Demographic trends, accelerated by the pandemic, show that businesses are going to have to look to technology to solve the long-term problem.
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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Child care as economic development? You bet. $1.4B in aid coming to Michigan
The high cost of childcare and limited state aid has shrunk the workforce. In a rare area of bipartisan consensus, Democrats and Republicans are working to boost pay and subsidies.
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Rising wages, few workers: A small town in Michigan adjusts to the new economy
Fewer workers mean big changes across Michigan, as hourly wages reach new peaks to lure employees. But people also want more from how they earn a living, like flexibility and satisfaction. The result is creating new pressures that won’t end soon.
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Biden mandate means 2 million Michigan workers must get COVID vaccine
The rules announced Thursday affect 84 million workers nationwide. Combined with other rules, two-thirds of the nation’s workforce must either be vaccinated or face mandatory testing.
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Thousands of Michigan firms face Dec. 8 COVID vaccine mandate deadline
Businesses with federal contracts have to show all workers are vaccinated or qualify for limited exemptions. The impact goes into every county in the state, and businesses large and small.
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Michigan business leaders ask President Biden to reconsider vaccine mandate
Half of the state’s workforce will be under a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for businesses over 100 people once federal rules are finalized. But it’s been a long wait, and a new coalition wants the White House to cancel the plan.
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After 18 months: Welcome back, Canada, if you’re vaccinated
Michigan families, along with businesses that depend on Canadian visitors, hailed the Biden administration’s announcement that vaccinated Canadians can once again cross into the U.S. beginning in November.
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As Latinos grow in Grand Rapids, financial program boosts their businesses
Latino and Hispanic businesses received fewer loans in the past decade and received less help during the pandemic. The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s financial literacy program is meant to build business skills.
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Michigan wants to lead U.S. in electric vehicles. Ford turned elsewhere.
The state wants to be a leader in vehicle electrification, but it wasn’t considered for Ford’s record-setting battery manufacturing investment. That leaves some weighing what the state needs to change to be competitive.
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Michigan universities limit dining options, citing worker shortage
Even big schools like MSU are closing cafeterias, altering menus to items that require less labor and asking administrators to help serve. Even the hallowed soft-serve ice cream machine is not immune. Welcome to college life in 2021.