GRAND RAPIDS — A year-long analysis of the West Michigan economy points to a clear trend heading into 2026: growth is slowing, even as the broader state economy sends mixed signals depending on region and industry. The outlook, delivered by Paul Isely, associate dean and professor of economics at Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College
COLUMBUS - Ohio cities are finally seeing their first marijuana tax dollars — and the early payouts show how uneven the results can be under a sales-based system. In January 2026, Ohio began distributing adult-use cannabis tax revenue to cities and villages for the first time since voters approved legalization in November 2023. The initial
How much power does a data center use? A single hyperscale data center typically consumes 300 to 500 megawatts of electricity — roughly the same as a small Michigan city. How big is the demand facing Michigan utilities? Consumers Energy has reported data center inquiries totaling more than 15 gigawatts of potential new demand. For
ANN ARBOR - The artificial intelligence boom has a physical footprint — and it’s far larger than most people realize. Behind every AI model and cloud service are massive data centers operating 24/7, consuming enormous amounts of electricity. Once invisible to consumers, these facilities are now reshaping power grids, utility planning, and political debates nationwide.
ANN ARBOR - In Michigan, the auto industry doesn’t just build vehicles — it builds livelihoods. Assembly plants, suppliers, dealers, logistics firms and engineering centers all depend on one fundamental reality: consumers have to be able to afford what gets built. That assumption is now under pressure. As new-vehicle prices push toward — and increasingly
ANN ARBOR - A proposed $1.2 billion high-performance computing facility backed by the University of Michigan and Los Alamos National Laboratory has become the latest flashpoint in Michigan’s escalating backlash against data centers — a debate now centered as much on electric rates as on land use or environmental risk. The project, planned for Ypsilanti
The drilling and pump industry is no longer just about heavy machinery and manual processes. Today, technology is reshaping how water systems are designed, installed, monitored, and maintained. Smart drilling and pump solutions are becoming more precise, more efficient, and more sustainable, helping property owners and industries gain better control over their water resources. Here
Mobile Faxing Hits Peak Convenience Best iPhone fax apps command attention now with powerful pocket tools. Users flip everyday phones into secure senders, ditching old-school setups altogether. Think about rushing a contract during travel-smooth, right? Persistence shines in professional arenas-more than 55% of regulated offices favor fax for traceable transfers, latest figures confirm. Adopters relish
The car world is obsessed with extremes. Electric motors are silent and instant. Massive V8s are loud and proud. But between these two poles lies a workhorse. The modern V6 engine is the quiet hero. It is a bridge. It blends efficiency with surprising power. Its current evolution is fascinating. It shows us where automotive
Change orders are where many contractors watch their profit margins disappear. A client wants to upgrade fixtures midway through a bathroom remodel. Hidden water damage emerges during a restoration job. The homeowner decides they actually want that wall removed after all. Each change seems small in isolation, but without proper management, these modifications eat into
