Category: michigan

illinois, indiana, michigan, MidwestBusiness Data, minnesota, ohio, wisconsin
Skyline of Minneapolis, Minnesota Original image from Carol M. Highsmith’s America, Library of Congress collection. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

The Upper Midwest Offers the Best States To Survive the Next Recession

Lou Calamaras, CIR, CCWP

MerchantMaverick.com, the business product comparison site for small business owners, determined that the top three states on the list are Nebraska, North Dakota, and Minnesota. No Upper Midwest state ranked lower than Michigan, at number 17.  While these states are different in many ways, they all share low unemployment, and governments with prudent tax and spending habits. Many even experienced positive GDP growth during the Great Recession, while other states had stagnant or shrinking GDP. Continue reading The Upper Midwest Offers the Best States To Survive the Next Recession

illinois, indiana, michigan, MidwestBusiness Data, minnesota, ohio, wisconsin
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Midwest CPI Continues Increase

Lou Calamaras, CIR, CCWP

Prices in the Midwest Region, as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), advanced 0.8 percent in January, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Increases in the indexes for food at home, new and used motor vehicles, household furnishings and operations, and apparel were the largest contributors to the all items increase. The energy index rose 0.1 percent in January as increases in the indexes for electricity and gasoline more than offset a decline in the natural gas service index. Continue reading Midwest CPI Continues Increase

illinois, indiana, michigan, MidwestBusiness Data, minnesota, ohio, wisconsin
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The Cost of Food in the Midwest Continues to Rise While Energy Costs Dipped

Lou Calamaras, CIR, CCWP

The Bureau of Labor Statistics released monthly inflation data Wednesday.  All items rose .3% in December bringing the total Midwest inflation in 2021 to 7.5%.  Midwest food costs purchased from grocery stores, dining/delivery establishments, increased .6% in December bringing the 2021 food costs to 7.5%.  Continue reading The Cost of Food in the Midwest Continues to Rise While Energy Costs Dipped

illinois, indiana, michigan, MidwestBusiness Data, minnesota, ohio, wisconsin
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Midwest Employers Struggle to Match Other U.S. Regional Companies Benefits Spend on Workers. 

Lou Calamaras, CIR, CCWP

In an effort to attract talent, companies based in the West and Northeast, U.S. outspend Midwest employers on labor benefits.  This is according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) who reported that Midwest companies spend almost 20% less on employee benefits than their counterparts in the Northeast and Western, U.S. Continue reading Midwest Employers Struggle to Match Other U.S. Regional Companies Benefits Spend on Workers. 

illinois, indiana, michigan, MidwestBusiness Data, minnesota, ohio, wisconsin
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Is your state ready to handle the influx of federal funds for expanding broadband?

Lou Calamaras, CIR, CCWP

The federal government is pouring billions of dollars into expanding broadband internet access. But it’s at the state level where the financial rubber meets the fiber-optic road. History suggests some states are ahead of the game while others will have to play catch-up. Continue reading Is your state ready to handle the influx of federal funds for expanding broadband?

illinois, indiana, michigan, MidwestBusiness Data, minnesota, ohio, wisconsin
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Midwest Consumer Price Index Soars, however Residential Inventory a Bright Spot for the Region

Lou Calamaras, CIR, CCWP

CHICAGO – The Midwest, U.S. consumer price index set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reached an all time high in October raising 0.8% from September and 6.6% from a year ago.  Challenged supply chains and corporations attempting to recoup capital losses from the pandemic have been the drivers contributing to the recent inflation. Continue reading Midwest Consumer Price Index Soars, however Residential Inventory a Bright Spot for the Region

illinois, indiana, michigan, MidwestBusiness Data, minnesota, ohio, wisconsin
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Latest Employment Data Shows Record Number of Workers Resigning. Midwest in Line with Other Regions.

Lou Calamaras, CIR, CCWP

CHICAGO – Jobs numbers out this week from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indeed continue to show the rise in record-number of employment opportunities. Compared to the steady number of individuals looking for work, the employment gap is still increasing. Continue reading Latest Employment Data Shows Record Number of Workers Resigning. Midwest in Line with Other Regions.