- Economic development firm The Right Place released its three-year strategic plan on Thursday
- The plan calls for enticing tech jobs and businesses to the region, including data centers and AI
- The region has found economic success, but faces headwinds
West Michigan’s economy faces headwinds, as a plurality of businesses expect job losses and 1 in 10 say they expect artificial intelligence will lead to fewer workers, according to a new economic forecast.
For years the leader of growth in Michigan, hiring in west Michigan slowed in the second half of 2025, while sales are expected to slow this year, according to an economic forecast prepared by Grand Valley State University.
Already, a major Grand Rapids insurance company has laid off 200 in west Michigan because leaders believe AI can do that work. Across the region, more than 1,900 people lost their jobs to layoffs or plant closures last year, according to a tracking by WOOD TV. West Michigan layoffs have trended upward in recent years even as statewide layoffs declined…