The state is offering the automaker over $1 billion in funding as Ford plans a $3.5 billion investment in an electric vehicle battery factory about 20 miles east of Battle Creek.
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
Chinese EV battery factory planned near Big Rapids faces renewed scrutiny
Gotion Inc. plans to break ground this summer, but questions persist about its corporate ties to the Chinese Communist Party and whether the deal presents U.S. security risks. Gotion announced plans last year to build a $2.36 billion factory in Michigan.
Posted inBusiness Watch
5 things for Michigan to know amid SVB banking crisis
Fallout from Silicon Valley Bank and other banks’ capital crises continues into the second week, raising still more questions about how far the impact will spread. So far, many businesses in Michigan appear unaffected, but the broader economy may not be so fortunate.
Posted inBusiness Watch
McMorrow: Democrats plan changes to Michigan’s business incentives
Lawmakers in charge of economic development will consider how economic development tools — including tax incentives — can better optimize a return on the state’s investment, committee chair Sen. Mallory McMorrow told Bridge.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Most Michigan-based stocks roaring back in 2023 after a brutal year
The state’s public companies are faring well so far amid the up-and-down stock market, Bridge Michigan analysis shows. Among the big winners: Wolverine World Wide, Ally Financial and Penske Automotive.
Posted inBusiness Watch
DTE Energy cut operations to meet profits months before power outages
Amid backlash over its handling of ice storm outages, Michigan’s largest utility’s public filings show it is trying to keep its returns stable. What that means for customers is higher rates even as they use less power.
Posted inBusiness Watch
GM offers buyouts to ‘majority’ of 35,000 salaried workers in Michigan
The Detroit-based automaker is trying to cut $2 billion from its fixed costs with the voluntary plan.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan voters are skeptical of EVs and the value of college in new poll
A disconnect between business and policy goals and how Michigan voters view them emerged in the latest query by the Detroit Regional Chamber and polling partner The Glengariff Group Inc. of Lansing.
Posted inBusiness Watch
New Michigan scholarship seeks to fill jobs at state’s EV companies
Michigan needs more electrical engineers and software developers for the companies it’s attracting to make electric vehicles. With this new plan, Michigan is turning to colleges for them.
Posted inBusiness Watch
5 (mostly) good things to know about Michigan’s progress on EVs
Automakers are racing to increase EV production, and Michigan is trying to get a big piece of it. Here is where the state — and the industry — stand today.