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ALL STORIES FROM June 12, 2008
Muskegon PTAC will stay open for business
by Lynn Stevens | Business Review Western Michigan
The Procurement Technical Assistance Center hosted by Muskegon Area First will continue to operate at least through the federal fiscal year, according to Ed Garner, president of Muskegon Area First.
“We’re still out there and we’re still representing our clients,” Garner said today. “I did receive a letter today from the MEDC (Michigan Economic Development Corp.) saying they will continue the funding through the end of the fiscal year even though they’re looking to back a competitor.”
Called PTAC in federal shorthand, the agency is one of 11 in the state that help businesses apply for federal contracts.
The director of the Muskegon Area First PTAC, Pamela Vanderlaan-Poort, is on vacation through Monday and could not be reached for comment.
Major General Mark Lott, who coordinates operations of all 11 Michigan PTACs, said Wednesday he is supporting a competitor to the Muskegon office. He did not identify the competitor, but said it will be based in Grand Rapids.
Continue reading “Muskegon PTAC will stay open for business” »
Post a comment | View commentsTeamsters, Performance Transportation Services exchange proposals as strike continues
by Jeff Karoub | The Associated Press
DETROIT — Talks between the Teamsters and Performance Transportation Services Inc. that the car hauler deemed critical to its survival continued Thursday with each side offering proposals to end a four-day strike.
The two sides met for 3 1/2 hours in Cleveland as the union continued its walkout at the car hauler’s 24 facilities in 15 states.
Tiger Stadium demolition contract finalized
by The Associated Press
DETROIT — Officials have finalized a contract for the demolition of deteriorating Tiger Stadium.
The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News report Thursday that MCM Management Corp. of Bloomfield Hills and the Farrow Group of Detroit will tear down the old ballpark and could make an estimated $1 million by selling scrap from it.
Permits will be needed before demolition can begin. Work could start in a few weeks.
Continue reading “Tiger Stadium demolition contract finalized” »
University of Michigan sees fewer minority applicants
by Tim Martin | The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. — The University of Michigan announced Thursday it has received a record number of applications for the incoming freshmen class, but slightly fewer of what the school calls underrepresented minorities sought to attend compared to last year.
The 2 percent falloff in applications from blacks, Hispanics and American Indians likely is in part due to policies and publicity stemming from a voter-approved ban on the use of race and gender preferences in university admissions.
Continue reading “University of Michigan sees fewer minority applicants” »
Union, car hauler meeting as 1,250-worker strike continues
by Jeff Karoub | The Associated Press
DETROIT — Negotiators for the Teamsters and Performance Transportation Services Inc. are meeting as the union continues its strike against the car hauler at 24 facilities in 15 states.
PTS Chief Executive Jeff Cornish says in a letter to employees that reaching a deal at Thursday’s meeting in Cleveland is necessary to “save our company.”
Continue reading “Union, car hauler meeting as 1,250-worker strike continues” »
Deal protects more than 36,000 acres of UP land
by The Associated Press
LANSING — Officials are making progress on a plan to protect 271,000 acres of forest in the Upper Peninsula.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Thursday it has completed a conservation easement for 36,716 acres, mostly in Luce and Alger counties. The land will be privately owned and commercially logged.
Continue reading “Deal protects more than 36,000 acres of UP land” »
Oakland County commission approves 4-day work week
by Ben LaMothe | Michigan Business Review
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks PattersonOakland County commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to approve the four-day work week initiative proposed by county Executive L. Brooks Patterson.
The goal of the initiative is to help county employees conserve gas in the face of record fuel prices.
Patterson said the program could go into effect as soon as next week.
Continue reading “Oakland County commission approves 4-day work week” »
Place matters more than jobs to ‘Millenials,’ Michigan Municipal League head says
by B. Candace Beeke | Business Review Western Michigan
“Stop the negative talk. We talk negatively about ourselves more than anybody else does. It’s worse in Detroit, but it’s bad here,” Daniel Gilmartin of the Michigan Municipal League says at this morning’s Growing Communities Conference in Grand Rapids.With a stunning 46 percent of Michigan’s 24- to 35-year-olds, or Millenials, leaving the state, the head of the Michigan Municipal League said there’s an even more important statistic embedded in that.”Almost half those people who left, left without a job,” MML Executive Director Daniel Gilmartin said at the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council’s Growing Communities Conference in Grand Rapids this morning. “Young people choose where they want to live first, then look for work.”
That leads to an economic development model focused on building the brand of a “place,” he said, not hammering away at government.
“Place matters. It’s a different economy now. We don’t lose them on taxes. We don’t lose them on regulation,” Gilmartin said.
Growing Communities Conference sees urban planning gains, shortfalls
by B. Candace Beeke | Business Review Western Michigan
Frey Foundation President Milt Rohwer discusses Michigan development at the Growing Communities Conference today.Michigan has made gains in its journey toward promoting compact, livable communities, but it still has a long road ahead, Milt Rohwer, president of the Frey Foundation in Grand Rapids, said this morning at the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council’s annual Growing Communities Conference.Housed in Grand Rapids, but with a decidedly statewide line-up of speakers and topics, the 15th annual meeting addressed sustainability, public-private partnerships and economic development, among other issues.
Continue reading “Growing Communities Conference sees urban planning gains, shortfalls” »
Venezuela’s Chavez: Oil could hit $200 a barrel
by The Associated Press
CARACAS, Venezuela &ndash Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez says he expects oil prices to keep climbing and predicts they could reach $200 a barrel.
It isn’t the first time the Venezuelan leader has mentioned that benchmark &ndash though he hasn’t said when it might be reached.
Continue reading “Venezuela’s Chavez: Oil could hit $200 a barrel” »
Oil prices drop as dollar strengthens
by John Wilen | The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Oil prices fell Thursday as the dollar moved higher and forced crude to lose some of its appeal as a hedge against inflation. Gas prices reached another record at the pump, rising to a national average of $4.06 a gallon, and are likely to keep rising.
Light, sweet crude for July delivery fell $2.41 to $133.97 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Ford says company will lead urban transportation effort
by John Mulcahy | The Ann Arbor News
“The company that does the best job of delivering that to the market will have a clear competitive advantage.”
- Sue Cischke, Ford’s vice president for safety and sustainability.
Integrating different means of transportation, information technology and land use is the way to provide sustainable transportation in very large cities and address global warming.
That was the message delivered at a conference at the University of Michigan on Wednesday by representatives of some of the world’s most prominent automobile, energy and Internet technology companies.
Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman William Clay Ford Jr. announced a new business initiative that will incorporate many of the new urban transportation ideas discussed at the conference.
Continue reading “Ford says company will lead urban transportation effort” »
Stocks look to gain on rise in May retail sales
by Joe Del Bruno | The Associated Press
• For more on the bid for Anheuser-Busch
• For more on May jobless claims
NEW YORK — Wall Street headed to a higher open and bond prices tumbled Thursday after the government reported a spike in May retail sales and a bid for Anheuser-Busch Cos. boosted hopes for new deals.
News of a management shakeup at Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. sent that company’s stock down slightly.
Continue reading “Stocks look to gain on rise in May retail sales” »
Retail sales jump highest in 6 months
by Martin Crutsinger | The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Retail sales jumped by the largest amount in six months in May as 57 million economic stimulus payments helped offset the headwinds buffeting consumers.
The Commerce Department reported Thursday that retail sales soared 1 percent last month, the biggest increase since November. A wide variety of retailers enjoyed a good month, including the biggest increase at department stores and other general merchandise stores in a year.
Propane vehicles firm Icom North America moves to Lyon Township
by Carol Marshall | Oakland Business Review
Alternative fuel systems company Icom North America has moved its operations from New York to Lyon Township to be closer to its largest customer, Livonia-based Roush Racing.
The company, a subsidiary of Icom SpA of Italy, delivers liquid injection propane gas vehicle systems. Liquid propane gas vehicles are nothing new, though there are only 300,000 such vehicles in the U.S., said Icom CEO Albert Venezio.
Continue reading “Propane vehicles firm Icom North America moves to Lyon Township” »
Major stockholder says Borders Group should approach Amazon.com about takeover
by Joe Bel Bruno | The Associated Press
NEW YORK — William Ackerman, the billionaire hedge fund manager who is a major stakeholder in Borders Group Inc., says the Ann Arbor-based bookseller should consider approaching online retailer Amazon.com Inc. about a possible acquisition.
The founder of Pershing Square Capital Management said Borders, of which the hedge fund owns about 30 percent, could become the “bricks-and-clicks” component of Amazon’s nationwide sales strategy. Borders, which put itself up for sale in March, has about 500 retail outlets across the country.
Continue reading “Major stockholder says Borders Group should approach Amazon.com about takeover” »
Businesses must take lead on sustainability, leaders say
by Lynn Stevens | Business Review Western Michigan
Michelle ReenMany business people have criticized local and state governments for failing to provide leadership or incentives for sustainable practices. Business is going to have to lead the way.”It’s quite true most municipalities are just getting their feet wet, because on the whole, there’s a lack of understanding of green building and sustainability across the board,” said Todd Holloway, principal in Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. in Wixom.
Continue reading “Businesses must take lead on sustainability, leaders say” »
Prices at pump not stopping Michigan cruisers
by Gary Gosselin | Oakland Business Review
The Woodward Dream Cruise.Although high gas prices may send daily commuters into fits, there’s one group, classic car cruisers, whose passion for older cars usually overrides their concerns about prices at the pump.Ralph Haney, event coordinator for United Street Machine Association in Clawson, said it won’t affect him this summer.
Continue reading “Prices at pump not stopping Michigan cruisers” »
Ford to boost Focus production
by Janet Miller | Ann Arbor Business Review
Gene Butman Ford salesman Chris Machalk.In the good old days - say a year ago - two-thirds of new vehicle sales at Gene Butman Ford in Ypsilanti were trucks and SUVs, said salesman Chris Machalk. Today, the numbers are reversed.Two-thirds of sales at the dealership are cars, with the Focus, the Ford Motor division’s most fuel-efficient vehicle, getting much of the attention. Machalk’s own sales bear that out. “Last month, 70 percent of my sales were either Focus or Fusion (a size up from the Focus),” he said. “The F-150 (pickup truck) was the Number One selling vehicle in the country. We sold a ton of them. Now, sales are nonexistent.”
Continue reading “Ford to boost Focus production” »
Business Review Western Michigan names new editor
by Business Review Western Michigan
B. Candace BeekeMichigan Business Review publisher Matt Sharp named B. Candace Beeke editor of Business Review Western Michigan, the company’s founding business-to-business newspaper, established in 1996. Continue reading “Business Review Western Michigan names new editor” »
Merger talks end for MMPC, Spectrum Health
by Pat Shellenbarger | The Grand Rapids Press
GRAND RAPIDS — Spectrum Health and Michigan Medical P.C., the state’s largest group of private practice physicians, have ended negotiations toward a possible merger.
While Spectrum, the area’s largest hospital corporation, moves ahead with plans to form its own subsidiary potentially employing hundreds of doctors, MMPC’s physicians will not be a part of it.
“We actually voted to withdraw for various reasons,” said MMPC CEO Ted Inman.
Continue reading “Merger talks end for MMPC, Spectrum Health” »
Michigan Business Tax labor costs issue hits contractors
by Dan Meisler | Ann Arbor Business Review
Local contractors are gathering this week to craft a response to a trend that has hit them with a tax double-whammy.
Not only have contractors experienced an increase in taxes through the new Michigan Business Tax, some property owners are not allowing them to include the MBT in the costs of certain labor expenses.
Continue reading “Michigan Business Tax labor costs issue hits contractors” »
As U-M adds battery researchers, GM puts Volt on track for 2010
by Nathan Bomey | Ann Arbor Business Review
The plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt has an expected release of 2010.The major automakers - once corporate titans that didn’t need much help from unaffiliated researchers - are turning to technology developed at the nation’s top universities to make advancements in battery technology.At the same time, universities are putting a greater emphasis on expanding alternative energy research initiatives in response to the industry’s need for assistance and the skyrocketing price of fuel. And battery technology is at the forefront of the focus.
Continue reading “As U-M adds battery researchers, GM puts Volt on track for 2010″ »
Lawmakers weigh plan to fight copper theft
by The Associated Press
LANSING — Payment for scrap metal could no longer be made in cash under terms of legislation that has passed the Michigan House.
Legislation overwhelmingly approved by the House on Wednesday aims at cracking down on the theft of copper and other materials. It’s a growing problem in Michigan and other states because of the rise in value of the materials.
Continue reading “Lawmakers weigh plan to fight copper theft” »
House refuses to extend unemployment benefits
by Jesse J. Holland | The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday narrowly defeated a Democratic attempt to give unemployed Americans an extra three months of jobless benefits after the White House threatened to veto the bill. But Democratic leaders said they will bring the bill back for a second vote on Thursday.
The bill would have extended the average $300-a-week benefit check by 13 weeks for all unemployed Americans. Job seekers in high unemployment states like Alaska, California, Michigan and Rhode Island would have been able to get an extra 13 weeks on top of that.
Continue reading “House refuses to extend unemployment benefits” »
Ford exec Fields: Incentives for hybrid development needed
by Ken Thomas | The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top Ford Motor Co. executive urged the government to make a greater commitment to the development of plug-in hybrids on Wednesday, warning that the United States was falling behind in developing the technology critical to the advanced vehicles.
Mark Fields, Ford’s President of the Americas, said at a conference on plug-in hybrids that bold incentives are needed to speed up the development of advanced batteries that are key to the green vehicles.
Continue reading “Ford exec Fields: Incentives for hybrid development needed” »
Universities in line for 3 percent funding hike under Michigan House plan
by The Associated Press
LANSING — Michigan’s 15 public universities would get an average 3 percent increase in state aid under a proposal passed by the Democrat-led state House.
The plan passed Wednesday has differences from proposals supported by the Republican-led Senate and Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, although those plans also call for an average 3 percent increase in the budget year that starts in October.
All three sides will have to sign off on a final compromise version for the spending plan to become law.
Continue reading “Universities in line for 3 percent funding hike under Michigan House plan” »
Ford, UAW to discuss shift from trucks to cars
by Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin |The Associated Press
DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. plant managers and union representatives from across the country will gather Friday to discuss the company’s business plans, including how it will deal with the U.S. market’s rapid shift from trucks to cars.
Some union officials are hoping for news of new products for their plants or the possibility of quickly retooling truck factories so they can make more fuel-efficient cars.
Continue reading “Ford, UAW to discuss shift from trucks to cars” »
Auto analysts say midsize SUV extinct
by Associated Press
DETROIT — Even in northern Wisconsin, where midsize sport utility vehicles are as common as deer, people are starting to abandon them because of high gasoline prices.
Auto industry analysts say midsize SUVs like the Ford Explorer and Chevy Blazer are becoming extinct as gas prices cause people to turn to more fuel efficient vehicles.It’s one of the last places to back away from the class of SUVs, which includes the once-popular Ford Explorer and Chevrolet TrailBlazer. Some industry analysts are already declaring the midsize SUV extinct.
“They’re dinosaurs. Put a fork in them,” Erich Merkle, vice president of auto industry forecasting for the consulting company IRN Inc. in Grand Rapids, Mich., said in an interview.
It’s no secret that drivers are flocking to smaller, more fuel-efficient cars as the cost of gas marches higher. And midsize SUVs are built on the same frames as trucks, which add extra weight and drink more fuel.
Continue reading “Auto analysts say midsize SUV extinct” »
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