WASHINGTON -- Though recent distress in financial markets has "deepened" the housing slump, the overall economy has seen little impact so far, the U.S. Federal Reserve said Wednesday. That assessment, contained in the latest beige book, suggests that while a rate cut in two weeks may still be likely, officials may not see the same
ANN ARBOR - The Great Lakes Entrepreneur's Quest has launched the 8th year of its business plan competition and training program for entrepreneurs statewide, with cash prizes worth $120,000. GLEQ provides Michigan's technology entrepreneurs training, coaching and investor feedback as part of its two-phase business plan competition. Phase I, which focuses on the executive summary,
LANSING - Among the proposals circulating to address deficits in the Michigan fiscal year 2007-08 budget is a constitutional amendment to increase the sales tax to 7 percent. But business groups were split Tuesday on whether that was a wise solution to the budget problems. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has opposed the 1-cent increase,
LANSING - At this year's Labor Day, unions find themselves struggling with many of the same issues as in recent years, such as dwindling memberships, and defending themselves against many of the same arguments, for example that unions drive up labor costs, said AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney. However, as the labor group gears up to
LANSING - Though officials for the last several years have raised concerns about the high unemployment rate in Michigan, especially compared to other states, the greater concern should be the growth in low-wage and poverty-wage jobs, said the Michigan League for Human Services in a report released over the weekend. Though unemployment since 2003 has
LANSING - The Michigan Strategic Fund dedicated more of the money from the 21st Century Jobs Fund set aside for venture capital funds, granting up to $7.5 million to Ardesta Ventures of Ann Arbor to create a $100 million nanotech and alternative energy fund. Nano technology and alternative energy are the interests of the three
LANSING - With little more than a month remaining before the start of the 2007-08 fiscal year, Gov. Jennifer Granholm vowed Tuesday she would do everything within her power to prevent the government from shutting down due to legislative inability to resolve the budget. She said that threats of attempted recalls should not deter legislators
LANSING ? Michigan had more than one million people, or almost 10 percent of its population living without health insurance, in a household where the median income fell by $251 from 2005 to 2006. The figures come from the March 2007 U.S. Census. The report also found that the state was among the tops in
DETROIT - Focus: HOPE's Information Technologies Center received a national award from the Computing Technology Industry Association that recognizes its success in training, certifying and placing students in technology careers. The Industry Best Practices Award was presented at CompTIA?s Breakaway conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. ?Focus: HOPE is delivering training and education solutions to its
LANSING - With Michigan projecting a $1.8 billion deficit for the coming fiscal year, at least some of the budget dollars will have to come from savings in what has to be spent. Management and Budget Director Lisa Webb Sharpe is looking for those savings, but expects much will be found in places already explored.