Bridge Michigan explored the public cost of allowing automakers to leave polluted plants behind while they seek state incentives to build new ones. The Michigan Legislature is now poised to introduce bills to hold industry more accountable.
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
Democrats seek new office to aid Michigan with green energy job losses
Increasing EV production and closing coal-fired power plants will impact the state’s workforce and communities. Legislation could create a new state office to aid both in the transition.
Posted inBusiness Watch
UAW strike impact grows in Michigan as walkouts enter second month
Bill Ford Jr. said Monday the union should unite against foreign companies to boost American jobs. The UAW didn’t buy it, with President Shawn Fain telling Ford to give in to union demands to support its workers. Here are four things to know about the strike.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Bipartisan vibes as Michigan lawmakers seek to reform SOAR incentive fund
Michigan’s large-scale business incentives program has drawn growing criticism for awarding billions of dollars to automakers and other industries with little accountability and questions about the quality of jobs it brings in return.
Posted inBusiness Watch
EV battery maker LG Energy Solution eyes Michigan tax break for $3B expansion
LG Energy Solution is planning to grow again, even before construction concludes on a $1.7B project announced in 2022. Holland officials await building plans.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan Democrats offer plan to remake economic development
As mega-subsidies through Michigan’s SOAR Fund lose luster with both parties, Democrats propose adding more corporate accountability, oversight and community benefits to incentive deals.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump in Michigan seeks to win over UAW, blue-collar workers
Working class voters have helped tip presidential elections in Michigan, and that could happen again. Former President Trump is trying to recapture the magic that fueled his surprise Michigan victory in 2016.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Ford puts brakes on $3.5B BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall
The automaker says it has not made a final decision to build the factory, despite $2.2 billion in state subsidies. Ford won’t say if UAW negotiations are a factor.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As automakers win incentives for EV plants, Michigan pays for polluted past
The auto industry is getting billions to build battery plants on rural land, while taxpayers pay for contaminated plants left behind. Will history repeat itself? Or will Michigan forge a new path?
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
With thousands of tainted sites, Michigan Dems eye return to ‘polluter pay’
Michigan went from strict cleanup laws to among the most lenient. Three decades and 26,000 contaminated sites later, will the state reverse course? Democrats, GOP and business leaders see areas to agree on.