[MittenDweller82]

I can admit it, I used to post on the negative threads, bashing and burning our state. Although it lies in the eye of the beholder. I spent over a year unemployed and seriously looking for a job daily. I love our states scenery, outdoor opportunities and you could really fill a page with that. I will have finished my PhD this fall and although I can admit its sad with my degree jobs are slim, there are alot of other reasons I do want to stay here. If your doing well....stay if not then it might be time for a new idea. Everyone speaks of NC or other southern states as if they were greener grass. Michigan is just slow to transition out of the manufacturing phase. Chicago's mayor in the 70's realized the change in technology and set tax incentives and other benefits for emerging industry. Michigan will take advantage of the future of autos and their products, just as it did in the beginning. Yes there is alot of administrative problems that must be solved before we can move forward, but when that happens it will be a green market for the home buyer as well as the entrepreneur.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Sociologist

I can admit it, I used to post on the negative threads, bashing and burning our state. Although it lies in the eye of the beholder. I spent over a year unemployed and seriously looking for a job daily. I love our states scenery, outdoor opportunities and you could really fill a page with that. I will have finished my PhD this fall and although I can admit its sad with my degree jobs are slim, there are alot of other reasons I do want to stay here. If your doing well....stay if not then it might be time for a new idea. Everyone speaks of NC or other southern states as if they were greener grass. Michigan is just slow to transition out of the manufacturing phase. Chicago's mayor in the 70's realized the change in technology and set tax incentives and other benefits for emerging industry. Michigan will take advantage of the future of autos and their products, just as it did in the beginning. Yes there is alot of administrative problems that must be solved before we can move forward, but when that happens it will be a green market for the home buyer as well as the entrepreneur.

I remember butting heads with you sociologist. I really hope things go well for you and I'm pulling for you to find something you enjoy doing (even if it means leaving Michigan for a while).

I just had a Founders the other day. Oh, by the way, they are moving into a huge new facility that will allow them to quadruple their production, their taproom will be much bigger with outdoor seating, and it will be non-smoking. They hope to open this Fall.

Grand Rapids – Rapid Growth - Popular microbrewery has $4M Heartside expansion on tap

..in case I didn't mention it before (memory lapse).

[magellan]

Just read this. The nuclear power plant in Covert Michigan was bought out by Entergy (from Consumers Energy) and is looking to hire 64 new people. If you work in an engineering. electrical or technical field, and are looking for work, you might want to check it out. You can be a real life HOMER SIMPSON! No j/k, but I'm sure the pay is pretty good.

MLive.com: Everything Michigan

Covert is in a beautiful area between St Joe and South Haven, along Lake Michigan. It's also only about 20 minutes from Holland and maybe 40 minutes from Grand Rapids.

covert michigan - Google Maps

Just FYI sharing the wealth.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by magellan

Just read this. The nuclear power plant in Covert Michigan was bought out by Entergy (from Consumers Energy) and is looking to hire 64 new people. If you work in an engineering. electrical or technical field, and are looking for work, you might want to check it out. You can be a real life HOMER SIMPSON! No j/k, but I'm sure the pay is pretty good.

MLive.com: Everything Michigan

Covert is in a beautiful area between St Joe and South Haven, along Lake Michigan. It's also only about 20 minutes from Holland and maybe 40 minutes from Grand Rapids.

covert michigan - Google Maps

Just FYI sharing the wealth.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to magellan again. Dang it! Info like is this is much needed right now. Good job!

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by mimmic

I do not live in michigan currently but am not in fear of telling it as it is. michigan is dropping like a rock.

Really? This comes as a shock to those of us who live here and hear the news and read the paper everyday.

This is a thread that is trying, despite the fact that we are all on a sinking ship , to stay positive. If you want to post something negative, troll on over to the "michigan-point-of-no-return" thread. If you would like to add something constructive to the forum, then by all means, be our guest.

[magellan]

No reps needed Jeff.

Here's another one. Job growth in the Grand Rapids area was up a staggering .9% for the first quarter of this year. Much better than the stagnant growth in the 3rd and 4th quarter of last year, and as much as what was forecast for the entire 07. Also, in May 07, it was up about 2000 jobs from May 06:

http://www.wzzm13.com/news/local/grmetro_article.aspx?storyid=76929 (broken link)

No, not a fluff piece from the Granholm campaign. This was from the Upjohn Institute, which uses the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data .

[notime4michigan]

I bet most of those jobs were min, wage entry level jobs.
I have friends who work in the wait staff business, and things are slow in GR, some have been layed off for lack of business and or transferd to other rest. that have more traffic.
GR is by no means humming along.

[jeffncandace]

Originally Posted by notime4michigan

I bet most of those jobs were min, wage entry level jobs.
I have friends who work in the wait staff business, and things are slow in GR, some have been layed off for lack of business and or transferd to other rest. that have more traffic.
GR is by no means humming along.

My family lives near GR and they tell me the opposite. And most posts I read on the forums say the opposite as well.

Ah, Magellan...You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to magellan again. Dang it!

[magellan]

Originally Posted by notime4michigan

I bet most of those jobs were min, wage entry level jobs.
I have friends who work in the wait staff business, and things are slow in GR, some have been layed off for lack of business and or transferd to other rest. that have more traffic.
GR is by no means humming along.

Well then why would restaurants or businesses be adding minimum wage entry level jobs if things are slow? To a tune of 3500 - 4000 in the last 3 months in GR? Perhaps you missed the irony (contradiction) of your own post...

Restaurants and retailers are hurting, all over the country, because of high gas prices. When family budgets are squeezed by spending double on gas, dining out (instead of carpooling or driving less) is the first thing to change. You're right in that they are not doing a ton of hiring.

Consumers pinched by rising gas prices - MarketWatch

So if that's the case, then WHO added all those service jobs? (most of the gains were service jobs according to the Upjohn Institute).

Relatively speaking, Grand Rapids is doing pretty well.

[linda37]

Originally Posted by TurboState

Wow theres been some fantastic news around Michigan from friends and family! My neighbor just got a great job - he admitted he wasn't looking that hard until recently. Such great news for him.

Also we noticed houses in Royal Oak selling at a frantic pace for the $200-250K range once again. There were 8-9ish homes on our street for sale and I don't believe there is a single one now. We've noticed some really great new people moving into the area as well.

Anyone noticing surprising turnarounds? I always love Michigan summers, colorful fall, and quite mild winters.

Thumbs up here for deciding to stay!

You must be thinking of another state that starts with a M.