Shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway is continuing its long-term downturn, and changes in the region’s steel industry are largely responsible for the trend, according to a recent Congressional Research Service report.
Business Watch
Covering the intersection of business and policy, and informing Michigan employers and workers on the long road back from coronavirus. Our Michigan Economic Dashboard shows key metrics that show how the state is performing.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan gas up 9 cents to $3.76 a gallon, the highest this year
A recent heatwave is blamed for the increase. Michigan prices are lower than the national average, however, and below historical averages when inflation is taken into account.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Metro Detroit I-75 project nearly done, but with some drama 100 feet below
The massive road project is slated to finish in September, ending years of traffic snarls. Less visible is an underground tunnel boring effort that avoided catastrophe when a silt pocket trapped the project’s boring machine.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Survey: Young workers sour on auto industry jobs, in another blow to Michigan
A new survey shows many would leave Michigan for jobs they consider more innovative. Young people say they aren’t sure auto companies can provide the work-life balance they crave.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan businesses relieved as UPS averts strike with its union
The tentative contract, announced Tuesday, will provide $7.50 per hour in wage increases over five years. With the deal, the rest of the U.S. can relax in knowing that 24 million daily packages won’t face delay during a national strike.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan businesses urged to prepare for UPS strike by Teamsters
The labor contract expires July 31, with the two sides set to resume talks next week. UPS handles a quarter of the nation’s packages, which is why businesses are scrambling to address likely supply chain disruptions.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Judge denies bid to halt site work for Ford EV battery plant in Marshall
A citizens group filed a lawsuit against the city, seeking to force a vote on rezoning. Their request to stop work on the property until a decision is made was declined. The judge has yet to rule on the requested referendum.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Despite national slump, Michigan vacation rentals are going gangbusters
Vacationers are hedging away from Airbnb and VRBO rentals in hotspots like Austin, San Francisco and Cape Cod, but the Michigan market is still growing rapidly in vacation areas near Lake Michigan.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Tight labor market helps Michigan’s ex-prisoners find jobs
The pandemic-induced labor market squeeze has created new opportunities for formerly incarcerated Michiganders. Experts say businesses have become increasingly open to hiring applicants with criminal records.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Traverse City salon banning trans clients won’t be last business battle
A Supreme Court ruling backing a Christian website designer who didn’t want same-sex clients has created uncertainty in Michigan over the limits of business owners’ First Amendment rights.