Traverse Connect conducted its third 2026 Business Growth Barometer Survey of investor and member businesses to provide a snapshot of our regional business sentiment, outlook, and current challenges. Quarterly surveys inform the organization’s strategic priorities and help it respond to the needs of the business community.
Ninety-six percent of respondents agree that the Grand Traverse region is a good place to grow their business, maintaining the positive trend since the summer of 2025. Respondents’ sentiment about an improving business environment declined to 71%, down 16 points from the previous quarter.
As we closed out the peak summer tourism season, business owners cited a notable shift in their primary barrier to growth. Previous quarters’ responses have focused on concerns about attainable housing and finding talent. Third-quarter responses were relatively evenly dispersed across a range of issues, including staffing skill gaps, access to capital, and interest rates. For the first time this year, tariffs returned as a business concern with the enactment of new Canadian tariffs.
Traverse Connect’s accomplishments for the third quarter of 2026 are summarized on the second page, with advancement on a diverse set of strategic initiatives focused on economic development, business growth, manufacturing, and advocacy. The final page of the update previews Traverse Connect events scheduled from October through December.
Read the full report by clicking the image below:
