LANSING - Most retailers maintain a positive projection for spring sales but the industry's overall short-term outlook took a hit in February, according to the Michigan Retailers Association, falling more than seven points on the index. The sales index number for February dropped below 50 for the second time in three months, showing consumers were
HOLLAND - Holland Board of Public Works announced it has received the Reliable Public Power Provider 1 Diamond recognition from the American Public Power Association for providing consumers with the highest degree of reliable and safe electric service. This award places HBPW in the top one percent of all public utilities in the United States.
GRANDVILLE - Trivalent Group announced that it has earned the Building Industry Consultant Service International data center certification for the fourth consecutive year. The BICSI data center certification is built upon globally-recognized information technology industry standards. This particular certification acknowledges Trivalent Group?s commitment to implementing best practices within its data center by providing above average
ROCHESTER ? MI Earth Day Fest, which drew 50,000 attendees in year's past, is scheduled again for April 26-28 in downtown Rochester after a three-year hiatus. Admission is free. Featuring green and healthy living exhibits, presentations, programs and networking, as well as entertainment, awards, food and family fun, the MI Earth Day Fest will highlight
DEARBORN ? AAA Michigan has launched a new web site to educate teen drivers just as a new state law goes into effect March 28 that bans talking on a cell phone while driving for anyone with a Level 1 or 2 license. This comprehensive resource provides extensive state-specific information and useful tools to help
LANSING - A poll conducted by Marketing Resource Group found that 52 percent of those surveyed believe the state is on the wrong track, but a plurality of those voters also believe the state economy has gotten better in the last year and are somewhat optimistic about next year's performance. Of those questioned, 63 percent
ANN ARBOR ? AutoHarvest, a non-profit website that connects the auto industry with entrepreneurs and inventors, wants to become in the words of its CEO the Amazon of Innovation. AutoHarvest Foundation took another step towards that goal this week when it announced a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to help
LANSING - The Michigan Biotechnology Institute and Michigan State University have entered into a new collaborative arrangement, under which promising bio-based technologies will be accelerated from the laboratory to commercial deployment. The agreement combines MSU?s research expertise with MBI?s ?derisking? process and advanced bioprocessing to quickly and efficiently demonstrate the market-readiness of new technologies. Intellectual
LANSING - Businesses now are short of workers with the needed experience, but in the long run will find themselves short of workers with the right education as well, a report released Thursday by Business Leaders for Michigan said. The report, Business Leaders' Insights: Michigan's Workforce Strengths & Challenges, found that the state's current workforce
LANSING ? The Michigan House Appropriations Community Colleges Subcommittee reported a budget bill for the state's 28 community colleges that includes denial of performance funding for those colleges that extend or renew labor contracts before the right-to-work law takes effect. HB 4212 , which passed 3-2 on party lines, creates a new prerequisite for receiving