Business

Economists at the University of Michigan say the state’s economy will steadily move forward during the next two years after five years of solid growth. In their annual forecast, George Fulton and colleagues Joan Crary and Donald Grimes said the state will add more than 132,000 jobs during the next two years. The U-M economists predicted employment gains of 59,400 jobs …

Michigans unemployment rate in October was the lowest in the state since January through March 2008. According to the Department of Technology, Management & Budget, the jobless rate last month edged downward by one-tenth of a percentage point to 7.1 percent. Total employment rose by 13,000 over the month while the number of unemployed fell by 8,000. The net impact …

Legislation is now before Congress from U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow and Congressmen Dan Benishek and Gary Peters to halt a massive electric rate increase in the Upper Peninsula. The three lawmakers are attempting to require additional oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to allow FERC to prevent the 100-million dollar rate increase. Customers in the U.P. would be forced to pay …

West South Street, from South Centerville Road to east of the railroad tracks, was identified in Sturgis’ 10-year street-improvement program and has been selected for significant rehabilitation. City commissioners last week approved the task order with Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering, Inc. for preliminary design, final design and bidding services for $48,000. Construction for West South Street will be partially funded …

There’s a shortage of cement in parts of Michigan and the entire Great Lakes region. And it’s due in part at least to last year’s harsh winter. The Michigan Concrete Association tells the Detroit Free Press that because the Great Lakes nearly froze over completely last winter, the shipping season started later than usual. That, in turn delayed the shipping of cement …

One of the two reactors at the Cook Nuclear Plant in Berrien County is back in service. Indiana Michigan Power took both units off-line early Saturday morning due to rough conditions on Lake Michigan that sent more debris than normal into the three 16-foot intake tunnels from the lake into the plant. The excess resulted in some damage to the …

A federal bankruptcy judge has approved a reorganization plan for the private operator of the Indiana Toll Road that should expedite the sale of the lease for the 157-mile highway.  The Munster Times reports U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Pamela Hollis in Chicago on Tuesday approved the plan that would put the 75-year lease out to bid.  Toll road operator ITR Concession …

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority saw a 1-percent decrease in its ridership numbers in its 2013-14 fiscal year compared to the previous 12-month period. CTA executive director Steve Yorks said the agency’s fiscal year ended Sept. 30. It provided 96,042 rides for the period, down 739 rides from the 2012-13 fiscal year. Yorks said despite the reduction, the CTA …

A man on a motorcycle was injured Tuesday in Mendon Township. The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department said the 56-year-old man was in the 53000 block of Nottawa Road at 3:20 a.m. when he was broadsided by a deer. The driver was able to stop the motorcycle without crashing, though he sustained injuries to his leg and foot. The driver …

Michigan’s attorney general is suing one propane seller alleging price-gouging last winter and has reached a more than $100,000 agreement with another propane company.  Bill Schuette said in a statement Monday that the lawsuit against AmeriGas and agreement with Ferrellgas follow hundreds of consumer complaints related to propane pricing and delivery.  The lawsuit against AmeriGas in Berrien County Circuit Court …