MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - In an effort to ward off a dangerous ballot proposal to increase Michigan's minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, the Governor signed a new law last week to gradually increase Michigan's minimum wage to $9.25 instead.

And although this new budget plan has lifted several workers thoughts on the economy, the wage increase continues to leave Meridian Township business owners unaware of what is to come next.

"It's really too soon, there's a lot of math to be done, figuring out to be had. It's not the first time you had to deal with a minimum wage increase and it probably won't be the last time," said Steve Antaya, Vice President of Toms Food Center.

But it's not just local businesses that will be affected by the new law, larger chains and their consumers could see changes as well.

"I'm sure it's going to cause prices to go up eventually. We have been open since the last minimum wage increase passed and it did cause the prices to go up a little bit," said Cory Khvala, Owner of the Culver's of Okemos.

Michigan last saw a minimum wage increase in 2006, and although some remain uneasy on this year's increase and its effect on the economy, Michigan leaders say not to worry.

"We capped any increases at 3.5 percent and we averaged it over a five year period of time so that the spikes aren't great from one year to another. This way it gives small businesses the opportunity to plan, while still addressing the problem of wages adjusted for inflation," said Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, (R)-Monroe.

Starting September 1st, the minimum wage will bump up to $8.15 an hour. After that, three more pre-planned increases will then kick into gear starting at $8.50 an hour, January 1st, 2016.

The new minimum wage law only applies to workers 18 and older, but younger workers are still set to receive 85 percent of the new minimums.

Tipped employees will also see their paycheck grow once their minimum wage increases to $3.52 from $2.65 starting September 1st.