Michigan can’t afford to lose its signature industry, advocates say. More innovation could be the answer.
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
Michigan startup aims to expose AI ‘deep fakes’ in videos, more
ProbeTruth is the first commercialized research from the UM-Flint campus, officials said. The company, which helps detect content generated by artificial intelligence, aims to employ 50 workers by the end of 2026.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan OKs $605M for Grand Rapids high rises, Kalamazoo courthouse rehab
The bulk of the subsidies are to a development near the Grand River led by members of the powerful DeVos and VanAndel families. Advocates say they’re an important project. One critic says the deal was rushed.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Ford retreats from EVs after Michigan spends big on subsidies for battery plants
After losing billions, the automaker is downsizing its EV strategy and expanding into energy storage. That means big changes to production at the planned $3.5 billion BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Lawmaker: Stop demoing houses on Genesee County megasite without a deal
Michigan budgeted up to $31.6 million to clear land it bought for a megasite, in part by tearing down houses. One lawmaker says that’s a waste.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan farm values growing faster than nation amid data center boom
Michigan led the US in farmland price increases last year, rising 7.8% compared to 4.3% nationally. Demand is rising along with development.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Report: Aging crisis to cause Michigan to lose out on economic boom
A new University of Michigan economic report warns that the ‘long-term future has now arrived’ for the state, causing it to lose out on jobs from a national economic uptick.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Next Michigan governor needs ‘laser focus’ on prosperity, biz group says
Michigan needs a strong and unifying governor to change its alarming trajectory, Business Leaders for Michigan says.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Hope, anger on display at town hall as $261M megasite forges ahead near Flint
About 200 gather for a town hall hearing about what’s next for Mundy Township after Sandisk’s plans for a semiconductor collapsed.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan has spent $261M on Mundy megasite. Now, the public weighs in
Opponents and advocates of the megasite will speak at a town hall in Flint on Thursday night. The public event will feature a Q&A on the state-funded $260 million project.