The leader of the Detroit Regional Chamber says the most important thing Michiganders can do for businesses during coronavirus is to help them keep their doors open.
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
Whitmer orders Michigan stores to refuse entry to those not wearing masks
With coronavirus cases rising, Michigan’s governor toughened state face mask requirements. Starting Monday, expect to be refused entry to stores and restaurants if you’re not covered. Customers face fines, stores face closure for ignoring.
Posted inBusiness Watch
$100M in ‘critical’ coronavirus relief coming to Michigan small businesses
With uncertainty growing along with coronavirus cases across the U.S., the state says the new grants are ‘critical’ to helping them survive the pandemic. Another $15M targets farms
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer closes most bars as coronavirus cases spike
As some service workers and others call for even more restrictions, Whitmer says ‘we need to take aggressive action right now to ensure we don’t wipe out all the progress we have made.’
Posted inBusiness Watch
After 100-plus coronavirus cases, Michigan bar owner urges more testing
“People say to me, ‘I feel so bad for you being demonized as far as the numbers,’” said the owner of Harper’s in East Lansing.“If we don’t have the numbers, we don’t know what’s out there.”
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan bars worry as East Lansing bar’s coronavirus tally tops 70 cases
Bars, particularly in college towns, have an avalanche of challenges as they try to reopen: limited seating, rude customers and young people who didn’t come to stay socially distant. And then there is Harper’s, which is facing the fallout from a packed house.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Jigsaw puzzles show off ‘love and pride’ in Michigan — and its history
State-themed puzzles started as a ‘history side hustle,’ but now staff and volunteers at the Michigan History Center are riding increased sales as interest in the hobby takes off.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan may have lost millions to over 100,000 fake unemployment claims
The state’s investigation into international fraud found 1 in 5 frozen accounts are still considered suspicious.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan legislators want unemployment offices reopened
Jobless workers continue to say they’re struggling to reach Unemployment Insurance Agency employees to resolve issues with unpaid claims that in some cases may go back months
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan manufacturers want incentives, eye automation in pandemic
John Walsh, CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, says the sector is ramping up amid softer global demand after coronavirus. Now it’s evaluating what it needs to gain ground, including ensuring worker safety and perhaps more automated jobs.