Lakeshore businesses want to grow, but need more employees
During an annual survey from Lakeshore Advantage , business executives indicated improved sales numbers but a continued lack of necessary workforce in Ottawa and Allegan Counties. The economic development agency interviewed 140 executives representing the region's primary employers (which total close to 700). The main takeaways from this year's report included: Higher-than-average household incomes: The median household income is $90,502 in Ottawa County and $83,283 in Allegan County, both higher than the state median of $72,875 and national median of $80,734. Growth for employment and GDP: The five-year employment growth rate for the lakeshore region (8.9%) outpaces the state (7.3%), although the national level remains slightly higher at 9.4%. The region’s five-year GDP growth of 15.8% also outpaces the state level of 14% but is lower than the national level of 18.5%. Improved sales numbers: In total, 56.8% of companies surveyed reported an increase in sales, up from 48.5% in 2025. Of the remaining companies, 37.4% said sales remained stable and only 5.8% reported decreasing sales. Improved expansion outlook: More than 35% of surveyed companies reported plans to expand in the next three years, up from 33% in 2025 but still lower than 2024 (37.6%) and 2023 (48.1%). Those numbers
