About 75 representatives from more than 50 Great Lakes Bay Region businesses gathered today in Bay City to hear about ways to make their businesses more successful. Representatives from downtown Bay City stores to banks were present at the Delta College Planetarium Space Explorer's Hall, 100 Center, for a seminar by Bob Negen, a business training speaker who founded... Full story »

Cottage Inn Pizza officials have responded to charges brought about in a lawsuit that former Bay City and Midland franchise owner, Lester E. Myers, is a party to. The 19-page lawsuit, involving Myers and other franchise owners, alleges Cottage Inn is in violation of contract agreements, violating Michigan's franchise investment law, conspiracy, fraud and other charges. George Michos, owner... Full story »

Company officials at Simon Property Group had stern words for the owners of the Bay City Mall after the Chicago-based real estate investment trust failed to pounce on a buy-out offer that would have saved it from bankruptcy. “Given the clear risks of pursuing an alternative plan, the current state of the retail industry and your company’s past history... Full story »

Bay City has one of the most affordable housing markets in the country, according to a report released today by the National Association of Home Builders. The Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index showed that 70.8 percent of all new and existing homes bought throughout the country in the final quarter of 2009 were affordable to families earning the national... Full story »

Consumers Energy officials say they are concerned about recent reports of individuals posing as utility employees to gain personal financial information over the telephone.  Impostors have been reported across the state, said Mary A. Gust, a company spokeswoman. Five more incidents were reported last week. “For example, calls have been received by customers who are senior citizens from a... Full story »

The U.S. Department of agriculture has named 74 Michigan counties as primary natural disaster areas. The designation will allow hundreds of farmers to receive help, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The said many farmers suffered “significant production losses” to a wide variety of crops. “President Obama and I understand these conditions caused severe damage to the area and serious... Full story »

After years of financial struggle, the Bay City Country Club has a new — and familiar — owner with a plan to make the exclusive club more public. Bay City businessman Art Dore on Friday took ownership of the club, 7255 Three Mile in Frankenlust Township. “We’ve been working on this for quite some time now,” said Dore, 73,... Full story »

As the new president and CEO of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, John Lore wants to bring thousands of jobs to the region and revive an area he says was once known as the “Golden Triangle” of the Midwest. At a Bay Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting in Bay City this week, about 300 people heard Lore... Full story »

The future of electric vehicles is now, and The Dow Chemical Co. is helping pave the way, officials say. The Midland-based chemical giant is making a splash this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a 37,000-square-foot “Electric Avenue” exhibit. The avenue, sponsored by Dow, showcases electric vehicles from a variety of companies, including Nissan,... Full story »

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc., of Thornton, Colo., has reportedly hired former Dow Corning Global Director of New Business Programs Robert Johns as vice president of sales. Johns worked for Bay County-based Dow Corning Corp. for 29 years before retiring last year. As global director, his responsibilities included a portfolio of new business teams focused on high-growth markets including solar,... Full story »

U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, has joined a newly formed Congressional Jobs Now Caucus.  The bipartisan caucus was established to advocate for policy initiatives that foster job creation in all areas of employment and industry, Stupak said in a news release. The caucus held its first meeting last week. More than 128 members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, have... Full story »

Bay City Mayor Charles M. Brunner is urging Carquest Corp. officials to resolve contract disputes with union members locked out of the Bay City distribution center since late September. In a letter to Carquest President Temple Sloan III, Brunner asked for “productive discussions” as negotiators for the company and United Steel Workers Local 12934-02 return to the table Dec.... Full story »

State Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, has filed paperwork with the state to create Northeast Michigan Future Inc., a nonprofit whose mission will be to consolidate economic development strategies in the northeastern Lower Peninsula.  The new corporation is modeled after similar successful regional endeavors in other areas of the state, Sheltrown said in a news release. Sheltrown said state... Full story »

MADISON, Wis. — A well-known University of Wisconsin-Madison residence hall is long gone, but a multimillion dollar dispute over its demolition, which culminated when a falling concrete block crushed a car, lives on. Dore & Associates of Bay City, Michigan, is asking the state for $1.7 million in damages for losses stemming from its work tearing down Ogg Hall,... Full story »

State Rep. Jeff Mayes, D-Bay City, says he supports a resolution to overturn a governor’s executive order impacting the Department of Agriculture. Mayes calls the order from Gov. Jennifer Granholm “a threat to one of Michigan's most important industries.” On Thursday, the governor signed an executive order that guts the role of the Michigan Agriculture Commission, stripping the publicly-accountable,... Full story »