Business Briefs

Michigan: Unemployment benefits restored in Mich. by Feds
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The state says federal unemployment benefits have been restored to about 69,500 people in Michigan who were cut off in July.

Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency says Thursday it has issued about $38 million in retroactive payments over the past two weeks.

The agency says it began making some payments to jobless workers on July 23, the day after President Barack Obama signed into law a restoration of benefits for people who have been out of work for six months or more.

The state says people should have received their benefit payments two to three business days following their most recent contact with the Unemployment Insurance Agency’s automated system. The average weekly benefit is about $300.

Michigan: Lear announces plans for Detroit assembly plant
DETROIT (AP) — Auto parts maker Lear Corp. has announced plans to open a manufacturing facility in Detroit as part of a joint venture with another supplier that could create more than 200 jobs.

The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press report Thursday that Southfield-based Lear and Comer Holdings LLC plan to open the assembly plant as early as next year.

The plant would be part of their joint venture, Integrated Manufacturing and Assembly, which operates five plants in Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky. The joint venture makes seating parts and other vehicle components.

Lear also has pledged $5 million for Detroit parks and mentoring programs during the next 10 years.

Lear exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last year.

Michigan: U.S. gives $42M to Michigan for broadband
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Gov. Jennifer Granholm says five Michigan companies have received federal recovery grants totaling $42 million to build broadband Internet systems for underserved areas.

The grants announced Wednesday are through the U.S. Agriculture Department.