KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Southwest Michigan First is expecting significant job growth throughout the region over the next few months.
Chief Executive Officer Ron Kitchens said several companies are either expanding or moving in.
“Metal Technologies is expanding is Three Rivers, Terra Contracting has just added a whole new corporate headquarters, (and at) American Axle you’ve got hundreds of jobs available,” Kitchens said.
And that should mean a big bump by August.
“If things hold true, there’s going to be between 8,000 and 10,000 new jobs within 40 miles of downtown Kalamazoo,” Kichens said.
Kitchens also said starting manufacturing salaries are up at least 35 percent.
April’s unemployment rate in Kalamazoo-Portage was 3.7 percent.
