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
LANSING - The assessment paid by auto insurance customers to the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association will increase 6 percent on July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, the association announced on Wednesday. The increase is $11 more than current rates, or $186 per insured vehicle, and represents $156.44 to cover anticipated new claims, $29.12 to
DETROIT - GreenLancer, a Web-based solar energy engineering company, said it has secured more than $275,000 in private funding from a syndicate of Michigan-based investors. The offering was oversubscribed with additional investors still clamoring to jump on board. Initial investors in GreenLancer include Bizdom (Detroit), Start Garden (Grand Rapids), Blue Water Angels (Midland) and Northern
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
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 - 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 ? Transformers 4, expected to begin filming in metro Detroit this spring, has been approved for a $20 million film incentive from the Michigan Film Office. The fourth installment of the Hasbro Toy sequel opens soon after version three, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, where a great battle left a city torn ? but
LANSING - The Michigan Senate Economic Development Committee on Wednesday unanimously reported a package of bills modifying various regulations for the Michigan Strategic Fund and removing an approaching sunset on the 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund, which the Strategic Fund Board also oversees. The bills (SB 269 , SB 270 , SB 271 , SB
ALLEN PARK ? Former Cummins Executive Amit Soman has been named the new Chief Operating Officer for EcoMotors International, replacing former COO John Coletti, who retired earlier this year. During the past fourteen years at Cummins, the largest independent diesel engine maker in the world, Amit was general manager of Asia-Pacific Operations, based in Beijing,
LANSING ? Pure Michigan kicked off its $13 million summer advertising campaign Monday that will run through June and include five private sector partners - Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Mackinac Island, The Henry Ford and Traverse City ? as well as the launch of the Pure Michigan summer video series. The five national partners contributed