COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A regional financial group that Branch County is affiliated with has an excellent forecast for the rest of the year after it says 2016 began with unparalleled economic strength. Southwest Michigan First Chief Executive Officer Ron Kitchens says the region’s unemployment is down to about 3.7%. Branch County ended 2015 with a 3.8% jobless rate in December.
Kitchens says it’s all a significant change from the 13% mark hit between 2007 and 2009. He’s really pleased with the current figures, and in his words, the numbers are “smoking hot”. According to Kitchens, it’s time to run up the score, but he adds that experience tells him we are going to see a dip so it’s important to stay as strong as possible for when that happens.
The statewide unemployment average in Michigan is 4.5%, which is near a 15-year low.
