Business Watch

As the virus races through Michigan, the state’s restaurants are struggling — yet again. This time, survival may be at stake.

The areas are struggling economically because of population losses and other issues. State officials hope a new office of rural development will stem the decline.

Some businesses are operating with as many as one-fifth fewer workers as the state battles a wave of the omicron variant, due to staff illness or quarantine after exposure.

The fast-tracked plan is part of a broader effort to boost the state’s chances of attracting about $64.8 billion in new advanced manufacturing investments. Among them: A GM battery plant near Lansing.

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin vows to vote against the Build Back Better bill, but Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell says that will hurt the state and its efforts to lead EV transformation — and attract jobs.

Power companies say they need to cut rates for advanced manufacturing so that Michigan stays competitive. There’s some skepticism that other customers won’t have to pay for it.

Bridge talks incentives with state Sen. Ken Horn, a key player in Michigan's tax incentive debate. He says it’s his job to ‘rob other states of workers.’

Prices are up for almost everything. Now, 76 percent of consumers say inflation is more serious than unemployment. An interest rate hike is likely. Then what?

Adding industrial parks and finding ways for manufacturers and other businesses to expand is a goal for the Grand Rapids region in 2022, business leaders say.

Michigan officials are pushing a major new business incentive program they contend could help the state land major deals. But critics say such programs are a boondoggle to taxpayers.

Forget about Austin and Nashville. Randy Thelen, of The Right Place economic development group, is pitching West Michigan’s business community on becoming the nation’s next tech hotspot within a decade.

The state’s smallest businesses are growing in number. Now ‘solopreneurs’ hope to grow their sales during the holiday sales season that is expected to be robust.

Thanksgiving Eve is the biggest money maker of the year for bars, as friends gather before the family events that follow. Bar and restaurant managers say they don’t know what to expect Wednesday as state virus cases spike.

University of Michigan forecast is full of optimism. But inflation and supply issues could present roadblocks.

Demographic trends, accelerated by the pandemic, show that businesses are going to have to look to technology to solve the long-term problem.

The high cost of childcare and limited state aid has shrunk the workforce. In a rare area of bipartisan consensus, Democrats and Republicans are working to boost pay and subsidies.

Fewer workers mean big changes across Michigan, as hourly wages reach new peaks to lure employees. But people also want more from how they earn a living, like flexibility and satisfaction. The result is creating new pressures that won’t end soon.

The rules announced Thursday affect 84 million workers nationwide. Combined with other rules, two-thirds of the nation’s workforce must either be vaccinated or face mandatory testing.

Businesses with federal contracts have to show all workers are vaccinated or qualify for limited exemptions. The impact goes into every county in the state, and businesses large and small.

Half of the state’s workforce will be under a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for businesses over 100 people once federal rules are finalized. But it’s been a long wait, and a new coalition wants the White House to cancel the plan.