While the Detroit region is beginning to emerge from recession, the Grand Rapids, Monroe and Benton Harbor areas posted strong GDP gains in 2013.
Ted Roelofs
Ted Roelofs of Kentwood, has written extensively on healthcare as well as prison and juvenile justice reform. Roelofs spent nearly three decades at the Grand Rapids Press where he covered politics, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, rural poverty and mental illness among the homeless. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Reach Ted at ted.roelofs@gmail.com
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan’s economic comeback promising, but incomplete
Amid promising signs of growth, Michigan still has not reached its peak GDP from a decade ago.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Grand Rapids growth invites civic pride
The Grand Rapids region is strong in virtually every economic sector, and is the closest of any Michigan region to returning to pre-recession levels.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Lansing and Ann Arbor staging a battle of economic might
The Lansing and Ann Arbor regions are closely matched in GDP. Ann Arbor is just ahead in 2013. But will it last?
Posted inBusiness Watch
Recovering Detroit region still drives the state
The Detroit region, digging out from a tough decade, still wields manufacturing might. But its future may well hinge on health care.
Posted inMichigan Government
Is Michigan now officially a red state?
What was once a state of solid Democratic majorities is undeniably moving in another direction, and has been for two decades. What might lie along that road?
Posted inMichigan Government
Election preview: How a handful of House races could shape Michigan’s future
With the state House perhaps up for grabs, uncertainty for tea party candidates and what could be a close race for governor, Lansing’s approach to road funding, education and other key issues is unsettled.
Posted inMichigan Government
Election cash: How Super-PACs and ‘dark money’ are dominating state races
Record outside spending in the U.S. Senate race, and armored truck-loads of cash from unknown donors. Welcome to Michigan elections.
Posted inA Truth Squad companion
Michigan tax facts, part 9: What will happen to your taxes in the future?
Ten years from now, will you be paying more, less, or the same amount of Michigan taxes that you pay today? Four experienced bean counters offer very different predictions.
Posted inA Truth Squad companion
Michigan tax facts, part 10: Sifting through fuzzy tax math on the campaign trail
Political candidates love to offer chickens in every pot. The specific recipes for how they’ll pay for their campaign promises are far more elusive. This year is no different on the Michigan campaign trail.