Is Macomb's Economy on the Rise? Stats Say Yes

This is another installment of “Dispatches: The Changing American Dream.” Dispatches is an ongoing series that explores tales of challenge and opportunity in our communities so we can better understand how our neighbors are working toward their own American Dream.

It's a four-letter word that gets just about everybody talking: jobs.

Politicians say they are coming, while various "independent reporting agencies" only show regular increases in the national debt and unemployment. 

With today being Labor Day–a national holiday dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers–Macomb Patch is breaking down these economic achievements right here in Macomb Township.

According to reports from the U.S. Census Bureau, Macomb Township has fared better than most in terms of job growth over the past 10 years.

In 1999, the 48042 and 48044 zip codes reported 272 and 352 businesses, respectively. These businesses employed a total of more than 8,000 people, according to 2009 Census statistics. 

Ten years later, the same areas had increased the number of businesses to 384 in the 48042 and 497 in the 48044. While most of these businesses are defined as "small," with fewer than 10 employees each, there were almost 10,000 paid employees reported in the township's businesses in 2009.

In the last year alone, Macomb Township has welcomed new franchises like White Castle, and , while businesses like have been able to expand their frontage or plan to build new facilities entirely, as is the case of . These openings and expansions have meant several dozen jobs in the township.

In an effort to regenerate the township's manufacturing base, the board of trustees continues to offer tax exemptions to businesses looking to expand operations and increase employment in the area. , a manufacturer and supplier of components for the aerospace industry, recently qualified for one of these exemptions and is expected to create eight new jobs in the next two years.

"A lot of industry left the state," said township clerk Michael Koehs, in an earlier . "We've given these (industrial facility exemption certificates) out to encourage industry to return here."

Macomb Township Rep. Ken Goike shared his thoughts on aiding the local economy at a

“We have to do something in the manufacturing area, and we can help by getting out of the way with regulations,” he said. “We need to get rid of the personal property tax for businesses. That is a burdensome policy other states don’t have.”

Thus far, Supervisor Mark Grabow's predictions for economic growth, made in his 2011 State of the Township Address, appear to be on track.

According to statistics from the township clerk, the population of Macomb Township is currently more than 80,000, and Macomb continues to lead the state in residential building permits, with 329 being issued in 2010.

“The township’s growth trend will continue to grow,” Grabow said, in his address. "We’ve worked very hard at putting together what we have in the township. We continue to need to weather the storm, as we have been told, this is not over. We must be frugal, we must be cautious. Together as a community we will get there.”

Macomb Patch will continue to follow these economic trends through the year.