Employment

Like the people who make up the community, the businesses of the Charlevoix area create a solid infrastructure of business.

Tourism is the area's main industry, annually injecting around $100 million into the economy.  Countywide, employees bring home a per capita income of $39,788 a year.  About 3,800 residents work in service-related jobs, with another 2,800 working in retail.

Complementing an influx of seasonal service positions is the area's manufacturing base, which comprises another large sector of the local economy. Employing about 3,400 people, manufacturing serves as a year 'round foundation throughout Charlevoix County.  Companies daily work in the display and fixture industry, cement, plastic injection molding, wiring devices, and engineering and scientific instruments.

To aid in industrial growth, the Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce and City of Charlevoix, through an industrial development committee (IDC), have partnered to advocate economic development throughout the area.

The IDC sponsors a number of special events and information programs to promote the retention and expansion of existing manufacturing jobs, and the recruitment of new businesses.  Since the industrial park is at capacity, the city is planning to create a new industrial park to provide additional development space for new businesses.

An important part of doing business in the Charlevoix area is the quality transportation created by the community’s highways, airways and waterways.  U.S. 31, which runs through the community, is a main north-south thoroughfare along Michigan’s western shore.  M-66 easily connects travelers to I-75.

Lake Michigan provides a main access to downtown Charlevoix.  Visitors may arrive by boat, dock in the city marina and be within walking distance of shopping and overnight accommodation.  Charlevoix's recently improved airport has a passenger terminal, 4,550 feet of runway and 24-hour repair service for aircraft reaching the level of small jets.

Doing business in Charlevoix means becoming part of a motivated and organized team of professionals who promote their own – and each others' – businesses.