like Holland does not contain a high Hispanic population, or Grand Rapids a high Black population. Holland's Dutch Reformed stronghold has been broken up. The elderly are dying off and have died off at high rates in the last five years, and their kids' and grandkids' generations are not as Reformed as they were. A lot of the Dutch population has moved on, and been taken over by the Hispanics in Holland.

Just because hard work, selflessness and helping your neighbor tend to be a principle you relate to being white, Dutch, and Reformed, does not mean that is how it is. Open your eyes a little, and you will see that those principles are crossing the color, race, and religion lines and being embraced by more all races and religions in West Michigan. (Except maybe Saugatuck and Douglas).