KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Southwest Michigan First says the region began 2016 with unparalleled economic and employment strength, which could continue through the rest of the year.
CEO Ron Kitchens said the region’s unemployment is down to about 3.7 percent. That’s a significant change from the 13 percent mark hit between 2007 and 2009.
“The 30-year average is 5.2 percent,” Kitchens said. “3.7 percent is unprecedented.”
Kitchens said he’s pleased with those numbers.
“Things are smoking hot,” Kitchens said. “Now is the time to run up the score, but I know, because I lived through it, that we’re going to see a dip, and we need to make sure we’re as strong as possible when that happens.”
The state unemployment average is 4.5 percent, which is near a 15-year low.
– Anthony Pollreisz
