West and Southwest Michigan purchasing managers surveyed report new orders rose from +14 in May to +21 in June. Production also doubled over that same period. Both data sets represent three-year highs.
Brian G. Long is Director of Supply Management Research in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. He observed purchasing managers noted tariffs are impacting businesses disproportionately.
“In many cases firms are putting off major decisions on new equipment, new hires, new expansions, etc. until there is more clarity of where the post-tariff-crisis economy is headed.”
Long is keeping an eye on employment data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget. It reveals West Michigan unemployment rates are rising.
In the Kent and Ottawa County region, the unemployment rate reached 5.0% in May. It was 3.8% one year ago. In Muskegon County, unemployment stands at 6.3% up from 4.8% in May 2024.