It's the winter festival season ... now where's winter?


This Weekend In Michigan - February 4 & 5
From Calendar Advertising Co. Michigan Calendar of Events with information by Google search...
Winter Festival (Boyne City), Clare Snow Show, Zehnder's Snow Fest (Frankenmuth), Ice Breaker (South Haven), Ice Spectacular (Milford), Dowagiac Ice Festival, I-500 Snowmobile Race (Sault Ste. Marie), Dow Corning Tennis Classic (Midland), Michigan Tech Winter Carnival (Houghton). We'll try to do these earlier in the week in the future!
NOTE: Please verify event dates as they may have changed or be inaccurate!

Michigan Chamber of Commerce Questions New Business Tax Proposal
In a news release, the Michigan Chamber holds that Governor Granholm's proposal to restructure Michigan's business taxes would benefit some manufacturing businesses but would also "result in major tax increases for many Michigan job providers -- including certain manufacturers, retailers, wholesalers, utilities, professional service providers, commercial property owners, banks and others". This conclusion was from the Michigan Chamber's Tax Committee, 70 corporate tax executives, CPAs, tax attorneys and other business leaders.

DEQ Permit Granted for Michigan Ethanol Plant
The Toledo Blade reports that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has approved a permit requested by Great Lakes Ethanol LLC to install a $72 million ethanol plant in Riga Township (outside of Blissfield, Lenawee County). The plant would produce 50 million gallons of ethanol (bio-fuel made from corn used in gasoline) per year.

Hunting & Fishing License Fees to Increase
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has approved a new fee structure for hunting and fishing licenses. Most resident licenses will increase by $1 and non-resident by $4.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources web site

MSU Seeks to Triple Federal Research Funding
The Lansing State Journal reports that Michigan State University has set a 10-year goal to triple its take in federal funding for medical research to $100 million a year. The university claims that high-tech jobs and spinoff companies would benefit East Lansing (and mid-Michigan).

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