The Michigan Legislature seems ready to redirect much of its billion dollar incentive spending toward building more mass transit and other community projects. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer appears open to the idea.
Paula Gardner
Paula directs the business reporting on Bridge, writing much of it and setting the strategy for how statewide business coverage fits into Bridge’s nonpartisan policy-driven editorial mix. Paula came to Bridge in 2020 after several years at MLive.com, where she covered the state on both business and environmental teams. Prior to that, she was editor of the Ann Arbor News and news director of online startup AnnArbor,com, and also focused on business news as an editor and reporter at Michigan Business Review. Born and raised in metro Detroit, Paula moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, and has lived in the city for 20 years with her husband, who grew up in their neighborhood. Paula also regularly visits East Lansing and Grand Rapids to visit her college-aged children. She can be reached at pgardner@bridgemi.com
Posted inBusiness Watch
China making Detroit automakers 'underdogs' with huge EV push, experts warn
China will build 30 million vehicles this year, three times as many as the U.S. That means Detroit automakers — and Michigan policymakers — must act to preserve the state’s dominant industry, experts said Wednesday.
Posted inBusiness Watch
With Flint megasite deal, Michigan tops $1B in spending on development land
The state will use a $250 million grant to buy property for the megasite, which officials said is likely to reach 1,300 acres. Looming federal funding deadlines for large advanced manufacturing factories are prompting urgency.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan’s largest egg farm lays off 400 workers amid bird flu outbreak
Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch is the first commercial egg farm in Michigan to have to destroy its chicken flocks after an outbreak of ‘bird flu.’ It may be a sign that egg prices will climb again.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Steep tariffs may block Chinese threats to Michigan's growing EV industry
Electric vehicles, EV batteries and semiconductors from China all face new costs if sold in the U.S. as Biden administration attacks ‘artificially cheap products.’
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan has plenty of jobs. Too bad workers find so many boring, study finds
Michigan has a persistent worker shortage, but many are in fields that workers consider dead dull, according to an MSU study that could close the gap in skills training.
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Michigan union workers OK strike against Stellantis over health concerns
The UAW is negotiating for changes at the Warren Stamping Plant, where workers say better ventilation and protective equipment are needed.
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U-M seeks to bring jobs to Detroit with a $250M innovation center
U-M’s Center for Innovation will house graduate-level programs and workforce development programs for Detroiters. Merging the two will also create a place for industry, its new director says.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Lakeside Mall to close July 1, paving way for $1 billion redevelopment
Developers are banking that the massive mall can be retooled with 2,800 apartments, a hotel, restaurants and ‘Main Street’ style sidewalks. It’s perhaps Michigan’s largest and most ambitious remaking of a troubled mall.
Posted inBusiness Watch
New push to reform Michigan corporate subsidies, this time from Republicans
Lawmakers from both parties say they want more accountability and to steer big money away from companies toward communities.