MiBiz

Survey reflects manufacturers’ bleak outlook as pandemic shutdown lingers
The vast majority of manufacturers are predicting challenging times ahead for the industry.
Michigan small businesses access more than $10 billion in SBA relief funding
The U.S. Small Business Administration approved relief loans totaling $10.38 billion for nearly 43,500 small companies in Michigan before running out of money.
Online notarization allowed under executive order likely to be ‘new normal’
An executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allowing for the wider use of electronic signatures and online notarization will likely be more widespread in…
Spectrum Health warns heart attack patients to seek immediate care, despite pandemic
GRAND RAPIDS — As Spectrum Health has cared for COVID-19 patients and prepares for a possible surge in the weeks ahead, the number of people coming…
Pandemic pushes more corporations to hold virtual annual shareholder meetings
The ritual of public companies hosting their annual shareholders meeting will start again in the coming weeks.

Garden centers, greenhouses focus on survival amid COVID-19 shutdown

Like most non-essential businesses in the state, many garden centers and greenhouses in West Michigan have been forced to close as part of continuing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Survey reflects manufacturers’ bleak outlook as pandemic shutdown lingers
The vast majority of manufacturers are predicting challenging times ahead for the industry.
Michigan small businesses access more than $10 billion in SBA relief funding
The U.S. Small Business Administration approved relief loans totaling $10.38 billion for nearly 43,500 small companies in Michigan before running out of money.
Online notarization allowed under executive order likely to be ‘new normal’
An executive order issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer allowing for the wider use of electronic signatures and online notarization will likely be more widespread in…
Spectrum Health warns heart attack patients to seek immediate care, despite pandemic
GRAND RAPIDS — As Spectrum Health has cared for COVID-19 patients and prepares for a possible surge in the weeks ahead, the number of people coming…
Pandemic pushes more corporations to hold virtual annual shareholder meetings
The ritual of public companies hosting their annual shareholders meeting will start again in the coming weeks.

Spectrum Health slashes executive pay, reassesses positions as COVID-19 response hits finances
GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health plans to aggressively cut costs, starting with executive pay cuts, to shore up finances that have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Battle Creek Unlimited launches $250,000 grant fund for small businesses, nonprofits
BATTLE CREEK — Economic development organization Battle Creek Unlimited aims to help small businesses and nonprofits get through disruptions caused by the coronavirus with the creation of a new microgrant fund.

Midwest governors partner to reopen economy based on ‘facts, science, experts’
Seven regional governors, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, announced today they will partner on reopening sectors of the economy while making decisions “based on facts, science, and recommendations from experts in…
One quarter of Michigan’s workforce has filed for unemployment
Another 219,000 Michigan residents filed unemployment claims last week as the state’s total exceeds 1 million amid the economic fallout of the coronavirus.

Idled construction firms brace for continued supply chain disruptions
As an executive of a construction and property management company licensed in 45 different states, Jennifer Boezwinkle of Rockford Construction Co. Inc. knows well the disruptions her nationwide counterparts face…

West Michigan care providers share $3 million grant to expand telemedicine services
More than 60 organizations that provide medical care received nearly $3 million in grants from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to expand telemedicine services.

Venture capital pours record $2.06 billion into Michigan companies in 2019
Venture capital firms invested a record amount into Michigan-based companies in 2019, led by a Plymouth-based automotive technology company that accounted for three-quarters of the total.

State issues new environmental regulations for Michigan’s largest livestock farms
The state has tightened environmental restrictions on Michigan’s largest livestock farms.

Automation providers see an opening during production pause
As businesses have been forced to pause operations in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, manufacturers are using the opportunity to explore and research new technologies that could change…

Court challenges to follow Trump administration’s vehicle fuel economy rollback
Nearly two years after announcing its initial plan, the Trump administration issued a final rule on March 31 that rolls back Obama-era automobile fuel economy standards and requires modest fuel…

Rural broadband access in focus as school, health care, work shift to homes
The widespread closure of schools, workplaces and in-person doctor visits has highlighted inequities in reliable internet access across Michigan, particularly among rural and low-income residents.

Federal stimulus funding available as nonprofits face unique business challenges
As the economic effects of the coronavirus deepen, the nonprofit sector faces unique organizational and financial challenges as it seeks relief and recovery.

Work-sharing draws new attention as a ‘win-win’ alternative to layoffs
For Michigan companies scaling back but not completely shutting down as the state tightens restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus, a little-used program is drawing new attention as…

Entrepreneurs with multiple businesses could face challenges with SBA relief programs
Small business owners with multiple entities affected by the coronavirus may be in for a surprise when they go to apply for U.S. Small Business Administration loans.