GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WVB) – The West Michigan economy turned slightly negative in December, but a regional economist says “there is no cause for alarm”., and also says it occurs every year because so many of us were distracted by the holidays. Dr. Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University, says he expects his numbers to improve and jump back up this month.
Long says the economy in our area continues to outpace the national economy and optimism here remains high for 2016. That may not be true nationally. His groups numbers have been on the downside nationwide for several months.
Long says more clouds on the horizon are being seen with downturns in the Far East. He says made in China and Japanese office furniture is being dumped on the market, and it could hurt west Michigan manufacturers.
