Business Watch

Like many businesses, Frog Holler Produce in Ann Arbor faced coronavirus shutdown. Until they decided to “spin the wheel” and open new lines of business.

Michigan’s stay-at-home order has shut supply chains to restaurants and schools and decimated the market for many farmers. ‘This is about as worried as I’ve ever been,’ one says.

Your guide to unemployment and other payments as Michigan deals with the devastating economic impact of a deadly virus

Despite widespread complaints over a sluggish website and slammed call center, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency successfully processed 817,185 initial benefits claims between March 15 and April 4, second only to the more populous state of California.

Bryan Newland, chairman of the northeastern Upper Peninsula tribe, said Bay Mills Indian Community leaders had no choice but to stop paying employees of the tribe’s resort and casinos after a request for federal relief loans went unanswered.

Already gearing for a recession, Michigan faces billions of dollars in lost wages and tens of thousands of job cuts. Using maps and charts, Bridge explains how the impact of the coronavirus shutdown will vary widely by industry and maps.

As the coronavirus crisis slams Michigan businesses, some local newspapers are struggling to stay open amid declining ad revenue. C&G Newspapers is suspending publication for 2 to 4 weeks, while the Metro Times in Detroit laid off staffers.

Michigan gun shop owners report booming sales of guns and ammo as coronavirus spreads. Self-protection is a big theme, but that doesn’t mean deer are safe.

Michigan expanded eligibility for unemployment benefits for workers on March 16 as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

More than 60,000 auto workers in Michigan are affected by the closure of plants due to the coronavirus. Banks and credit unions also are moving to increase lending.

Michigan OKs $150M in help for the global pandemic. But as coronavirus grinds the economy to a halt, some say now is the time to tap the state’s $1.2 billion reserve fund.

How bad will it get? Many economists agree a major downturn is coming along with perhaps hundreds of thousands of layoffs. But others say if the coronavirus is contained soon, the economy could roar back.

One day after Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shuts down restaurants and bars, workers fear the worst and wonder what bill to skip. One compares it to Russian roulette. Another stocks up on ramen and braces for long haul.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday ordered all bars, restaurants and casinos to close, but she also expanded unemployment insurance benefits in ways that may help workers who lose their jobs or are furloughed.

Minutes before Gov. Whitmer ordered state restaurants and bars to close dine-in services, Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, described to Bridge Magazine the dramatic impact the new coronavirus is already having.

The U.S. International Trade Commission flatly rejected claims that Turkish imports hurt domestic dried tart cherry processors. But Michigan’s cherry industry has a new line of attack against imports.

Stunned by a recent ruling against the struggling industry, the state’s cherry growers consider next steps, including a new offensive that involves Brazil and U.S. Customs.

Even middle-income workers are now priced out of safe, affordable homes in Michigan’s resort region. Housing stock has declined for all but the affluent, leaving high school students to fill the construction breach.

A U.S. Commerce Department ruling is likely to result in large duties imposed on Turkish dried cherries, which Michigan growers accuse of being illegally dumped on the U.S. market.

Farmers say they need help following heavy rains, a trade war and falling prices. They say the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement could provide some desperately needed assistance.