Ford Motor Co. fleshed out details on Monday of a battery plant it will build with a Chinese partner on farmland near Marshall. The plant, to employ 2,500, is scheduled to open in 2026.
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
Marshall megasite wins Ford EV battery plant project with Chinese partner
The multi-billion-dollar project with Chinese battery giant CATL is touted to produce 2,500 jobs and add to Michigan’s growing share of EV-related development. Virginia had previously rejected the project because of its ties to China.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Doobie Tuesday and pizza deals: Marijuana biz turns to old-school promos
Faced with steep competition and price drops of 75 percent, the state’s 600-plus recreational cannabis dispensaries and suppliers are seeking a sales edge beyond ubiquitous billboards. But who imagined early bird specials?
Posted inBusiness Watch
Robust jobs market in January suggests economy not ‘cooling’ as predicted
Inflation is still high. But job growth is, too. Combined, they create a challenge for the nation’s monetary policy makers.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan businesses with hourly workers fret over continued pay hikes
Inflation may be moderating, but there still aren’t enough hourly workers to fill open restaurant, retail and other lower-paid hourly jobs. In Michigan, businesses that depend on such workers are still raising pay to attract employees, a trend they say can’t keep doing.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Farmland near Grand Ledge could be Michigan megasite for high-tech project
About 1,400 acres of assembled land, including a farm now owned by MSU, is under contract in tiny Eagle Township. Economic developers pitch the land as ‘America’s best megasite’ for energy-heavy projects like semiconductors or EV batteries.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Bed Bath & Beyond’s decline breeds opportunity for Michigan retail centers
The state’s outdoor shopping centers won’t have to deal with vacancy for long if big-box stores file for bankruptcy, said Chris Brochert, managing partner at Lormax Stern.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Minimum wage increase set for February blocked by Michigan court
Minimum wage was expected to jump to $13.03 an hour, but a Thursday court ruling blocks the increase. The Michigan Supreme Court will likely settle the issue.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan tries to lure tech workers after layoffs at Google, other giants
Public tech companies in major U.S. cities are shedding tens of thousands of jobs — just as Michigan firms need to fill similar positions. With tech leaders including Amazon, Microsoft and Salesforce retrenching, state business leaders say the time is right to move.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan OKs new, 4-year contract with top economic developer to boost jobs
Quentin Messer Jr. will remain president and CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The deal was approved Tuesday.