The latest reliable news about the Feb. 13 shooting that killed three students and injured five others before the suspected gunman killed himself.
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 inMichigan Government
Michigan’s pitch to lure new residents: nature, high tech, abortion rights
The state’s affordable housing, beautiful lakes and reproductive rights are some of the selling points Michigan may use in a new ad campaign hoping to convince young professionals to put down roots in the state.
Posted inBusiness Watch
What is the debt ceiling and why Michigan should care if the U.S. defaults
Economists are watching how Congress addresses the latest battle over the federal debt limit. A default could prove catastrophic for the economy and for individuals in Michigan and across the country.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Marshall weighs $3.5B Ford battery factory amid community backlash
Monday is pivotal for the project, with the city council expected to vote on rezoning that would allow it to proceed. Both supporters and opponents respectively, are being urged to show up at the meeting.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan business leaders mildly hopeful despite lagging GDP, income
The state’s gross domestic product numbers and personal income growth were near the bottom of state rankings for the end of 2022. But business leaders expressed more confidence than they did last year in the economy remaining steady.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Automaker Stellantis offers buyouts to 60 percent of its U.S. workforce
One of Michigan’s largest employers is trying to cut costs as it shifts to EV, which are more expensive to produce. About 33,000 workers, both hourly and salaried, are expected to get the offer.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan eyes new megasite near Flint Bishop airport with $1.5M funding
The state continues to seek land where large-scale business projects can be built. On Tuesday, it allocated another $6 million — including money for the site near Flint.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Northern Michigan tries to expand its tech startups alongside tourism
Traverse City nonprofit 20Fathoms is a hub for startups and entrepreneurs in an area known for seasonal job growth. In a Q and A, Executive Director Eric Roberts says the focus on tech growth will boost the ‘baseline economy’ by encouraging higher-paying, year-round jobs.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan Senate narrowly clears $175 million for China-linked Gotion plant
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved state incentives by a slender 10-9 vote, with three Democrats joining six Republicans in opposing the EV battery factory deal championed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Gotion controversy tests longstanding Michigan-China economic ties
Michigan’s vote on whether to award the company a $175 million incentive comes after decades of trying to attract Chinese business — an effort that continues today, despite rising U.S.-China tensions.