Business

Expansion project proposed for AZO

A multi-million-dollar expansion project could be coming to Kalamazoo Battle Creek International Airport. WWMT is reporting that AZO released to the Federal Aviation Administration a proposal calling for weatherproofing and expanding the airport’s existing runway. If approved, the expansion would enhance the reliability and viability of the runway, allowing planes to land in excessive heat, cold or snowy conditions in …

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Cruise ships stop at Muskegon

The Lake Michigan city of Muskegon is now port of call for three cruise ships, attracting vessels used for so-called luxury cruising that started on the Great Lakes six years ago. WGVU reports the financial impact for Muskegon has been positive. Cindy Larsen, president of the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce, said it is estimated the city netted about $700,000 …

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Biggby is coming to Vicksburg

A nationally recognized coffee chain is on its way to Vicksburg. Details related to a plan submitted by Biggby Coffee were addressed at Vicksburg Planning Commission’s Dec. 11 meeting. Biggby’s site plan was given a green light and will eventually be developed at the northwest corner of East Prairie and North Richardson streets on property vacant for 30 years. Entry …

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Bankruptcy for Grand Rapids mall

The owner of a major shopping center in Grand Rapids has filed bankruptcy. According to WGVU, Woodland Mall is one of 18 shopping centers owned and managed by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, known as PREIT. Located on 28th Street in Kentwood, Woodland is PREIT’s only property in Michigan. Woodland Mall’s Mary Ann Sabo told WGVU that operations at …

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General Motors becomes 1st of Detroit automakers to seal deal with unionized workers

United Auto Workers union members have voted to approve a new contract with General Motors, making the company the first Detroit automaker to get a ratified deal that could end a contentious labor dispute and a series of punishing strikes. A vote-tracking spreadsheet on the union’s website shows that with all local union offices reporting, the contract passed by just over …

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Vote on tentative contract with General Motors too close to call as more tallies are reported

Voting on a tentative contract agreement between General Motors and the United Auto Workers union that ended a six-week strike against the company appears too close to call after the latest tallies at several GM factories were announced Wednesday. The union hasn’t posted final vote totals yet, but workers at several large factories who finished voting in the past few days have …

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Michigan’s minimum wage to increase in 2024

Michigan’s minimum wage is scheduled to increase on Jan. 1, 2024. The state’s minimum wage will increase from $10.10 to $10.33 per hour, according to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. In addition, starting Jan. 1, the 85% of the minimum hourly wage rate for minors ages 16 and 17 will increase to $8.78 per hour. The tipped …

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Employee lay off at Pfizer in Portage

About 200 people have been laid off at Pfizer’s facility in Portage, the company confirmed. The laid-off employees were notified last week, according to MLive. A lower demand than what the company expected for its COVID-19 products was stated as the culprit. The product Comirnaty is Pfizer’s vaccine to prevent COVID-19 in people 12 years and older. Paxlovid, meanwhile, is …

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Ford pausing construction of Marshall battery plant amid contract talks with auto workers union

Ford Motor Co. said Monday that it’s pausing construction of a $3.5 billion electric vehicle battery plant in Marshall until it is confident it can run the factory competitively. The move comes as the company is in the midst of national contract talks with the United Auto Workers union, which wants to represent workers at battery factories and win them top wages. …

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