Michigan loses another factory with 171 confirmed layoffs as economic downturn spirals

Michigan has suffered more from tariffs than most states, as a big part of its economy relies on cross-border trade with Canada.

(And Canada, as you know, is extremely mad at us.)

So it’s no surprise that Michigan keeps losing factories.

Unfortunately, the pain keeps on coming – Cole’s Quality Foods has ended operations at its frozen bread processing facility in Muskegon, Michigan.

The plant doesn’t officially close until November 9th – so not all 171 layoffs have taken effect yet, but more than half of the plant’s hardworking employees lost their jobs last Wednesday (September 10th).

It’s a tough time for food production across America. The challenges include:

• Tariff and trade war-related uncertainty;
• Increasing food prices;
• Consumer spending pullbacks as folks (appropriately) fear a recession and unemployment spikes; and
• Disruptions from changing food preferences

Put that all together, and you’ve got a perfect storm of falling spending and hiked prices – which is wiping out production facilities all across the country.

My heart goes out to the residents of Muskegon – this is a town with a population of under 40,000 – losing 171 jobs is a big impact on the community.

If you have any job leads, advice, or encouragement to share, please leave a comment so we can all put some good out into the universe.