West Michigan manufacturers continue to signal a slowing economy as Grand Valley State University’s closely watched monthly purchasing managers survey showed continued softness and increased caution. Brian Long, of Grand Valley’s Seidman College of Business, says we’re seeing a slowdown.
“Our survey of the west Michigan industrial market for this month is flat, but both of our major international surveys of purchasing managers are flat as well,” Long said. “Hence, it’s probably that the entire U.S. economy is flattening, but not yet sliding into a recession.”
Long says they are well aware that the office furniture business remains soft, and we had hoped that the pent-up demand in automotive would help keep the West Michigan economy afloat, even if other economic segments soften.
