Demographic trends, accelerated by the pandemic, show that businesses are going to have to look to technology to solve the long-term problem.
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
Rising wages, few workers: A small town in Michigan adjusts to the new economy
Fewer workers mean big changes across Michigan, as hourly wages reach new peaks to lure employees. But people also want more from how they earn a living, like flexibility and satisfaction. The result is creating new pressures that won’t end soon.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Biden mandate means 2 million Michigan workers must get COVID vaccine
The rules announced Thursday affect 84 million workers nationwide. Combined with other rules, two-thirds of the nation’s workforce must either be vaccinated or face mandatory testing.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Thousands of Michigan firms face Dec. 8 COVID vaccine mandate deadline
Businesses with federal contracts have to show all workers are vaccinated or qualify for limited exemptions. The impact goes into every county in the state, and businesses large and small.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan business leaders ask President Biden to reconsider vaccine mandate
Half of the state’s workforce will be under a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for businesses over 100 people once federal rules are finalized. But it’s been a long wait, and a new coalition wants the White House to cancel the plan.
Posted inBusiness Watch
As Latinos grow in Grand Rapids, financial program boosts their businesses
Latino and Hispanic businesses received fewer loans in the past decade and received less help during the pandemic. The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s financial literacy program is meant to build business skills.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan wants to lead U.S. in electric vehicles. Ford turned elsewhere.
The state wants to be a leader in vehicle electrification, but it wasn’t considered for Ford’s record-setting battery manufacturing investment. That leaves some weighing what the state needs to change to be competitive.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan universities limit dining options, citing worker shortage
Even big schools like MSU are closing cafeterias, altering menus to items that require less labor and asking administrators to help serve. Even the hallowed soft-serve ice cream machine is not immune. Welcome to college life in 2021.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan hospitals eye nurses in other countries to fill COVID shortage
Henry Ford Health System expects 150 nurses from the Philippines to start work in 2022, but it could use more. Other medical centers say they will explore talent searches overseas, which means navigating immigration policies.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Whitmer: Michigan can take lead in electric vehicle highway, job training
The governor on Wednesday announced a plan to combat ‘range anxiety.by making Lake Michigan an electric vehicle-ready highway, and a separate initiative to train Michigan workers for new jobs.