AGP Executive Report

Energy & Grid Strain: A searing heat dome is pushing July 4 electricity demand toward record levels, with Michigan in the heat-advisory stretch and outages reported across the region. Power Reliability: Lakewood’s second-day outage left about 1,200 customers scrambling, including a diabetic resident racing to keep insulin cold. Public Health: Michigan is seeing a growing cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to a parasite that can contaminate produce and water; officials urge careful food handling as cases climb across multiple counties. Auto Industry: Ford reported a steep 40% drop in EV sales in the second quarter, underscoring cooling demand even as broader vehicle sales shift. State Policy: Michigan lawmakers passed a bipartisan FY27 budget deal, with leaders highlighting cost relief, health care access, housing, and road investments. Manufacturing/Trade: Tariffs and inflation are nudging some Michigan-area businesses toward domestic, reuse-based models that avoid import shocks. Infrastructure: The Gordie Howe bridge project’s total cost remains $6.4B CAD despite delays, per the federal authority overseeing it. Local Economy: A Kresge Foundation slate of 10 Detroit Artist Fellows will receive $50,000 each, supporting creative work tied to neighborhood futures.

Energy Storage & Manufacturing: LG Energy Solution-Honda’s U.S. battery joint venture has started mass-producing lithium iron phosphate batteries for energy storage systems in Ohio, shifting from the original EV plan as the local EV market cooled. Infrastructure & Construction: MDOT begins M-55 bridge repairs July 6 in Wexford/Manistee with single-lane traffic and temporary signals, part of a broader corridor investment. Road Safety & Weather: Heavy rain is forcing closures and detours on multiple Northern Michigan routes, including washouts on M-119 and other state roads. Cross-Border Trade: Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens says it’s better to keep the Gordie Howe Bridge closed than accept a “bad deal,” as the Trump administration delays opening despite the bridge being financed by Canada. Public Works & Local Economy: Delta County’s road commission will start chip sealing July 6–20, warning drivers about loose aggregate hazards. Sustainability: Michigan’s Green Communities Challenge recognized 68 local governments for energy efficiency, recycling, mobility and resilience efforts. Consumer/Workforce: Whitmer extended Michigan’s summer fuel requirements to keep lower-cost gasoline available, aiming to save motorists 10–20 cents per gallon.

Child Welfare Law: A Michigan bill dubbed “Serenity’s Law” would carve out exceptions to the state’s definition of “child neglect,” after a Branch County mother faced CPS scrutiny for refusing a doctor-recommended biopsy for her daughter. Public Health: Michigan is tracking a fast-growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, with more than 225 cases across 21 counties and Detroit reported by July 1, and officials warning many cases may be missed without the right lab testing. Food Safety & Agriculture: MDARD is pushing Independence Day food-safety reminders as produce-linked illness concerns rise, while Michigan young farmers say high lamb prices are creating new entry opportunities despite land costs. Energy & Infrastructure: A heat wave is straining the power grid and driving up electricity costs, and Metro Detroit communities are asking residents to shift outdoor water use to off-peak hours. Auto & Manufacturing: Schwab Industries is set to build the “body in white” for Telo’s tiny electric truck, and Michigan’s hybrid boom is still leaving Detroit automakers short on supply. Local Development: Swartz Creek schools are weighing a second $40M bid tied to a proposed megasite plan, reigniting controversy over taxpayer-funded deals.

Energy & Grid Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy declared a heat-wave energy emergency affecting PJM, which supplies power to Michigan among other states, and ordered curtailments that could hit data centers to prevent blackouts. State Policy: Michigan lawmakers extended Gov. Whitmer’s executive order to keep lower-cost summer gasoline available through the rest of the season, aiming to cut pump prices by 10–20 cents per gallon. Manufacturing Expansion: Barron Industries is acquiring TriTech Titanium Parts’ investment-casting assets in Detroit to expand vacuum-melt titanium casting capacity, targeting aerospace, defense and industrial customers with operations expected in Q4 2026. Industrial Tech: Wiferion introduced a platform-based industrial robot charging lineup (CW1500/CW3300/CW6000) designed for consistent global deployments. Food Safety: MDARD issued Fourth of July food-safety reminders focused on handwashing, cleaning surfaces, avoiding cross-contamination, and cooking meats to safe temperatures. Local Business/Community: Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport plans to temporarily suspend service to Minneapolis-St. Paul after Labor Day, with a spring return.

Public Health: Michigan reported 228 cyclosporiasis cases since June 22—far above the state’s usual annual pace—with clusters across Monroe, Washtenaw, Wayne and more, and officials still working to identify the source. Courts & Workplace: A Michigan federal judge let part of a former DaVita worker’s retaliation/wrongful discharge case proceed, while another judge dismissed a GM worker’s bias suit as vexatious. Environment & Infrastructure: The 6th Circuit affirmed Michigan’s airport PFAS lawsuit belongs in state court, and Consumers Energy offered a maintenance fund concession as regulators weigh its proposed dam sale. Detroit Housing: Detroit’s affordable housing trust fund gets a July 1 funding boost, but officials warn it won’t instantly translate into new construction. Energy & Grid: A major heat wave is driving power-demand concerns, with outages already affecting tens of thousands nationwide. Food & Agriculture: USDA forecast smaller sweet and tart cherry crops after freeze damage, including impacts in Michigan. Retail/Industry: Fleming Brothers Oil sold its Value Market convenience stores to Blarney Castle Oil & Propane. Holiday Safety: Michigan expects fireworks to spike short-term air pollution (especially PM2.5) and reminded pet owners to plan for July 4 stress and escape risk.

Great Lakes Cleanup & Water Safety: Milwaukee is finishing a $122M toxic waste storage facility on Jones Island to hold contaminated sediment from city waterways, part of the Great Lakes “areas of concern” effort. Environmental Risk & Infrastructure: The Enbridge Line 5 reroute has reignited tribal fears after a drilling-fluid spill on the Bad River Band reservation during construction. Road & Construction Disruptions: Kalamazoo’s downtown transformation is moving into a new phase, with Kalamazoo Avenue shifting to two-way service starting July 15 and major closures between Rose and Westnedge. Michigan Mobility: MDOT is lifting most construction traffic restrictions for the Fourth of July travel period, with a limited list of remaining work-zone limits. Manufacturing & Engineering Talent: McLaren Northern Michigan broke ground on a $17M Cheboygan emergency department expansion, while IMEG awarded scholarships to 30 engineering students. Automotive Demand Watch: Reuters reports U.S. vehicle sales are expected to stay steady in Q2 despite higher gas prices and inflation jitters. Policy & Oversight: A Michigan AG order halts Kalshi’s sports betting operations in the state.

Michigan Cannabis Enforcement: The state Cannabis Regulatory Agency’s latest disciplinary report flags METRC inventory tracking failures as the most common problem, with 16 licensed businesses cited for issues ranging from seed-to-sale tracking to security and operational compliance. AI in Lending: Michigan First Credit Union selected Scienaptic AI to speed credit decisioning and expand access, aiming to move beyond traditional credit-score limits. Higher Ed Data Center Push: Oakland University’s board voted to advance a data center into due diligence, with Fairmount Properties set to build and operate the facility at no extra cost to the university. Industrial Safety Watch: A trench collapse in Oxford Township injured a worker during septic field-tile work; he was extricated quickly and is in stable condition. Auto Supply Chain/Quality: Ford issued two recalls covering hundreds of thousands of vehicles, including a large rollaway/park-gear risk affecting popular Ford and Lincoln models. Construction Under Heat Stress: Metro Detroit crews tackling I-94 and roofing work are adapting to extreme heat, with asphalt and curing concrete adding extra danger. Environmental/Health: EGLE issued ozone air-quality alerts for southeast and western Michigan as high-ozone days are possible through the weekend. Agriculture & Land Conservation: Ducks Unlimited paid $4.7 million for Avon farmland to protect wetlands, the biggest 2026 ag land deal in the area.

Auto Quality & AI in Manufacturing: Ford says it leaned too hard on AI for vehicle quality, then rehired 350 veteran engineers to fix the gap—paying off with a top JD Power initial quality ranking. Water Infrastructure Costs: A new report highlights why replacing Chicago’s lead pipes is far pricier than other cities, underscoring the scale of Michigan-relevant drinking-water upgrades. Environmental Cleanup in Metro Detroit: EPA approved BASF’s Wyandotte plan to block groundwater contamination from reaching the Detroit River, with construction slated for early 2027. Broadcast Cybersecurity: The FCC’s new EAS cybersecurity rules push radio and TV stations to update default passwords and protections—cost concerns hit smaller markets hardest. Michigan Tech/Industry: Zeeland’s Information Station Specialists readies its compact AM broadcast antenna for orders after successful testing, aiming to help smaller stations without massive towers. Workforce Training Funding: Federal money for short-term workforce training begins, but few programs qualify—raising stakes for Michigan employers and learners. Sports & Local Economy: Pistons center Jalen Duren is set for meetings with the Lakers and Kings as free agency opens, a reminder of how Michigan talent pipelines keep feeding major markets.

Cyber & Courts: A Michigan woman filed a proposed class action saying auto supplier Challenge Manufacturing mishandled employee and customer data after a breach. Roads & Logistics: MDOT will temporarily lift lane restrictions on 106 of 179 active projects from July 2 (3 p.m.) to July 6 (6 a.m.) to cut Fourth of July travel delays, though work-zone configurations may still affect drivers. Public Safety: Alpena County emergency officials urged residents to follow Michigan’s fireworks rules (legal June 29–July 4 until 11:45 p.m., with limits on public property and alcohol use) as call volumes peak. Energy & Industry: Hyperscale Data completed a land acquisition for its Michigan campus, doubling holdings to 83 acres, and says it’s expanding capacity for a 20MW customer deal. Housing & Consumer Impact: The Michigan House advanced a plan to keep large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, aiming to curb investor bidding wars. Environment & Health: Metro Detroit saw its first seasonal ozone alert, warning of “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” conditions. Food Policy: The DOJ sued Michigan and other states over alleged failure to turn over SNAP data tied to fraud detection.

Workplace Policy: Michigan lawmakers are advancing the “Workplace Employee Boundaries Act,” a proposal that would bar employers from requiring workers to respond to work messages off the clock, including emails, texts, Slack/Teams pings, social DMs, and calls. Affordability & Licensing: A new Michigan affordability push would expand professional licensing reciprocity and compacts to help workers move into jobs faster, while also targeting environmental permitting rules to reduce friction for businesses. Energy & Data Centers: Multiple reports highlight Michigan’s growing debate over data center growth—local pushback, proposed “guardrail” legislation, and concerns about how AI-driven demand affects power and community costs. Manufacturing & Trade: A Reuters report points to Whirlpool’s Iowa refrigerator plant job cuts despite Trump-era tariffs, underscoring how trade policy doesn’t automatically translate into factory stability. Public Safety Tech: INDIGITAL says its MEVO 911 continuity platform earned third-party recognition for keeping emergency call handling running during disasters. Local Government Finance: Holland, Mich., won top municipal finance reporting honors and also earned Michigan Green Communities gold status. Holiday Rules: Michigan’s July Fourth fireworks window runs today through Saturday under the state’s 2011 law, with enforcement and fines for violations.

Great Lakes Engineering: The Soo Locks marked Engineers Day with the christening of two new U.S. Army Corps tugboats, H.J. Lawson and R.J. Pearce, built at Conrad Shipyard to keep winter navigation and heavy-barge towing moving. Michigan Jobs & Subsidies: A new report says Michigan spent $1.8B on job subsidies but produced just 602 jobs—about $3M per job—challenging the state’s “generational” investment claims. Data Centers vs. Communities: In Dowagiac, residents say a Hyperscale Data facility is too loud, and the company’s plan to use Chinese humanoid robots adds fuel to the local backlash. Policy Watch—Data Centers: Michigan lawmakers are weighing competing bills that could pause new hyperscale approvals or set statewide “guardrails,” as supporters push for investment and opponents warn about power, water, farmland, and noise impacts. Food & Agriculture Education: MSU Extension broke down how cacao becomes chocolate, from pods and fermentation to drying and roasting. Weather & Risk: Metro Detroit is bracing for a dangerously hot stretch with heat indices near or above 105. Invasive Species Outreach: Michigan Invasive Species Program webinars focus on stopping new introductions—especially via people and transported goods.

EV Charging Rollout: Michigan is restarting its statewide EV charger expansion after a federal funding reversal, with DOT planning 60 new stations over three years after $51M was released—though drivers still report “range anxiety” and spotty reliability. Data Center Backlash: Rural communities are pushing back on data centers as local leaders and residents question hidden costs like power demand, water strain, and farmland loss, with Michigan lawmakers also weighing data center rules and moratorium ideas. Workforce Focus: Michigan industry leaders are renewing calls to build a stronger pipeline of advanced manufacturing and higher-skill workers, highlighting employer-led partnerships and education as the “number one supplier.” Auto/Tech Policy: A federal court setback keeps Biden-era soot limits in place for coal plants, a reminder that energy policy shifts can hit Michigan’s power and industrial costs. Local Infrastructure: Metro Detroit faces more roadwork and lane closures this weekend, with MDOT projects stretching into 2028. Education Capital Plan: Dearborn voters will decide on a $1.51B school bond in November to fund major construction, renovations, and safety/technology upgrades.

NHL Draft (Michigan sports): Detroit added to its pipeline with J.P. Hurlbert (No. 23) and Victor Plante (No. 47), plus Michal Orsulak (No. 79), as the Wings kept building toward the next wave of talent. Energy & infrastructure (Northern Michigan): The Cheboygan Lock and Dam complex officially reopened for summer after a spring closure tied to flooding threats and follow-up repairs. Agriculture & environment (Michigan): MDARD confirmed the first detection of elm zigzag sawfly in St. Clair County, urging residents to report sightings as the invasive pest spreads. Auto retail finance (Michigan-area business): Drive Point Exchange launched a rebranded automotive savings and protection platform via partnerships with NAAC and Insurify.com, aiming to reduce “down-the-road” dealership F&I problems. Manufacturing (Dow): Dow announced about $100M in specialty silicones expansion through 2027, including advanced electronics work at Auburn, Michigan. Policy & jobs (Michigan economy): A report says Michigan’s $1.8B jobs initiative created just 602 jobs so far, fueling scrutiny of subsidy outcomes. Clean energy debate (Michigan): An opinion piece argues Michigan’s CEJA clean energy law is helping affordability, warning that rolling it back could raise costs as AI-driven data centers and manufacturing demand grow.

Drinking Water & Compliance: Greenville residents questioned a “Violation: Yes” line in the city’s drinking water report, but EGLE says corrective actions and follow-up tests cleared the system. Invasive Species Watch: Michigan is urging people to kill spotted lanternflies on sight as confirmed populations spread across multiple counties, and to keep an eye out for ticks during peak summer. Holiday Safety: The DNR is reminding Michiganders to practice fire safety for Independence Day—especially around fireworks, grills, and campfires. Workforce & Immigration Shock: A U.S. Supreme Court decision ending Temporary Protected Status is creating immediate uncertainty for Haitian nationals in Coldwater and for local employers tied to their work authorizations. Brownfield Redevelopment: EGLE awarded nearly $3.6M in Brownfield Redevelopment Grants across five Michigan projects, targeting new housing and jobs. Consumer Pressure: U.S. consumer sentiment improved in June as gas prices eased, but high living costs are still weighing on households. Manufacturing Expansion: Jabil announced a $102M expansion in Flat Rock to create 148 jobs. Local Business Growth: High Bar Brands is acquiring Viking Sales in Brighton to expand mud flap production and distribution.

Workforce & Skills: Cirrus opened a new Duluth Talent Center to funnel recruiting and technical training into aerospace careers, signaling continued investment in hands-on workforce development. Manufacturing Expansion: Fibrosan broke ground in Cassopolis on a $16M fiberglass plant for composite panels tied to RVs and construction, targeting roughly 35 jobs. Auto Industry Watch: A former Bank of America analyst says an EV “head fake” helped drive product delays, but profitability should improve later this decade as automakers lean on rugged midsize SUVs and small pickups/hybrids. Local Business Ops: Vortex Doors Detroit marked International Door Association SuperTech Day by spotlighting technicians who keep commercial facilities running, from loading docks to conveyor motor repairs. Public Health & Infrastructure: Planet Detroit reports 25 Metro Detroit communities exceeded Michigan’s lead action level since 2018 without required filters, raising pressure for faster lead-line replacement. Policy & Regulation: Michigan lawmakers unveiled data-center “guardrail” bills aimed at noise limits, decommissioning planning, and ratepayer protections. Consumer Mood: University of Michigan sentiment rose to 49.5 as inflation worries eased and gas prices fell.

Michigan Data Center Fight: Michigan House Democrats want to strip the University of Michigan of its ability to buy land without local zoning sign-off, citing recent U-M acquisitions tied to major projects like a Los Alamos data center. Aquatic Invasive Species: EGLE and the Michigan Clean Water Corps are urging residents to help spot aquatic invaders during a statewide Detection Blitz using the iNaturalist app. Energy & Consumer Pressure: A new report highlights Michigan’s accounting talent crunch, while separate coverage flags how utility and energy costs are squeezing households as demand grows. Robotics in Michigan: Hyperscale Data plans to deploy 143 Chinese humanoid robots at its Dowagiac AI campus, adding fuel to the national debate over Chinese tech restrictions. Public Safety Outdoors: Michigan officials warn of mosquitoes and ticks as summer ramps up, and they’re also pushing dune protection steps for World Sand Dune Day. Local Weather Disruption: Storms brought hail and power outages across parts of Michigan, followed by a warm, drier stretch.