DETROIT - The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index for August hit 60.2, a 13 percent increase over July's PMI of 53.1, reflecting continued strengthening of the local economy. The three-month average, however, was relatively unchanged at 54.2. Among components of the index, the Commodity Prices Index rose in August to 55.6 from 54.8 in July
BEIJING, China - Marking the beginning of a new effort to draw Chinese visitors to Michigan, Governor Rick Snyder on Thursday at an event in Shanghai unveiled the effort to make Michigan a destination for a growing Chinese tourism market. While just some 1.5 million Chinese visited the U.S. in 2012, that was an increase
LANSING - Even as Republicans, both in Michigan and in national circles, cast about for potential candidates for U.S. Senate, former Secretary of State Terri Land, the only announced GOP candidate, continues to poll well. A survey released Thursday by the Republican polling firm Harper Polling showed Ms. Land leading a possible four-way Republican primary
LANSING - Governor Rick Snyder has come under heavy criticism from some quarters of the Republican Party for spearheading the expansion of Medicaid, but a new poll released Thursday shows he still enjoys a strong favorability rating among those expected to participate in next year's statewide Republican primary. The survey, from the Republican polling firm
LANSING - U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow on Wednesday announced legislation to provide a federal match for the state's current program funding community college and business partnerships to train workers for high-skilled jobs. The New Skills for New Jobs Act would double the state's current program, and help fill vacant high-skilled jobs that pay at least
LANSING - House Speaker Jase Bolger and House Minority Leader Tim Greimel said on Tuesday a road improvement funding proposal is unlikely to happen. "I'm not hearing much hope," Bolger (R-Marshall) told reporters after House session. "We'll leave that to play out. I know people are continuing to work on it, and I'm not going
GRAND RAPIDS - The Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $3 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program incentive to Mid Towne Hospitality for a new hotel development in Grand Rapids. ?The construction of this hotel and mixed-use development will further revitalize the City of Grand Rapids and act as a catalyst for additional positive activity in the
DETROIT ? VernDale Products has received a $436,000 incentive from the Michigan Strategic Fund to add a second milk production facility in Detroit. ?VernDale Products? investment and expansion into a second major facility in the City of Detroit is a testament to the city?s geographic economic strengths and fertile ground for business growth and development,?
LANSING - After two tries, the Michigan Senate was able to pass legislation that would expand Medicaid coverage to some 470,000 people, but it could not garner the votes necessary for immediate effect, and there is no certainty on how or when it will do so going forward, a Senate spokesperson said on Wednesday. "We
LANSING - After conducting a Women's Health and Economic Security Task Force during the summer, the Michigan House Democrats said at a news conference on Monday they will continue their work on policies designed to help women overcome hurdles in the work force and with health care access. Rep. Marcia Hovey-Wright (D-Muskegon), who co-chaired the