Business

Michigan Public Service Commission approves rate cut

The Michigan Public Service Commission has approved nearly $9 million in electricity rate cuts for customers of Indiana Michigan Power Co. because of utility savings from the federal corporate income tax overhaul. The panel on Tuesday said I&M residential customers who use an average of 500 kilowatt hours will see their monthly bills go down $1.82 beginning in September. I&M …

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Michigan court orders $12 minimum wage initiative on ballot

The Michigan Court of Appeals has rejected a lawsuit and ordered a minimum wage initiative on the November statewide ballot. The court ruled 2-1 Wednesday. The One Fair Wage proposal would gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $12 an hour and also increase the minimum for workers who make tips. The state elections board last month had split 2-2 …

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Special police unit seeks to curb thefts from RV companies

A special police unit is seeking to curb burglaries and thefts from businesses including recreational vehicle companies in northern Indiana. Police in the Elkhart County city of Goshen say their unit was formed to deal with such crimes in the city’s industrial areas. The department says thefts had been increasing over the last several months, with items such as televisions …

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Pfizer to build new facility, add 450 jobs in Portage

Drugmaker Pfizer Inc. plans to expand manufacturing in Michigan and add 450 jobs under an incentives deal approved Tuesday by the state’s economic development arm. The company is expected to spend $465 million building a new facility in Portage near Kalamazoo, with production starting in 2024. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved an $11.5 million package, including $10.5 million in …

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FireKeepers casino plans to expand with 2nd hotel tower

FireKeepers Casino Hotel in southern Michigan plans to expand its hotel by building a second tower. The Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi announced Monday that an aim is to attract more people from across the Midwest to the casino and hotel near Battle Creek. They also hope to bring in new and larger conventions and business meetings. FireKeepers Casino …

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DTE eyes southern Michigan for wind energy project

DTE Energy says it has plans for 50 to 70 wind turbines in southern Michigan’s Branch County. The Daily Reporter says the utility made a presentation Thursday to county commissioners in Coldwater. Commission Chairman Ted Gordon says any key decisions about the placement of turbines will be made by townships. Michael Sage of Detroit-based DTE says 180 people have signed …

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Michigan officials: Don’t wait to lock in propane prices

Michigan officials say propane users should lock in fuel prices now, even though heating season is months away. The Michigan Agency for Energy says U.S. propane stocks are slightly higher now than they were a year ago. But they’re 27 percent below levels seen in 2016. Executive Director Anne Armstrong Cusack says customers should sign contracts soon instead of waiting …

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Business groups challenge minimum wage, sick leave proposals

Proposals to raise the Michigan minimum wage and require paid sick time came under fire from pro-business lobbying groups Friday, the deadline to challenge the two ballot initiatives. The first, a movement by the union-endorsed Michigan One Fair Wage committee to pay Michigan workers $12 an hour and abolish the tipped minimum wage, is being challenged by hospitality industry group …

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McDonald’s removing salads from 3,000 stores after illness

McDonald’s is stopping the sale of salads at 3,000 restaurants after people became sick from a parasite causing intestinal illness. The Chicago-based fast-food chain said Friday it’s acting “out of an abundance of caution” until switching to another supplier. Health officials in Illinois and Iowa say they’ve identified roughly 100 combined cases of cyclosporiasis apparently linked to consuming McDonald’s salads. …

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SERVPRO Recognizes Local Business for Outstanding Revenue Performance

SERVPRO® of Cass & St. Joseph Counties received the MILLIONAIRE’S Bronze award at the recent SERVPRO convention, held at Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL, from June 25-29. Anthony Blodgett of SERVPRO of Cass & St. Joseph Counties and other high-performing franchisees were recognized during an Awards Extravaganza at the annual event, which was attended by nearly 3,000 …

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