A new tool to boost competitiveness for industrial land is under way in southeast Michigan. Communities can get property “verified” for marketing to site selectors, who are rushing to add space to support the EV industry.
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
Upper Peninsula paper mill may see $1 billion manufacturing investment
The state approved a 15-year tax break on Tuesday for the mill in Escanaba. The Swedish company that owns the facility is considering the site as a ‘cornerstone’ of its U.S. expansion into more lucrative packaging products.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Biz group: Michigan’s ranking falls to 31st in business competitiveness
The state is now in the bottom 40 percent when ranked on factors that feed competitiveness and prosperity, according to Business Leaders for Michigan. The state’s lagging workforce is likely to get worse in the years ahead.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Pfizer announces 300 new jobs amid a $750 million expansion near Kalamazoo
The pharmaceutical giant is enlarging its Portage facilities as part of a larger push to increase manufacturing as it rolls out new products to counterbalance declining sales of COVID-19-related products
Posted inBusiness Watch
Right-to-Work battle looms in Michigan: Businesses fear repeal by Democrats
Business leaders warn against picking a divisive fight and urge Democrats to work with Republicans to improve Michigan’s business climate. Data is inconclusive on how the anti-union law impacted Michigan.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan business hopeful as Congress poised to end rail strike threat
President Biden and Democratic congressional leaders joined Republicans on Tuesday in supporting legislation that would avert a nationwide rail strike before the holidays.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan businesses brace again for possible U.S. rail strike
After a narrow vote, rail workers did not approve a proposed contract. Now — if there’s no agreement or Congress fails to intervene — a strike could begin in early December, at the height of the holiday season.
Posted inBusiness Watch
As Democrats take charge in Lansing, some business leaders sweat their agenda
As Michigan prepares for a single-party majority, some worry the state’s competitiveness could take a hit if Democrats enact a pro-labor agenda.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan unemployment office to spend $78M to replace ‘antiquated’ system
A computer system that falsely flagged unemployment recipients for fraud is finally getting replaced.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan Democrats target Right-to-Work: ‘Golden opportunity’ or ‘nuclear war’?
The controversial law was passed 10 years ago. Union membership has fallen and Democrats are champing at the bit to get repeal the measure once they take control of Lansing.