LANSING - A package of bills that would require state contracts and economic development efforts to focus hiring on Michigan residents went to the full House after being reported on a largely bi-partisan basis from the House Commerce Committee on Tuesday. The panel's six Republicans voted against reporting the main bills in the 12-bill package,
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Ca. - Google muscled into the burgeoning smart-grid software business Tuesday, showing off a prototype Web application that displays home energy consumption broken down by appliance. The software uses so-called smart meters, which can communicate home energy consumption back to utilities every few minutes. The driving idea behind the Google PowerMeter iGoogle gadget--and
LANSING - Gov. Jennifer Granholm's budget proposal will be released to the public on Thursday, but top legislators and other officials have started to get a glimpse at what is being called "a grim" budget document. A spokesperson for Granholm said the administration will not outline any aspects of the budget before Thursday's presentation. But
LANSING - For the second year in a row, Michigan's tourism web site received more traffic than any other state tourism web site in the country - a record 11.7 million visits. Click-throughs to Michigan tourism industry Web sites also set a record, averaging 16,074 clicks per day. Among the custom category of the 50
DETROIT - DTE Energy, parent company of Detroit Edison and MichCon, is helping low-income customers apply for the Home Heating Credit, a state energy credit that can help offset the costs of natural gas or electricity used to heat homes in the winter. The Home Heating Credit is based on household income, the number of
SOUTHFIELD - As the U.S. financial crisis deepens and ripples through the global economy, worldwide light vehicle sales are expected to slow down and reach 56.8 million units in 2009, a drop of 13 percent compared to last year, according to new research by R. L. Polk & Co. After experiencing a 17 percent decline
DETROIT - Small to mid-sized, retail storefront businesses in targeted areas of Detroit?s downtown ? Midtown, Downtown, Riverfront, Eastern Market and Corktown ? now have access to a $5 million revolving loan program created by the Detroit Investment Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The Detroit Urban Retail Loan Fund will target boutique grocery
ANN ARBOR - The New Enterprise Foundation on Feb. 19 will recognize and honor the leading NEF Entrepreneurs who presented elevator pitches to the networking group in 2008. The group also will celebrate its 23rd birthday. Awards include: NEF Entrepreneur of the Year Ted Dacko: Ted is President of HealthMedia, recently acquired by Johnson &
DEARBORN - If an electric passenger car is good, an electric people mover is even better. Ford Motor Company on Monday announced plans to bring an all-electric version of the 2010 Transit Connect to the North American market in addition to its 2.0 liter gasoline-powered model. Based on the global Transit Connect platform, the light
DETROIT - Shares of Energy Conversion Devices Inc. on Tuesday lifted after the solar energy product manufacturer was upgraded on its exposure to strong markets in France and Italy, pending U.S. legislation helping solar energy companies and milder-than-expected price declines. Energy Conversion Devices shares gained $1.07, or 3.8 percent, to $29.21. PiperJaffray analyst Jesse Pinchel