“It’s a Plow-Horse Recovery”
WRITTEN BY BOB VAN DEVENTER, PRESIDENT/CEO, SAGINAW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
As we work our way through the second quarter of 2016, our local and regional economy has been described as a ‘plow horse’ recovery from the recession of 2008/9. Although we have seen improved numbers in unemployment and some job growth, we continue to experience very cautious strategies from our regional businesses regarding investment, growth, and expansion.
One of the factors contributing to the ‘plow horse’ environment, is unique to this region, and it is the upcoming mergers of Dow Corning and Dow Chemical, and the even larger merger of Dow Chemical and Dupont. There is certainly an air of apprehension on the part of all organizations who might rely on resources they share with Dow and Dow Corning, and this has created an on-going state of caution on their part. It is uncertain how these mergers will affect the employment levels of their respective organizations, as well as the community investments these organizations make to our region each year.
Another factor, which is not unique to this region, is the uncertainty of the national, state, and local elections this year. I am at a loss for words in trying to describe the campaigns for the President of the United States, but it is clear that this election will be one for the history books, and this too is adding to the cautious nature of the business community. It is certain that we will have a new Governor in Michigan, but not knowing what continued damage the State will endure with the Flint water issue and the Detroit Public Schools, also contributes to the state of caution.
As we see slow and steady progress in the improvement of our regional and State’s economy we can be thankful that we have strong local and regional leaders, all seeking to make this a better place.
About the Author
Robert Van Deventer is the President and CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. Bob has been a member of the Great Lakes Bay Regional business community since the inception of his career in 1974. He has worked in all three communities in the region (Bay, Midland, Saginaw) prior to his position as President/CEO of the Saginaw County Chamber, and has served as a community volunteer and as a committee and/or board member for many non-profit organizations throughout the region. Bob and his wife Debbie have been residents of the Saginaw area since 1974. They have two children, and two grandchildren.
You can reach Robert via email at bob@saginawchamber.org
