Business Watch

Doug Rothwell retired from Business Leaders for Michigan this year after decades of trying to boost Michigan’s economy. He says much work remains.

Bars, restaurants, movie theaters and other businesses are bracing for an extension to a state health order that ‘paused’ operations for three weeks.

A federal judge Wednesday denied a request from the restaurant industry to resume indoor dining during the COVID surge. But the judge hinted he may soon punt the case to the state Supreme Court, which struck down the governor’s emergency authority in October.

Bars, restaurants, hotels and recreation facilities with fewer than 50 employees will be eligible for the much-needed relief.

Economists at the University of Michigan say the pace of recovery in the state for workers and the government’s budget will depend on a new round of federal pandemic stimulus funding.

Many of the state’s public companies said rebound still may not be enough to make up for the steep losses earlier in the year.

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are growing, but the state’s bar and restaurant industry says its dining rooms are unfairly shut down. Layoffs continue, and many warn of more closures.

The restaurant industry warns that 250,000 employees could be laid off under new COVID-19 restrictions. A judge denied a request for an injunction, but the trade group’s suit seeking to overturn the measure continues.

Frustrations are mounting because Michigan’s restrictions don’t set goals for case counts. That’s prompted some leaders to fear the three-week ‘pause’ could stretch for many more weeks.

In a Q&A, the head of a licensed beverage industry group said the state’s three-week ban on indoor service is not justified by where outbreaks are happening and will devastate businesses and laid-off workers if relief doesn’t come soon.

Not all stores in Michigan reopened or closed. Some are stuck in limbo, like this one, just outside Detroit, where the owner is still hopeful about reopening, when it’s safe.

Recreational activity skyrocketed in Michigan through spring and summer. Now the state’s snowsports businesses hope they’ll get a similar burst of sales.

State health officials will be inspecting offices across the state for masks, social distancing and other compliance. Fines of $7,000 are possible if they find violations.

The drug giant’s campus in Portage is the epicenter for one of several vaccines being developed as the world watches coronavirus cases climb once more.

The restaurant industry was frustrated by rules requiring them to collect customer names and phone numbers to help limit COVID-19. New guidance provided Tuesday suggests restaurants won’t be held responsible if patrons don’t cooperate.

New pandemic rules require restaurants to get customers’ names and phone numbers to help with contact tracing if there is an outbreak. But as the rules took effect Monday, state health officials had yet to give restaurants guidance on how to enforce them.

Some say it’s time for full reform. Others just want to make sure the state’s overwhelmed unemployment benefit system can handle today’s claims.

Larry Kudlow also told the Detroit Economic Club that the administration would not encourage a business lockdown as coronavirus rebounds in Michigan and across the nation.

It’s been a hard year for stores and restaurants. Now they head into winter amid worry that a second wave of COVID-19 will hinder sales during the critical holiday season.

Some of the state’s top CEOs sent a letter Wednesday urging Republican lawmakers and the state’s Democratic governor to present a united front on coronavirus safety measures as Michigan braces for a second wave of the virus.