ECONOMIC BASE

 

Historically, Forest Home Township has not been a major economic attraction in Northern Michigan or even Antrim County in terms of providing jobs or direct incomes. In the late 1800's the economy of Northern Michigan was primarily related to the wood harvesting industry. Prior to the era of wood cutting, the activity was in trading furs for supplies between the Native American and the white man or between white man and white man. As Northern Michigan generally and Forest Home Township specifically was logged off, land was converted into agricultural uses. Over time, the terrain and close proximity to water (which served to moderate the temperature extremes) proved to be a major asset in the production of various types of agricultural crops. Farms comprised of orchard crops and livestock covered the landscape.

 

During the past 30 years, a limited number of persons have been able to support themselves by farming. Those who are surviving are doing so either due to excellent management and a fair amount of luck or the farm income was supplemented by a secondary (or in some cases primary) income that has come from a job off the farm.

 

Weekly or seasonal rental of lakefront cabins was traditionally a source of income for residents in the past but the bulk of these cabins have either been torn down or sold and moved off the lakefront property. Much of the property has been split into individual lots and sold.

 

At the present time, farming, service, education, government professional and manufacturing industries are major providers of jobs in the area. Virtually all of these jobs are located outside of Forest Home Township. Ionex is the only industrial activity in Forest Home Township and is located off Bellaire Highway on the former site of the Bellaire Log Homes. This site was vacant until it became occupied in the late 1980's. The firm currently located on the site manufactures custom vacuum ovens for industrial use around the world. Two sand and gravel extraction operations are located in the township with the bulk of the material being used for local construction activities: one located on Bellaire Highway with the second located on M-88.

 

A limited amount of commercial activity takes place in the Clam River area of the township with Mico's Restaurant, the Dockside, and two multiple family condominium complexes. In addition, a limited amount of cabin rentals are located along the water front throughout the township. The commercial activity that does occur in the township is concentrated during the summer months.

 

Generally, the employed residents of the township work in Bellaire, or travel to other communities, such as Traverse City for employment.

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EMPLOYMENT OF FOREST HOME RESIDENTS IN 1990

 

Agricultural, forestry and fisheries      25 Construction      34 Manufacturing      126 Transportation      14 Communications and Utilities      6 Wholesale Trade      4 Retail Trade      93 Finance, insurance and real estate      30 Business and repair services      22 Personal services      57 Entertainment and recreation services      12 Health services      62 Educational Services      61 Other professional services      53 Public Administration     18

Source:      1990 Census of Population and Housing

 

Tourism related jobs for the most part do not pay a wage sufficient to serve as a sole source of family income for other than the owners or proprietors of the service firms. An exception is the construction industry which does provide wages sufficient to support a family.

 

The Village of Bellaire contains a viable commercial cluster in the "downtown" area as well as an area of larger commercial enterprises such as a major grocery store on the south side of Bellaire. Bellaire is the location of county offices and other governmental offices. The location of the county seat also attracts many related businesses, including attorney's offices, computer firms, restaurants and other support commercial uses. The Bellaire School District is another public employer in the area.

 

Shanty Creek and Schuss Mountain Resorts, (located just east of Bellaire) provide a total of 645 jobs during their peak season. An expansion currently underway may result in 100 to 125 additional jobs being created. Not all of these jobs are full time on a year-round basis. The trend for resorts in northern Michigan is toward increasing amounts of business during the traditional slow seasons (spring and fall) due to convention business.

 

At the present time, only a small area in the southwest part of the Township is designated for commercial use on the zoning map. Had it not been for the existing commercial/industrial buildings located upon the Bellaire Log Homes property, no industrial uses would be located within the Township, as the current occupant of the property is operating under a special use permit based upon the prior usage.

Industrial parks (or vacant industrially zoned lands) exist in Central Lake Township, Kearney Township, Bellaire, Mancelona, Elk Rapids, and Ellsworth.

 

OCCUPATIONS OF FOREST HOME RESIDENTS IN 1990

 

Managerial and professional                    170

Tech, sales, and administrative support      145 Service providers                              5 Farming, forestry and fisheries                18

Precision production, craft and repair           98 Operators, fabricators and laborers               92

Source:                        1990 Census of Population and Housing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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