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Michigan records the strongest job growth in 15 years as the construction sector reaches a historic high with over 200,000 employed.
Governor Whitmer Highlights Unprecedented Job Gains Across Michigan
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s economy received a major boost in Fiscal Year 2024, adding 27,000 jobs, with the construction sector reaching its highest employment levels in over two decades, according to recent data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB). Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced this achievement, spotlighting significant gains in construction and manufacturing that reflect broader economic resilience in the state.
With a 6.6% growth in the construction industry alone, the sector added 13,000 jobs, bringing the total number of construction workers in Michigan to over 200,000 for the first time since the early 2000s. The boost marks the highest construction employment Michigan has seen in two decades, illustrating robust activity in infrastructure projects and home building across the state.
“We’re building more homes, fixing roads, and driving our economy forward,” Whitmer remarked, underscoring the administration’s ongoing commitment to expanding job opportunities and advancing economic development. “Together, we’ll keep helping entrepreneurs invest, expand, and make Michigan a leader in manufacturing and innovation,” she said in a statement.
Labor Force Participation Reaches Highest Level Since 2009
Data from DTMB also revealed that Michigan’s unemployment rate remains steady at 4.5%, while the labor force participation rate surpassed 62%, the highest it has been since 2009. The figures indicate a robust recovery in Michigan’s workforce participation, with more Michiganders contributing to a diverse and thriving economy.
The report highlighted that hourly wages for Michigan’s manufacturing sector rose by 5% compared to last September, a figure that doubles the rate of inflation. Across all private sectors, wages increased by 4.2% year-over-year, positioning Michigan among states with competitive wage growth in 2024.
Michigan Solidifies Status as a Leader in Clean Energy and Advanced Manufacturing
In addition to job growth in traditional sectors, Michigan’s strides in clean energy and advanced manufacturing have drawn national attention. With $21.3 billion committed to new clean energy projects, Michigan has created more than 16,600 jobs with projections for 167,000 jobs in related industries over the next decade. The state’s Make it in Michigan Fund secured $500 million to enhance competitiveness in the manufacturing industry, bringing high-paying jobs in automotive and energy sectors.
The recent establishment of Michigan’s Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation aims to expand job opportunities in defense-related manufacturing, while an ambitious $50 million investment will focus on building a skilled defense workforce within Michigan. These investments underscore Whitmer’s strategy to diversify Michigan’s economy and secure its place as a leader in high-tech manufacturing and clean energy production.
Broader Impact: A Model for Economic Resilience and Growth
Whitmer’s administration has taken steps to establish Michigan as the top state for energy sector job growth, automotive industry innovation, and small business expansion, including a 24% revenue increase among small businesses in the state. The state’s economic policies, including a bipartisan tax cut and the creation of the Growing Michigan Together Council, aim to ensure sustained economic growth and stability, with plans to reach a higher population goal by 2050.
This ambitious approach aligns with Michigan’s broader goals to lead in job creation, wage growth, and sustainability, placing it in the Top 10 states for business in the past year. Whitmer’s efforts could serve as a blueprint for other states seeking to balance industrial growth with a transition to clean energy and advanced manufacturing.
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