Business Watch Archives - Bridge Michigan https://bridgemi.com/category/business-watch/ Michigan’s nonpartisan, nonprofit news source Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:14:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://bridgemi.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/cropped-android-chrome-192x192-1-32x32.png Business Watch Archives - Bridge Michigan https://bridgemi.com/category/business-watch/ 32 32 247008660 West Michigan faces job losses and uncertainty, as economy takes toll https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/west-michigan-faces-job-losses-and-uncertainty-as-economy-takes-toll/ Fri, 13 Feb 2026 21:14:39 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72719 A bridge is seen at night in downtown Grand RapidsArtificial intelligence is leading to job losses. Despite headwinds, business leaders hope to lean into AI and expand tech.]]> A bridge is seen at night in downtown Grand Rapids

Artificial intelligence is leading to job losses. Despite headwinds, business leaders hope to lean into AI and expand tech.

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Report: Michigan-Canada bridge delay could cost up to $7M per week https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/report-michigan-canada-bridge-delay-could-cost-up-to-7m-per-week/ Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:49:36 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72677 The Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit, MI. The shot depicts the tower on the US side with Zug Island situated under and behind the bridge.Delayed opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge would cost Canadian and US taxpayers, while indirectly affecting the auto industry, according to an analysis that follows President Trump’s threat to block the crossing. ]]> The Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit, MI. The shot depicts the tower on the US side with Zug Island situated under and behind the bridge.

Delayed opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge would cost Canadian and US taxpayers, while indirectly affecting the auto industry, according to an analysis that follows President Trump’s threat to block the crossing.

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Mundy Township megasite won’t house data center; demolitions continue https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/mundy-township-megasite-wont-house-data-center-demolitions-continue/ Thu, 12 Feb 2026 03:13:00 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72659 Demolition of houses escalated last fall, including at this site on Maple Road. Since then, tree clearing also has continued over the winter. (Jeff Schrier for Bridge Michigan)Months after Sandisk withdrew plans for a semiconductor plant near Flint Bishop Airport, demolitions continue to assemble the megasite — even without a clear occupant.]]> Demolition of houses escalated last fall, including at this site on Maple Road. Since then, tree clearing also has continued over the winter. (Jeff Schrier for Bridge Michigan)

Months after Sandisk withdrew plans for a semiconductor plant near Flint Bishop Airport, demolitions continue to assemble the megasite — even without a clear occupant.

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Michigan program helps farms continue by connecting buyers with sellers https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/new-michigan-program-helps-farms-continue-by-connecting-buyers-with-sellers/ Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:42:15 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72264 A man stands and points in a snowy fieldAmerican farmers are getting older and looking to retire, but fewer young people want into the business. The MiFarmLink program helps make connections to preserve agricultural land and operations.]]> A man stands and points in a snowy field

American farmers are getting older and looking to retire, but fewer young people want into the business. The MiFarmLink program helps make connections to preserve agricultural land and operations.

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Dana Nessel becomes debt collector as Michigan seeks $24M from Gotion https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/dana-nessel-becomes-debt-collector-as-michigan-seeks-24m-from-gotion/ Fri, 30 Jan 2026 19:50:04 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=72147 Protestors holding "No Gotion" sign.The attorney general is getting involved as the state’s feud with the failed battery plant plan takes another turn.]]> Protestors holding "No Gotion" sign.

The attorney general is getting involved as the state’s feud with the failed battery plant plan takes another turn.

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Gotion: Green Township owes us ‘significant monetary damages’ for failed deal https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/gotion-green-township-owes-us-significant-monetary-damages-for-failed-deal/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 23:49:54 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=71786 Marianne Pitts, center in white jacket, joined several hundred people in Big Rapids, lining both sides of South State Street to protest a planned Gotion battery component factory.The electric battery company is blaming the Mecosta County community for the collapse of a once-ballyhooed project, filing court papers indicating it may seek ‘significant monetary damages.]]> Marianne Pitts, center in white jacket, joined several hundred people in Big Rapids, lining both sides of South State Street to protest a planned Gotion battery component factory.

The electric battery company is blaming the Mecosta County community for the collapse of a once-ballyhooed project, filing court papers indicating it may seek ‘significant monetary damages.

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Whitmer: Michigan ready to ramp up focus on auto industry success https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/whitmer-michigan-ready-to-ramp-up-focus-on-auto-industry-success/ Thu, 15 Jan 2026 20:09:29 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=71644 Governor Gretchen Whitmer tours the General Motors booth a the 2026 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place, Thursday morning, January 15.Michigan’s governor takes aim at tariffs and Chinese competition while preparing the state to survive rapid industry transition.]]> Governor Gretchen Whitmer tours the General Motors booth a the 2026 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place, Thursday morning, January 15.

Michigan’s governor takes aim at tariffs and Chinese competition while preparing the state to survive rapid industry transition.

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Michigan’s Buttigieg: ‘I don’t know’ if presidential run will come in 2028 https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/michigans-buttigieg-i-dont-know-if-presidential-run-will-come-in-2028/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 21:45:04 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=71611 Pete Buttigieg on stage at the Detroit Auto ShowThe former transportation secretary visited the Detroit Auto Show, also weighing in on EVs, automated vehicles and tariffs.]]> Pete Buttigieg on stage at the Detroit Auto Show

The former transportation secretary visited the Detroit Auto Show, also weighing in on EVs, automated vehicles and tariffs.

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Michigan economic forecast: Meh in 2026, with a chance for optimism https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/michigan-economic-forecast-meh-in-2026-with-a-chance-for-optimism/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 22:31:18 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=71561 President Donald Trump says the economy is going gangbusters, but business leaders and a new poll takes a more lackluster view.]]>

President Donald Trump says the economy is going gangbusters, but business leaders and a new poll takes a more lackluster view.

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Michigan faces ‘critical time’ to retain its $348B auto industry: report https://bridgemi.com/business-watch/michigan-faces-critical-time-to-retain-its-348b-auto-industry-report/ Wed, 07 Jan 2026 20:58:31 +0000 https://bridgemi.com/?p=71271 Vehicles move along the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV assembly line at the General Motors Orion Assembly on June 15, 2023, in Lake Orion, Mich.Michigan can’t afford to lose its signature industry, advocates say. More innovation could be the answer.]]> Vehicles move along the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV assembly line at the General Motors Orion Assembly on June 15, 2023, in Lake Orion, Mich.

Michigan can’t afford to lose its signature industry, advocates say. More innovation could be the answer.

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