Earlier Flights and More Connections
The Muskegon County Airport is now offering earlier morning flight schedules. The weekday morning flight schedule has been modified from an 11:35 AM departure to a 10:05 AM departure which will allow the business community better opportunities to make connecting flights earlier in the day.
 
“The Airport and United Express are constantly working to provide a flight schedule conducive to business passengers with connecting flights through Chicago O’Hare,” says Airport Manager, Jeffrey Tripp.

In addition, the new schedule will provide improved opportunities for same day business trips to East and West Coast destinations and to the Muskegon Lakeshore. “United Express is going to add a Saturday PM flight adding over 400 seats per month starting in February giving Muskegon 4 trips a day to and from Chicago”, says Tripp.
 
The Muskegon County Airport continues to work with United Airlines to provide flights at competitive rates, with quality terminal facilities and customer service, and schedule modifications to maximize flight connection opportunities. Determine if Muskegon provides your best option for flight connectivity and price by visiting www.united.com.
Imagine Muskegon Lake
Do you have a vision for Muskegon Lake? Now is the time to share your ideas for future land use on three large parcels of empty land along Muskegon Lake. This strategic planning is called Imagine Muskegon Lake which is an effort dedicated to enhancing connections to community assets like parks, trails, downtown, public boat launches, etc. along the Muskegon Lake lakefront.
 
The three parcels in discussion are the former B.C. Cobb power plant, the former Sappi paper mill, and lower Western Avenue.
 
It has been established that Muskegon Lake is large enough to accommodate several uses, however, where does everything go and how do all three properties work together to be sustainable? Imagine Muskegon Lake will address this and create a community consensus on the lake's future.
 
On Monday, October 30 th , the Muskegon community is invited to a drop in design workshop from 10am - 6pm at the GVSU Annis Water Resource Institute to discuss initial concept plans for Imagine Muskegon Lake. Click here for more information.
Developments Underway
The Lakes Mall area has become a regional shopping center with continued growth and expansion. Below is a list of a few major developments either underway or in the planning phase.
 
ALDI – The ALDI grocery store will be located at 1750 E. Sternberg Road next to Asian Buffet & Grill. The 22,000 square-foot building will be one of many new stores in ALDI’s plan to expand and is expected to be open by the end of the year.
 
IHOP – The IHOP Restaurant will be located at 5220 S. Harvey Street near Texas Roadhouse and is slated to open mid-January 2018.
 
Hotels – Plans for a Holiday Inn Express and a Town Place Suites by Marriott are currently in the works. The two hotels will face each other at 1951 and 1989 E. Sternberg Road between Quarterline Road and Taco Bell. You can expect to see those establishments complete within the next year.
Muskegon County Welcomes New Businesses!
The Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce reports a record number of ground breaking celebrations, ribbon cuttings and investment celebrations this year.

“We have been overwhelmed by the number of business celebrations this year,” says Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce President, Cindy Larsen.

Here is a list of those participating in the chamber’s celebration program:
 
 
  • Kitchen & Bath Express – November 3
  • Chemical Bank – November 9
  • Blue Horizons Wellness & Schneider Risk Management – November 16

This list is not the total number of new businesses entering Muskegon County, but is used as an indicator of business success in the area. Click here for more information on celebration kits through the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce.
Employment Numbers

Labor Force
September 2016 = 76,700
September 2017 = 77,200

Employment
September 2016 = 73,000
September 2017 = 73,100
Employment by Sector  

Goods Producing 
September 2016 = 15,600
September 2017 = 16,200

Service Providing 
September 2016 = 48,200
September 2017 = 48,300
Home Sales (Muskegon County)

Homes Sold
September 2016 = 210
September 2017 = 265

Average Sale Price
September 2016 = $136,167
September 2017 = $143,300
Michigan Works! Statistics

Known Jobs Filled 
September 2016 = 74
September 2017 = 189

Job Seekers (Unique Visitors)
September 2016 = 1,746
September 2017 = 1,481
Business Counseling

Appointments
SCORE & MI-SBDC 
September 2016 = 20
September 2017 = 16
Airport Traffic

Takeoffs & Landings
September 2016 = 2,138
September 2017 = 2,823

Airport Cargo in lbs. 
September 2016 = 961
September 2017 = 3,297

Commercial Passengers
September 2016 = 3,414
September 2017 = 2,951
Top Industries Advertised Online Demand

Industry
Manufacturing
September 2016 = 133
September 2017 = 112

Health Care & Social Assistance
September 2016 = 173
September 2017 = 210

Retail Trade
September 2016 = 147
September 2017 = 155
Top Muskegon Job Occupations Advertised Online (September 2017)

Occupation
Retail Salespersons
78 New Job Postings

Registered Nurse
63 New Job Postings

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
39  New Job Postings  

Combines Food Preparation and Serving Workers
21 New Job Postings
Statistics provided by:
The Department of Energy, Labor, & Economic Growth; Local Municipalities, Michigan Association of Realtors, Muskegon County Airport, Muskegon Area First, Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Small Business Development Center, and West Michigan Works!
REPORT AVAILABLE

CLICK HERE to read the latest Economic Development Update Newsletter from Muskegon Area First and Muskegon County .
A publication of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, Employers Association of West Michigan and Muskegon Area First