State economy is improving

The state’s business roundtable continues to forecast that Michigan’s economy will grow faster than the U.S. economy over the next six to eighteen months. The forecast by Business Leaders for Michigan is reinforced by 43 percent of its members planning to increase hiring in Michigan in just the next six months. According to the survey, 55% of business leaders believe Michigan’s economy will grow over the next six months and none believe it will get worse while 62% feel the American economy will be about same. 76% of Michigan business leaders believe the state’s economy will grow over the next 18 months while only 52% forecast the American economy will grow during that time. About 1/3 of business leader believe they will make capital investments in Michigan. The results reflect a survey of Business Leaders for Michigan’s 80 members, the chairpersons, chief executive officers, or most senior executives of Michigan’s largest companies and universities, who represent nearly one-quarter of the state’s economy.  (MRN)