Ann Arbor is looking at removing building limits around a large shopping mall to boost population density — and, it hopes, encourage less reliance on cars. Such efforts are seen as a possible solution as popular Michigan cities struggle with housing shortages.
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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Marijuana prices plummet in Michigan. Customers are happy, farmers worried
A proliferation of large farms means the retail price for marijuana is lower than it was even decades ago, when the drug was illegal.
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Stressed-out Michigan restaurant workers find mental health help on menu
Hospitality workers say rude customers, financial uncertainty and staffing shortages are taking a toll. Now a few restaurants are funding mental health counseling for staff who struggle with the added tensions of the pandemic.
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Kalamazoo lab filled COVID testing void. As cases wane, it eyes next step.
Genemarkers is one of at least a dozen companies in the state that rapidly switched to pandemic testing in 2020. After a 10-fold revenue gain, the Kalamazoo company is using what it learned in the pandemic to fuel more growth.
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Michigan unemployment 2021 tax form coming, even as benefit waivers linger
The state’s unemployment agency says it’s on target for sending IRS tax forms to workers by the end of February. But some workers face the prospect of having to declare benefits as reportable income even though they may later have to return the money.
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Michigan’s largest marijuana farm coming to tiny village, ready or not
So many cities have opted out of pot that small towns are key to growth of the industry. That’s caused some heartburn in Lawrence in Van Buren County, but the revenue and jobs are tough to pass up.
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Ambassador Bridge reopens after Canadian border crossing protests
The international link between Detroit and Windsor is the busiest trade route between the U.S. and Canada. The protests halted auto production as essential supplies — from auto parts to food — languished, prompting concerns by Michigan officials.
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Michigan officials call for trucker protest to end 'immediately and safely'
Auto production slowed this week as the so-called ‘Freedom Caravan’ continued its blockade of the Ambassador and Blue Water bridge crossings to Canada over COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
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Truckers protesting vaccine mandate block two Michigan bridges to Canada
Traffic slowdowns started Monday at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, then the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests expanded to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Now Michigan officials worry about further supply chain tightening and potential economic impact.
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Feds relax rules for workers ordered to repay Michigan unemployment benefits
Jobless workers received notices they have to repay benefits, sometimes $20,000 or more. But many applied in good faith, and now won’t face restitution due to federal waivers.