Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she would lift pandemic office restrictions two weeks after 55 percent of residents got their first dose. Michigan reached that milestone Monday. Even so, offices aren’t likely to look the same as they were pre-pandemic.
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
Michigan restaurants ask: How can we find enough workers?
The state’s battered restaurant industry hasn’t had a lot to offer workers during the pandemic. Now the industry is raising wages to compete with higher-paying careers, but owners say there still aren’t enough workers to fill jobs as summer approaches.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Q&A: Should CEO’s address social issues or stick to selling sneakers?
A University of Michigan expert notes that corporate leaders are increasingly being drawn into state policy debates over race, voting rights and other social issues, and they “have the heft to be heard.”
Posted inBusiness Watch
Lumber shortage a crisis for Michigan home builders and their customers
‘We’ve got to get it under control,’ said the state’s building industry leader as skyrocketing costs threaten to stall the industry’s rebound and make homes less affordable: adding $24,000 to a typical 2,000-square-foot home.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan to trim offices in Lansing, whose downtown struggles amid pandemic
COVID-19 has redefined work — and businesses whose livelihoods are tied to office workers are suffering. The issue is acute in Lansing, as the State of Michigan is evaluating all of its leases. Many of its 13,000-plus workers in the city may remain working from home after the pandemic.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan Ladder Co. thrived for 120 years. Then the pandemic struck.
The nation’s last wooden ladder factory survived the Depression, but not COVID-19. ‘This is one of those things that will haunt me forever,’ its owner says.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan CEOs to GOP: Don’t disenfranchise voters
Business leaders from some of Michigan’s largest employers on Tuesday urged the state’s Republican-led Legislature to avoid approving any new election laws that would reduce participation or disenfranchise voters. It’s a direct response to a 39-bill plan from state Senate Republicans.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Whitmer pleads for more COVID compliance. So far, Michigan isn’t listening
Even as the Centers for Disease Control urges Michigan to close down part of its economy to stop a dangerous COVID spike, residents seem done with restrictions.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Pressure on Michigan businesses to take a position on GOP voting bills
A few companies issued general statements opposing voter suppression. But as Republicans press for voter ID requirements and other changes, it may be harder for the business community to stay on the sideline.
Posted inMichigan Government
No new restrictions, but Michigan needs help amid COVID surge, Whitmer says
Whitmer wants more vaccines from Biden and voluntary restrictions on activities from residents. But she resisted pressure from some health officials to respond to a flood of cases with new mandates.