Fund created to support 5 Muskegon summer festivals through COVID-19 pandemic
Updated May 04, 2021;
Posted May 04, 2021
Scenes from the Lakeshore Art Festival, in downtown Muskegon on Friday, July 5, 2019. Kayla Renie | MLive.com
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MUSKEGON, MI – A new fund has been created to support five Muskegon summer festivals through the pandemic and assist in the recovery of the local tourism economy.
Unity Christian Music Festival, Lakeshore Art Festival, Rebel Road, Rockstock and Taste of Muskegon collaborated to create the Muskegon Festival Fund hosted by the Community Foundation for Muskegon County.
The Muskegon Festival Fund will accept community donations for two years to assist those five festivals in 2021 and 2022. The dollars will be split evenly between each festival involved.
Staffing shortage ‘a big issue’ for Muskegon County businesses scrambling to fill thousands of jobs
Updated 10:34 AM;
Today 10:34 AM
Businesses ranging from a metal casting foundry, shown here in a file photo, and a pizza shop, plus several in the tourism industry, are struggling to hire enough to fill open positions. (MLive file photo)
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MUSKEGON, MI – Big John’s Pizza is now closed on Tuesdays.
It’s not because of a lack of business, but the Whitehall pizza shop, 104 Thompson St., can’t find enough employees to fully staff its busy restaurant.
The managers at the pizza shop aren’t the only ones struggling to fill open positions. In Muskegon County and other communities in West Michigan that rely on tourism, the need ahead of the busy summer season is even more of a problem.
Canada’s extended ban on Great Lakes cruises could affect Muskegon tourism
Updated Feb 08, 2021;
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MUSKEGON, MI – A Canadian ban on cruise ships operating on the Great Lakes could have a direct impact on Muskegon’s summer tourism.
At this point, it’s unclear if the cruise ships scheduled to stop at Muskegon’s port in 2021 will be canceled. At least one cruise line told MLive/Muskegon Chronicle that it plans to maintain it’s planned visits in Muskegon this summer.
Great Lakes cruise lines are still figuring out if they can save their summer season, following the Canadian government’s decision to extend a ban on cruises for another year until Feb. 28, 2022.
Recovery from pandemic expected in Muskegon County by end of 2022, economist says
Updated Jan 29, 2021;
Posted Jan 29, 2021
Economist Paul Isely says Muskegon Countywill likely see pre-COVID levels of employment by the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023. (MLive file photo)
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MUSKEGON, MI – It’s likely going to be many months before employment levels in Muskegon County rebound from the sharp decline experienced during the pandemic.
That was the message Friday from economist Paul Isely during the annual Muskegon County Economic Forecast hosted by the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce. His talk examined the impact of COVID-19 and the economic recovery in the area.
Great Lakes Cruise Ships Release 2021 Season
2021 was supposed to be a record setting season for Great Lakes Cruise Ships. Muskegon s port was expected to receive 50 ships. Passengers cruising on the Great Lakes from Toronto to Chicago was showing steady year-over-year growth. And then COVID-19 happened.
This summer, economic and tourism leaders are hoping for 20 visits now that the cruise ship operators have released their 2021 itineraries.
Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Larsen told WZZM, We understand anything can happen. The plan right now is for the ships to start later in the season because by then most people will be vaccinated.