Tag Archives: Seidman College of Business

GVSU reports West Michigan economy holds steady amid tariff challenges

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West Michigan’s economy has remained flat but stable through October as federal tariffs continue to challenge businesses (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


A report by a Grand Valley State University (GVSU) researcher shows West Michigan’s economy has remained flat but stable through October as federal tariffs continue to challenge businesses.

Brian Long, Director of Supply Management Research at GVSU’s Seidman College of Business, said businesses and purchasing managers continue adjusting to the ongoing effects of established tariffs.

“For the higher tariff costs, some firms have been able to get the seller to absorb all or most of the increase, and others have been able to pass the higher cost along,” Long said.

“But some firms are stuck between a rock and a hard place. They can’t get the seller to absorb the increase, and they can’t pass the higher cost on to the buyer.”

Remaining resilient

Despite the added costs, one of West Michigan’s biggest cyclical industries — auto parts manufacturing — has remained resilient, said Long.

“So far, auto sales are holding up, so our local auto parts suppliers are still doing reasonably well, although some were overpromised business for the EV models, and their production has slowed,” Long continued. “But our overall production index for West Michigan is still currently positive.”

Michigan’s auto parts manufacturing has remained resilient (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Unemployment concerns

Long said Michigan’s unemployment rate remains an area of concern. The state’s jobless rate held at approximately 5.2% in the latest data, ranking 48th in the nation. Only California and Nevada reported higher rates.

“Unemployment for West Michigan, and especially Michigan as a whole, has crept up on us,” said Long. “Over the past decade, West Michigan in particular was adding jobs like crazy. That has now stopped.”

Key index results

Below is a look at key index results from October’s survey of West Michigan purchasing managers:

  • New orders index (business improvement): -4 vs. -3 in September
  • Production index (output): +4 vs. +4 in September
  • Employment index: +2 vs. -8 in September
  • Lead times index: -4 vs. +13 in September

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

West Michigan economy flattens amid tariff uncertainty

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The West Michigan economy showed signs of leveling off in September, according to a monthly survey conducted by a GVSU researcher (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By Brian Vernellis

GVSU Communications

vernellb@gvsu.edu


The West Michigan economy showed signs of leveling off in September, according to a monthly survey conducted by a Grand Valley State University researcher.


Tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump’s administration have created challenges for businesses to plan accordingly, said Brian Long, director of supply management research at GVSU’s Seidman
College of Business.

“Although there is still no sign that a recession is pending, plans for new hires, new equipment and other new programs have generally been put on hold, pending clarification of future business costs and supply chain issues,” Long said in his report.

Uncertainty for the new year

The economy for the remainder of 2025 and the beginning of the new year is uncertain (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

Long’s new orders index, a measurement of business improvement, rebounded sharply in September, but remained in negative territory while the purchases index, a measurement of firms’ buying activity, dropped significantly.

“(The purchases index) is a clue to the uncertainty generated by the ongoing tariff wars,” Long said in his report.

However, Long’s production index, which tracks output, rose into positive territory.

“Needless to say, the economy for the rest of 2025 will be held captive by tariff talks and to a lesser degree, the potential outcome of the Gaza and Ukrainian wars,” Long said in his report.

“Unfortunately, it is possible that none of these issues will be fully and permanently resolved as we ring in 2026.”

Key index results

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

  • New orders index (business improvement): -3 vs. -16 in August
  • Production index (output): +4 vs. -4 in August
  • Employment index: -8 vs. -4 in August
  • Lead times index: +13 vs. 0 in August

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

West Michigan shows economic resilience despite months of uncertainty

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Despite months of economic uncertainty stemming from tariff policies and ongoing global trade tensions, the West Michigan economy has remained resilient, according to data collected by a GVSU researcher (Courtesy, pxhere.com)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Despite months of economic uncertainty stemming from tariff policies and ongoing global trade tensions, the West Michigan economy has remained resilient, according to data collected by a Grand Valley State University (GVSU) researcher.

Brian Long, Director of Supply Management Research at GVSU’s Seidman College of Business, said his monthly survey of local firms and purchasing managers shows the regional economy has gained unexpected strength through the summer.

Three-year highs

In fact, Long said two key metrics in his recent survey — the new orders index and production index — hit three-year highs. The survey’s new orders index measures a company’s business improvement while the production index reflects a firm’s output.

“Almost any firm with a supply chain that originates anywhere outside of the country is having trouble keeping up with the tariff wars on virtually a daily basis,” Long said.

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

“Fortunately, most of our respondents seem to be taking it in stride partially based on the experience gained from the COVID crisis, but almost all of them are holding up major decisions on new equipment, plant expansion, new sourcing and so forth until the trade war with their segment of the supply chain is resolved.”

Long said the short- and long-term business confidence among local firms has also remained relatively stable since a sharp drop in April, when the tariffs were first announced.

“In the industrial market…one of our survey respondents says that tariff management is becoming more routine,” Long said, adding that the respondent continues to watch tariff deadlines despite that belief.

June survey key index results of West Michigan businesses:

  • New orders index (business improvement): +21 vs. +14 in May
  • Production index (output): +28 vs. +14 in May
  • Employment index: 0 vs. 0 in May
  • Lead times index: +4 vs. +18 in May

Resource Links

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

Audio clips and a transcript of those clips are available at gvsu.edu/s/3gf.

Arts and culture sector in Grand Rapids has annual $300 million economic impact

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Calder Plaza (Courtesy, Pure Michigan)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


A comprehensive economic impact study underscoring the significant contributions of the city’s arts and cultural sector reveals that the Arts & Culture Collective of Grand Rapids (ACCGR) participating organizations generate over $300 million in economic impact annually.

(Photo courtesy of blinkPHOTO)

These institutions attract nearly 1.3 million visitors each year to the Greater Grand Rapids area and employ 2,500 individuals.

The study was released by the ACCGR supported by the City of Grand Rapids, and in collaboration with KConnect and the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University.

“The arts and culture sector is a powerhouse for our region,” said Tim Mroz, Senior Vice President of Community Development at The Right Place and an ACCGR Steering Committee Member. “Generating over $300 million in annual economic impact and supporting 2,500 jobs, these institutions are at the heart of our community’s growth and vitality.

“They are not only cultural treasures but also key drivers of economic prosperity, proving that investing in our local institutions is investing in our future.”

Above and beyond

Beyond the economic figures, the arts are an integral part of what makes Grand Rapids a dynamic and thriving community.

Cultural vitality enriches residents’ lives and attracts businesses and talent (Courtesy, The Stray)

The sector fosters creativity, inspires innovation, and provides a platform for diverse voices to be heard, strengthening the social fabric of the region. This cultural vitality not only enriches residents’ lives but also attracts businesses and talent, reinforcing the area’s reputation as a desirable place to live, work, and visit.

“This initial study begins to quantify what we already know: arts and culture play a vital role in our community,” said Steff Rosalez, Co-Chair of ACCGR and CEO of Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities. “Beyond enriching our cultural landscape, these organizations are pivotal economic drivers.

“Fostering tourism is just one part of our economic impact. The arts and culture sector creates jobs, supplements education, and enhances the overall quality of life, which encourages people who work in other sectors to live here, invest here, and raise families here.”

The ripple effects of this impact extend far beyond the arts sector itself. Local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments, benefit from the influx of visitors attending performances, exhibitions, and events.

A vital relationship

This relationship between the arts and the local economy underscores the essential role of nonprofit arts and culture organizations as both a cultural cornerstone and a key economic contributor to Kent County.

The Verve Pipe performs in the greater Grand Rapids area regularly (Courtesy, The Verve Pipe)

ACCGR remains dedicated to advocating for the arts and cultural sector, aiming to leverage these findings to inform policy decisions and encourage continued investment in the creative economy.

Read the executive summary and explore the complete study here.

About the ACCGR

The ACCGR is an arts + cultural collective leveraging the power of creativity for equitable social transformation. By leading initiatives such as a countywide economic impact study and the development of a comprehensive Arts and Culture Plan, ACCGR is building the infrastructure necessary for a thriving, equitable arts ecosystem.

Learn more at www.accgr.org. 

GVSU economist: Strong October for West Michigan

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Brian Long, photo from gvsu.edu

By Dottie Barnes

GVSU

 

The economic pace for West Michigan was strong in September, but October was even stronger, said Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.

 

Long surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of October.

 

The survey’s index of business improvement (new orders) rose confidently to +36, from +28. The production index edged up to +30, from +29. The index of purchases rose to +29, from +21, and the employment index came in at +24, down from +29.

 

Long said auto sales numbers continue to surprise many economists. “After all the talk about auto sales softening, the October sales report from Automotive News posted a minor gain of 0.4 percent,” Long said. “The seasonally adjusted sales rate (SAAR) rose to 17.59 million vehicles from 17.44 in September.”

 

Long said year-over-year unemployment rates continue to fall; Kent County is at 2.6 percent, Ottawa County is at 2.5 percent and Kalamazoo County is at 3.0 percent.

 

The current economy is about as good as it gets, Long said. “Hiring and retaining new workers continues to be a big problem for some firms, so we can’t expect much more expansion.”

 

Long said there has been an interesting twist on the tariffs. “Because of some Chinese firms experiencing declining business, they have been willing to cut prices enough to cover the cost of the tariffs,” he said.

 

The Institute for Supply Management survey is a monthly survey of business conditions that includes 45 purchasing managers in the greater Grand Rapids area and 25 in Kalamazoo. The respondents are from the region’s major industrial manufacturers, distributors and industrial service organizations. It is patterned after a nationwide survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. Each month, the respondents are asked to rate eight factors as “same,” “up” or “down.”

GVSU economist: 2018 ‘bounce’ continues

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Brian Long is a local business forecaster. Credit: GVSU

By Dottie Barnes

Grand Valley State University

 

For West Michigan, the first quarter of 2018 has started on strong footing, said Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.

 

Long surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of March.

 

The survey’s index of business improvement (new orders) rose to +34, slightly better than last month’s +32. The production index held steady at +31. The index of purchases jumped sharply to +37 from +22, and the employment index edged up to +19, from +16.

 

“The bounce we reported last month has continued and the general mood remains optimistic,” said Long, “but the pricing pressure brought on by the recently announced tariffs has added a new dimension of stress to many purchasing offices. We have not seen this level of price pressure in several years.”

 

Long said the “floodgates” of new orders were opened immediately after the corporate tax cuts were signed into law. He said the recent bounce in auto sales appears to have quelled the fears that local automotive parts producers may be starting to slow.

 

Despite the shortage of labor, Long said several companies are still growing. “The strength of the economy has resulted in the office furniture industry holding steady,” he said. “Although there are a couple of exceptions, most of our industrial distributors are participating in the uptick of business and almost all of the manufacturing firms still cannot find enough new workers to fill open positions.”

 

The Institute for Supply Management survey is a monthly survey of business conditions that includes 45 purchasing managers in the greater Grand Rapids area and 25 in Kalamazoo. The respondents are from the region’s major industrial manufacturers, distributors and industrial service organizations. It is patterned after a nationwide survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. Each month, the respondents are asked to rate eight factors as “same,” “up” or “down.”

 

For over 28 years, Dr. Brian Long has edited a survey of local purchasing managers for both the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids areas, which has proved to be a major indicator of current and future business conditions.  This survey appears in many local newspapers and national business publications, including the Grand Rapids Press, MiBiz, and the Grand Rapids Business Journal.  The survey is also a component of the Federal Reserve’s bimonthly survey of business conditions. 

GVSU economist: Local economy will be strong in 2018

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Brian Long, photo from gvsu.edu

By Dottie Barnes

Grand Valley State University

 

The West Michigan economy looks strong for the new year, according to a Grand Valley State University expert.

 

“We are heading into 2018 with a full head of steam,” said Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in the Seidman College of Business. “I don’t see anything on the horizon that will trip us up.”

 

Long surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of November.

 

The survey’s index of business improvement (new orders) rose to +20 from +11. The production index backtracked slightly to +17 from +20. The index of purchases eased to +18 from +22, and the employment stayed positive at +13, down slightly from +14.

 

Long said the November performance for most groups was mixed.

 

“Despite the modest softening in auto sales, the local auto parts producers remain surprisingly strong, even though they continue to voice concern about possible slower auto sales as we head into 2018,” he said. “It is currently the slow season for office furniture sales, and the industry still appears to be topping out at the present level.”

 

Long said some of the smaller office furniture firms are still expanding, and for most industrial distributors, November was one of their better months. “A plateau seems to be forming for the capital equipment industry, but recent proposed changes in the tax law could result in improved conditions in 2018,” he said.

 

The Institute for Supply Management survey is a monthly survey of business conditions that includes 45 purchasing managers in the greater Grand Rapids area and 25 in Kalamazoo. The respondents are from the region’s major industrial manufacturers, distributors and industrial service organizations. It is patterned after a nationwide survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. Each month, the respondents are asked to rate eight factors as “same,” “up” or “down.”

 

For over 28 years, Dr. Brian Long has edited a survey of local purchasing managers for both the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids areas, which has proved to be a major indicator of current and future business conditions.  This survey appears in many local newspapers and national business publications, including the Grand Rapids Press, MiBiz, and the Grand Rapids Business Journal.  The survey is also a component of the Federal Reserve’s bimonthly survey of business conditions. 

GVSU economist: Slower growth for local economy

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Brian Long is a local business forecaster. (Adrian Johnson / Kalamazoo Gazette)

By Dottie Barnes

Grand Valley State University

 

After six months of disappointing car sales, the impact on local auto parts suppliers is finally being felt by the West Michigan economy, a Grand Valley State University expert said.

 

Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in the Seidman College of Business, said: “It’s not a collapse, just a modest tapering of the growth rate. Growth is still growth.”

 

Long surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of July.

 

The survey’s index of business improvement (new orders) came in at +8, considerably below last month’s +31. The production index eased to +6 from +26. The index of purchases tapered to +12 from +22, and the employment index is still very positive, falling slightly to +20 from +23.

 

Long said business conditions for the auto parts suppliers have turned mixed, based on the specific car or truck lines companies are supporting. Some have been forced to cut production because of slow vehicle sales.

 

“For the sixth straight month, auto sales for July are lower,” said Long. “The 6.9 percent drop is the largest so far this year, although most of the decline came from a 15 percent drop in the sale of sedans (regular cars) verses a 1.9 percent drop in light trucks and SUVs.”

 

With the production of 2017 models now finished, Long said analysts are still worried about the bloated dealer inventories which are much higher than they were before the Great Recession. Compounding the problem is the large number of vehicles coming off lease.

 

Long said the office furniture industry is still stable while the capital equipment market remains mixed, and the slowdown in the auto parts industry has resulted in the cancellation of further expansion by some firms. He said many segments of the West Michigan tourist industry are poised to have a record year, and the agricultural industry will have a good year as well.

 

The Institute for Supply Management survey is a monthly survey of business conditions that includes 45 purchasing managers in the greater Grand Rapids area and 25 in Kalamazoo. The respondents are from the region’s major industrial manufacturers, distributors and industrial service organizations. It is patterned after a nationwide survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. Each month, the respondents are asked to rate eight factors as “same,” “up” or “down.”

 

For over 28 years, Dr. Brian Long has edited a survey of local purchasing managers for both the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids areas, which has proved to be a major indicator of current and future business conditions.  This survey appears in many local newspapers and national business publications, including the Grand Rapids Press, MiBiz, and the Grand Rapids Business Journal.  The survey is also a component of the Federal Reserve’s bimonthly survey of business conditions. 

GVSU economist: Local economy remains on track

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Brian Long, photo from gvsu.edu

The West Michigan economy is still growing, a Grand Valley State University economist said.

 

Brian G. Long, director of Supply Management Research in the Seidman College of Business, surveyed local business leaders and his findings below are based on data collected during the last two weeks of June.

 

The survey’s index of business improvement (new orders) came in at +31, a modest improvement over last month’s +27. The production index edged up to +26 from +19. The index of purchases remained virtually unchanged at +22, while the employment index jumped to +23 from +13.

 

Long said slower auto sales have resulted in most auto parts suppliers showing signs of plateauing, but no major firms have reported a significant drop in sales. He said some firms have seen an uptick in quoting activity.

 

Long also said the office furniture industry continues to show signs of topping out, but no decline appears to be on the horizon. “Because of the apparent topping out for some of our local industries, the capital equipment market remains mixed, and the bias is still to the down side,” he said. “For the industrial distributors, the summer maintenance schedules have given some firms a slight boost.”

 

The West Michigan employment picture continues to be a bright spot for the local economy, Long said. Ottawa County has the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.6 percent, and Kent County tied for third lowest at 2.8 percent. The current Michigan unemployment rate stands at 4.2 percent.

 

The Institute for Supply Management survey is a monthly survey of business conditions that includes 45 purchasing managers in the greater Grand Rapids area and 25 in Kalamazoo. The respondents are from the region’s major industrial manufacturers, distributors and industrial service organizations. It is patterned after a nationwide survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. Each month, the respondents are asked to rate eight factors as “same,” “up” or “down.”

 

Brian G. Long, Ph.D, C.P.M., serves as Director of Supply Management research for the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. Dr. Long earned a B.S. and M.B.A. from Central Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Marketing from Michigan State University.  He is also a Certified Purchasing Manager. 

 

For over 28 years, Dr. Long has edited a survey of local purchasing managers for both the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids areas, which has proved to be a major indicator of current and future business conditions.  This survey appears in many local newspapers and national business publications, including the Grand Rapids Press, MiBiz, and the Grand Rapids Business Journal.  The survey is also a component of the Federal Reserve’s bimonthly survey of business conditions.