The chemicals have been used in hundreds of household products for decades, even as more studies became public showing their danger to human health and ubiquitous presence in water. Michigan has hundreds of identified sites of PFAS contamination.
Paula Gardner
As Bridge Michigan's senior business reporter, Paula Gardner covers Michigan's business landscape, focusing on topics such as the auto industry, electric vehicles and economic development. She came to Bridge in 2020 after covering business and environment for MLive.com and previously served as editor of the Ann Arbor News and news director of the startup AnnArbor.com.
A metro Detroit native, Paula moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan and has called it home for more than 25 years.
Posted inBusiness Watch
New program gives SE Michigan an edge in hot industrial real estate market
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.
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.