Paula Gardner

Ann Arbor

Business editor at Bridge Michigan. I tell stories about Michigan's economy (and what a time to do that). What's interesting out there? [email protected]

Articles

Gotion, tiny Michigan town square off in court over $2.6B battery factory

6 days ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

A lawsuit by Gotion Inc. seeks to force Green Charter Township to honor its one-time support for the EV battery maker’s new factoryThe township and Gotion made their cases in a federal appeals court, as the township challenges a lower court rulingAn earlier decision was made in Gotion’s favor, but the company has taken no steps to prepare to buildFederal appeals judges in Cincinnati heard the first public arguments Thursday in a messy battle between Gotion Inc.
Lawmakers try again to get $50M for controversial Collingwood mine in UP

2 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Upper Peninsula legislators seek $50 million to improve local infrastructure that would benefit a controversial copper mine The proposal comes after a similar economic development incentive stalled Local officials say the project would help the UP’s struggling economy, but environmental advocates oppose it A trio of Upper Peninsula lawmakers are hoping to jump-start efforts to award $50 million in taxpayer money to support a proposed copper mine just outside Porcupine Mountains Wilderness...
Lawmakers try again to get $50M for controversial Copperwood mine in UP

2 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Upper Peninsula legislators seek $50 million to improve local infrastructure that would benefit a controversial copper mine The proposal comes after a similar economic development incentive stalled Local officials say the project would help the UP’s struggling economy, but environmental advocates oppose it A trio of Upper Peninsula lawmakers are hoping to jump-start efforts to award $50 million in taxpayer money to support a proposed copper mine just outside Porcupine Mountains Wilderness...
Top 10 subsidies under Whitmer: Michigan spends $900M; firms create 4,200 jobs

2 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Some of the biggest corporate incentives paid by Michigan under Gretchen Whitmer have yet to produce any jobsMany are related to electric vehicles and have been delayed by a slowdown in the industryCritics say subsidies are a failure; a state official says ‘these projects are showing continued progress’ Gaining 3,000 new automotive jobs sounded like a victory in 2019 as Gretchen Whitmer closed out her first year as Michigan governor.
Whitmer subsidy record: Companies get $1 billion; jobs fall short of promises

2 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Since Whitmer took office in 2019, Michigan has paid $995 million in subsidies to firms that have created 13,079 jobsThat’s one-fifth of the jobs promised, and the public often isn’t told what happens to deals after they are announcedBridge had to compile a database of hundreds of pages of state records to trace the state’s return on investment Michigan Gov.
After $1B and mixed results, Michigan lawmakers cooling on corporate incentives

2 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s bid to expand corporate subsidies failed last year but could be revived soonManufacturing groups say Michigan needs healthy subsidies to compete for jobsCritics want reforms: ‘Eventually, you're not going to be able to write a big enough check’Two years after bipartisan lawmakers came together to create a $2 billion program for corporate subsidies, lawmakers are divided about whether subsidies work or should be expanded. Gov.
Attention MSU fans: Huge Sparty for sale. One catch: Must have 30-foot wall

2 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Three Michigan State Spartan heads that once adorned the football stadium’s scoreboard are up for auctionThe metal Sparty heads are as big as 25 feet tallThe sales will raise funds for MSU’s athletics departmentWhat’s the market like for a well-crafted metal Spartan warrior in profile? The Michigan State University Surplus Store will find out on May 9 after 15-day auctions for three Big Screen versions, taken right off of outdated football stadium scoreboards.
Michigan OKs $290M in public funding for 2 ‘transformative’ city projects

3 weeks ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Michigan awarded two ‘transformational brownfield’ projects on Tuesday$290 million in tax revenue will reimburse developers for projects in Southfield and MuskegonThe public funding makes the developments viable, the state saysMichigan will hand out $290 million in tax revenue to reimburse developers of two “transformational projects” being built on obsolete property in the state.
Trump announces new auto tariffs; what it means for Michigan

1 month ago | bridgemi.com | Lauren Gibbons |Paula Gardner

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced 25% tariffs on light vehicle imports and key automotive parts Industry experts say the move could have major implications in Michigan, an auto industry hubAuto unions cheered the move, while government officials in Canada vowed retaliation President Donald Trump announced broad tariffs targeting the auto industry Wednesday, the latest in a series of trade escalations that could have an outsize impact on Michigan’s economy.
GM, LG Energy Solution to divvy up state subsidy, still pledge 3,200 new jobs

1 month ago | bridgemi.com | Paula Gardner

Michigan had to ‘decouple’ its first mega-subsidy deal to allow General Motors to sell one of two factories that shared a $600 million incentive GM is transferring $120 million in incentives to LG Energy Solution Both companies say they’ll still reach the goals of a combined 3,200 new hires Despite two years of delays, the two giant electric vehicle factories funded through Michigan’s first mega-subsidy deal are still expected to create more than 3,000 new jobs — but the facilities will now...