Michigan Explodes into the New Year

Michigan prepared to leave December behind and head into 2011 with a bang. 25,000 jobs are slated to become available in the state. Since the recession began, the state has been hit especially hard in terms of job loss. The auto industry took the brunt of the fall with mass layoffs and plant closings. The auto industry is instrumental in keeping the state's economy afloat. The astounding number of layoffs has had a profound effect on Michigan foreclosures over the past three years since the recession first began taking its toll on the United States. The Michigan government plans on heading into the New Year with the focus of bringing jobs back into the auto industry as well as other sectors. Economists have projected the states lingering dependence on the auto industry as its main source of revenue as 2010 ended and 2011 began. Job growth is expected to slowly climb this year with the number of new employment opportunities set to take off in 2012 when an additional 63,000 jobs are supposed to become available. It could take the state nearly a decade to regain the 850,000 jobs it lost since the year 2000. Hopefully, as job opportunities begin to gain in numbers, the number of foreclosures in the state will lessen. Wayne County, Michigan watched as Detroit foreclosures spiked to 3.125% sending its 7,657 households to watch as property values stabilized around $32,220. In Kent County, Grand Rapids foreclosures rose to 9.6774%. Grand Rapids area residents saw the 5,193 homes in the area brought to an average of $44,296 in property value. Warren foreclosures jumped to 10.9756% letting some of Warren County's households, 8,169 to be exact, hit an average property value of $64,214. Genesee County observed as 4,906 Flint households reached an average of $25,065 in property value and an increase of 8.0645% in the number of Flint foreclosures. Dearborn foreclosures went to 9.2593% over in Wayne County. 6,497 homes waited as their property values reached an average of $92,300. Also in Wayne County, Redford foreclosures upped to 8.1633% with an average property value of $101,450 per its 11,330 households. Crime hasn't taken a break since 2011 began knocking on Michigan's door. Recently, the FBI reached out to the state's residents for some much needed help. According to the FBI, a serial robber has been hitting banks in both Macomb and Wayne Counties. The robberies began in October and have continued into January. October saw one robbery at Chase Bank, November had two with one robbery each at Comerica Bank and Bank of America, December was hit with one robbery at PNC Bank and a different branch of Comerica Bank was hit in January. During each robbery the suspect has worn a ball cap with either a Philadelphia Phillies or Detroit Red Wings logo. The FBI has cautioned bank employees and the public to be on the look out for a black man with an approximate age of early to mid thirties with a medium build and standing at 5' 10" tall. Photos of the suspect may be viewed on the FBI's website and anyone with information concerning the robbery or the suspect is asked to call 586-412-4844. Less than a week ago, bullets were fired at Detroit's Central High School. A tenth grader at the school was hit in the ankle with one of two stray bullets. The young female had emerged from the school with a group of other students when struck. The female victim failed to realize the injuries caused by the bullet and went home. Police have said they do not suspect another student as the gunman.