Changing Gears

Three Midwest economic stories to end your week with:

Manufacturers take aim at policy makers. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI are starting a new initiative aimed at highlighting the potential the manufacturing sector has to create jobs and economic growth. The Chamber, which says it is the world’s largest business federation, says its effort will be aimed at policy makers, and will including sharing research, expert opinions and findings on the state of American manufacturing.

President Obama set to talk job numbers in Midwest next week. The stops on President Obama’s Midwestern jobs tour have yet to be announced, but partner station Michigan Radio reports at least one stop, in west Michigan, looks certain. On his tour, the President is expected to discuss strategy for creating additional jobs. He will also likely talk more about employment numbers, out today, showing the U.S added jobs, but not enough to signal robust economic growth.

General Motor’s earnings up, stock down. The U.S government continues to look for a good time to sell its remaining 26% share in the car giant, and will need to wait a little longer. GM yesterday announced a quarterly earnings report that showed GM has is doing better at any point since declaring bankruptcy, making $2.5 billion in the last three months. As the Detroit Free Press reports, these numbers weren’t enough to counter the larger uncertainty in the stock market over the last few days and GM stocks, at publication time are down almost to year low levels.