KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — Southwest Michigan First expects 2016 to be another banner year for business growth and economic development in the region.
Chief Executive Officer Ron Kitchens is basing that on 2015 numbers.
He said 2015 was a year where business came back to Michigan after companies bolted elsewhere during the one-state recession.
“1,600 new jobs from 45 companies,” Kitchens said. “We’re never done, and we’re always looking for more and better jobs, but, yeah, it’s a good year.”
Unemployment rates were also lower.
“Right at four percent, 4.1 percent,” Kitchens said. “And we’ve got Kalamazoo and (St. Joseph counties) in the mid-threes.”
The 30-year average for unemployment, in comparison, is 5.2 percent.
– Anthony Pollreisz
