Michigan Business

10 percent jobless is Obama's new world

2009-11-07T15:35:18Z

The president has not been helped by reports of flaws in the administration's count of jobs created by the $787 billion stimulus.

Officer says Blue Cross Blue Shield rate hike should be lower

2009-11-07T15:12:49Z

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan should be allowed to raise rates nearly 4 percent on its Medicare supplemental policies, less than the "excessive" 31 percent increase initially requested by the insurer, an independent hearing officer said Friday. Musette Michael's...

More renters claiming landlords are unlawfully discriminating against families

2009-11-07T12:06:17Z

Check out examples of discriminatory "for rent" ads.

Wind energy takes center stage at Cobo: The work week in links

2009-11-07T11:00:02Z

The week of Nov. 1: Gov. Jennifer Granholm pitches Michigan to wind energy companies, the implications of the UAW's rejection of concessions floated by Ford, and the life science industry weighs venture capital investment at a conference in Kalamazoo.

Banks in Michigan, 4 other states closed by regulators

2009-11-07T06:25:26Z

Regulators on Friday shut banks in Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and California, bringing the number of bank failures this year to 120 amid the struggling economy and a cascade of defaults on loans.

Analysis: 10 percent jobless is Obama's new world

2009-11-07T05:33:09Z

The unemployment number masks the fact that job losses slowed compared to past months — the work force went down by 190,000 in October compared to 219,000 in September.

Instead of layoffs, Zeeland's ODL Inc. will pay 35 workers to work for nonprofits during rest of year

2009-11-06T23:13:37Z

Company estimates the donation is worth at least $170,000.

President Obama signs unemployment benefit extension measure into law

2009-11-06T21:49:31Z

The move, which was expected, could help 100,000 Michigan residents whose benefits will be exhausted by the end of the year.

Auto supplier Sellner-Behr to hire 25 workers in Comstock Park, Michigan

2009-11-06T21:27:36Z

Sellner-Behr Corp. has added a $1 million polyester topcoat application machine to accommodate the project to its 125,000 square-foot factory in Alpine Township, the Grand Rapids Press reports. The township board has approved a 12-year tax break worth $24,000 for the equipment and other investments totaling $1.3 million.

Allen Park, Michigan's Unity Studios scores production company owned by former Pistons forward Dale Davis

2009-11-06T20:29:00Z

The announcement follows a recent television news report that cast doubt over whether the project would ever materialize. A spokesman for the studio on Friday said the report was "completely false" and said the company has moved into the former building.

Sales, recruitment, technology, programmer job openings in Ann Arbor, Port Huron, Auburn Hills, Michigan

2009-11-06T18:21:38Z

New postings on Ann Arbor SPARK's jobs board from the past week include positions with the University of Michigan, SUR Energy and mobile phone app developer Mobatech.

President Obama signs US homebuyer, jobless bill assistance

2009-11-06T18:08:37Z

President Barack Obama signed into law a $24 billion economic stimulus bill providing tax incentives to prospective homebuyers and extending unemployment benefits to the longtime jobless who have been left behind as the U.S. economy veers toward recovery.

West Michigan Realtors celebrate expansion of home buyer tax credit

2009-11-06T18:05:13Z

The first-time home buyer credit was extended through June 30 and also includes existing homeowners.

Walmart fires next shot in holiday price war: New release DVDs for $10

2009-11-06T17:48:37Z

Target and Amazon.com have matched Walmart's price drop. Will Meijer?

Sellner-Behr Corp. lands BMW wood veneer contract, on top of Cadillac, Mercedes, Lincoln

2009-11-06T17:08:27Z

Local supplier Sellner-Behr Corp. is trusted with a crafting wood veneer for luxury cars.

3 expanding and hiring manufacturers in Lapeer and Manistee, Michigan get state road grants

2009-11-06T16:42:21Z

All three companies – Kamax LP in Lapeer and Mariah Power and Amptech Inc. in Manistee – plan to hire as part of the expansion plans. Together, the companies plan to create nearly 700 new jobs, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.

Higher U.S. unemployment rate of 10.2% for October a discouraging sign for Michigan

2009-11-06T15:22:18Z

The Great Lake State, of course, had the nation's highest unemployment rate for September at 15.3 percent. And economists say a national recovery must occur to lift Michigan's economic boat. Yet there was little sign of that happening from the Labor Department report.

Jobless rate tops 10 percent for first time since 1983

2009-11-06T13:55:14Z

The unemployment rate has surpassed 10 percent for the first time since 1983 — and is likely to go higher.

Community members spar over Dow Chemical dioxin settlement

2009-11-06T04:16:09Z

Sarah A. Miller | The Bay City TimesThe Saginaw River flows by the boat launch at Cass Avenue in Bay City Thursday morning.Some people like the sound of the word "settlement," and want to see a proposal between government regulators...

Retail figures show consumers spending more, but will they pay full price during holidays?

2009-11-06T02:50:52Z

Stores are heading into the period with slashed inventories, determined to avoid the fire sales that characterized last Christmas.