Paula Gardner

2 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Mackinac Island’s ferries are owned by a Florida-based private equity company that increased rates and sued the city when it tried to prevent it New legislation would allow the island to control all aspects of ferry service, including parking Fears are growing that increased costs will hurt tourism, the region’s top industry MACKINAC ISLAND — Over 1 million travelers are spending more this summer to reach Michigan’s iconic vacation destination, and the officials fear price increases on the...

2 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Michigan has 4,000 more food service operators than in 2019But the number of employees is about the same too, as bigger restaurants close and smaller ones openProfitability remains a concern and margins remain lowMichigan’s restaurant industry spent the last five years grappling with acute policy issues, from state ordered COVID-19 closures to court-ordered changes of the tipped minimum wage and paid sick leave for workers.

3 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Michigan has invested at least $260 million toward buying land southwest of Flint to create an industrial ‘megasite’Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is publicly lobbying for a semiconductor factory on the property, saying it could mean  thousands of new jobsNeighbors are angry that they didn’t have a say and that about 165 homes are targeted for demolition for a mystery companyMUNDY TOWNSHIP — Acres of farmland just south of Flint’s Bishop Airport seem as serene as any in Michigan’s small towns.

4 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Ford Chair Bill Ford says the House budget bill imperils the planned $2 billion EV battery factory under construction in Marshall The changes come as the automaker also faces drastic changes from tariffs House Republicans say eliminating tax credits for EVs will save taxpayers billions of dollars One of Michigan’s largest manufacturing construction projects is at risk because federal officials want to eliminate the tax credits that make it viable, Ford Motor Co. Executive Chair Bill Ford Jr....

1 month ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Small business owners say rising health care costs are keeping them from hiringExperts say increases stem from 14% increases in drug prices and provider billed services topping 7%The business owner warnings come as Michigan’s unemployment rate grows faster than the national averageRising health care costs could stall job growth in Michigan, as 76% of small business owners say they can’t afford to expand their workforce and insure employees.