By John Bebow - March 25, 2009
Two pieces of good news from the west side this week.
First, in the wake of a brutal statewide economy, Census statisics show the Grand Rapids region is holding it's own…
In West Michigan, Kent County showed a slight increase, from 602,676 to 605,213. Ottawa County also grew, from 258,461 to 260,364," the Grand Rapids Press reported. "The Grand Rapids-Wyoming area also was up, from 774,931 to 776,833, as was the Holland-Grand Haven area, from 258,461 to 260,364."
Secondly, Kalamazoo's strong reputation for regional cooperation went up a couple more notches with the scary disclosure that a cooperative of local banks and financiers saved a bunch of local jobs providers from closing this winter due to the credit crunch, the Kalmazoo Gazette reported…
Eight local manufacturing companies that paid their bills and were financially sound nearly closed their doors for good last month, local business leaders say. "We probably had at risk close to 2,000 jobs," said Ron Kitchens, chief executive officer of Southwest Michigan First, a local economic-development agency. "There was a week or 10 days there where I didn't sleep very well."
Hats off to west Michigan leaders for once again demonstrating the extreme value of collaboration.
One Comment
I can't believe Granholm didn't find out about this and claim credit for it. She could've sent MEDC in and claimed credit for an additional 2,000 indirect jobs.
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