As the country competes for software developers, West Michigan is pushing even harder. Jeff Williams of Atomic Object offers insight into how the work, recruitment and competition are changing as Michigan communities vie to become tech hubs.
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
Census: Michigan’s population falls a hair in 2022
Michigan’s population declined by a few thousand, but experts say it should begin to grow again in a few years.
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Michigan braces for recession: What to watch, from inflation to home prices
This month’s data on inflation, interest rates and real estate all show how Michigan’s economy may be changing in 2023 as the state adapts to the national trends. Auto sales, though, could soften the blow.
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3M to stop making PFAS ‘forever chemical.’ Michigan asks what took so long?
The chemicals have been used in hundreds of household products for decades, even as more studies became public showing their danger to human health and ubiquitous presence in water. Michigan has hundreds of identified sites of PFAS contamination.
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New program gives SE Michigan an edge in hot industrial real estate market
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.
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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.