$9.3B healthcare industry responsible for 147,000 West Michigan jobs

Opportunities for workers in the healthcare field abound in West Michigan as the industry boasts an economic impact some $1 billion greater than just two years ago. While a lot of the healthcare growth can be seen in the new construction along Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile, there’s even more growth driving Kent and Kalamazoo Counties’ economies, and experts don’t see an end to it.

According to excerpts from the story:

Health care in Kent County has an economic impact today that's nearly $1 billion more than just two years ago.

In Kalamazoo County, the sector has generated more than 1,300 jobs since 2006, going from a payroll of $790 million to $955 million.

The growth in each county reflects the growing role of health care as a major economic driver in Michigan as manufacturing jobs decline.

It's an economic force that Alliance for Health President Lody Zwarensteyn believes many people don't fully comprehend, even as they see visual signs in Grand Rapids of a massive clinical and research buildup.

Read the complete story here.

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