The economy and Rural Michigan

It is bad. The news tells us of the big problems, the automakers, the banks, the housing market, and they, so far, have ignored the small towns. Well, I’m here to tell you they are hurting.

Our business is in the business of serving the other businesses in our area. We see layoffs, strikes, closures, and slowdowns. Opportunities are drying up and people are holding their breath and wishing for the best. I have never seen other businesses as scared as they are now. People have stopped hiring and they are paring their staffs to essential people.

Our area is also a tourist area and we depend on those visitors to bring needed revenue to our area. The second vacation homes along with  the weekend visits keep many of our people working year around. When things dry up in the cities the discretionary money usually spent in our area dries up as well.

It is February, and February is the worst month of the year for our area even in boom times. Time will tell what the Summer months will bring. I know the factories are hurting and do not see a quick turn around. They will continue to struggle. Our tourist season still gives us hope. Sometimes when times are rough our location helps us attract more tourists. It is a cheap vacation from Lower Michigan and the surrounding states. It is fun and away from home and the costs are less than a trip across the country.

As an entrepeneur I will always have hope. If that isn’t in the definition of an entrepeneur it sure as hell should be. I know I’m still scared but hope will keep me working as hard as I can to succeed. Our business has always shown an ability to change with the times. I have hope the needed changes can be made on a national level to keep things from getting worse. As a nation we have had our head stuck in the sand for years. Change is not only needed it is imperative for the nation to survive. Obama seems to realize this but bi-partisan statemanship is not something we seem to be good at anymore.