by Kimberly Viers | Dec 9, 2019 | Business
A college degree is no longer just preparation for a job. “It’s preparation for a career, preparation to be a community citizen,” said Jennifer Bott, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Western Michigan University (WMU). This change in the role of...
by Kimberly Viers | Dec 2, 2019 | Business
Layoffs associated with the auto sector strike raised the roof on October unemployment levels in a few Southwest Michigan counties, with St. Joseph County hit the hardest. Despite this unexpected snowstorm (yes, remember that on Halloween?), the month recorded typical...
by Kimberly Viers | Nov 1, 2019 | Business
And by that, we mean jobless rates. Employment data for September 2019 is out and the regional jobless rate fell more than half a percentage point compared to August. Low unemployment (3.3%) in the Kalamazoo-Portage MSA continues to be the catalyst driving down...
by Kimberly Viers | Oct 31, 2019 | Business
Polytek Development Corp. is moving forward with plans to expand its facility in Comstock Charter Township. This project plans to generate a total private investment of $2.1 million and create 28 jobs! As a result of the expansion and new jobs, the leading...
by Kimberly Viers | Oct 30, 2019 | Business
Decreasing Talent Pool? Now, That’s Scary! Handmade airplanes flew as water poured through pumps and giant Jenga crashed to the ground. What seems like a day of fun for area middle school students at MiCareerQuest Southwest doubled as a glimpse into future...
by Kimberly Viers | Oct 21, 2019 | Business
Economic growth and how to achieve it are at the top of the platform for most candidates for government office—whether it be for local, state, or national seats of representation. Regional economic catalyst, Southwest Michigan First, reached out to 2019 candidates for...
