Michigan was offering at least $20 billion of a $40 billion incentive package in a failed bid to lure Sandisk, according to officials. Critics say that was too much taxpayer money.
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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Residents call Michigan’s $261M Flint-area megasite development ‘traumatic’
Legislators called an oversight hearing on the project, where Sandisk recently abandoned plans to build a $63 billion complex.
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Opposition grows to $1.2B supercomputer plan. U-M can’t ‘be trusted,’ foes say
Ypsilanti Township officials on Tuesday will consider a resolution opposing the partnership between U-M and the Los Alamos National Laboratory that could create 200 jobs that pay $200,000 per year.
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Michigan lawmakers renew bid to divert $50M to controversial UP copper mine
Near the shores of Lake Superior, the Copperwood mine proposal is again receiving support from lawmakers. Opponents say the location and high price tag make it a bad bet.
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Grayling, riding wave of rebirth, sets goals to ‘stay unique’ yet thrive
The city is primed for economic growth even as residents look on cautiously. Officials say they’re balancing it all.
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Grayling strives to blend jobs, bombs, beauty as munitions plant takes shape
A burst of jobs from Saab will aid Grayling as it rebuilds a strong year-round economy. The city, home to the Au Sable River, is rich with natural resources and also home to a military installation.
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Michigan hotel taxes fund tourism promotion. Should they also fund services?
Tourists use local government services but don’t directly fund them. Some people want to change that by redirecting some hotel tax revenue from tourism promotion to local governments.
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MEDC chief: ‘I was not aware’ of $20M state business grant caught in probe
The CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation said the grant to one of his board members came with rules for monitoring compliance set by the Legislature.
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Michigan marijuana market cratering, amid oversupply, ‘difficult market’
After years of steady growth, marijuana sales are down, while the number of dispensaries and plants in the ground are increasing. The industry is at a ‘saturation point,’ one says.
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On Michigan’s border, marijuana shops spark battle for communities’ soul
Small towns near Indiana and Wisconsin are home to an outsized number of pot dispensaries. That’s helped prop up some community budgets but some wonder at what cost.