Traverse City Record-Eagle

Business

September 20, 2012

Business in Brief: 09/20/2012

FROM STAFF REPORTS ----

State unemployment rate clmbs to 9.4%

LANSING — Michigan authorities say the state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose 0.4 percentage points in the latest month to 9.4 percent.

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget released the August jobless figures Wednesday. The nation's August unemployment rate was 8.1 percent, down from 8.3 percent in July.

The state's jobless has fallen 1 percentage point over 12 months from an August 2011 level of 10.4 percent. But it has risen for four straight months from April's 8.3 percent.

Worker fired over medical pot loses case

BATTLE CREEK — A federal appeals court says Michigan law doesn't stop employers from firing people who use medical marijuana.

The court on Wednesday upheld a decision by a federal judge in Grand Rapids, who said Wal-Mart Stores could fire an employee who tested positive for marijuana.

Joseph Casias was an inventory-control manager at a Walmart in Battle Creek until he tested positive for marijuana in 2009. He has a Michigan medical-marijuana card and uses pot to alleviate symptoms of an inoperable brain tumor and cancer.

Wal-Mart says marijuana use conflicts with its safety policy in stores.

The appeals court says the state medical marijuana law provides some immunity in criminal cases, but it doesn't offer protection to people in the workplace.

Companies get $2.2 million in incentives

LANSING — The Michigan Economic Development Corp. has announced nearly $2.2 million in incentives for five companies that plan to add 387 jobs in Michigan.

Pinnacle Food Group's $800,000 incentive is the largest incentive of those announced this week and will be used to expand its operations in Imlay City. The Parsippany, N.J.-based company is consolidating its Millsboro, Del. pickle operations to Imlay City, where it will invest $14.3 million and add 29 jobs.

Other companies receiving state incentives include: Troy-based Alternative Automotive Technologies LLC, which will receive $500,000 and add 176 jobs; Homer-based RSB Transmissions NA, which will receive $350,000 and create 100 jobs; MERSEN USA Midland, which will receive $320,000 and create 32 jobs; and Mayser Polymer USA will receive $200,000 and 50 jobs.

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