The national pilot shortage is prompting big route changes to Michigan’s smallest airports. But two are losing their only passenger airline, as soon as federal officials let them leave.
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
Rural Michigan fears airline route changes will be ‘disastrous’
Airports in Alpena, Sault Ste. Marie, Escanaba, Iron Mountain and Pellston are losing direct flights to Detroit and Minneapolis, which could add hours to trips and devastate airport revenues.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan’s largest public companies raising prices to fuel earnings growth
Call it the inflation circle of life. Second-quarter financials show that inflation hammered businesses this spring as they spent more. To try to keep earnings on track, they raised prices.
Posted inBusiness Watch
How Michigan could benefit from Washington’s $76B investment in microchips
The state’s manufacturing heritage will help Michigan increase its role in high-tech semiconductor production, business leaders said, as President Biden will soon sign into law billions of dollars in production incentives.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Judge delays Michigan minimum wage increase until at least February
A judge who ordered the increase and extension of sick leave delayed implementation of his own ruling while the case is under appeal.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Remade by pandemic, Traverse City-area wineries offering custom experience
Wineries along the “Traverse Wine Coast” said they had to get creative to withstand the pandemic while making customers feel safe and eager to return. Horses are part of the plan, as are golf cart rides through fields of lavender.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Where Michigan Republican governor candidates stand on jobs and the economy
The five candidates hoping to win the Aug. 2 Republican primary offer broad outlines of an economic policy (tax cuts, fat trimming) but few if any details. So far, the economy isn’t front and center in the race, but that will likely change quickly after the primary.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan judge restores minimum wage, paid leave laws gutted by Legislature
A victory for progressives, the ruling directs the state to immediately raise Michigan’s minimum wage from $9.87 to $12 an hour and eliminate a lower tipped wage for restaurant workers by 2024. It will likely be appealed.
Posted inBusiness Watch
A recession is looming. Michigan business may not be ready.
Michigan started 2022 with fewer jobs, lower adjusted household incomes and a lower job participation rate than before previous recessions, leaving a shakier foundation to withstand an economic downturn.
Posted inTalent & Education
New University of Michigan President Santa Ono hailed for engaging students
Call him the anti-Schlissel. Ono, chosen Wednesday as U-M’s 15th president, is known for taking selfies with students, crowd surfing at football games, and engaging closely with students and faculty, all traits considered lacking in his predecessor.