Business Watch

Community volunteers are filling the Three Pines Studio, making linen tea towels that are shipped from tiny Cross Village to across the U.S. They’re sold as a fundraiser to alleviate hunger during the Russian invasion.

World turmoil following the Russian invasion in Ukraine is skewing the international oil market, and the new U.S. ban on Russian oil could raise prices even higher. There’s no quick fix, but using less energy could help.

Haab’s, opened in the Great Depression, joins a list of landmark Michigan restaurants that are closing as the industry continues to struggle during COVID-19.

Ann Arbor is looking at removing building limits around a large shopping mall to boost population density — and, it hopes, encourage less reliance on cars. Such efforts are seen as a possible solution as popular Michigan cities struggle with housing shortages.

A proliferation of large farms means the retail price for marijuana is lower than it was even decades ago, when the drug was illegal.

Hospitality workers say rude customers, financial uncertainty and staffing shortages are taking a toll. Now a few restaurants are funding mental health counseling for staff who struggle with the added tensions of the pandemic.

Genemarkers is one of at least a dozen companies in the state that rapidly switched to pandemic testing in 2020. After a 10-fold revenue gain, the Kalamazoo company is using what it learned in the pandemic to fuel more growth.

The state’s unemployment agency says it’s on target for sending IRS tax forms to workers by the end of February. But some workers face the prospect of having to declare benefits as reportable income even though they may later have to return the money.

So many cities have opted out of pot that small towns are key to growth of the industry. That’s caused some heartburn in Lawrence in Van Buren County, but the revenue and jobs are tough to pass up.

The international link between Detroit and Windsor is the busiest trade route between the U.S. and Canada. The protests halted auto production as essential supplies — from auto parts to food — languished, prompting concerns by Michigan officials.

Auto production slowed this week as the so-called ‘Freedom Caravan’ continued its blockade of the Ambassador and Blue Water bridge crossings to Canada over COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Traffic slowdowns started Monday at the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit, then the ‘Freedom Convoy’ protests expanded to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron. Now Michigan officials worry about further supply chain tightening and potential economic impact.

Jobless workers received notices they have to repay benefits, sometimes $20,000 or more. But many applied in good faith, and now won’t face restitution due to federal waivers.

A shortage of U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers left sailors stranded and caused several cargo delays affecting Great Lakes ports. Federal officials are looking for a solution by March.

Michigan cheered news in January that it will get a $2.5 billion battery plant in Lansing to supply electric vehicles made by General Motors. A similar plant nearly ready to open in Lordstown gives a glimpse into what that could mean.

Cooperatives aren’t common, but they are a way to increase business ownership. In southwest Detroit, six of them are growing and advocates hope dozens follow them.

The state is giving the automaker about $800 million in incentives for the projects. GM says thousands of jobs will follow as it builds capacity to make electric vehicle batteries and EV trucks in its home state.

State officials are expected to vote on an incentive package for General Motors as it plans to add capacity in the state for its electric vehicle production. The move could create 4,000 jobs.

The South Korean manufacturer seeks $525 million in incentives for an expansion that will create 1,000 jobs. It’s one of the first projects seeking to tap the state’s SOAR fund.

Once ranked 49th in growth, the state is now 29th. If Michigan wants to crack the top 10, it needs to address vehicle electrification and ongoing labor shortages, a report finds.