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Business Watch
Covering the intersection of business and policy, and informing Michigan employers and workers on the long road back from coronavirus.
Articles
Big Ten may cancel Michigan football. In Ann Arbor, businesses brace for worst
University of Michigan football makes some $122 million per year and supports a host of businesses throughout Ann Arbor. They’ve already endured the coronavirus. Can they survive the loss of the 2020 season?
PPE turns into ‘tremendous’ opportunity for Reed City factory
Thirty jobs created during the COVID-19 pandemic is one sign that Reed City Group’s diversification into medical equipment is paying off.
MI start-ups pivot as venture capital investment plummets during COVID
The number of VC deals in the state dropped from 70 in the first half of 2019 to 41 this year, the lowest total in the past seven years. But several entrepreneurs found ways to survive during the pandemic.
Q&A: Ari Weinzweig of Zingerman’s says MI restaurants need help. Now.
Restaurant owners are “making hard decisions, literally, almost every day.” A $120 billion relief package before Congress could help.
TCF announces $1 billion investment in loans for minority-owned businesses
TCF bank expands lending and housing opportunities for low-income people and groups impacted by discrimination in Detroit and other midwestern cities.
Michigan may soon move to shield businesses from coronavirus lawsuits
Business owners fear a flood of lawsuits because of exposure from the coronavirus. Lawmakers may soon consider legislation that would grant them protections if they follow precautions.
Michigan property owners have until Aug. 31 to appeal 2020 taxes
Michigan moved its appeal deadline because of the coronavirus pandemic. So far, nearly 1,400 commercial property owners seek to reduce their taxes, while cities brace for a decline in revenues.
Q&A with Sandy Baruah: ‘To keep businesses open, wear a mask’
The leader of the Detroit Regional Chamber says the most important thing Michiganders can do for businesses during coronavirus is to help them keep their doors open.
Whitmer orders Michigan stores to refuse entry to those not wearing masks
With coronavirus cases rising, Michigan’s governor toughened state face mask requirements. Starting Monday, expect to be refused entry to stores and restaurants if you’re not covered. Customers face fines, stores face closure for ignoring.
$100M in ‘critical’ coronavirus relief coming to Michigan small businesses
With uncertainty growing along with coronavirus cases across the U.S., the state says the new grants are ‘critical’ to helping them survive the pandemic. Another $15M targets farms
Michigan ammo dealer markets to ‘Boogaloo,’ which awaits second civil war
Some ammo makers and gun shops in Michigan and beyond are invoking the memes and rhetoric of an extremist, anti-government ideology during the coronavirus outbreak.
After 100-plus coronavirus cases, Michigan bar owner urges more testing
"People say to me, ‘I feel so bad for you being demonized as far as the numbers,’” said the owner of Harper’s in East Lansing.“If we don’t have the numbers, we don’t know what’s out there.”
Michigan bars worry as East Lansing bar’s coronavirus tally tops 70 cases
Bars, particularly in college towns, have an avalanche of challenges as they try to reopen: limited seating, rude customers and young people who didn’t come to stay socially distant. And then there is Harper’s, which is facing the fallout from a packed house.
Michigan auto, business groups pan Trump's halt on foreign workers
President Trump’s suspension of visas during the coronavirus outbreak cuts off critical foreign supply, business and industry groups say. Backers of the order say it provides more openings for U.S. workers during an economic crisis.
Jigsaw puzzles show off ‘love and pride’ in Michigan — and its history
State-themed puzzles started as a ‘history side hustle,’ but now staff and volunteers at the Michigan History Center are riding increased sales as interest in the hobby takes off.
Michigan may have lost millions to over 100,000 fake unemployment claims
The state’s investigation into international fraud found 1 in 5 frozen accounts are still considered suspicious.
Michigan legislators want unemployment offices reopened
Jobless workers continue to say they’re struggling to reach Unemployment Insurance Agency employees to resolve issues with unpaid claims that in some cases may go back months
Michigan manufacturers want incentives, eye automation in pandemic
John Walsh, CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, says the sector is ramping up amid softer global demand after coronavirus. Now it’s evaluating what it needs to gain ground, including ensuring worker safety and perhaps more automated jobs.
Michigan jobs go unfilled when workers make more from unemployment
‘How do we get people back to work when there’s really no incentive for them to?’ asked one employer about not being able to compete for workers earning generous jobless benefits.
400K unemployment claims now flagged in Michigan fraud investigation
Benefits have been restored to 140,000 people, but an additional 200,000 new claims now require verification as the state confronts identity theft.