GVSU survey: West Michigan economy marks ninth month of growth

For the ninth consecutive month, an economic report compiled by a Grand Valley researcher showed continued growth in West Michigan, although the pace of growth slowed in September.

Brian Long, director of supply management research at GVSU's Seidman College of Business, said his monthly survey of the region's purchasing managers continues to demonstrate the resiliency of the West Michigan economy amid geopolitical and economic instability around the world.

"Our survey of the West Michigan industrial economy remains positive, although the pace has slowed more than we expected," Long said. "Because of shortages and the tariffs, our industrial price index is now at the highest level it's been since the COVID-19 crisis.

"For the industrial purchasers in our survey, inflation is going wild, and some respondents to our survey say they've never seen it so bad," Long said.

Long's new orders index - a measurement of a company's business improvement - dropped 12 points in September, though remained positive. His production index - a measurement of a company's output - also slipped three points during the month.

While business confidence remains positive, Long said consumer confidence worsened considerably in September, moving closer to the historic lows observed over the last six months.

"For the West Michigan economy, we are all aware of the tariffs, inflation, and uncertainty that have been brought on by several wars," Long said. "Our prime employers, like the office furniture business and auto parts producers, are now in the process of redefining themselves."

"Fortunately, West Michigan has enough other diverse industries to keep our unemployment rate below the state averages."

Here's a look at the key index results from Long's September survey of West Michigan purchasing managers:

• New orders index (business improvement): +18 vs. +30 in August
• Production index (output): +18 vs. +21 in August
• Employment index: +6 vs. +11 in August
• Lead times index: +30 vs. +36 in August

More information about the survey and an archive of past surveys are available on the Seidman College of Business website .