Economic Development

Community engagement, inclusivity, and commitment to improve economic development and employment opportunities for all guided the search process 

Kalamazoo, Michigan – The Southwest Michigan First Board of Directors has selected Jonas R. Peterson, CEcD, to serve as chief executive officer for the Southwest Michigan regional economic development organization. Peterson’s appointment follows a six-month national search that prioritized community input and inclusivity.

Jeffrey Mosher gets together with Tom Ross, CEO, Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM), Grand Rapids, Michigan. Their discussion revolved around a recent $50 Million Facility Groundbreaking which outlines the future for sterile fill and finishing manufacturing in West Michigan.

Disability Innovation Fund – Career Advancement Initiative Model will support career pathway and development

LANSING, Mich.—Governor Whitmer today announced the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU), has been awarded a $15.8 million federal grant to support the development and use of career pathways to assist vocational rehabilitation-eligible individuals with disabilities to advance their careers. 

As Labor Market Continues to Heal

• Initial claims for unemployment insurance fell slightly in the week ending October 16 and were below 300,000 for the second straight week. Initial claims are approaching their pre-pandemic level of around 200,000.
• The total number of unemployment insurance recipients was down to around 3 million in early October. Millions lost their access to benefits in early September with the expiration of special pandemic-related programs.
• The number of continued claims under regular state programs is falling as the unemployed start to find jobs.

City proclamation designates Oct. 28 as Lights On Afterschool Day in Flint

(FLINT, Mich. – October 20, 2021) Most days of the year, YouthQuest is open only to students in grades K-12 at Flint Community Schools, Flint Cultural Center Academy, and International Academy of Flint. But for a few days this month, the research-based afterschool enrichment program will open its doors to the public for a series of events held Oct. 21-28.

Memorandum of Understanding promotes dialogue to protect rights of Michigan workers

DETROIT, Mich.—The U.S. Department of Labor’s offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids and the State of Michigan, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to provide opportunities for the agencies to conduct joint investigations and joint outreach as well as share training materials and other information as appropriate.

The Construction Association of Michigan is excited to announce that its CAM Magazine October Special Issue is ready to view! This 132-page, full-color issue of the magazine features 12 outstanding construction projects in the state of Michigan as submitted by CAM member companies.