The bulk of the subsidies are to a development near the Grand River led by members of the powerful DeVos and VanAndel families. Advocates say they’re an important project. One critic says the deal was rushed.
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
Ford retreats from EVs after Michigan spends big on subsidies for battery plants
After losing billions, the automaker is downsizing its EV strategy and expanding into energy storage. That means big changes to production at the planned $3.5 billion BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Lawmaker: Stop demoing houses on Genesee County megasite without a deal
Michigan budgeted up to $31.6 million to clear land it bought for a megasite, in part by tearing down houses. One lawmaker says that’s a waste.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan farm values growing faster than nation amid data center boom
Michigan led the US in farmland price increases last year, rising 7.8% compared to 4.3% nationally. Demand is rising along with development.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Report: Aging crisis to cause Michigan to lose out on economic boom
A new University of Michigan economic report warns that the ‘long-term future has now arrived’ for the state, causing it to lose out on jobs from a national economic uptick.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Next Michigan governor needs ‘laser focus’ on prosperity, biz group says
Michigan needs a strong and unifying governor to change its alarming trajectory, Business Leaders for Michigan says.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Hope, anger on display at town hall as $261M megasite forges ahead near Flint
About 200 gather for a town hall hearing about what’s next for Mundy Township after Sandisk’s plans for a semiconductor collapsed.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan has spent $261M on Mundy megasite. Now, the public weighs in
Opponents and advocates of the megasite will speak at a town hall in Flint on Thursday night. The public event will feature a Q&A on the state-funded $260 million project.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan lawmakers: Eliminate economic development agency
MEDC spending soared during Whitmer administration, but critics say its results don’t benefit taxpayers or most businesses.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Tech giants announce $7B data center, Michigan’s first hyperscale campus
Three tech companies have announced plans to build a massive data center on 575 acres in rural southwest Washtenaw County.