GRAND RAPIDS - The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center update for January 2009 highlights what's happening statewide for the SBA-backed entrepreneur friendly group based at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids. Those highlights include a new study for the UP, entrepreneurship training in Muskegon and the Annual Collaboration For Entrepreneurship in Ann
NEW YORK - Pfizer Inc. plans to lay off as many as 2,400 sales staff, up to a third of its marketing work force, this quarter as the drug maker reorganizes its commercial side, according to a person familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal. The layoffs follow the New York company's recent
DETROIT - The Michigan Council of Women in Technology Foundation has announced its sixth annual university scholarship, research grant and laptop grant program, aimed at encouraging deserving female students to pursue information technology and technical careers. Deadline for submission is Feb. 27. The 2009 competition commences immediately; and is open to women, of all ages,
LANSING - The Detroit River International Crossing is one step closer to becoming a new route across the nation's busiest border with approval of the environmental study. But the DRIC project still has some substantial hurdles to clear before construction can begin. The Record of Decision by the Federal Highway Administration, issued Wednesday, is the
LANSING - Preliminary indications of what U. S. House Democrats propose in an $825 billion economic stimulus bill were encouraging, but officials in the Granholm administration wanted to see full details of the bill before they could say what the benefit to Michigan could be. They also cautioned that the measure that was released from
RICHMOND, Va. - Circuit City Stores Inc., the second-biggest U.S. consumer electronics retailer, reached an agreement with liquidators on Friday to sell the merchandise in its 567 U.S. stores after failing to line up a buyer or a refinancing deal. Circuit City has about two dozen stores in Michigan. The company, which employs more than
LANSING - After three and a half years of steering Michigan's economic development efforts, James Epolito is returning to the insurance arena, this time as president of Delta Dental of Michigan. At Delta, Epolito will also have executive positions as executive vice president of enterprise sales in the larger company, which has affiliates in Ohio
DETROIT - Ford Motor Company is rapidly rolling out a bevy of hybrid plug-in electric vehicles, starting with a commercial van in 2010. A Focus Battery-electric car is due in 2011 and even more electric-powered cars and trucks in the years to come, as Ford, like GM and Chrysler, gets electric. To listen, click on
DETROIT - Not to be outdone by General Motors and Ford Motor Company, Chrysler also showcased its electric concept vehicles that will be rolling on the automakers' ENVI (short for Environment) electric powertrain, which provides 40 miles on a single electric charge and 400 miles of total driving range. To listen, click on MITechNews.MediaRica.Com a>>
DETROIT - With Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm serving as the head cheerleader, GM on Sunday rolled down an improvised red carpet at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit 17 vehicles GM CEO Rick Wagoner said represented the company's present and future - the emphasis was heavily on enviro friendlier electric and hybrid gasoline-electric