Job market and population on the rise in the Greater Grand Rapids Region

Randy Thelen, CEO of The Right Place, is feeling optimistic about Grand Rapids’ economic future. “Our job levels are not only above where they were...

Investing in 2018: Will the markets keep rolling?

The bull market that has been running for nearly nine years reached new heights in 2017. The United States stock market, as measured by...

Construction input prices expand as inflation creeps higher

Construction input prices expanded 0.7 percent in November and rose 5.6 percent on a yearly basis, the largest increase since November 2011, according to...

Most signs point toward positive 2018 economic outlook

Despite the Thanksgiving break and deer season, November usually is a productive month, and this year was no exception. According to the data collected in...

Retail performance index jumps more than 20 percent

Michigan retailers say their sales rose during October compared to September numbers, according to the Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers...

Monthly construction spending is up, but annual rates lag

Nonresidential construction spending rose 0.5 percent in September, totaling $698.1 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to an analysis of data from the...

Is today’s industrial economy as good as it gets?

For the past couple of years, growth in the West Michigan economy has been a little sluggish in the fall. For instance, New Orders, our...

Lack of construction employees prompts frustration, alarm

An analysis of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the nation’s construction sector added 11,000 net new jobs in October, matching...

Two-thirds of retailers expect to close strong

Michigan retailers are looking forward to a robust holiday shopping season, according to the Michigan Retail Index, a joint project of Michigan Retailers Association...

Construction materials prices rising faster than inflation

Construction input prices rose yet again in September, according to an analysis of data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nonresidential construction input prices...

Local economy inches ahead while national picture is mixed

The West Michigan economy still is going strong. According to the West Michigan survey conducted during the last two weeks of September, New Orders, our...

Nonresidential construction adds jobs despite disruptions

The national construction industry added 8,000 net new jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis in September, according to an analysis of the most recent...

State’s retail sales get a late summer boost

Michigan retailers reported a slight uptick in sales activity for August over a month ago, and they’re optimistic the next three months will be...

In the construction sector, G.R. = Growing Rapidly

As chief economist for the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America, I identify future building trends, evaluate current trends and interpret the role our...

Monthly construction input price growth accelerates

Construction input prices rose 0.6 percent in August and are up 3.7 percent on a yearly basis, according to an analysis of data released...

Most industries maintain moderate growth rate

After a summer lull, the West Michigan economy resumed the growth pattern we have seen for the past eight years. According to the survey conducted...

Construction employment rebounds in a big way

National construction employment rebounded in August, adding 28,000 net new jobs on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to a report from the U.S. Bureau...

Employment in nonresidential construction sector softens

National construction employment growth remained tepid in July, with approximately 6,000 net new jobs added on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to an analysis...

Retailers remain optimistic despite summer sales dip

Michigan retailers reported a slight drop in sales activity for July compared to the previous month, but they’re optimistic the next three months will...

Construction input prices inch higher; energy prices drop

Construction input prices increased 0.3 percent in July and are up 3 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors...