tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752 2008-07-19T05:30:11Z Movable Type Enterprise 1.52 tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1194313 2008-07-18T20:50:35Z 2008-07-18T20:58:43Z

Bill Hartman FLINT, Michigan -- Citizens Republic Bancorp Inc. executives stressed Thursday that the hometown bank is stronger today after taking several charges during the second quarter in which it posted a net loss of $201.6 million, or $2.53 per share. "We are a much stronger institution today than we were a quarter ago," said Bill Hartman, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the state's largest bank-holding company. "We want our clients in our community to know just how strong a bank Citizens is," he added....

Melissa Burden | The Flint Journal Bill Hartman FLINT, Michigan -- Citizens Republic Bancorp Inc. executives stressed Thursday that the hometown bank is stronger today after taking several charges during the second quarter in which it posted a net loss of $201.6 million, or $2.53 per share. "We are a much stronger institution today than we were a quarter ago," said Bill Hartman, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the state's largest bank-holding company. "We want our clients in our community to know just how strong a bank Citizens is," he added.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/voices/index.ssf//2753.1194213 2008-07-19T05:26:42Z 2008-07-19T05:30:11Z

Matt Bach | Flint Journal columnist tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1192634 2008-07-18T14:51:11Z 2008-07-18T15:18:19Z

John W. Adkisson | The Flint JournalJason Swinson, of Burtchville Township, gives a thumbs up to passing cars while picketing Friday morning in front of the Durant Hotel on Saginaw Street. Laborer's Local 1075 Business Manager Daniel Husted organized the picket to protest renovators hiring out of town workers over locals. | See below for related articles on this project. FLINT, Michigan -- About 35 construction laborers, with signs reading "Local Jobs For Local People," picketed this morning along Saginaw Street in front of the more than $37-million Durant Hotel project. Daniel Husted, business manager of Laborers' Local 1075, said an out-of-town contractor was awarded abatement and demolition work at the hotel that could keep 20 to 30 local laborers busy for two to three months. "There's a lot of people in Flint who could use that," he said. Husted said Local 1075 has tried to work with developers for the past six months to secure a local contract. "To me, Flint's got enough unemployment problems here," Husted said. "We're out here fighting for the citizens of Flint."...

Melissa Burden | The Flint Journal John W. Adkisson | The Flint JournalJason Swinson, of Burtchville Township, gives a thumbs up to passing cars while picketing Friday morning in front of the Durant Hotel on Saginaw Street. Laborer's Local 1075 Business Manager Daniel Husted organized the picket to protest renovators hiring out of town workers over locals. | See below for related articles on this project. FLINT, Michigan -- About 35 construction laborers, with signs reading "Local Jobs For Local People," picketed this morning along Saginaw Street in front of the more than $37-million Durant Hotel project. Daniel Husted, business manager of Laborers' Local 1075, said an out-of-town contractor was awarded abatement and demolition work at the hotel that could keep 20 to 30 local laborers busy for two to three months. "There's a lot of people in Flint who could use that," he said. Husted said Local 1075 has tried to work with developers for the past six months to secure a local contract. "To me, Flint's got enough unemployment problems here," Husted said. "We're out here fighting for the citizens of Flint."... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1192623 2008-07-18T14:43:41Z 2008-07-18T16:10:16Z

John W. Adkisson | The Flint JournalRetired GM worker Robert Scott looks over his historical fiction novel that he is in the process of completing titled, "An American Wake", at his home Thursday afternoon in Grand Blanc Township. On Tuesday GM announced plans to cut health benefits for salaried retirees 65 years or older, causing Scott to question the future security of pensions and health coverage. "You always thought you could count on General Motors," said Scott. "Everything's in question if GM is in trouble." FLINT, Michigan -- General Motors' recent round of cuts has retirees such as Robert Scott saying, "What's next?" When the Grand Blanc Township resident, 51, retired from 30 years of work for the automaker, two promises seemed certain: a pension and health insurance....

Beata Mostafavi | The Flint Journal John W. Adkisson | The Flint JournalRetired GM worker Robert Scott looks over his historical fiction novel that he is in the process of completing titled, "An American Wake", at his home Thursday afternoon in Grand Blanc Township. On Tuesday GM announced plans to cut health benefits for salaried retirees 65 years or older, causing Scott to question the future security of pensions and health coverage. "You always thought you could count on General Motors," said Scott. "Everything's in question if GM is in trouble." FLINT, Michigan -- General Motors' recent round of cuts has retirees such as Robert Scott saying, "What's next?" When the Grand Blanc Township resident, 51, retired from 30 years of work for the automaker, two promises seemed certain: a pension and health insurance.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1192272 2008-07-18T12:40:37Z 2008-07-18T15:48:08Z

Thomas Simonetti | The Flint JournalThe Gibbs Aquada is an amphibious vehicle capable of speeds up to 100 miles per hour on land and 30 mph in the water. Feedback: Tell us your view on this amphibious vehicle in the comments area below. Do you think it would sell? LANSING, Michigan -- Bad news for Michigan in the auto industry on Tuesday was softened somewhat by the announcement that Dow Chemical Co. and a Kuwaiti company plan to open a headquarters building near Detroit for a new $11-billion joint venture. Gov. Jennifer Granholm also announced that the state's economic development arm is helping 13 companies grow by giving them economic incentives while backing five redevelopment projects around the state. "The companies that are choosing to invest here are critical to our effort to diversify Michigan's economy," the governor told reporters. She took time to look at a still-in-development sports car -- the Gibbs Aquada -- fitted with a water jet propulsion system that can be used on both land and water. Gibbs Technologies Inc. was awarded a $5.9-million state tax credit Tuesday. The company, based in the United Kingdom, plans to hire 60 to 80 workers by year's end to...

Kathy Barks Hoffman | The Associated Press Thomas Simonetti | The Flint JournalThe Gibbs Aquada is an amphibious vehicle capable of speeds up to 100 miles per hour on land and 30 mph in the water. Feedback: Tell us your view on this amphibious vehicle in the comments area below. Do you think it would sell? LANSING, Michigan -- Bad news for Michigan in the auto industry on Tuesday was softened somewhat by the announcement that Dow Chemical Co. and a Kuwaiti company plan to open a headquarters building near Detroit for a new $11-billion joint venture. Gov. Jennifer Granholm also announced that the state's economic development arm is helping 13 companies grow by giving them economic incentives while backing five redevelopment projects around the state. "The companies that are choosing to invest here are critical to our effort to diversify Michigan's economy," the governor told reporters. She took time to look at a still-in-development sports car -- the Gibbs Aquada -- fitted with a water jet propulsion system that can be used on both land and water. Gibbs Technologies Inc. was awarded a $5.9-million state tax credit Tuesday. The company, based in the United Kingdom, plans to hire 60 to 80 workers by year's end to... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1188252 2008-07-17T12:50:58Z 2008-07-17T20:52:51Z

DETROIT, Michigan -- People want small cars that get great gas mileage. General Motors is known for making top-notch trucks and sport utility vehicles. The company's survival now hinges on the difficult task of convincing buyers that its upgraded cars are just as good as its trucks and worth some extra cash. That's essentially the business plan for the reconstituted GM, the one that is trying to make it in a U.S. market where people no longer want $42,000 Chevrolet Tahoes that get only 14 miles per gallon in the city. Yes, the plan still includes selling a lot of pickups and SUVs, but nowhere near the volume of past years when GM could count on pocketing upward of $10,000 on every big vehicle....

Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin | The Associated Press DETROIT, Michigan -- People want small cars that get great gas mileage. General Motors is known for making top-notch trucks and sport utility vehicles. The company's survival now hinges on the difficult task of convincing buyers that its upgraded cars are just as good as its trucks and worth some extra cash. That's essentially the business plan for the reconstituted GM, the one that is trying to make it in a U.S. market where people no longer want $42,000 Chevrolet Tahoes that get only 14 miles per gallon in the city. Yes, the plan still includes selling a lot of pickups and SUVs, but nowhere near the volume of past years when GM could count on pocketing upward of $10,000 on every big vehicle.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1183904 2008-07-16T03:48:10Z 2008-07-16T15:48:32Z

Flint Journal file photoA replica of the 1904 Buick Model B, built in 1976. FLINT, Michigan -- Two recently rebuilt cars will be displayed together for the first time during this week's Buick Club of America's national meet in Flint. The meet runs today through Saturday and coincides with the ongoing celebration of General Motors' 100th birthday party. It will feature two special cars, which are the result of a project started at the 2003 Buick centennial celebration in Flint....

Lawrence R. Gustin | The Flint Journal Flint Journal file photoA replica of the 1904 Buick Model B, built in 1976. FLINT, Michigan -- Two recently rebuilt cars will be displayed together for the first time during this week's Buick Club of America's national meet in Flint. The meet runs today through Saturday and coincides with the ongoing celebration of General Motors' 100th birthday party. It will feature two special cars, which are the result of a project started at the 2003 Buick centennial celebration in Flint.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1183609 2008-07-16T02:34:25Z 2008-07-16T11:06:10Z

GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- While Tuesday's announcement by General Motors of salaried job cuts, cuts to retiree health care and further truck production cuts have left many workers and retirees here uneasy, a researcher believes Genesee County's lone assembly plant will be spared from plant closure. Kristin Dziczek, senior project manager of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, said she believes GM may look to plants other than Flint Truck Assembly to make 150,000 unit cuts in truck production. The Atherton High School graduate said she'd be "hugely surprised" if the Flint truck plant was shuttered through this round of cuts. GM said Tuesday that it wants to reduce truck capacity by 300,000 units by the end of 2009, half coming from accelerations of previously announced cuts and half from new actions. The new cuts were not plant specific, but Dziczek said more information on which plants are affected could come next month. The possible ripple effects of any cuts raised immediate concerns in Flint, the birthplace of GM and a community that looks to trucks as a major component of its manufacturing base....

Melissa Burden | The Flint Journal GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- While Tuesday's announcement by General Motors of salaried job cuts, cuts to retiree health care and further truck production cuts have left many workers and retirees here uneasy, a researcher believes Genesee County's lone assembly plant will be spared from plant closure. Kristin Dziczek, senior project manager of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, said she believes GM may look to plants other than Flint Truck Assembly to make 150,000 unit cuts in truck production. The Atherton High School graduate said she'd be "hugely surprised" if the Flint truck plant was shuttered through this round of cuts. GM said Tuesday that it wants to reduce truck capacity by 300,000 units by the end of 2009, half coming from accelerations of previously announced cuts and half from new actions. The new cuts were not plant specific, but Dziczek said more information on which plants are affected could come next month. The possible ripple effects of any cuts raised immediate concerns in Flint, the birthplace of GM and a community that looks to trucks as a major component of its manufacturing base.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1182336 2008-07-15T18:02:08Z 2008-07-16T16:11:08Z

Flint Journal extra: Related article: July 14, 2008: GM: Up to 305 layoffs possible when Powertrain Flint North stops building V6 engine in August Editor's note: Stay at mlive.com/flintjournal for additional articles as this story develops. DETROIT, Michigan -- General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it will lay off salaried workers, cut truck production, suspend its dividend and borrow $2 billion to $3 billion to weather a severe downturn in the U.S. market. GM's stock initially fell following the announcement, but then rebounded. GM said the moves will raise $15 billion to help cover losses and turn around its North American operations, including $10 billion from internal cost-cutting and $5 billion from selling some assets and borrowing against others. "In short, our plan is not a plan to survive. It is a plan to win," GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said in a broadcast to employees....

Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin | The Associated Press Flint Journal extra: Related article: July 14, 2008: GM: Up to 305 layoffs possible when Powertrain Flint North stops building V6 engine in August Editor's note: Stay at mlive.com/flintjournal for additional articles as this story develops. DETROIT, Michigan -- General Motors Corp. said Tuesday it will lay off salaried workers, cut truck production, suspend its dividend and borrow $2 billion to $3 billion to weather a severe downturn in the U.S. market. GM's stock initially fell following the announcement, but then rebounded. GM said the moves will raise $15 billion to help cover losses and turn around its North American operations, including $10 billion from internal cost-cutting and $5 billion from selling some assets and borrowing against others. "In short, our plan is not a plan to survive. It is a plan to win," GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner said in a broadcast to employees.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1181451 2008-07-15T14:15:56Z 2008-07-15T18:05:19Z

Flint Journal extra: Related article: July 14, 2008: GM: Up to 305 layoffs possible when Powertrain Flint North stops building V6 engine in August Editor's note: Stay at mlive.com/flintjournal for additional articles as this story develops. Rick WagonerGM chairman/CEODETROIT, Michigan -- General Motors today said it will lay off salaried workers, cut truck production, suspend its dividend and borrow $2 billion to $3 billion to weather a severe downturn in the U.S. market. GM said the moves will raise $15 billion to help cover losses and turn around its North American operations. "In short, our plan is not a plan to survive. It is a plan to win," GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner said in a broadcast to employees. Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson said GM wants to reduce its total salaried costs in the U.S. and Canada by 20 percent....

Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin | The Associated Press Flint Journal extra: Related article: July 14, 2008: GM: Up to 305 layoffs possible when Powertrain Flint North stops building V6 engine in August Editor's note: Stay at mlive.com/flintjournal for additional articles as this story develops. Rick WagonerGM chairman/CEODETROIT, Michigan -- General Motors today said it will lay off salaried workers, cut truck production, suspend its dividend and borrow $2 billion to $3 billion to weather a severe downturn in the U.S. market. GM said the moves will raise $15 billion to help cover losses and turn around its North American operations. "In short, our plan is not a plan to survive. It is a plan to win," GM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner said in a broadcast to employees. Chief Operating Officer Fritz Henderson said GM wants to reduce its total salaried costs in the U.S. and Canada by 20 percent.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1180139 2008-07-15T05:58:34Z 2008-07-15T14:16:06Z

Feedback: Will the new laws impact the number of gift cards you buy this year? Let us know in the comments area below. GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Rachelle Powell felt she got shafted when she couldn't use a gift certificate at the former Speakeasy Restaurant after it announced it was closing in February. The Mt. Morris Township woman says the experience left a sour taste in her mouth and she's glad retailers will no longer be able to get away with refusing gift certificates under a new law. "I think it's only fair," Powell said. Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm has signed into law legislation that strengthens consumer protections on gift cards and gift certificates. One of the provisions prohibits retailers from refusing to accept a gift certificate during a sale, closeout or liquidation. The package of new laws also bans most "inactivity" service fees on gift certificates. Rachelle and her husband, Keith, received a $100 gift certificate to Speakeasy in Flushing Township for Christmas from their daughter....

Linda Angelo | The Flint Journal Feedback: Will the new laws impact the number of gift cards you buy this year? Let us know in the comments area below. GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Rachelle Powell felt she got shafted when she couldn't use a gift certificate at the former Speakeasy Restaurant after it announced it was closing in February. The Mt. Morris Township woman says the experience left a sour taste in her mouth and she's glad retailers will no longer be able to get away with refusing gift certificates under a new law. "I think it's only fair," Powell said. Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm has signed into law legislation that strengthens consumer protections on gift cards and gift certificates. One of the provisions prohibits retailers from refusing to accept a gift certificate during a sale, closeout or liquidation. The package of new laws also bans most "inactivity" service fees on gift certificates. Rachelle and her husband, Keith, received a $100 gift certificate to Speakeasy in Flushing Township for Christmas from their daughter.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1179996 2008-07-15T00:23:35Z 2008-07-15T18:12:37Z

Ryan Garza | The Flint Journal filesBrad Copeland of Burton loads 3800 series V-6 engines last month at General Motors Powertrain Flint North. The V-6 plant at Flint North will close on or around Aug. 25, GM has announced. FLINT, Michigan -- General Motors could end of production on one of its most popular engines as soon as Aug. 25, according to a letter from the automaker to the state. And, GM warned the state that up to 305 hourly workers could be laid off -- although they actually expect that number to be lower -- when it closes Powertrain Flint North's V6 engine plant on Aug. 25, according to the June 20 letter. Workers have known since November 2005 that the plant would close, but the specific date had not yet been announced....

Melissa Burden | The Flint Journal Ryan Garza | The Flint Journal filesBrad Copeland of Burton loads 3800 series V-6 engines last month at General Motors Powertrain Flint North. The V-6 plant at Flint North will close on or around Aug. 25, GM has announced. FLINT, Michigan -- General Motors could end of production on one of its most popular engines as soon as Aug. 25, according to a letter from the automaker to the state. And, GM warned the state that up to 305 hourly workers could be laid off -- although they actually expect that number to be lower -- when it closes Powertrain Flint North's V6 engine plant on Aug. 25, according to the June 20 letter. Workers have known since November 2005 that the plant would close, but the specific date had not yet been announced.... tag:blog.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/feedback//1542.1178040 2008-07-14T15:38:21Z 2008-07-14T16:19:02Z

Carlos Osorio | The Associated PressBillboards are seen on Interstate 75 in Detroit, Friday, July 11, 2008. Another battle over billboards is brewing in the state. Environmental groups are upset about legislation they say would undermine the state's cap on the number of billboards allowed alongside Michigan highways. Feedback: Tell us where you stand on billboards in Michigan in the comments area below. LANSING, Michigan -- Another battle over billboards is brewing in Michigan. Environmental groups are upset about legislation they say would undermine the state's cap on the number of billboards allowed along Michigan highways. But the outdoor advertising industry says the new proposal wouldn't change the overall number of billboards allowed on state roads. The dispute runs deeper than the latest legislation, passed by the Senate last month and headed to the House when lawmakers return from summer break. There's a fundamental disagreement over how current Michigan law affects an estimated 3,000 of the state's 16,000 billboard permits. Michigan has changed its billboard laws twice in the past decade to stop the proliferation of signs that detractors say interfere with the state's scenery....

Tim Martin | The Associated Press Carlos Osorio | The Associated PressBillboards are seen on Interstate 75 in Detroit, Friday, July 11, 2008. Another battle over billboards is brewing in the state. Environmental groups are upset about legislation they say would undermine the state's cap on the number of billboards allowed alongside Michigan highways. Feedback: Tell us where you stand on billboards in Michigan in the comments area below. LANSING, Michigan -- Another battle over billboards is brewing in Michigan. Environmental groups are upset about legislation they say would undermine the state's cap on the number of billboards allowed along Michigan highways. But the outdoor advertising industry says the new proposal wouldn't change the overall number of billboards allowed on state roads. The dispute runs deeper than the latest legislation, passed by the Senate last month and headed to the House when lawmakers return from summer break. There's a fundamental disagreement over how current Michigan law affects an estimated 3,000 of the state's 16,000 billboard permits. Michigan has changed its billboard laws twice in the past decade to stop the proliferation of signs that detractors say interfere with the state's scenery.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1173631 2008-07-14T12:16:00Z 2008-07-14T18:57:41Z

GRAND BLANC TWP., Michigan -- There's a physical therapy outpatient clinic in Grand Blanc Township that's making new strides. The Giger Therapy clinic uses Swiss-patented and FDA approved Giger MD devices to treats patients as they're lying down and moving their arms and legs as if they were pedaling a bike. It is used to treat neurological, muscular, skeletal and cardiovascular conditions....

Dana DeFever | The Flint Journal GRAND BLANC TWP., Michigan -- There's a physical therapy outpatient clinic in Grand Blanc Township that's making new strides. The Giger Therapy clinic uses Swiss-patented and FDA approved Giger MD devices to treats patients as they're lying down and moving their arms and legs as if they were pedaling a bike. It is used to treat neurological, muscular, skeletal and cardiovascular conditions.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1164130 2008-07-14T03:13:26Z 2008-07-14T09:45:12Z

Flint Journal file photoWilliam C. "Billy" Durant is wearing the light-colored cap in the front seat of a 1906 Buick. Durant was an early Buick promoter who went on to found General Motors in 1908. The photo was taken during the Glidden Tour, a 500-mile trek that ended in New York. In this milestone Year of the Car, it's time to dust off memories of Flint's automotive heritage. This year marks the 100th birthday of General Motors. It's appropriate that Flint has reclaimed the proud old slogan "Vehicle City" on one of those new downtown arches. When that phrase originated in the 19th century, it referred to Flint's carriage industry. But it certainly was reinforced through most of the 20th century when Flint was renowned as a world leader in the auto industry....

Lawrence R. Gustin | Contributing Writer Flint Journal file photoWilliam C. "Billy" Durant is wearing the light-colored cap in the front seat of a 1906 Buick. Durant was an early Buick promoter who went on to found General Motors in 1908. The photo was taken during the Glidden Tour, a 500-mile trek that ended in New York. In this milestone Year of the Car, it's time to dust off memories of Flint's automotive heritage. This year marks the 100th birthday of General Motors. It's appropriate that Flint has reclaimed the proud old slogan "Vehicle City" on one of those new downtown arches. When that phrase originated in the 19th century, it referred to Flint's carriage industry. But it certainly was reinforced through most of the 20th century when Flint was renowned as a world leader in the auto industry.... tag:www.mlive.com,2008:/flintjournal/business/index.ssf//2752.1172753 2008-07-14T03:08:58Z 2008-07-14T09:44:05Z

"Flint plus Buick plus Billy Durant equals General Motors. It's a good story. It's a true story." -- Leroy Cole, past president, Society of Automotive Historians Jim Vakalopoulos | Illustration FLINT, Michigan -- Henry Ford once said, "History is bunk." If Billy Durant were alive today, he might agree. RELATED CONTENT Read more on General Motors' 100th anniversary If you're saying, "Billy who?" well, that's exactly the point: While Ford's famous name is synonymous with the launch of the American auto industry, his one-time rival -- the man who founded General Motors and drove Flint to the forefront of the car business -- seems mostly forgotten. The latest insult to his legacy? A joke in the Flint-based movie "Semi-Pro" has a character comparing a basketball star's local importance to that of ... Henry Ford. Durant -- the real local hero -- presumably just doesn't have the name recognition. Even as GM celebrates its centennial, many don't know it all started with a wizard of a salesman and auto genius named William Crapo Durant....

Beata Mostafavi | The Flint Journal "Flint plus Buick plus Billy Durant equals General Motors. It's a good story. It's a true story." -- Leroy Cole, past president, Society of Automotive Historians Jim Vakalopoulos | Illustration FLINT, Michigan -- Henry Ford once said, "History is bunk." If Billy Durant were alive today, he might agree. RELATED CONTENT Read more on General Motors' 100th anniversary If you're saying, "Billy who?" well, that's exactly the point: While Ford's famous name is synonymous with the launch of the American auto industry, his one-time rival -- the man who founded General Motors and drove Flint to the forefront of the car business -- seems mostly forgotten. The latest insult to his legacy? A joke in the Flint-based movie "Semi-Pro" has a character comparing a basketball star's local importance to that of ... Henry Ford. Durant -- the real local hero -- presumably just doesn't have the name recognition. Even as GM celebrates its centennial, many don't know it all started with a wizard of a salesman and auto genius named William Crapo Durant....