The southwest Michigan job sector with the greatest increase in employment throughout 2023 was manufacturing. So says Kinexus, which has released data on employment trends in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties for the year.
Kinexus analyst Ryan Thyfault says the manufacturing sector has added 500 jobs over 2022. The sector to have seen the largest decrease was utilities, shedding nearly 100 jobs from 2022. Thyfault says the decline was due to job losses in the nuclear energy industry.
As for 2024, Kinexus the region is expected to see continued job growth with manufacturing once again first, followed by leisure and hospitality, professional and technical services, and retail.
However, the group also notes the employment situation is fluid as Kinexus sees “headwinds” possibly affecting the economy in 2024. It says it’s seen an increase in unemployment claims and fewer job postings recently, indicating employers may be pumping the brakes on hiring.
