Bridge’s Paula Gardner wins national award for Michigan subsidies investigation
- Bridge business reporter Paula Gardner won first place for explanatory reporting from the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing
- She exposed how corporate subsidies intended to create high-paying jobs in Michigan created lower-paying jobs
- Judges praised Gardner's investigation for holding politicians accountable for spending taxpayer money
Bridge Michigan business reporter Paula Gardner has won the nation’s top business reporting award for an investigation showing that Michigan has spent hundreds of millions of dollars to produce low-paying jobs.
The Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing awarded Gardner first place in explanatory journalism in the small market category for her package of stories looking into corporate incentives. Using public records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, the series found that Michigan has spent $335 million in subsidies to create 11,400 jobs, 40% of which pay less than the state’s median wage.
The SABEW judges wrote that the story: “…is a great example of accountability journalism” and praised Gardner for “expos(ing) inconsistencies in official statements and reveal(ing) how money pledged to corporations for manufacturing projects may never recoup Michigan taxpayer investments.”
“I'm very excited to see this recognition for my work,” Gardner said. “This report on economic development subsidies peeled back exactly how much the state was willing to pay for job creation, and what kind of jobs it would get in return.”
“While it may seem expected that the ‘good-paying jobs’ the state kept promising would be at a certain level, the documents used for this story painted a very different picture.”
Read the reports:
- Corporate subsidies cost Michigan $335M; 40% of deals create low-paying jobs
- See where Michigan is giving corporate subsidies for expansions, new jobs
- Michigan lawmakers eye retooling corporate subsidies to target high-wage jobs
Gardner, who joined Bridge Michigan in 2020, was recognized among journalists from national publications like the Wall Street Journal, Reuters’ and the New York Times.
"Paula's exemplary reporting is an example of what she and Bridge do best: Step back, scour documents and follow through on promises and taxpayer spending," said Joel Kurth, Bridge's executive editor of impact.
"Paula's meticulous reporting helped shape debate in Lansing over corporate incentives and redefine understanding of the return on investment of these expenditures."
The reporting came as Michigan lawmakers debated expanding corporate subsidies and was cited by legislators during deliberations in the Capitol.
Corporate subsidy debate is ongoing, but Republicans who now control the House have pledged to reform programs championed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
See what new members are saying about why they donated to Bridge Michigan:
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- “Not many other media sources report on the topics Bridge does.” - Susan B.
- “Your journalism is outstanding and rare these days.” - Mark S.
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