Van Buren County

Van Buren County is located in the southwestern part of the lower peninsula, bordered on the northwest by Lake Michigan and traversed by I-94 and I-196. The county contains 611 square miles and is the 45th largest in the state. The county seat is Paw Paw, where one of the area's fine wineries is located. About half the county's land is in farms and is included in the state's fruit and truck belt. Most of the agricultural receipts are from crops, including apples, blueberries, tart cherries, grapes, asparagus, green beans, and soybeans. Food processing is the primary manufacturing activity. An abundance of outdoor activities are available, as are wine-tasting tours. South Haven, a city of 5,700 located on Lake Michigan, is noted for its festivals and tourist attractions.

Local Area - Click to Enlarge

General Data

DISTANCE	MILES	KM
Chicago	130	209
Cleveland	285	458
Detroit	160	257
Indianapolis	180	289
Lansing	85	136

YEARS	POPULATION
2002	77,447
2003	78,040
2004	78,524
2005	78,812
Source:Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau, March 16, 2006

WORKFORCE
LABOR	2006
Total Workforce	41,139
Number Employed	38,415
Number Unemployed	2,724
Unemployment Rate	6.6
Source:Michigan Employment Service Agency, 2006

CHARACTERISTICS OF LABOR FORCE
LABOR	2000
Workers 16 years and over	34,763
Percentage who work outside of county	50.0%
Percentage who work at home	2.5%
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS
CLASSIFICATION	2000
Persons 25 years of age or older	48,920
Percentage with high school diploma	78.9%
Percentage with bachelor's degree	14.32%
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000

TRANSPORTATION
ACCESS TO MARKETS
Main Highways	US-31, I-94, I-196, M-43, M-140, M-51, M-152, M-40
Bus Lines	Greyhound
Truck Lines	42
Rail Lines	Amtra:k; Conrail; CSX
Ports	Benton Harbor/St. Joseph (25 mi-Lake Michigan)
Airports	Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International (15 mi); South Haven Regional
Airlines	American Eagle, ComAir/Delta, Northwest, Northwest Airlink, Skyway, USAir Express, United Express
Source: MI State Transportation Commission, 1995

Economy

PERSONAL INCOME (In Thousands of Dollars)
Components by Type	2002	2003	2004	2005
Personal income	1,772,862	1,852,752	1,934,070	1,990,960
Population (persons)	77,436	77,965	78,503	78,724
Per capita personal income (dollars)	22,895	23,764	24,637	25,290
Farm proprietors' income	-11,421	6,519	9,854	8,441
Nonfarm proprietors' income	40,728	42,056	48,742	51,589
Components by Industry	2002	2003	2004	2005
Farm earnings	18,104	29,555	37,123	31,892
Nonfarm earnings	905,227	930,350	979,371	979,257
Private earnings	686,669	700,016	738,732	728,568
Forestry, fishing, related activities, and other	0	0	0	0
Mining	0	0	0	0
Utilities	0	0	0	0
Construction	54,705	43,163	45,554	45,656
Manufacturing	203,261	198,908	210,421	204,407
Durable goods manufacturing	121,692	109,060	130,895	127,056
Wholesale trade	0	0	18,404	19,358
Retail Trade	75,722	73,750	75,507	78,329
Transportation and warehousing	17,679	18,152	0	0
Information	6,123	6,279	5,872	5,688
Finance and insurance	35,062	40,644	39,849	33,733
Real estate and rental and leasing	6,663	6,368	7,464	7,421
Professional and technical services	38,496	41,636	47,648	60,471
Government and government enterprises	218,558	230,334	240,639	250,689
Federal, civilian	9,405	9,466	10,315	10,509
Military	3,286	4,688	5,093	5,806
State and local	205,867	216,180	225,231	234,374
Source:Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce, Issued May 2007

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY (Number of Jobs)
Components by Type	2002	2003	2004	2005
Total employment	28,530	28,171	28,602	28,887
Wage and salary employment	24,042	23,575	23,857	23,953
Proprietors employment	4,488	4,596	4,745	4,934
Farm employment	2,104	2,128	2,156	2,071
Nonfarm employment	26,426	26,043	26,446	26,816
Components by Industry	2002	2003	2004	2005
Private employment	20,827	20,443	20,827	21,091
Forestry, fishing, related activities, and other	0	0	0	0
Mining	0	0	0	0
Utilities	0	0	0	0
Construction	1,687	1,532	1,526	1,520
Manufacturing	4,167	3,736	3,940	3,819
Wholesale trade	0	0	519	538
Retail Trade	3,466	3,344	3,342	3,446
Transportation and warehousing	544	583	0	0
Finance and insurance	911	913	971	972
Real estate and rental and leasing	432	428	427	431
Professional and technical services	1,039	1,143	1,187	1,421
Government and government enterprises	5,599	5,600	5,619	5,725
Federal, civilian	165	168	161	161
Military	154	152	151	142
State and local	5,280	5,280	5,307	5,422
Source:Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce, Issued May 2007

PRINCIPLE EMPLOYERS
NAICS	FIRM	LOCATION	EMPLOYEES	PRODUCT
541712	MPI Research Inc	Mattawan	1400	Commercial Physical Research
623110	Lakeview Continuing Care Ctr	Lawton	558	Skilled Nursing Care Facility Specialty Hospital
221113	Entergy Nuclear Palisades LLC	Covert	500	Nuclear Power Plant
311421	Coca-Cola Co	Paw Paw	500	Manufactures fruit juices
326199	AFL Automotive LP	Mattawan	500	Manufactures injection molded plastic products; manufactures motor vehicle parts & accessories; manufactures medical instruments; manufactures current carrying wiring devices; manufactures electronic connectors
622110	Lakeview Community Hospital	Paw Paw	428	General Hospital Skilled Nursing Care Facility
441110	Seelye-Wright of South Haven	South Haven	400	Ret New/Used Automobiles
311421	Welch Foods Inc, A Cooperative	Lawton	260	Manufactures fruit juices; manufactures frozen fruits, juices & vegetables
322211	South Haven Packaging Inc	South Haven	250	Manufactures corrugated boxes
611110	Van Buren Intermediate School	Lawrence	240	Elementary/Secondary School Business Consulting Services
452112	Wal-Mart Stores Inc	South Haven	230	Department Store Ret Groceries
622110	South Haven Community Hospital	South Haven	210	General Hospital
336370	Pullman Industries Inc	South Haven	200	Manufactures stamped automotive products; sheet metal fabricator; manufactures metal stampings
336370	Pullman Industries Inc	South Haven	200	Manufactures stamped automotive products; manufactures miscellaneous metalwork; manufactures metal stampings
921110	County Of Van Buren	Paw Paw	170	Executive Office
326291	Trelleborg YSH Inc	South Haven	165	Manufactures rubber products for mechanical use; manufactures rubber oil seals; manufactures processed plastics
111422	Degrandchamp Blueberry Farms	South Haven	154	Ornamental Nursery Berry Crop Farm
722110	Clememtine's Saloon Inc	South Haven	152	Restaurant
332321	Special-Lite Inc	Decatur	140	Manufactures metal doors, sash & trim; manufactures extruded aluminum products; manufactures plastic or plastic coated fabric folding doors
611110	Bangor Public School District	Bangor	133	Elementary/Secondary Sch
611110	Bloomingdale Public School	Bloomingdale	128	Elementary/Secondary School
325998	Albemarle Corp	South Haven	125	Manufactures chemical products
611110	Lawrence Public School Dist	Lawrence	100	Elementary/Secondary School
611110	Gobles Public Schools	Gobles	100	Elementary/Secondary School
115114	Adkin's Blue Ribbon Packing Co	South Haven	100	Crop Preparation For Market Berry Crop Farm
813110	Corp of The President of The	Paw Paw	100	Religious Organization
333514	Mol-Son Inc	Mattawan	100	Manufactures special dies & tools
611110	Paw Paw Public School District	Paw Paw	100	Public High School
311421	Knouse Foods Cooperative Inc	Paw Paw	100	Manufactures canned fresh fruit juices; manufactures pickles, sauces & salad dressings; manufactures food preparations
445110	Paw Paw Shopping Center Inc	Paw Paw	100	Grocery & Variety Store
623990	Van Buren Community Mental	Paw Paw	99	Residential Care Services Specialty Outpatient Clinic
445110	Spartan Stores Inc	Paw Paw	95	Ret Groceries Ret Drugs/Sundries
484121	Ralph Moyle Inc	Mattawan	91	Trucking Operator-Nonlocal Local Trucking-With Storage
624190	Department of Human Services	Hartford	85	Individual/Family Services
611110	Van Buren Intermediate School	Lawrence	80	Elementary/Secondary School
923120	County of Van Buren	Hartford	80	Administrative Public Health Programs
623220	Evergreen Manor Inc	Bangor	78	Adult Foster Care For The Mentally And Emotionally Disturbed And Behavior Management Care Services
813410	Hartford American Legion	Hartford	75	Veterans' Organization
522110	Inter City Bank Inc	South Haven	75	State Bank
611110	Mattawan Consolidated School	Mattawan	75	Elementary/Secondary School
611110	Lawton Community Schools	Lawton	70	School
611110	Lawrence Jr Sr High School	Lawrence	70	Elementary/Secondary School
623110	Martin Luther Memorial Home	South Haven	70	Skilled Nursing Care Facility
326199	Do-It Corp	South Haven	70	Manufactures plastic garment hangers; manufactures wall hanger hardware; manufactures wire & wire products
332813	Mann Metal Finishing Inc	Hartford	70	Metal or formed products polishing service; metal service center
445120	Murk's Village Market Inc	South Haven	70	Ret Groceries
722110	Three Pelicans Inc	South Haven	65	Eating Place
238110	Johnson Poured Walls Inc	Mattawan	65	Concrete Contractor
611110	South Haven Public Schools Inc	South Haven	63	Elementary/Secondary School
713990	Max Sonnevil	Decatur	63	Amusement/Recreation Services
326130	H & R Wood Specialties Inc	Gobles	60	Manufactures laminated plastics finished products; manufactures wooden trim; manufactures wood display fixtures; manufactures hardwood furniture stock & parts
445110	Murk's Village Market Inc	Decatur	60	Ret Groceries
312111	Seven-Up Rc Bottling Co Inc	Paw Paw	60	Manufactures soft drinks
621610	Lakeview Community Hospital	Paw Paw	60	Home Health Care Services
339993	Midwest Fastener Corp	Decatur	55	Manufactures fasteners
332999	West Michigan Flocking & Assy	South Haven	55	Manufactures flocking metal products; manufactures assembly machines
311421	Packer's Canning Co Inc	Lawton	55	Manufactures canned fruits
722110	T Big Inc	Lawton	55	Restaurant
333612	Lovejoy Inc	South Haven	55	Manufactures speed changers; manufactures power transmission pulleys; manufactures hardware; manufactures tire cord
311421	Burnette Foods Inc	Hartford	55	Manufactures canned fruits
Source: Harris Publishing Company, 2008 InfoSource

OTHER MAJOR EMPLOYERS
SIC	FIRM	LOCATION	EMPLOYEES	PRODUCT
4911	Consumers Power Company	Covert	484	Electric services
8731	MPI Research LLC	Mattawan	300	Commercial physical
5311	Wal-Mart Stores Inc.	South Haven	230	Department stores
8062	South Haven Community Hospital	South Haven	160	Health care
171	De Grandchamp Blueberry Farms	South Haven	154	Berry crops
9121	County of Van Buren	Paw Paw	150	Legislative bodies
8501	Lakeview Community Nursing Home	Lawton	130	Health care
8211	South Haven Public Schools	South Haven	126	School/education
8211	Lawton Community Schools	Lawton	120	School/education
8211	Gobles Public Schools	Gobles	110	School/education
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS
Type of Service	2004
Total	1,454
Forestry, fishing, hunting, and agriculture support	5
Mining	1
Utilities	5
Construction	214
Manufacturing	99
Food mfg	13
Beverage & tobacco product mfg	4
Textile mills	1
Apparel manufacturing	1
Wood product mfg	1
Paper mfg	2
Printing & related support activities	4
Chemical mfg	5
Plastics & rubber products mfg	7
Nonmetallic mineral product mfg	4
Fabricated metal product mfg	26
Machinery mfg	15
Computer & electronic product mfg	1
Electrical equip, appliance & component mfg	1
Transportation equipment mfg	5
Furniture & related product mfg	3
Miscellaneous mfg	6
Wholesale trade	61
Retail trade	250
Transportation & warehousing	46
Information	18
Publishing industries	4
Finance & insurance	66
Real estate & rental & leasing	42
Professional, scientific & technical services	99
Management of companies & enterprises	4
Admin, support, waste mgt, remediation services	54
Educational services	10
Health care and social assistance	125
Arts, entertainment & recreation	25
Accommodation & food services	149
Other services (except public administration)	170
Unclassified establishments	11
Source:Source:U.S. Department of Commerce and Bureau of the Census, County Business Patterns, Issued July 2006

Quality of Life

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT INFORMATION
COMMUNITY	SCHOOL DISTRICT	STUDENTS	INSTRUCTORS	HIGH SCHOOLS
Bangor	Bangor Township School District 8	19	1	0
Bangor	Bangor Public Schools	1,700	90	1
Bloomingdale	Bloomingdale Public Schools	1,300	72	1
Covert	Covert Public Schools	803	54	1
Decatur	Decatur Public Schools	1,214	67	1
Gobles	Gobles Public Schools	930	54	1
Hartford	Hartford Public Schools	1,400	90	1
Lawrence	Lawrence Public Schools	802	45	1
Lawton	Lawton Community Schools	1,200	68	1
Mattawan	Mattawan Community Schools	2,900	143	1
Paw Paw	Paw Paw Public Schools	2,213	116	1
South Haven	South Haven Public Schools	2,901	170	1
Source: MI Department of Education, 1997

TWO YEAR COLLEGES AND TECHNICAL SCHOOLS
NAME	LOCATION	ENROLLMENT
Kalamazoo Valley Community College	Kalamazoo Co.	11,070
Southwestern Michigan College	Cass Co.	2,758
Lake Michigan College	Berrien Co.	3,634

FOUR YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
NAME	LOCATION	ENROLLMENT
Western Michigan University	Kalamazoo Co.	26,555
Andrews University	Berrien Co.	2,869
Source: MI Department of Education, 1996

MEDICAL FACILITIES
TYPE OF FACILITY	# IN COUNTY	# OF BEDS
Hospitals	2	115
Source: MI Department of Consumer and Industry Services, 1998

HOUSING (2000)
OWNER OCCUPIED	MEDIAN VALUE	RENTER OCCUPIED	MEDIAN RENT
14,183	$94,200	5,341	$451
Source:U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census of Population and Housing, 2000

CLIMATE
MONTH	AVG. MIN TEMP	AVG. MAX TEMP.
January	18F./-8C.	32F./0C.
July	61F./16C.	79F./26C.
PRECIPITATION	RAINFALL	SNOWFALL
Average Annual	35in./89cm.	60in./152cm.
GROWING SEASON	DAYS ABOVE 90F/32C	DAYS BELOW 0F/-18C
168	4	4
Source: NOAA Climate Summary, 1995

RECREATION

COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS

Lake Michigan (beaches, marinas, parks, camping, and public access facilities); Van Buren State Park (Lake Michigan access, beaches, camping, hiking, and cross-country skiing). Recreation - 34 mile Kal-Haven Trail, Timber Ridge Ski Resort, golf, fishing, dunes, and inland lakes. Wineries - St. Julian, Warner. Arts - Village Gallery of Arts & Crafts in Lawton, South Haven Center for the Arts, museums. Festivals - Paw Paw Wine & Harvest Festival, Bangor Apples Festival, Hartford Strawberry Festival, South Haven Blueberry Festival, Black Arts Fair, Harbor Festival. Lodging - hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns.

Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

Municipal Services

UTILITIES
COMMUNITY	ELECTRIC	GAS
Paw Paw, Almena, Covert, Columbia, Lawrence, Hamilton,	Consumers Power	Consumers Energy
Geneva, Bangor, Pine Grove, Arlington, South Haven,
Arlington, Antwerp, Bloomingdale, Covert, Almena, Decatur,	Fruit Belt	Consumers Energy
Waverly, Hartford, Keeler, Porter, Lawrence, Hamilton
Almena, South Haven, Porter, Antwerp, Pine Grove, Arlington,	AEP	Consumers Energy
Decatur, Lawrence, Bloomingdale, Keeler, Columbia,
Hamilton, Waverly, Geneva, Bangor
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Local Phone Companies	Ameritech, GTE, Bloomingdale Telephone
Long Distance Companies	AT&T, MCI, Sprint, and others
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

LICENSED LANDFILLS
COMMUNITY	OWNER/MANAGER
South Haven	Quality Refuse Service
Source: MDEQ Waste Management Division, 1998

PROPERTY TAX (2004)
Agriculture	Commercial	Industrial	Residential	Other
5.00%	12.50%	11.80%	63.80%	6.90%
Source:MI Department of Treasury State Tax Commission, 2006

GOVERNMENT
COMMUNITY	PHONE NUMBER	COMMUNITY	PHONE NUMBER
Almena Twp	(269) 657-5913	Antwerp Twp	(269) 668-2615
Arlington Twp	(269) 674-3305	Bangor (City of)	(269) 427-5831
Bangor Twp	(269) 427-8965	Bloomingdale (Village of)	(269) 521-3222
Bloomingdale Twp	(269) 571-3800	Breedsville (Village of)	(269) 427-7281
Columbia twp	(269) 434-6227	Covert Twp	(269) 764-8986
Decatur Twp	(269) 423-8438	Decatur (Village of)	(269) 423-6114
Geneva Twp	(269) 427-7607	Gobles (City of)	(269) 628-2246
Hamilton Twp	(269) 423-7852	Hartford (City of)	(269) 621-2477
Hartford Twp	(269) 621-44658	Keeler Twp	(269) 621-6481
Lawrence (Village of)	(269) 674-8161	Lawrence Twp	(269) 674-3840
Lawton (Village of)	(269) 624-6407	Mattawan (Village of)	(269) 668-2128
Paw Paw (Village of)	(269) 657-3148	Paw Paw Twp	(269) 657-4340
Pine Grove Twp	(269) 628-4488	Porter Twp	(269) 624-4022
South Haven (City of)	(269) 637-0700	South Haven Charter Twp	(269) 637-3305
Waverly Twp	(269) 657-6847
Source: Local County Economic Development Contact

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTACT

Edward VanderVries CMAE III, PPE Economic Development Coordinator Director of Planning, Land Management, Community Development Deputy Equalization Director 219 Paw Paw St. Paw Paw, MI 49079

Phone: (269) 657-8234 Fax: (269) 657-0579

Website:  www.vbco.org E-mail: vandervriese@vbco.org

Source: Local County Economic Development Contact, 2007