GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The annual forecast for West Michigan’s economy is out and wages are expected to go up some in 2017.
The Right Place, Inc. and the W.E. Upjohn Institute made their presentation Wednesday morning at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
Jim Robey, PhD., the Director of Regional Economic Planning Services for the W.E. Upjohn Institute said he expects a tight labor market in Michigan which will push wages up in Michigan in 2017. He sees Michigan adding over 41,000 new jobs and a 1.1% increase in general employment. The service industry will provide the biggest increases, with an expected 1.3% increase in employment in that sector.
Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. highlighted their activities of 2016, which included 19 completed projects, 635 new and retained jobs, $29.4 million in new payroll and $240.6 million in capital investment. Most of the investment and jobs were in technology and manufacturing industries.
