economy

Each month, we partner with the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber to look at how the news of the day impacts the local business community. For this month's "Washtenaw Business Lens," WEMU's Caroline MacGregor was joined by Andy LaBarre, Executive Vice President and Director of Government Relations for the Chamber, and Destination Ann Arbor Director of Community Engagement Jennifer Chizek to talk about the upcoming tourism season and what Destination Ann Arbor predicts for this summer and fall.

Environmental concerns continue to surround data centers, and there are a number either approved or planned in Washtenaw County. Supporters of these centers contend there are ways to ensure environmental health while improving the local economy. We’ve explored environmental concerns on WEMU’s "Issues of the Environment." This time around, we’ll get a business perspective on it. Phil Santer is Chief Operating Officer for Ann Arbor SPARK, and he joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the economics of these data centers.

Washtenaw County’s economy is expected to continue to see measured growth over the next three years, even as risks persist. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

Interest rates, loans and investment strategies—it all plays into the health of individual businesses and the Washtenaw County business community as a whole. How are we doing right now? WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Executive Vice President Andy LaBarre check in with Erik Bakker from Bank of Ann Arbor for a better perspective on well-being of our local business community, now and in the near-term future.

The University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP) gathers research that offers insight into the fiscal health of rural and urban communities. WEMU’s Caorline MacGregor talks to CLOSUP Director Stephanie Leiser about their annual Michigan Public Policy Survey, which has implications for Michigan’s local government leaders from 1,328 counties, cities, villages, and townships statewide.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive directive Thursday calling on state departments to compile information on how President Donald Trump’s tariffs affected Michigan. We have more from Rick Pluta.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently gave her final State of the State address. Politics and policy most certainly have an impact on the health and well-being of the business community. Rich Chang is the Chief of Staff of Blumira, a Washtenaw County-based cyber security firm. He joined WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Executive Vice President Andy LaBarre to talk about how the business community is faring through political uncertainty.

There is a long tradition of teenagers and young adults getting summer jobs to save up some money while school is out of session. It has seemingly become more difficult to land one of these jobs. That’s where SummerWorks comes in. Through partnership and collaboration, the SummerWorks summer youth employment program works with area employers to find paid internships and mentorship to area young people. It can go beyond a few summer dollars and be a pathway to self-discovery, an educational path and/or a career. WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber Executive Vice President Andy LaBarre talked with program manager Kathleen Clancey about the program and how your kids and grandkids can get involved.

Michigan environmental advocates are worried about the federal government repealing a scientific finding on greenhouse gas emissions. Colin Jackson has more.

Reactions to President Donald Trump’s threats to delay the opening of the new border crossing between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, are starting to fall along party lines. As Sarah Cwiek and Colin Jackson state in this joint report, the White House says Trump wants to renegotiate the bridge agreement.