AGP Executive Report

Farm & Forestry Costs: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared an energy emergency, allowing farm and logging vehicles to use dyed diesel on public roads through Dec. 31 as fuel prices strain producers during harvest. Skilled Trades: Michigan’s labor agency and Operating Engineers Local 324 are celebrating college credits for apprenticeships; graduates can earn 42–45 credits and connect with more than 30 community colleges. Auto Trade: Canada’s Pierre Poilievre is pitching tariff-free auto trade in Detroit, with planned meetings at GM and Ford facilities and with electrical workers as tariffs pressure cross-border supply chains. Electrification: Detroit’s Battery Show is spotlighting manufacturing scale and supply-chain resilience, while the 2026 Wards propulsion awards went entirely to electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems for the first time. Agriculture Risk: USDA expanded grape crop-insurance eligibility to 11 more Michigan counties for 2027; enrollment closes Nov. 20.

Farm Costs: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer temporarily suspended penalties for certain farm and forestry vehicles using dyed diesel on Michigan roads, easing a rule as fuel costs rise. Local Food: State leaders spotlighted free school meals and efforts to buy more Michigan-grown food during a visit to Bendle High School, linking school cafeterias with local farms and businesses. Battery Manufacturing: Detroit’s Battery Show opened at Huntington Place, with Comau and InteCells presenting plasma-based battery-cell manufacturing technology. Workforce Pipeline: Clintondale Community Schools received a $400,000 grant to expand advanced manufacturing and engineering programs, creating a career pathway from middle school through high school. Farm Technology: A Reed City-area rancher says GPS virtual-fencing collars help manage cattle and reduce labor, though many Michigan farmers are still weighing the technology. Energy and Data Centers: Michigan’s debate over data centers is sharpening around investment, jobs and electricity bills, as Ann Arbor voters prepare to decide whether to begin exploring a city-owned utility.

Battery Manufacturing: The Battery Show opened in Detroit, bringing more than 16,000 industry professionals to Huntington Place. A panel on Oct. 14 will address containing lithium-battery fires as production and energy storage expand. Agriculture & Research: Michigan State University completed its $75 million dairy research center, which nearly triples its campus herd and adds advanced systems for studying farm operations. Road Construction: Higher fuel costs and long-running funding gaps are straining Michigan contractors, with some projects spilling into next year. Water Technology: AquaAction selected 10 companies for a Michigan program to help commercialize solutions for freshwater challenges, including industrial wastewater treatment. Automotive Innovation: General Motors is using immersive simulators at its Warren technical center to test how drivers respond to future driver-assistance systems that could let them take their eyes off the road. Utility Costs: Michigan Senate Democrats proposed larger customer credits for lengthy or repeated outages, aiming to push utilities to restore power faster.

Fuel & Small Business: Michigan farmers face a reported $1,200 increase in diesel fill-up costs as fuel prices stay high; DTE Energy also discussed natural-gas costs and supply options for small businesses. Data Centers & Power: Michigan voters are weighing a proposed $30 billion data-center buildout, with potential jobs and investment set against concerns about higher electric bills. Energy Efficiency: Michigan programs are expected to save customers $1.4 billion, while state energy planners say a shortage of transmission lines is driving up power costs. Manufacturing & Labor: A Lansing-area auto supplier site is set to close, affecting 67 jobs, as UAW President Shawn Fain won a second term. Downtown Business: Coldwater marked five years in Michigan Main Street, crediting the program with 20 new businesses, 32 building improvements and more than $2.8 million in private investment.

Manufacturing: Howard Miller’s Zeeland factory closure cost nearly 200 jobs. The clockmaker relied on overseas parts, as tariff concerns fuel broader anxiety among Michigan factory workers. Data Centers & Energy: Michigan has 31 data-center projects representing about $30.1 billion in announced investment, though the total includes canceled projects. The buildout promises jobs and tax revenue but raises concerns about power bills, water use and local control. Meanwhile, state energy-efficiency efforts are expected to save customers $1.4 billion. Labor: UAW President Shawn Fain won a second term, while 1,400 workers at Corning’s Hemlock plant secured union representation. Health Services: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield, alleging its market dominance raises premiums and reduces provider pay. Local Production: Tailored Bottling has begun beverage production in Dearborn, and a Plymouth warehouse is now home to a first-of-its-kind bus manufacturer.

Auto Labor: Shawn Fain secured a second term as UAW president, keeping the union on its current course as Michigan’s auto industry faces continued change. A Lansing-area automotive supplier, meanwhile, plans to close, affecting 67 jobs. Jobs and Development: EGLE grants will support eight Michigan projects expected to create nearly 450 jobs and 687 housing units, including redevelopment in Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. Manufacturing: Automation firm Convergix is expanding in West Michigan with a new Holland production plant. Battery Supply: LG Energy Solution secured multiyear lithium-concentrate agreements in Canada and Australia, bolstering supply for its battery business. Agriculture and Energy: Michigan announced a $3 million partnership to expand sustainable fuel production, while state agriculture agencies are working with MSU and FFA partners to strengthen the veterinary workforce.

Jobs & Development: Michigan awarded grants to eight projects expected to create 687 housing units and nearly 450 jobs, including a Corktown project bringing 125 jobs to Detroit. Manufacturing: A new bus maker has opened in a Plymouth Township warehouse, while an automotive supplier’s Lansing-area site is set to close, affecting 67 workers. Auto Labor: UAW President Shawn Fain claimed reelection in an apparent sweep for his slate. Energy: Michigan energy-efficiency efforts are expected to save customers $1.4 billion; a pipeline spill in the state has also triggered a federal safety probe. Health Care: Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, alleging its market dominance raises premiums and cuts provider pay.

Health Care: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield, alleging its market dominance raises premiums and limits provider pay. The insurer disputes the claims, which have not been proven in court. Manufacturing: A Lansing-area automotive supplier plans to close, affecting 67 jobs, while a Plymouth warehouse is set to house a first-of-its-kind bus manufacturer. Energy: State investments in energy-waste reduction are expected to save customers $1.4 billion over time. A Michigan pipeline spill has also prompted a federal safety probe. Auto Labor: UAW President Shawn Fain declared victory in his reelection bid, setting the stage for a combative approach to 2028 contract talks with Detroit’s automakers. Agriculture: MDARD and partners announced nearly $1.4 million for veterinary education and rural workforce programs.

Health Care: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, alleging the insurer used anticompetitive agreements to dominate the market, raise costs and restrict care. Blue Cross has not been found liable. Rural Investment: USDA says it provided $326.8 million in loans and grants to Michigan in fiscal 2026, including funding for water systems, hospitals and other community facilities. Workforce: Michigan awarded nearly $44.7 million to expand career and technical education, supporting training tied to employers’ skills needs. Energy and Infrastructure: Consumers Energy is expanding infrastructure investments to improve grid reliability, while the Michigan Infrastructure Council is asking residents what to include in a new statewide guide to roads, water, energy and internet systems. Consumer Outlook: The University of Michigan’s preliminary October sentiment index fell to 46.3, a five-month low, as cost-of-living concerns pushed year-ahead inflation expectations up to 4.7%.

Health Insurance: Attorney General Dana Nessel sued Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, alleging its control of 65% of the state’s health insurance market has raised costs and restricted care. Blue Cross disputes the claims. Food & Retail: Construction is starting on a Flint Farmers’ Market expansion, adding year-round vendor space, a bar and restaurant, and upgrades to support more than 50 vendors. Workforce: Michigan awarded nearly $44.7 million to expand career and technical education, building access to training for in-demand jobs. Energy: Nessel urged regulators to cut Consumers Energy’s requested rate increase in half, as the utility plans infrastructure investments to improve grid reliability. Manufacturing: Detroit’s Battery Show will feature sessions on supply-chain resilience, manufacturing scale-up and energy storage.

Auto Industry: Michigan’s EV market faces mounting uncertainty as Ford’s U.S. electric-vehicle sales fell 68% in the first nine months of 2026 and GM’s dropped 43%, raising questions about jobs and factory investments as buyers turn to hybrids and gas-powered vehicles. Energy: UPPCO and SEMCO are set to take over Xcel Energy’s electric and gas operations in the western Upper Peninsula. Manufacturing: DENSO marked 40 years in Battle Creek, while GoGo squeeZ completed an $11 million expansion at its Grawn plant, adding 12,000 tons of capacity. Mobility: Waymo has begun fully autonomous vehicle testing on Detroit streets, putting the technology to a new test in Michigan. Workforce: Manufacturing Day gave 575 students a look at local career opportunities.

Battery Supply: LG Energy Solution secured 240,000 metric tons of lithium concentrate from Canadian firm Elevra over four years, supporting its Michigan plants and North American energy-storage growth. Food Manufacturing: GoGo squeeZ completed an $11 million Grawn plant expansion, adding capacity for up to 12,000 tons of apples a year; 80% of its apples come from Michigan growers. Workforce Pipeline: Manufacturing Day brought 575 students to 13 Cadillac-area facilities to explore careers in robotics, engineering and skilled trades. Michigan Investment: Methode Electronics plans to move its headquarters to Southfield and add 90 jobs, while Convergix is expanding with a new Holland production plant. Energy Infrastructure: Xcel Energy is selling its Michigan operations to Upper Peninsula Power Company and SEMCO. Separately, Attorney General Dana Nessel urged regulators to cut Consumers Energy’s proposed rate increase by more than half. Auto Innovation: Toyota opened a $50 million battery research center near Saline, expanding its Michigan EV investment.

Michigan Investment: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced 90 new jobs and a $3 million expansion in Oakland County. Methode Electronics is also moving its headquarters to Southfield, adding 90 jobs and investing $3.7 million, while Convergix is expanding in West Michigan with a new Holland production plant. Manufacturing & Automation: Detroit will host the International Robot Safety Conference Nov. 3–5, bringing manufacturers and automation specialists together. During Manufacturing Week, state leaders highlighted the sector’s economic impact and workforce programs; Alpena Community College also secured career-education funding, the largest such grant in the state. Agriculture: Michigan launched a digital farm platform to map field profitability and announced a partnership to advance sustainable fuel production and support farmers. Energy: Attorney General Dana Nessel urged regulators to cut Consumers Energy’s proposed rate increase by more than half. Xcel Energy and SEMCO are selling their Michigan electric and gas operations to Upper Peninsula Power Company.

Autonomous Mobility in Detroit: Waymo has started its fully driverless phase in downtown Detroit, with rides initially limited to employees as it expands across nearby neighborhoods. Roadwork & Infrastructure: MDOT will shift westbound I-696 traffic back onto newly reconstructed lanes this weekend, easing long-running construction bottlenecks. Michigan Courts & Insurance: The Michigan Supreme Court will weigh whether touching only a vehicle with a body part qualifies for uninsured motorist coverage. Retail & Consumer Law: Amazon tariff-refund class actions have been centralized in federal court for coordinated proceedings. Energy & Industry: Google says its data-center power deals include enabling more than 1.5GW of new nuclear capacity via upgrades and restarting dormant reactors. Environment & Cleanup: Michigan’s “Reclaim the Rivers” plan commits $89M to restore the Detroit and Kalamazoo rivers, targeting contamination and habitat restoration. Food Safety Lab Expansion: Cambium Analytica opened a new 15,000-square-foot lab in Traverse City, boosting product testing capacity and jobs. Legal/Environment: Michigan AG Dana Nessel says a court ruled a marijuana farm illegally violated protected wetlands protections in Iosco County. Local Recycling: Iosco County will host a free electronics recycling event Oct. 10 in Hale.

Automation & Packaging: FANUC America is bringing AI-powered robotics and machine-vision packaging demos to PACK EXPO International 2026, highlighting faster, easier automation for labor-stretched plants. Energy & Utilities: Michigan AG Dana Nessel filed testimony at the MPSC urging Consumers Energy to cut its proposed electric rate hike by more than half, arguing utilities inflate costs while households feel the squeeze. Sustainable Fuel & Agriculture: MDARD announced a $3 million, three-year partnership with the Corn Marketing Program of Michigan to expand sustainable aviation fuel production and build low-carbon supply chains for farmers. Water Infrastructure Costs: A new national analysis finds water bills rose 62% from 2015-2025—faster than inflation and groceries—raising pressure on aging systems and climate-stressed supplies. Logistics & Trade: DP World earned IATA certification across key U.S. and Mexico air freight forwarding locations, aiming for more consistent, compliant cargo handling. Construction & Local Growth: Michigan’s MI Roof Pro opened a new West Bloomfield branch to speed storm and exterior repair capacity in Oakland County.

Energy & Agriculture: President Trump signed an executive order in Nebraska easing limits on tax-free red-dyed diesel, aiming to cut costs for farmers and trucking ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Education & Construction: Dearborn voters will decide on a $1.5B, 20-year school bond to renovate and expand facilities, add STEAM spaces, and adjust millage impacts. Manufacturing & Automation: FANUC is showcasing welding, laser processing, and robotic paint automation at FABTECH 2026, including new collaborative and coordinated-motion systems. Environment & Water Costs: A new analysis finds U.S. drinking-water bills rose faster than inflation from 2015 to 2025, squeezing household budgets. Legal & Industry Compliance: Michigan courts found a cannabis cultivator illegally destroyed protected wetlands to build a farm. Defense Manufacturing: Boeing formalized a seven-year Pentagon deal to triple PAC-3 MSE seeker output. Great Lakes & Logistics: Michigan DNR commissioned a new 66-foot research vessel, RV Steelhead, to improve Lake Michigan fisheries data collection. Local Redevelopment: Stevensville won an EPA brownfields grant to demolish the long-abandoned Anstey Foundry and ready the site for new development.