Michigan Chronicle
Ebony JJ Curry
July 31, 2023
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared this week, from July 31 to Aug. 6, as Buy Michigan Week, signaling her robust support for local commerce and the state’s growing small businesses. The call to action is crystal clear: stimulate the economy and support local jobs by consciously choosing to buy locally produced goods and services.
The recent growth in Michigan’s small businesses has been remarkable. In 2021, Michigan saw a record surge in small business applications – more than 150,000 Michiganders took the entrepreneurial plunge, a record-high number indicating the immense potential the state holds for small businesses. This was a testament to the inherent potential and resilience of the state’s people, even amidst uncertain times.
Michigan’s economic policy has evidently been focused on growth and stability. The state’s unemployment rate dipped to a 23-year low in June, sitting at 3.6%, underscoring the success of its strategies. The state has managed to uphold the spirit of employment and workmanship, with the labor force growing by 23,000 and adding 76,000 jobs over the year.
Let’s take a minute to digest these numbers. These are not just abstract figures; they represent real people investing in their communities and dreams. This surge in small businesses also has a direct impact on the state’s unemployment rate, which fell to a 23-year low of 3.6% in June. The labor force participation rate has shown continuous growth, which is a testament to the resilience and determination of Michiganders.
Over the past year, the Michigan economy added 76,000 jobs. This year, the labor force has seen a significant surge, increasing by 85,000 in the first half of the year. These figures are not just impressive, they are historic, marking the highest growth for the first half of a year since data collection began in the 1970s.
Gov. Whitmer’s proclamation of Buy Michigan Week is more than a rallying cry for local purchasing; it is an acknowledgment of the critical role that local businesses play in the economy and a strong commitment to their continued growth. It reminds Michiganders that their purchasing power can and does make a difference in strengthening the economy and fostering local jobs.
Buy Michigan Week is not just a symbolic gesture; it’s a call to action. It urges Michiganders to think local, act local, and buy local, all in a bid to support and sustain their local businesses, their communities, and by extension, their state’s economy. It reminds us that every purchase made in a local store or from a local service provider directly contributes to the economic health of the community and the prosperity of the state.
Gov. Whitmer’s call to action is clear. Let’s all contribute to the continued growth and prosperity of our great state by supporting our local businesses. Remember, when we buy Michigan, we build Michigan.
Here’s to the strength of Michigan’s economy and the resilience of its people. This is not just a proclamation; it’s a statement of our shared commitment to a prosperous Michigan. Let’s shop local, not just this week, but every week.