Analysts say low the unemployment rate can in part be attributed to a loss of work force in addition to a steadying economy. Michigan’s labor force has decreased by about 326,000 workers since 2000, according to a report released by the Michigan League for Public Policy.
According to the data, St. Clair County saw its work force reduced by 15 percent between 2000 and 2016. That is a loss of nearly 13,000 workers. During the same period, the county population shrank by just more than 2 percent.
Sanilac County saw a 12 percent — or about 2,600 workers — reduction to its work force, along with a 5.7 percent drop in population, according to the report.
“The job market has been very tight in 2017, particularly in manufacturing,” said Dan Casey, Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County director. “We are expecting the automotive industry to soften in 2018, so that might relieve some of the pressure.”
Casey said young people are not being encouraged to pursue a career in manufacturing or other trade jobs such as construction.
“But I think the lack of supply of talent will create opportunities and drive up wages and eventually we’ll solve this problem,” he told the Times Herald .
In addition to an increase in wages, Casey said another solution to the lack of work force is teaching the essential skills needed to excel at manufacturing careers. He said schools should focus on teaching mechatronics, programming languages, automation, maintenance and repair of robots.
“I think what a lot of (students) will discover that it’s pretty cool to design and build something,” Casey said. “They may not have been around when manufacturing was at its highest peak of employment, but the process of innovation is still exciting and rewarding. And this is what we do here. It’s what Michigan is known for.”
Jerry Solar, president of Huron Inc. in Worth Township, said the problem of skilled workers is not a new concept for his company and Huron Inc. has taken measures to side-step the challenge for this year.
Solar said Huron Inc. has always trained its workers itself and has built apprenticeship programs within the company.
While much pressure to find skilled workers has been put on the manufacturing sector, the trend hasn’t stopped there, but seeped into other areas such as retail as well.
Lee Jones, owner of Weekends in Port Huron, said he would agree finding workers is a challenge.
“Before people would be out looking for and actively stop in and ask if we were hiring,” Jones said. “Now it’s hard to go down the street and not see signs for help wanted.”
Jones said he believes working retail is on the bottom of the job food chain and that those seeking part-time work gravitate toward tipped jobs where there is an opportunity to make more money.
“The logical answer is to pay more but the small business model doesn’t necessarily warrant that,” he said.
The policy report also attributed the loss of labor to workers leaving the state during the recession in search of jobs, and not returning following the rebound.
“How Michigan’s economy is doing depends on which worker or policymaker you talk to and what data you look at,” said Gilda Jacobs, Michigan League for Public Policy president. “Michigan’s declining unemployment rate is certainly good news, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Since the unemployment rate was this low in 2000, Michigan has been steadily losing workers, and our work force is getting older, neither of which bodes well for our economic future.”
The work force is also largely made up of older workers as opposed to those in the 16- to 24-year-old range. More retired workers are picking up part-time jobs and fewer young people are seeking work.
“We’ve all seen this data in action. Think about your daily life and the variety of workers you encounter in jobs that young people used to hold — a fast food worker, a grocery bagger, a restaurant worker,” Jacobs said. “Lawmakers need to look at these changing demographics and embrace polices that help younger and older workers alike get the education, skills and training they need to get the jobs they want.” Sep 22, 2017 – Petoskey News-Review
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
