Regional Business

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose by a tenth of a percentage point to 4.2 percent in May, according to data released today by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Total employment remained unchanged over the month while the number of unemployed moved up by 5,000.

The Michigan Business Network had the opportunity to attend the 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference where they caught up with some of Michigan's top industry experts and leaders. These series of interviews took place at the Grand Hotel located on the beautiful Mackinac Island, May 29th and 30th.

Petoskey, Michigan -- The rebuilding of Manthei Veneer will move forward with the help of a $1.2 million loan through Great Lakes Energy’s (GLE) 0% Loan Program funded in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This loan is the largest given to date in the state of Michigan by the USDA through its Rural Economic Development Loan (REDL) program.

VDA Labs to add 25 jobs, invest $300k in new high-tech lab and headquarters with MSF support

LANSING, Mich. – VDA Labs, LLC, a full-scope cybersecurity company, is establishing its headquarters in the Grand Rapids area to create a central hub for its business practices, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced today. The project is expected to generate a capital investment of $300,000 and create 25 high-wage, high-tech jobs. Michigan was chosen over competing sites in Texas, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority released a Request for Proposals for demolition and abatement of a blighted former laundromat in West Branch. The Michigan Land Bank is encouraging all qualified contractors, including local businesses, to submit bids for this project.

Streamlined layout and property search tools offer one-stop shop for developers, residents, vendors and local government

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Land Bank Fast Track Authority has launched their new and improved website to increase efficiency and improve the user experience for those searching for property in Michigan.

In this episode of SBDC's 'Around the State' Jaime Lizotte, HR & Tax Compliance Solutions Manager with ComplyRight, joins J.D. Collins, State Director with Michigan SBDC, for the latest installment of SBDC's Around the State.

For nearly 30 years, Deb Muchmore has helped business people navigate public, crisis and complicated regulatory challenges to achieve crucial business objectives.

WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) (shown right) and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced bipartisan legislation that would better assess the impacts of automation on workers in order to inform workforce development strategies and best practices. The Workforce Data for Analyzing and Tracking Automation Act would authorize the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — with the assistance of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine — to record the effect of automation on the workforce and measure those trends over time, including job displacement, the number of new jobs created, and the shifting of in-demand skills. It also would establish a workforce development advisory board comprised of key business and labor leaders to advise the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on which types of public and private sector initiatives can promote consistent workforce development improvements. According to a recent study, one-third of American workers will need to gain new skills and possibly transition careers by 2030, depending on how quickly certain new technologies are adopted.

It's May 30th the month is almost over, and so is your latest opportunity to get your business opinions heard in the twice a year Michigan Future Business Index.

Here is a recent interview with Bob Lapinski, Media and Public Relations Advisor at Accident Fund Insurance Company of America drops by to talk with the Michigan Business Network about the twice a year Michigan Future Business Index survey.