Ok, I run the risk of asking a dumbass question but here goes. In the early thinking but I am considering moving back to Michigan possibly, if I did it would NOT be SE lower Michigan(where I grew up). I'm thinking more Traverse City area. Besides tourism is there any other sort of industry up that way or blue collar work? Might consider GR too.

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Can we get WWJ on the FM please?

Gordon Gekko, I cannot comment specifically, but I do know area temp services are having a hard time finding qualified people.

As much unemployment as there is, good labor is very hard to find. The largest problem: -----> people failing their screenings.
Although I do not have specifics my guess is that that means illegal drugs in the system, or maybe a violent criminal past? I am not in HR so that's really a guess. This is the Grand Rapids area I speak of.

There are jobs out there depending on your skill. In particular companies have been looking for engineerin' type folks, CAD people etc.. and they cannot seem to find them. It looks like Gentex in Zeeland is adding on big time, and over on the east side of Zeeland, someone is building something H***. No one I know seems to know what it is yet, but its land base is more than a square half mile. Perhaps Gentex is building another facility as well as adding on?

As for so-called blue collar work, most of what we have are young kids. Maybe they're not too stoned yet to fail a screening? I know where my wife used to work in customer service, you were allowed NO visible tattoos. There goes about 75% of the under 30 people. If we added no piercings that make you look like a pin cushion, that would take out another 10%.

That's about as precise (I know its vague) as I can be and protect myself.. and yet still respond. And no, I do not work for Gentex.

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"Socialism needs two legs on which to stand; a right and a left.
While appearing to be in complete opposition to one another,
they both march in the same direction."

Wow and my family thinks I have too many, I have a 3 tattoo's but even I'm wearing a short sleeve shirt covers them mostly if not all. Piercings, small silver hoop in my left ear. Drugs, never touched an illigal drug in my life. ha ha sounds like this one guy I know who is like 24 and had at leaste 50% of his body inked up.

Zeeland, yeah I know that area sort of. Used to know someone who is from there but I have not spoken to him in years.

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Can we get WWJ on the FM please?

Traverse City has lost most of the factory work. There might be a few industrial businesses left. We are too far off the beaten path, and most automotive is gone. We are largely a service economy now; the hospital, and Hagerty Insurance are the largest employers.

The largest complaint I hear is the concept of "Half the pay for a view of the bay" and this is very true. I have hired people with masters degrees for $12 - $14 and I had numerous candidates. Another challenge you will face in Traverse City; you are not living here. There is a belief that people relocating are not as stable, nor understand the cost of living, so they come and go quickly.

Holland, Muskegon or Grand Rapids are more in line with what you are looking for I would predict.

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Ignosce illis, quia nesciunt quid loquantur.

Agreed. Holland or GR would be decent options. I'd likely steer away from Muskegon County, though.

If I were you, I would also check into opportunities in Midland County and Kalamazoo County.

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Dave & Chuck are two no-talent hacks.

Thanks for the input!

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Can we get WWJ on the FM please?

I suggest cutting your losses and going to Indiana. They are a right-to-work state now. MORE OPPORTUNITY.

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Yes GG, I'm taking a closer look atThe Hoosier state now. I know Fort Wayne probably the best. The only real shit hole in Indiana I can think of is Gary. I've looked on line and yeah really not much in Michigan. Plus do I really wanna deal with a couple of the quirky laws like expensive no-fault car insurance and 10 cent bottle deposit again?

The only thing Indiana I've heard gets you on is car plates but insurance is similar to Ohio's. I know sales tax is a tad more in IN but property taxes are less.

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Can we get WWJ on the FM please?