Programs set up to help businesses decimated by the coronavirus shutdown have run out of money or halted applications. One Michigan business owner thought his application for a portion of $349 billion in federal stimulus was set only to learn the money ran out.
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.
Beaumont Health security breach puts personal information of 112,000 at risk
Among the details that may have been leaked to “an unauthorized third party” include names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, medical conditions, and in some cases, bank account information and driver’s license numbers.
‘Depression-level’ Michigan unemployment tops 1 million from coronavirus
Economists are struggling to find words to describe stunning job losses they’re seeing in the state, and they don’t know how many more will follow during the economic lockdown in a pandemic
Coronavirus could drain Michigan unemployment fund within months
The crush of 1 million new claims is rapidly depleting Michigan’s unemployment fund, which could force the state to borrow money. Jobless workers would still get checks, but Michigan may have to raise business taxes to repay the debt, slowing any recovery.
Michigan food supply firm innovates, finds new markets amid coronavirus crisis
Like many businesses, Frog Holler Produce in Ann Arbor faced coronavirus shutdown. Until they decided to “spin the wheel” and open new lines of business.
Michigan farmers fear ruin as coronavirus lockdown collapses prices
Michigan’s stay-at-home order has shut supply chains to restaurants and schools and decimated the market for many farmers. ‘This is about as worried as I’ve ever been,’ one says.
When Michigan unemployment, stimulus checks, and $600 CARES money will arrive
Your guide to unemployment and other payments as Michigan deals with the devastating economic impact of a deadly virus
Michigan now second in nation for jobless claims amid coronavirus pandemic
Despite widespread complaints over a sluggish website and slammed call center, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency successfully processed 817,185 initial benefits claims between March 15 and April 4, second only to the more populous state of California.
Few coronavirus cases, but hundreds still victims in U.P. tribal community
Bryan Newland, chairman of the northeastern Upper Peninsula tribe, said Bay Mills Indian Community leaders had no choice but to stop paying employees of the tribe’s resort and casinos after a request for federal relief loans went unanswered.
Coronavirus shutdown could leave 1 in 4 jobless in northern Michigan
Already gearing for a recession, Michigan faces billions of dollars in lost wages and tens of thousands of job cuts. Using maps and charts, Bridge explains how the impact of the coronavirus shutdown will vary widely by industry and maps.