EVs were planned for Lansing’s oldest General Motors factory, but will market moves and federal policy change that? GM won’t say.
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
Mackinac Island fears ‘economic strangulation’ by ferry. Will Lansing step in?
A Florida company has acquired all the ferry operations to the island and raised prices to the tourism Mecca. An Up North legislator wants to give the island more control.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Q&A: Restaurants recover from pandemic, still struggle with profitability
Restaurant employment has rebounded, but owners are still working hard to adjust to inflation and changing customer expectations, says Justin Winslow, executive director of the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Whitmer’s semiconductor dreams near Flint become nightmare for neighbors
In Mundy Township, Michigan is acquiring and demolishing homes for a megasite, while opposition is growing to the plan that has already cost taxpayers $260 million. ‘It’s no way to live.’
Posted inBusiness Watch
Bill Ford: Federal EV policy changes ‘imperil’ $2B Michigan EV factory
On Mackinac Island, the Ford Motor Co. chair says it’s ‘not fair’ that tax changes are coming atop tariffs that prompted a $1.5B loss for the automaker.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Survey: Health care costs stymying small business growth in Michigan
Pharma and hospital prices are driving increases that threaten to stall Michigan’s economy, companies told the Small Business Association of Michigan.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan gives Wolverine Worldwide $1M for office rehab amid PFAS cleanup
Shoe maker Wolverine Worldwide expects to move up to 100 workers to Michigan, where it also is working with the state on widespread PFAS cleanup.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Photos: See history of Willow Run, from B-24 bomber and engines to bankruptcy
The Willow Run bomber plant helped the US win World War II and was later a transmission plant for General Motors. Can it find a third act as a mobility hub?
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan sunk $67M into self-driving car test track. Now, some fear bankruptcy
The American Center for Mobility at the old Willow Run bomber plant was supposed to position Michigan on the vanguard of auto technology. Now, it’s in forbearance on a $35 million loan, and an audit warns bankruptcy is an option.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Gotion, tiny Michigan town square off in court over $2.6B battery factory
The EV battery maker sued Green Charter Township over access to water lines. Progress on the $2.6 billion factory stopped while the case is in court.