From drug development to medical devices, the state’s bioscience businesses found themselves in the bull’s-eye when coronavirus overtook the United States, said Stephen Rapundalo of MichBio.
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 benefited from COVID stimulus and jobless aid. Now what?
Economic relief programs that helped the state’s businesses and jobless now are on hold as the United States pauses new stimulus talks and the state confronts upheaval that impacts state unemployment benefits.
Posted inMichigan Government
‘Liberate Michigan’: Months of angry rhetoric precede Whitmer kidnap plot
Emotions have boiled over repeatedly this year over coronavirus lockdown orders. Violence has erupted over masks and protests have included guns. And now, a plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Posted inBusiness Watch
‘Businesses need clarity,’ MI chamber leaders say of shifting COVID rules
Dozens of executive orders have regulated businesses over the last six months. After a chaotic few days of court rulings and political chess games in Lansing, it’s unclear which of them still apply.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer orders restrictions in Upper Peninsula as coronavirus cases spike
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer requires the U.P. to adhere to the same guidelines as most of the Lower Peninsula. The move comes as cases have exploded in western counties near Wisconsin.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan unemployment benefits expanded to 59 weeks for some workers
The state qualifies for a 20-week benefits extension, but not all workers will receive it. Some also are still waiting for $300-a-week bonus payments due to another fraud investigation.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Small business confidence inches up in Michigan. Will sales follow?
Twenty percent of small businesses “are projecting pretty catastrophic impacts” said Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan.
Posted inBusiness Watch
In ‘dire need,’ 1 in 5 Michigan restaurants may not survive winter
Advocates say more policy help is needed to get the state’s leisure and hospitality employees back to work – and keep hotels and restaurants open.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan business found a niche in COVID. Its second act may prove harder.
Sales for TentCraft in Traverse City reached into the millions as it shifted from tents for concerts and trade shows to building temporary medical units. The company now must gauge how to plan for the future.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan earnings shot up 54 percent in spring. Thank the stimulus funds.
‘This is going to be the only recession in history where income goes up,’ said University of Michigan economist Donald Grimes.