West Michigan factory orders weaken, metro Detroit unemployment rises, and conflicting employment estimates raise questions about Michigan’s economic outlook heading into 2027.
LANSING — Michigan’s economy is showing signs of slowing as 2026 draws to a close, with weakening manufacturing orders in West Michigan, rising unemployment in metro Detroit and significant questions about the size of the state’s workforce.
A new survey released Tuesday, November 10, by Grand Valley State University shows West Michigan manufacturers continued expanding in October, but at a slower pace…