Midwest

Construction on the $1.8 billion partially bond-financed Iowa Fertilizer Co. project is slightly behind schedule due to the harsh winter but the project is making "timely progress" and commodity price expectations remain on target, according to Fitch Ratings.

For the third time since 2011, Ohio will be forced to dip into reserves to cover debt-service payments on its Buckeye tobacco securitization bonds.

A declining number of Midwestern high school graduates is adding to already highly competitive environment further straining the region's small colleges, according to Moody's Investors Service.

Moody's said it may downgrade Henry Ford Health, one of Michigan's largest providers, due to continued operating performance declines and other challenges.

The University of Missouri Board of Curators will offer up high-grade paper early next week in a nearly $300 million revenue-backed issue to refund existing debt and pay off commercial paper.

Michigan lawmakers unveiled a package of 11 bills Thursday aimed at hastening Detroit's exit from bankruptcy and managing the city's post-Chapter 9 recovery.

The independent Minnesota-based financial advisory firm Ehlers expanded its Chicago presence by hiring of Jennifer M. Tammen and Adrienne J. Archia in its Lisle, Ill., office.

Michigan would create a board to oversee Detroit for up to 20 years and contribute $195 million to the troubled city's pensions in a series of bills expected to be unveiled late Thursday.

The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority has selected Barclays and Goldman Sachs as bookrunning senior managers on a refunding deal it hopes to sell in June.

The state of Michigan has conditionally approved Wayne County's deficit elimination plan, easing immediate concerns of a state takeover, county officials said Wednesday.