Business

The St. Joseph County Transportation Authority has unveiled the newest addition to its fleet. The Three Rivers-based agency on Tuesday took delivery of a 2011 Dodge Caravan. The new vehicle seats six but is being showcased by CTA Executive Director Steve Yorks for its vehicle-wrap exterior featuring a large-scale road map of St. Joseph County. Yorks said the design, which …

NEW YORK (AP) — J.C. Penney is permanently marking down all of its merchandise by at least 40 percent so shoppers no longer have to wait for sales to get bargains.Penney said Wednesday that it is getting rid of the hundreds of sales it offers each year in favor of a simpler approach to pricing. Starting on Feb. 1, the …

Retailer Meijer Inc. and Michigan State University are teaming up to promote products from Michigan businesses.   The Grand Rapids-based company and the Michigan State University Product Center for Agriculture and Natural Resources on Monday announced the Made in Michigan initiative that’s launching this month.  The effort will begin when the new grocery items will fill designated areas in 33 Meijer …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed to issue an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate to American Axle Manufacturing. The measure means the Detroit-based company will continue with its $102 million investment in its Three Rivers plant, where expansion will include a line to create components for a passenger/crossover vehicle being developed and introduced by a …

Ron Reed, President and CEO of Century Bank and Trust, is pleased to announce the promotion of Dylan M. Foster to First Vice President of Century Bank and Trust. “Dylan’s promotion is in recognition of his dedication to growing Century’s Trust and Investment Management Group while keeping the client’s best interest at heart,” stated Reed. With over ten years of …

Three Rivers Mayor Tom Lowry and commissioners tonight have scheduled a public hearing on a tax-exemption request being made by American Axle Manufacturing. The company is seeking exemption status on nearly $83 million of a $102 million investment in machinery and building improvements being proposed at its Three Rivers plant. A 12-year exemption is being sought by American Axle, the …

St. Joseph County’s November unemployment rate of 8.3 percent was its lowest in the first 11 months of 2011. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis report for November shows the county’s unemployment rate dropped from 8.9 percent in October. The analysis indicated retail sectors gearing up for seasonal end-of-the-year jobs played a significant role in the drop. …

St. Joseph County officials this week signed off on a four-year, $1.2 million agreement involving a partnership with Kalamazoo-based Southwest Michigan Partnership. The agreement, reached Tuesday during the county commission’s first meeting of 2012, involves the seven-member commission, the St. Joseph County Economic Development Corporation and Southwest Michigan Partnership. As a result, SMP will assign three full-time employees to work …

The St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Department has identified two men responsible for the theft of about $4,000 worth of electronic items and other merchandise at the Sturgis Walmart. Police said Sturgis resident Samuel Stidams, 31, and Matthew Stidams, 30, of Bronson, were arrested following a joint investigation between the Sturgis Department of Public Safety, and sheriff’s departments in St. Joseph …

The third New Year’s Eve Free Ride Home attracted 36 passengers over the weekend, according to Steve Yorks, executive director of the St. Joseph County Transportation Authority. The complimentary service for New Year’s Eve revelers in St. Joseph County started at 10 p.m. Saturday and ended at 4 a.m. Sunday. Yorks said 20 of the passengers were picked up by …