Michigan’s governor takes aim at tariffs and Chinese competition while preparing the state to survive rapid industry transition.
Paula Gardner
Paula directs the business reporting on Bridge, writing much of it and setting the strategy for how statewide business coverage fits into Bridge’s nonpartisan policy-driven editorial mix. Paula came to Bridge in 2020 after several years at MLive.com, where she covered the state on both business and environmental teams. Prior to that, she was editor of the Ann Arbor News and news director of online startup AnnArbor,com, and also focused on business news as an editor and reporter at Michigan Business Review. Born and raised in metro Detroit, Paula moved to Ann Arbor to attend the University of Michigan, and has lived in the city for 20 years with her husband, who grew up in their neighborhood. Paula also regularly visits East Lansing and Grand Rapids to visit her college-aged children. She can be reached at pgardner@bridgemi.com
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan’s Buttigieg: ‘I don’t know’ if presidential run will come in 2028
The former transportation secretary visited the Detroit Auto Show, also weighing in on EVs, automated vehicles and tariffs.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan economic forecast: Meh in 2026, with a chance for optimism
President Donald Trump says the economy is going gangbusters, but business leaders and a new poll takes a more lackluster view.
Posted inMichigan Government
As Donald Trump returns, the ‘Michigan miracle’ he promised remains far off
President Donald Trump returns to Michigan on Tuesday to discuss the economy, which remains sluggish in the state where he promised a ‘Michigan miracle.’ Here are the facts.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan faces ‘critical time’ to retain its $348B auto industry: report
Michigan can’t afford to lose its signature industry, advocates say. More innovation could be the answer.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan startup aims to expose AI ‘deep fakes’ in videos, more
ProbeTruth is the first commercialized research from the UM-Flint campus, officials said. The company, which helps detect content generated by artificial intelligence, aims to employ 50 workers by the end of 2026.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan OKs $605M for Grand Rapids high rises, Kalamazoo courthouse rehab
The bulk of the subsidies are to a development near the Grand River led by members of the powerful DeVos and VanAndel families. Advocates say they’re an important project. One critic says the deal was rushed.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Ford retreats from EVs after Michigan spends big on subsidies for battery plants
After losing billions, the automaker is downsizing its EV strategy and expanding into energy storage. That means big changes to production at the planned $3.5 billion BlueOval Battery Park in Marshall.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Lawmaker: Stop demoing houses on Genesee County megasite without a deal
Michigan budgeted up to $31.6 million to clear land it bought for a megasite, in part by tearing down houses. One lawmaker says that’s a waste.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan farm values growing faster than nation amid data center boom
Michigan led the US in farmland price increases last year, rising 7.8% compared to 4.3% nationally. Demand is rising along with development.