From drug development to medical devices, the state’s bioscience businesses found themselves in the bull’s-eye when coronavirus overtook the United States, said Stephen Rapundalo of MichBio.
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 benefited from COVID stimulus and jobless aid. Now what?
Economic relief programs that helped the state’s businesses and jobless now are on hold as the United States pauses new stimulus talks and the state confronts upheaval that impacts state unemployment benefits.
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‘Businesses need clarity,’ MI chamber leaders say of shifting COVID rules
Dozens of executive orders have regulated businesses over the last six months. After a chaotic few days of court rulings and political chess games in Lansing, it’s unclear which of them still apply.
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Michigan unemployment benefits expanded to 59 weeks for some workers
The state qualifies for a 20-week benefits extension, but not all workers will receive it. Some also are still waiting for $300-a-week bonus payments due to another fraud investigation.
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Small business confidence inches up in Michigan. Will sales follow?
Twenty percent of small businesses “are projecting pretty catastrophic impacts” said Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan.
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In ‘dire need,’ 1 in 5 Michigan restaurants may not survive winter
Advocates say more policy help is needed to get the state’s leisure and hospitality employees back to work – and keep hotels and restaurants open.
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Michigan business found a niche in COVID. Its second act may prove harder.
Sales for TentCraft in Traverse City reached into the millions as it shifted from tents for concerts and trade shows to building temporary medical units. The company now must gauge how to plan for the future.
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Michigan earnings shot up 54 percent in spring. Thank the stimulus funds.
‘This is going to be the only recession in history where income goes up,’ said University of Michigan economist Donald Grimes.
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Michigan’s unemployed to get $900 more. System glitches remain
The state was approved for three more weeks of Lost Wages Assistance, and jobless workers should see that money by the end of September.
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As home prices rise in Michigan, so do worries about affordability
Affordability and accessibility are a problem in the state’s housing market. Officials and industry experts are watching to see how the coronavirus pandemic affects that.