A new tool to boost competitiveness for industrial land is under way in southeast Michigan. Communities can get property “verified” for marketing to site selectors, who are rushing to add space to support the EV industry.
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.
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Upper Peninsula paper mill may see $1 billion manufacturing investment
The state approved a 15-year tax break on Tuesday for the mill in Escanaba. The Swedish company that owns the facility is considering the site as a ‘cornerstone’ of its U.S. expansion into more lucrative packaging products.
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Biz group: Michigan’s ranking falls to 31st in business competitiveness
The state is now in the bottom 40 percent when ranked on factors that feed competitiveness and prosperity, according to Business Leaders for Michigan. The state’s lagging workforce is likely to get worse in the years ahead.
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Pfizer announces 300 new jobs amid a $750 million expansion near Kalamazoo
The pharmaceutical giant is enlarging its Portage facilities as part of a larger push to increase manufacturing as it rolls out new products to counterbalance declining sales of COVID-19-related products
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Right-to-Work battle looms in Michigan: Businesses fear repeal by Democrats
Business leaders warn against picking a divisive fight and urge Democrats to work with Republicans to improve Michigan’s business climate. Data is inconclusive on how the anti-union law impacted Michigan.
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Michigan business hopeful as Congress poised to end rail strike threat
President Biden and Democratic congressional leaders joined Republicans on Tuesday in supporting legislation that would avert a nationwide rail strike before the holidays.
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Businesses to Michigan GOP: Slow minimum wage increase while you’re in power
Michigan’s minimum wage is set to spike to $12 in February. Some business groups want Republicans to rein in the increase before they lose control of Lansing.
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Michigan businesses brace again for possible U.S. rail strike
After a narrow vote, rail workers did not approve a proposed contract. Now — if there’s no agreement or Congress fails to intervene — a strike could begin in early December, at the height of the holiday season.
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As Democrats take charge in Lansing, some business leaders sweat their agenda
As Michigan prepares for a single-party majority, some worry the state’s competitiveness could take a hit if Democrats enact a pro-labor agenda.
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Michigan unemployment office to spend $78M to replace ‘antiquated’ system
A computer system that falsely flagged unemployment recipients for fraud is finally getting replaced.