ANN ARBOR BUSINESS

Local Small Business, Market Updates, Economy, Finance News & More

Here are some of our observations and conversations that give us confidence that local retailers have a chance of posting decent sales this year despite the overall economy.... Full story »

We all have the friends and family members who are impossible to shop for. No present seems good enough. They're probably better off buying their own gift. They're the perfect candidates for the "easy way out" present - gift cards.... Full story »

Black Friday gets all of the attention for launching the holiday retail season. But it looks like retailers are trying to get shopping momentum started early, thanks to the multiple pre-Black Friday sales advertised to get people into stores today.... Full story »

The Detroit Economic Growth Corp., NSF International, Ypsilanti's Clean Energy Coalition and are hiring. Full story »

Details of the six proposals for Ann Arbor's “Library Lot” were published today, raising plenty of speculation about what could end up on the downtown site. But it’s still important to consider the real question about the future of the... Full story »

Michigan has some natural advantages that could help it become a significant player in the renewable energy sector, but challenges remain with the financing and public policy necessary to make it happen, according to a panel of entrepreneurs and industry... Full story »

Michigan was again tops among states for monthly unemployment figures in October despite falling slightly to 15.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. It marks the 44th consecutive month that Michigan has at least tied for the nation's highest jobless rate. Full story »

Black Friday isn't just about shoppers, Michigan-based mall operator Taubman reminds us. It's also about the store and mall employees who have to get up even earlier than the shoppers to stock and staff the stores that open as early... Full story »

The holiday season is upon us and soon it will be Christmas trees and holiday lights, crowded malls and shopping bags. But, shoppers will not be the only ones rushing around this holiday season. Retailers all over the country will... Full story »

Individuals who have certified for unemployment benefits or the recently enacted extensions can contact the automated MARVIN system by telephone or online Monday through Saturday. The UIA expects up to 80,000 displaced workers who have exhausted their benefit payments will begin claiming eligibility for the Emergency Unemployment Compensation extensions next week. Full story »

As many commenters noted on yesterday's post on the economists' predictions for the U.S. economy, predictions are only that – predictions. These are smart economists, yes, but their forecast for 2009, made this time last year as the recession was burrowing deeper, severely undershot the severity of the crisis. Full story »

(Note: AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey is live blogging the economic forecast starting at 9:30 a.m. Log in and share your thoughts and questions.)A severe jobs crisis will continue to haunt Michigan as the state’s unemployment rate tops 15 percent through the... Full story »

The deal for Ann Arbor medical devices firm HandyLab, a promising technology company often held up as a bright spot in the local economy, has been finalized by New Jersey-based medical devices manufacturer Becton, Dickinson and Company. BD paid $275... Full story »

Nearly half of the nearly 11,000 jobs posted on an online jobs board that lists openings with venture capital-backed companies are in engineering, product development, science and quality assurance, the National Venture Capital Association said Thursday. Full story »

Shoppers face a dizzying array of offers of help in the form of new Web sites, services and mobile phone applications as they set out for their holiday shopping this year. To make the most of new services, experts advise... Full story »