Check back often for the latest news.

• I-94 to reopen Monday after weekend repairs
  Mar 5, 2010 — Detroit Free Press
  MDOT said the driving surface of that overpass was repaired in 2004 but not its supports.
• Passenger car sales up
  Mar 2, 2010 — Detroit Free Press
  Jeep customers can choose between 0% for 60 months, 1.9% for 72 months and $1,000 off the 2010 Grand Cherokee, Liberty or Commander.
• Management, Press Flap Led to Tauzin's Exit
  Feb 13, 2010 — Roll Call
  Seemingly impossible.But that’s apparently what happened in recent weeks at the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. Late Thursday night, the massive drug lobby unexpectedly announced that its top executive, ex-Rep. A former chairman of the House Energy and Commerce panel, the ex-Creole State lawmaker was known for a breezy management style, his love of hunting and loyalty to his staff.
• Business group's chief outlines state turnaround plan
  Sep 16, 2009 — Grand Rapids Press Michigan
  A fourth measure would involve forming an independent council of economists to complete quarterly revenue and spending estimates. Right-sizing and enacting structural budget reforms. The latter would include a tax on consumer services. Making investments that create a great job environment.
• Research project to compile information about wind farms
  Sep 16, 2009 — Grand Rapids Press Michigan
  Alternative and Renewable Energy Center in Muskegon focused mainly on developing a concise mission and choosing the best words for the report.By the end of the research project, which is to be completed by May 2011, the goals are to describe and answer common questions and concerns, and assist local governments with the best practices for regulating large-scale wind farms.Led by GVSU professor Erik Nordman, the project team will focus on Muskegon, Ottawa, Oceana and Allegan...
• Rockford receives preliminary approval for brownfield board to manage Wolverine World Wide tannery redevelopment
  Sep 15, 2009 — Grand Rapids Press Michigan
  ...brownfield district that encompasses all property within Rockford's limits.A 1996 state law allows municipalities that establish brownfield authorities to offer incentives to developers who are willing to invest in properties that might otherwise be left vacant or abandoned. Those incentives include the possibility of a Single Business Tax credit for a project on contaminated property and the use of tax increment financing to defray cleanup costs.Having the brownfield authority in...
• Allegan County is West Michigan's best location for wind energy but has had slow start
  Sep 14, 2009 — Grand Rapids Press Michigan
  All the townships there rated for wind power have already approved plans for utility-grade turbines there.Timing is part of the disparity. Oceana had a big head start, while Allegan is just getting started.
• Holland, Grand Haven, Lowell, Zeeland utilities consider changes prompted by Bay City freezing death of Marvin Schur
  Sep 14, 2009 — Grand Rapids Press Michigan
  She said in some areas, Grand Haven's rules are stricter than those proposed.
• Business leaders step up to the plate amid state budget crisis; will Michigan's political leaders join them?
  Sep 13, 2009 — Grand Rapids Press Michigan
  Do you see how dire the situation is for businesses and communities? It also likes House Speaker Andy Dillon's proposal for a single health-insurance pool for a half million public employees.Why speak up now? They certainly don't want sympathy from other states.They are willing to step up to the crisis.
• New group of business leaders promotes major changes to Michigan's tax structure to balance budget
  Sep 10, 2009 — Grand Rapids Press Michigan
  ...in the Michigan Business Tax, including elimination of the 22 percent MBT surcharge, to make Michigan a "Top 10" state in terms of business tax liability.RESOURCEDownload (PDF) details of Business Leaders for Michigan's turnaround planA turnaround plan produced by the leadership group said revenue lost through the MBT cut should be replaced dollar-for-dollar through a change in the state's tax structure "to more closely match the changing composition of the...
• Rick Snyder `fired up'
  Sep 10, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Pete Hoekstra, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard and Huron County Commissioner Tim Rujan. Snyder pointed to job creation at Gateway under his leadership and new businesses started as a result of his venture capital investments. Michigan needs ``customer-service government'' that is able to measure its performance, Snyder said.
• Solar farm would sell electricity to Consumers Energy
  Aug 30, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  The three started the project with little known data about how a photovoltaic electrical generating system will work in Michigan, Schmitt said. The Charleston Township site is expected to produce about 150 kilowatts. The Dec. 31 completion date is to allow them to take full advantage of renewable energy incentives offered by Consumers Energy.
• Where's all the stimulus money?Those who are tracking it say you have to look closely, but it's starting to arrive in southwestern Michigan
  Aug 30, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  The $793 billion federal stimulus package approved last February includes $212 billion in tax cuts and $581 billion in spending. It's hard to measure the economic impact of the stimulus, Erickcek said. Yet, like Erickcek, Kitchens said he thinks the economy has hit bottom and is beginning to recover.
• EATON CORP. ENTERS PARTNERSHIPBattery efforts paying dividends
  Aug 28, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Eaton currently gets its battery packs from Japan. Many of the world's advanced batteries for hybrid cars are manufactured in Asia. Cleveland-based Eaton recently consolidated its automotive and truck business groups into one division in Charleston Township under Palchak's leadership.
• ARENA OVERSIGHT
  Aug 23, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Sunday, August 23, 2009 Kalamazoo Since the arena would be built with public dollars, it would be owned and operated by a governmental authority. Thom Canny, the county's corporate counsel, said the authority would award construction and management contracts through an open, public process. The most likely model for an arena authority is the Aeronautics Board that oversees the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport, he said.
• HOW THE ARENA WOULD BE PAID FOR: taxes and bonds
  Aug 23, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Robert Jones, D-Kalamazoo, put into motion a way to fund the proposed arena in downtown Kalamazoo. Suite Idea estimates the hotel-tax increase, combined with the 1 percent tax on bar and restaurant sales, would generate about $6.1 million a year. Battani said the arena task force is studying all potential risks.
• Internet firm to restore site
  Aug 21, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  The online auction and appraisal service, Biddergy.com, is headquartered at the site near the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport. InterUrban Condominium, at Portage and South streets, ``has historically been in default on the loan,'' said John Kneas, assistant city attorney. The EDC will take ownership of the commercial space in lieu of foreclosure.
• Recycling site could be U.S. prototype
  Aug 19, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Edward VanderVries, director of land services for Van Buren County, said WNT also is negotiating for the development of similar sites in Oklahoma and Kentucky. Many waste types involved Don't call WNT a ``recycling'' company, Harrison says. VanderVries said Van Buren County's Solid Waste Management Plan first must be amended to allow the WNT development.
• VAN BUREN COUNTYRecycling plant could add 1,400 new jobs
  Aug 18, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Al Pscholka, a representative for U.S. Rep. VanderVries said the company is hoping to start work within a year. Beth Clawson, the county's resource recovery agent from the Van Buren County Office of Michigan State University Extension, said the company is promising 800 jobs the first year.
• Community colleges see enrollment surge
  Aug 16, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  A Lake Michigan College official said headcount is up 11 percent so far. At community colleges statewide, ``tuition accounts for a third of the cost of educating a student,'' said David Mathews, president of Dowagiac's Southwestern Michigan College. Depending on a student's residency, KVCC tuition rates increased between 4.4 percent and 4.8 percent for 2009-10.
• FAA funding means airport project to start
  Aug 14, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Despite the delay, the new terminal is still scheduled to be completed in April 2011, airport director Cliff Moshoginis said. The current airport has one security line for passengers. v Passenger boarding bridges at all five gates. It's not extravagant,'' Moshoginis said of the new terminal.
• Softball ace and her father/coach have long been `inseparable'
  Aug 14, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Friday, August 14, 2009 Kalamazoo BY SCOTT DECAMP sdecamp@kalamazoogazette.com (269) 388-8518 KALAMAZOO -- It was about 11:30 by the time Jackie Bowe was nudged out of bed Thursday morning. The past four years have been nothing short of a whirlwind for Jackie Bowe, a driven-by-perfection pitcher and hitter, and her father, a witty and wisecracking 47-year-old coach. They achieved Jackie Bowe's goal of earning a full-ride scholarship to a big-time college.
• Rain just in time for ripening fruit
  Aug 11, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Tuesday, August 11, 2009 Kalamazoo BY AARON AUPPERLEE aaupperlee@kalamazoogazette.com (269) 388-8553 COLOMA -- The baseball-sized peaches hanging from branches at Fruit Acres Farm worried Ellen Prillwitz. Without rain in July, fruit growers faced the prospect of smaller grapes, apples and peaches. Leaves had started to drop off corn stalks, and without rain, soybean and alfalfa harvests could have failed, Staton said.
• Cheaper fares push travelers to other airports
  Aug 9, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Derrick is among many local travelers who say they rarely use the Kalamazoo airport because they can find better deals elsewhere. Grand Rapids was $31 cheaper than Kalamazoo, the report found after comparing airport fares for passengers departing from Great Lakes airports from April 1, 2008, to March 31. Derrick said that she was ``bummed'' she couldn't find a cheaper ticket out of Kalamazoo, and reluctantly chose to fly out of Grand Rapids.
• Battery grants awardedHolland project among winners of grants for Michigan battery-related work
  Aug 6, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Ford Motor Co. expects to use the JCI-Saft batteries in a future plug-in hybrid vehicle. The county could score another big win if LG Chem Ltd. opts to build its lithium ion battery-cell plant in Holland. July v fortu PowerCell launches search for site to manufacture advanced-battery cells in West Michigan.
• Can KPS sustain early education reforms?
  Aug 2, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Kellye Wood, who headed Michigan State University's Childhood Development Laboratory, recently became the new KPS preschool coordinator. Rice fuels movement Kalamazoo's efforts on early-childhood education have been spearheaded by Michael Rice, who became KPS superintendent in 2007. Funding woes threaten effort The KPS board and the Greater Kalamazoo community is rallying around the importance of early-childhood services.
• Area could see its `all-time ... coolest July'
  Jul 31, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Western Michigan University, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Borgess Medical Center and Pfizer Inc. all reported using less energy for cooling their facilities during June. Borgess used about 100,000 kilowatt-hours less of electricity this June compared to last June, Buzzell said. Bronson used 3.83 million kwh of electricity this June, 606,000 kwh less than last June, said Lisa Hardesty, manager of environment of care and sustainability at Bronson.
• `We're going to get through this'Businesses told South Westnedge will remain open during I-94 project
  Jul 30, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Closed both years will be some ramps at the I-94/Westnedge interchange and the southbound Portage Road ramp to westbound I-94. Unlike the previous I-94 widening project at Oakland Drive, the project at Westnedge will not require closures of I-94. For the Westnedge overpass, I-94 traffic does not have to be routed up and down the Westnedge ramps because the highway goes over Westnedge.
• Buyers flock to get cash for clunkersFederal program offers up to $4,500 for gas-guzzlers
  Jul 28, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  The federal initiative, officially the Car Allowance Rebate System, awards $3,500 or $4,500 rebates on car purchases when owners trade in qualifying used cars for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Cole said the import dealership had sold ``at least 30'' new cars with the federal rebate as of 4 p.m. Monday. Chrysler is offering cash or interest-free financing for 72 months.
• KPS tentatively cuts preschool
  Jul 24, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Instead, KPS Superintendent Michael Rice announced Thursday that its Prekindergarten Early Education Program (PEEP) is tentatively suspended for 2009-10, based on plans by Republican state legislators to eliminate state funding for preschool. In Kalamazoo County, more than 600 students participated in the preschool program. Other districts may follow Other school districts are considering actions similar to those taken by KPS.
• `Green' company eyes Interstate 94 in Van Buren Co.
  Jul 15, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  That's according to Van Buren County Economic Development Director Edward VanderVries. VanderVries said an out-of-state company is looking at a building in the I-94 Corridor property, located between Hartford and Watervliet. VanderVries made the announcement at Tuesday's meeting of the Van Buren County Board of Commissioners as part of a discussion to reactivate the former 14-member Solid Waste Planning Committee.
• Airport to mow fields short to discourage birds from nesting
  Jul 14, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Tuesday, July 14, 2009 Kalamazoo BY AARON AUPPERLEE aaupperlee@kalamazoogazette.com (269) 388-8553 KALAMAZOO -- The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport would rather not have birds call it home. Moshoginis said he plans to present the bird-inventory report to the airport's wildlife committee. Five other species, the grasshopper sparrow, horned lark, eastern meadowlark, field sparrow and common grackle, are on the Audubon Society's list of 20 common birds in decline.
• WMU trustees to explore if tuition should vary by degree
  Jul 11, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  The cost for public higher education, however, has shifted to students. Today, the state provides about one third of WMU's total budget, with tuition making up the balance. The process deepened a division between professors and then-President Judith I. Bailey and then-Provost Linda Delene. ``We had the wrong person at the wrong time,'' Martin said of Bailey.
• ENERGY LEGISLATIONUpton says he fears bill could hurt jobs
  Jul 1, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  By 2012, energy costs for the average customer will increase by 13 percent; 22 percent by 2020; and 38 percent by 2024, according to a Consumers Energy study on impacts of the Waxman-Markey Bill. Nearly 60 percent of Michigan's energy comes from coal, Upton said. The legislation would require a reduction in greenhouse and carbon emissions by 17 percent from 2005 to 2020 and an 83 percent reduction by 2050.
• FAA closes weather-watching station
  Jul 1, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Weather observers had studied the sky outside every hour to double check the automated weather readings on conditions. The cost-saving measure should not affect safety for passengers, said Airport Director Cliff Moshoginis. The Kalamazoo/Battle Creek airport also will build a new $40 million terminal that is expected to open in 2011.
• More towns feel benefits of a `Promise'Conferees continue to praise Kalamazoo scholarship plan
  Jun 28, 2009 — Kalamazoo Gazette
  Kalamazoo officials readily acknowledged that others may be looking at Kalamazoo through rose-colored glasses. El Dorado, Ark., whose school district is half the size of Kalamazoo's, got $50 million in 2006 from the Murphy Oil Corp. to launch the El Dorado Promise. The percentage is even lower for first-generation college students, a population heavily represented in communities such as Pittsburgh, Denver and Kalamazoo.