May 18, 2026
Upjohn Regional has launched a new publication covering economic trends with a specific focus on Southwest Michigan. The Upjohn Regional Economic Outlook (REO) will be produced quarterly and provide timely, data-driven insights into regional economic and community development.
With this publication, Upjohn Regional aims to support local decision-makers, community partners, businesses, workforce organizations, and residents with clear, relevant information on the region’s economic performance and trajectory.
“The Upjohn Regional team is committed to providing rigorous research, practical insights, and ongoing engagement with Southwest Michigan partners,” said Iryna Lendel, senior director of Upjohn Regional and Community Development. “Our goal is to strengthen regional understanding of economic dynamics by presenting historical data and short-term projections in an accessible and actionable format.”
The quarterly format will allow REO to track economic shifts in a timely manner while also providing space for deeper exploration of issues tied to regional prosperity and community development. Topics will include workforce availability and skills demand, industry transitions, entrepreneurship and innovation, housing and infrastructure, and the economic impacts of policy changes and major investments. REO will also share insights from a broad range of Upjohn Regional research projects.
In the first issue:
Economic Clusters: Key economic indicators of Southwest Michigan – A comprehensive dashboard provides an overview of the industries driving the economies of Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.
Data Deep Dive: Inside the auto parts manufacturing cluster – Detroit and Southeast Michigan are globally synonymous with automotive production, but Southwest Michigan also plays an important role as a national hub for automotive component manufacturing.
Regional Housing: Understanding the rise in homelessness – Across the country, an increasing number of individuals and families are struggling to find reliable shelter as homelessness reaches record levels. In Southwest Michigan, the scale of the challenge is equally significant.
Research in Action: Upper Peninsula economic development strategy – When thinking about Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, most people envision vast forests and hundreds of miles of Great Lakes shoreline. But the U.P. is also home to diverse industries, innovative companies, and an extensive network of educational institutions.
Experts
