AGP Executive Report

Childcare & Early Education: Michigan’s new FY2027 budget targets high childcare costs with $30 million to expand Great Start Readiness Program access and a new $5 million ongoing childcare fund, plus added support for Early On services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays. Local Business Resilience: After an anti-Islam rally in Dearborn drew hundreds and led to 22 arrests, local Arab American business owners reported a “business as usual” rebound—plus extra community support and foot traffic. Surveillance & Privacy Fight: Madison Heights is set to vote on cementing the removal of a controversial Flock camera outside a JARS dispensary; the dispute centers on privacy backlash and whether the store ever had access to the device. Labor Market Watch: Initial jobless claims ticked up to 206,000, while broader signals point to a more fragile labor market even as Michigan showed notable declines. State Economic Relief: Michigan’s MI Affordable Loan program RFP seeks lenders for same-day, on-demand small-dollar loans up to $1,200 with an APR cap of 36%, aiming to close equity gaps in access to credit. Brownfield Jobs: EGLE awarded a $470,000 grant to clean up a contaminated Lansing industrial site, paving the way for two businesses and about 30 full-time jobs. Tech & Infrastructure: US Signal expanded its OpenCloud platform with ARM compute for AI inference and small language model workloads, reflecting continued Michigan-area interest in data centers and AI infrastructure.

LIV Golf’s Michigan exit: The league scrapped its Aug. 27-30 team championship in Michigan, making Indianapolis the season finale as CEO Scott O’Neil insisted LIV is still working on a complex 2027 plan that would restore player commercial rights and add equity. Detroit-area labor & schools: A 25-year-old youth advocate, Jeremiah Steen, joined the Detroit school board, saying his focus will include workforce development and college/career readiness. Workforce squeeze for summer businesses: Earlier school starts are cutting into teen staffing for Michigan-area summer operators, forcing schedule changes. EGLE brownfield push: EGLE awarded $3.9M for seven brownfield projects aimed at new housing and jobs, including mixed-use redevelopments and contaminated-site cleanups. Local business closures: DogSlinger in Stevensville announced its last day Aug. 31 after about five and a half years. Consumer & fraud watch: BBB Scam Tracker data showed Michigan cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids leading scam-report counts in July, underscoring ongoing fraud risk for residents and businesses.

Rail Funding: Gov. Tony Evers and Sen. Tammy Baldwin announced Wisconsin secured $140M+ in federal rail money to upgrade up to 41 Amtrak Charger locomotives serving Midwest routes. Data Center Friction: Ypsilanti Township approved a six-month land-use moratorium on major electric utility infrastructure, targeting power needs for a University of Michigan/LANL research data center. Tech & Water: Google will donate $1.1M to upgrade City Utilities’ water treatment plant in Indiana, tied to reducing water use for data center operations. Online Gaming: BetMGM Michigan added opt-in progressive “Jackpots” to more than 200 casino games, including a Mega pool starting at $500,000. Local Business/Community: Northern Michigan University Foundation topped $10M in philanthropic support in a fiscal year for the first time. Public Safety: A Consumers Energy lineman died after an electrical incident in Henderson, with MIOSHA investigating. Sports: The Tigers fell 4-1 to the Pirates as Braxton Ashcraft struck out four and Oneil Cruz homered.

Battery Manufacturing: LG Energy Solution began full operations at its Lansing plant, expanding North American output and adding ESS-focused LFP battery production, with capacity targeting 35+ GWh and supplies tied to Toyota and power/AI data-center customers. Energy Costs: AAA says Michigan gas prices rose again, averaging $4.27 a gallon after a 19-cent jump, driven by higher crude oil prices amid ongoing Middle East supply risk. Local Business & Grants: Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist visited Munising’s Upper Peninsula Inspired, highlighting a $25,000 Match on Main reimbursement grant that funded a courtyard expansion and added a food kitchen. Housing Snapshot: HUD data show many Michigan cities holding steady public housing counts in 2025 (including Flint at 602, Algonac at 70, Evart at 109, Romulus at 101, and Livonia at 150), underscoring limited unit changes even as voucher and project-based totals vary. Data Center Politics: House Speaker Mike Johnson warned against a federal data-center moratorium, arguing for a “measured approach” while local communities should be trusted—contrasting with Kalamazoo’s one-year data center pause approved by city leaders. Public Safety: A mass shooting in Missaukee County killed six people, leaving residents shocked and on edge. Community Services: Ypsilanti District Library’s Michigan Avenue branch closed temporarily after bed bugs were found, with events canceled until treatment is completed.

Main Street Boost: Gaylord earned Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Main Street “Select Level,” unlocking five years of MEDC technical help aimed at revitalization, new residents, investment, and jobs. Healthcare Policy Fight: Attorney General Dana Nessel sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements, arguing the rule narrows exemptions for medically vulnerable people and risks coverage losses. Energy & Consumer Impact: Michigan regulators asked lawmakers to end annual rate hikes and change how Consumers Energy and DTE make money, a move tied to affordability concerns. Auto Supply Milestone: MAHLE marked 80 years at its St. Johns, Michigan piston ring plant, highlighting ongoing demand for lower-wear, better-sealing engine components. Data Center Pressure: A new look at Michigan’s data center push weighs why projects are expanding and the local issues—power, water, land use, and potential ratepayer costs. Retail Expansion: Bealls Inc. announced its first Michigan stores, with six openings this fall and more planned for 2027. Business Lending Relief: SBA disaster Economic Injury Disaster Loans remain available for eligible Michigan counties hit by spring storms, with an application deadline of March 30, 2027.

Invasive Species Watch: Illinois DNR says hundreds of juvenile silver carp were found on the Illinois River about 80 miles from Lake Michigan, prompting stepped-up electrofishing and renewed adult carp fishing in September as officials monitor for a possible spawning event. Venture Capital & Biotech: Michigan Venture Capital Association is launching VentureTrack 2026 in Ann Arbor to grow the state’s venture investor bench, pointing to nearly 48,000 bioscience jobs and $56B in impact as the prize. Housing Costs (Public Sector): New HUD data show Marquette County public housing averaged $466/month in 2025, while Isabella County averaged $350—another reminder that local rent burdens vary widely even within HUD programs. Auto & Supply Chain Shock: GM layoffs tied to Lansing plants are set to begin Jan. 14, 2027, with 350 jobs affected and local business owners warning the ripple effects will hit nearby shops and restaurants. Energy & Power Policy: Michigan AG Dana Nessel says she’ll challenge DOE’s latest order keeping the J.H. Campbell coal plant running through Nov. 14, arguing the grid “emergency” case doesn’t hold. Consumer Mood Hits Livestock: CME cattle and hog futures drifted lower as University of Michigan consumer sentiment fell to 51, while wholesale beef and pork cutout prices moved in mixed directions. Fraud Trends: BBB Scam Tracker data show Detroit leads Michigan with 43 scam reports in July, and multiple cities tied for high rankings—useful for businesses and consumers planning risk controls.

Auto Trade Watch: Reuters reports Ford, GM and Stellantis are preparing a lobbying push over proposed North American trade changes that could raise the U.S.-content bar for lower tariffs—an added risk for Michigan-made vehicles. DNR & Fisheries Funding: Michigan’s DNR Fisheries Division says staffing and fish stocking cutbacks are likely as costs rise and new budget help is largely one-time, with major impacts on stocking plans. K-12 School Funding: A new analysis argues that plans to improve Michigan’s schools hinge on how the state funds public education, with spending levels tied to student outcomes. Unemployment Rules: Michigan is tightening unemployment eligibility: claimants must show three work-search activities each week starting July 19, or risk losing benefits. Higher Ed Access: Michigan College Access Network and EAB are rolling out MI College Match, aiming to offer direct college admission to students through 350+ high schools. Conservation Deal: Michigan plans to buy 4,494 acres near the Keweenaw Peninsula to protect land from private development while preserving public access. Consumer Pressure: University of Michigan data shows consumer sentiment fell to 51 in August, with higher fuel prices weighing on convenience-store spending. Child Support Enforcement: AG Dana Nessel highlights the Child Support Unit’s collections of more than $470 million since 2003, benefiting nearly 31,500 children. Local Culture & Community: Lowell Arts’ Muralocity campaign will add five new murals, including downtown and park locations, as part of its first public art push.

Energy & Business Climate: Michigan’s antitrust lawsuit against major oil companies is raising alarms for employers that rely on predictable, affordable power. Consumer Protection: Michigan’s Consumer Protection Act is getting renewed attention in opinion pieces arguing the state needs enforcement muscle to curb unfair and deceptive business practices. Housing & Costs: Opinion also targets the financial strain on new parents and the broader challenge of keeping housing affordable. Local Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Sturgis logged three scam reports in July, with online purchase scams driving the biggest losses. Public Housing Snapshot: Macomb County public housing households reported $17,542 income in 2025, paying about $399 a month in rent (roughly 27% of income). Fuel Prices: Midgrade gas hit a low of $4.49 in Lapeer County for the week ending Aug. 8, with Michigan’s statewide average at $4.85. Defense Tech & Drones: The U.S. Army is opening select test ranges to private drone firms without requiring existing government partnerships. Small Business Openings: AndyS is set to open in downtown Ludington after delays, adding a new restaurant, sports bar and entertainment venue.

Data Centers & Local Power/Water Strain: Wixom, Michigan advanced revisions to its zoning rules for data centers after a 180-day moratorium, as residents and officials weigh electricity, water, and noise impacts. Housing Costs: A new analysis highlights why affordable apartments often cost more to build than market-rate units—driven by land prices, financing complexity, and permitting delays—while pointing to Colorado as a model for lowering costs. Retail & Consumer Pressure: Markets digested weaker July retail sales and a drop in University of Michigan consumer sentiment, with investors watching upcoming earnings from Walmart, Target, and Home Depot for signs consumers are still spending. Food Supply & Import Competition: A fresh report says U.S. fruit and vegetable production has fallen since 2010 while imports rose about 70%, squeezing growers during key harvest overlaps and raising food-security concerns. Michigan Policy & Rights Debate: Michigan voters will decide in 2027 whether to convene a constitutional convention, a high-stakes choice that could reshape state governance. Surveillance Tech Backlash: A Princeton, N.J. petition targets Flock Safety cameras and broader license-plate reader concerns, echoing privacy fights that are also playing out in Michigan communities. Business Finance & Growth: Detroit’s Arboretum Detroit is expanding green space on vacant lots in Poletown East, planting 1,800+ trees since 2019 as an alternative to speculation.

Public Safety: Michigan State Police say Chad Hickman, 39, had a criminal history tied to child abuse and domestic abuse before he was found dead after a Missaukee County mass shooting that killed five others and left one person in critical condition. Sports & Local Economy: The Tigers’ Tarik Skubal trade prospect Brady Smith left his High-A start with an apparent right-arm injury after 1.1 innings, the latest ripple from Detroit’s deadline deal. Insurance & Regulation: Michigan’s Department of Insurance and Financial Services won a five-year NAIC reaccreditation after a financial oversight review, keeping its accreditation active since 1995. Politics & Business Climate: The DNC approved a new 2028 presidential primary calendar that puts Michigan on Feb. 22, after South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire and New Mexico—an early-state shift that could shape candidate outreach and spending. Consumer & Food Safety: USDA recalled 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef over a possible listeria risk; no illnesses reported. Housing Watch: New HUD-style occupancy reporting shows public housing remains highly filled across multiple Michigan counties, with Wayne County at 76% occupied in 2025.

Consumer Economy: U.S. retail sales fell 0.6% in July and the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index dropped to 51 in August, as inflation worries and Iran-related uncertainty weigh on households. Markets: Stocks slipped at the close as oil prices rose on renewed Iran risk, while traders dialed back expectations for Fed hikes after softer data. Michigan Housing: Delta County’s public housing occupancy fell to 93% in 2025 (down from 94% in 2024), leaving about 17 units vacant; the county also reported separate HUD-assisted categories including vouchers and project-based assistance. Michigan Tech/Privacy: Michigan AG Dana Nessel reissued a data-breach consumer alert, pointing to recent breaches and pushing for faster breach reporting rules. Michigan Infrastructure: MDOT will start a $3.1 million U.S. 131 repaving project near Cadillac on Aug. 17, with lane and ramp closures through Nov. 6. Retail Expansion: Cold Stone Creamery is seeking franchise partners to add 8–12 Michigan locations over the next four years, including a planned Detroit opening this fall.

Trade & E-commerce: The U.S. Court of International Trade upheld Trump’s elimination of the de minimis exemption, dealing a blow to low-cost importers and e-commerce shippers that relied on duty-free treatment for packages under $800. Health Care: Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital says it can’t accept trauma patients by ambulance while it works to regain its trauma designation, a “big challenge” tied to state-approved routing lists. Workforce & Training: North Central Michigan College opens the Martin Jahn Technology Center, a $22M expansion aimed at advanced manufacturing and skilled trades. Local Governance (Data Centers): Coldwater will hold a Monday joint meeting to draft zoning rules for high-utility data centers after public concern, with officials stressing there are no active proposals. Privacy & Public Safety: Flock Safety overhauls its license plate reader privacy policy, cutting data retention to seven days and adding offense-based sharing controls. Auto & Supply Chain: Stellantis is considering closing and selling its idled Brampton, Ontario plant, blaming U.S. tariffs and roiling North American auto production plans. Markets: Stocks slipped on weak U.S. retail sales and falling consumer sentiment, keeping Fed-rate expectations in flux.

Auto Theft Crackdown: Michigan AG Dana Nessel says a Detroit-area man, Caesar Cooper, was sentenced to 5-20 years for running a Metro Detroit auto theft ring that targeted vehicles from storage lots and dealerships. Privacy & CDL Data Fight: Nessel and a coalition sued the Trump administration over demands that the AAMVA hand over sensitive driver data tied to 17 million records, arguing the move violates privacy laws and was done without proper state consultation. Scam Warning: Nessel also reissued alerts on bank/credit union imposter scams using caller ID spoofing, urging residents to hang up and call financial institutions directly. Politics Meets Misinformation: After Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, fact-checkers flagged false claims circulating online about voting and his record. Trade Policy Shock: A federal trade court upheld Trump’s scrapping of the de minimis duty-free loophole for goods under $800, a ruling that could reshape costs for importers. Workforce & Growth: Mentavi Health was named a Crain’s Best Places to Work in West Michigan, highlighting continued hiring and expansion. Manufacturing Training Push: Apple opened a Houston advanced manufacturing center with Foxconn, offering no-cost training for small and medium-sized businesses. Local Health System Change: Dental Clinics North will transition management to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, with all clinics expected to stay open.

Food Safety & Supply Chain: A chef in Pennsylvania says he’ll drop popular jalapeño dishes rather than keep buying from Taylor Farms after multiple recalls and outbreaks, while the company insists its safety protocols are “paramount.” Trade & Tariffs: The U.S. Court of International Trade backed Trump’s move to end the “de minimis” tariff exemption for low-value imports, a rare win that keeps Detroit Axle’s tariff challenge alive. EV Battery Manufacturing: GM and LG Energy Solution are restarting the Ultium Cells battery plant in Warren, bringing about 1,400 workers back after a demand-driven slowdown. Local Retail: Meijer is opening a smaller-format Meijer Grocery in Livonia Aug. 19, adding full produce, bakery, meat/seafood/deli, pharmacy, and more in a 75,000-square-foot footprint. Public Health Costs: A Michigan-based study estimates wildfire smoke from Canada caused Michigan losses of $6.6B+—the highest among affected states. Fraud & Consumer Risk: BBB Scam Tracker shows Portage logged three scam reports in July, while Michigan’s broader scam problem remains concentrated in major metros like Detroit and Grand Rapids.

Antitrust & Right to Repair: The FTC, with five states, reached a settlement with Deere in its antitrust case over repair restrictions on John Deere equipment; the deal still needs court approval and is separate from Deere’s other ongoing repair-related litigation. Michigan Politics: Republican gubernatorial nominee John James named state Rep. Jay DeBoyer as running mate, citing his business background and election oversight experience. Marijuana Policy: A Michigan bill would repeal the state’s 24% wholesale cannabis tax, arguing collections are far below projections and could ease costs for licensed operators. Healthcare Costs: A new report highlights how hospital monopolies and consolidation can push up procedure prices, raising costs for patients and insurers. Detroit Business Growth: TechTown Detroit announced the 2026 Detroit Elevate cohort, selecting 25 entrepreneurs for pitch-building and growth support. Sports Business & Local Interest: LIV Golf canceled its Michigan season-ending Team Championship in Detroit, shifting the finale to Indianapolis. Earnings Watch: Rockwell Medical posted a Q2 loss and revenue update, while Wolverine World Wide reported stronger-than-expected Q2 results.

State Constitutional Rewrite: Michigan voters will decide in November whether to convene a constitutional convention that could rewrite the state’s governing document, with delegates chosen in a follow-up election and a final voter approval after the convention adjourns. Auto Manufacturing: Ford says it will boost U.S. production of Lincoln vehicles starting in 2030 and eventually stop importing China-built models for U.S. customers, aiming to create thousands of jobs. Energy & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps approved a key permit for Enbridge’s Line 5 Great Lakes tunnel project, though construction still faces other legal and regulatory hurdles. Skilled Trades Education: Schoolcraft College in Livonia is partnering with the bricklayers union to let apprentices earn college credit for on-the-job training. Data Center Backlash: Dowagiac residents sued a data center operator over nonstop noise, arguing inadequate soundproofing after the site shifted from other industrial use to cryptocurrency mining. Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled jalapeño-containing products in multiple states, including Michigan, due to potential Salmonella contamination.