When evaluating the data below, it’s clear agribusiness in West Michigan is strong and actively growing. Since the beginning of 2018, 69% of the companies in this sector have reported an increase in sales, 36% reported an increase in employment base, and 42%have plans toexpandwithin the next three years. Since January of 2017, The Right Place has worked with 14 different companies within the Agribusiness cluster to expand or enter the West Michigan market. These projects have helped create or retain 413 jobs, $18.7M in payroll, and more than $150.6M in capital investment. The companies range from food and snack manufacturers, chicken egg producers, candy makers, dairy processors, salad dressing manufacturers, food processing equipment manufactures, and highly technical food safety related chemical manufacturers.
MANUFACTURING IN MICHIGAN Michigan’s manufacturing strength is a bit less dependent upon natural geographic factors, relying more on the ingenuity and innovative skills of Michigan residents. As a peninsula, Michigan isn’t necessarily a logical place to produce goods and export them outside the region; yet Michigan, and particularly West Michigan, remains one of the most competitive manufacturing hubs in the union. There are over 157,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector in West Michigan, which is 250% more concentrated than the national average. AGRIBUSINESS IN THE REGION To get a better sense of where these job numbers are coming from and what they're producing, it helps to see these sectors broken down into the sub-categories found below.
WHY AGRICULTURE THRIVES IN WEST MICHIGAN Both at a state and regional level, the agriculture industry touts a long and proud history. Much of Michigan’s strength in this sector is due to geographic influence. With over 9,600 miles of freshwater shorelineand thousands of inland lakes and rivers, growers and producers statewide have access to an astounding amount of clean and fresh water. Michigan also houses more than 56,500 square miles of land and slightly under 10 million residents, making it the 10th most populous state in the union. That land has a relatively even topography, allowing many residents to grow, farm and consume locally produced agricultural goods. Additionally, aside from the occasional winter blizzard, the climate is relatively mild and predictable. All of these factors, combined with a knowledgeable, high- performing farming community, attribute to Michigan’s diverse agriculture industry.
Data Source: Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI)
AGRIBUSINESS IN WEST MICHIGAN
FRUIT & VEGETABLE PRESERVING/ SPECIALTY FOOD MANUFACTURING 2018 Jobs: 3,450 5-Year Job Growth: 9% Number of Businesses: 24 Regional Job Concentration: 410% > Natl. Avg. ANIMAL PRODUCTION & AQUACULTURE 2018 Jobs: 5,700 5-Year Job Growth: 8% Number of Businesses: 217 Regional Job Concentration: 270% > Natl. Avg.
GRAIN & OILSEED MILLING 2018 Jobs: 1,620
5-Year Job Growth: 1% Number of Businesses: 5 Regional Job Concentration: 540% > Natl. Avg.
CROP PRODUCTION 2018 Jobs: 9,900 5-Year Job Growth: -4% Number of Businesses: 418 Regional Job Concentration: 240% > Natl. Avg. BAKERIES & TORTILLA MANUFACTURING 2018 Jobs: 3,500 5-Year Job Growth: 26% Number of Businesses: 48 Regional Job Concentration: 220% > Natl. Avg.
DAIRY PRODUCTS 2018 Jobs: 2,100
5-Year Job Growth: 18% Number of Businesses: 25 Regional Job Concentration: 200% > Natl. Avg.
SUPPORT ACTIVITIES FOR CROP PRODUCTION 2018 Jobs: 2,450
BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING 2018 Jobs: 1,730
5-Year Job Growth: 55% Number of Businesses: 45 Regional Job Concentration: 140% > Natl. Avg.
5-Year Job Growth: 26% Number of Businesses: 46 Regional Job Concentration: = Natl. Avg.
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DATACONOMY – AGRIBUSINESS
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