A report by Grand Valley State University's Seidman School of Business shows a declining confidence among businesses in the Grand Rapids area.
The Confidence Index of the Grand Rapids metropolitan statistical area (MSA) has declined almost 9 percent from 85.85 percent in January 2001 to 77.02 percent in December 2001, as stated in the Grand Rapids Economic Forecast 2001. The Forecast also shows an expected employment growth rate of 2.2 percent, projected sales growth of 3 percent and forecasted an increased export growth rate of 7 percent.
The Grand Rapids Economic Forecast 2001 is a publication of the Seidman School of Business and is based on the seventh annual Confidence Index Survey of the Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon and Allegan counties. The present survey was mailed to the CEOs of a representative sample of approximately 700 local companies.
The Seidman School of Business at Grand Valley State University tracks annually the economic trends in the region. Through monitoring vital economic indicators it is able to identify major changes affecting the local businesses.
You can download a printible version of the entire report at http://ucweb.gvsu.edu/news/confidence.pdf or call (616) 895-2221 for a faxed copy.
The Seidman School of Business is located at the Robert Pew Campus of GVSU in downtown Grand Rapids. For further information call Dr. Hari Singh at (616) 975-2976.
