LANSING ? Michigan Senate Finance Committee chair Sen. Nancy Cassis (R-Novi) said Friday she is working on a business tax proposal in answer to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's plan that will call for a tax cut. Cassis said her goal is to have a proposal out to senators to review before the Senate breaks at the
DETROIT - Nissan has confirmed plans to build the coming hybrid version of the Altima sedan at its vast assembly complex in Smyrna, Tenn. The addition of the gas-electric Altima will require $10.4 million in modifications to the plant, which also builds the Maxima sedan, the Xterra and Pathfinder SUVs and the Frontier pickup truck.
DETROIT - The price of crude oil jumped last week on concerns about possible terrorist attacks in Nigeria. The ripples from the concern about oil shipments from Nigeria helped push up the price of crude to nearly $59 per barrel. Some analysts began speculating about prices reaching even $70 per barrel, putting a crimp in
LANSING ? Sponsors of a Michigan House alternative to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal to invest $2 billion from bond sales to lure technology and life sciences businesses to Michigan hope to introduce their plan next week. Rep. Andy Dillon (D-Redford) and Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland) continue to craft their proposal, which would securitize 25 percent
ANN ARBOR ? A record 550 people packed the first day of the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium, a two-day conference that connects potential investors with 32 Midwest technology companies, which will give their pitches Thursday. The old record, 472 attendees, was set just last year, said David Brophy, conference host who is Director of the
ANN ARBOR ? University of Michigan Professor Farnam Jahanian, whose technology lead to the creation of an Internet security company, and Glen Barna, a former graduate student at Michigan Technological University who developed a wireless telemetry company, both received $25,000 Wednesday night as the first winners of the University Awards for Commercialization Excellence. Jahanian and
LANSING ? Michigan House Republicans will pursue a counterproposal to Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm's plan to overhaul business taxes that contains the parts of her package that they like best ? putting on hold radical changes to the tax structure that were under consideration. The House Tax Policy Committee is expected to meet next week
KALAMAZOO - The RFID Technology Center has formed three sub-committees to help drive RFID innovation to industry-specific projects in life sciences, business development and perishable products. The committees plan to drive educational initiatives and help identify market opportunities for new RFID projects. To get this job done, the Center is looking for Southwest Michigan companies
KALAMAZOO - Western Michigan University has hired an experienced technology transfer specialist from the University of Michigan who has a background in the physical and life sciences to help commercialize technology at the university. Dr. Michael Sharer is WMU's new director of technology transfer, licensing and commercialization. He came to WMU this spring from the
BLOOMFIELD HILLS ? Great Lakes Angels will go international June 21 when the private investor group showcases two deals from Ontario and one from Michigan. Presentations will be made by three entrepreneurial ventures seeking funding. Companies presenting are AeroWire Communications (Michigan), and Keigan Systems and PharmaSlim, both based in Ontario. The event will also have