Annual 2017

Following the announcement that Jim Hackett would replace Mark Fields as president and CEO on Monday, Ford Motor Co. today announced senior leadership appointments worldwide, completing Hackett’s newly reorganized team.

DTE Biomass Energy, an Ann Arbor-based subsidiary of DTE Energy in Detroit, today announced the acquisition of two landfill gas-to-energy projects in Texas —Ford Bend Power Procedures facility outside of Rosenberg (west of Houston) and the Seabreeze landfill gas development project in Angleton (south of Houston).

GMC announced upgrades to the 2018 Yukon Denali lineup, including styling and trim enhancements and a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The Yukon Denali’s new 10-speed automatic leverages the engineering experience of General Motors Co.’s multispeed transmissions to deliver improved performance. A wider, 7.38 overall gear ratio spread, compared to the vehicle’s previous eight-speed automatic, enables a lower numerical top gear ratio and contributes to greater efficiency.

Chevrolet and Olympia Entertainment today announced the expansion of their partnership, making Chevrolet the official vehicle of the upcoming Little Caesars Arena. The two also are official vehicle partners at Comerica Park, home to the Detroit Tigers.

Verve, a New York-based location-powered mobile marketing company, today announced its continued expansion in the Detroit market, opening a new sales office in Southfield, the company’s seventh worldwide. The team will focus on regional sales and client services, serving local brands and advertisers including Ford Motor Co., FCA US, General Motors Co., and The Mars Agency.

After operating as a pop-up and an online retailer, clothing and accessories boutique Bird Bee today opens its first brick and mortar location at The Albert in Detroit’s Capitol Park. The soft opening will begin at 5 p.m., followed by a grand opening on Thursday, June 1 from 5-8 p.m., where shoppers can enjoy refreshments and special discounts.

Delaware North Sportservice — a division of global hospitality and foodservice provider Delaware North — has been named the food, beverage, and retail partner for Little Caesars Arena. The 20,000-seat arena is scheduled to open in September at Woodward Avenue and Henry Street.

Often referred to as “The Pope’s Choir,” the Sistine Chapel Choir, in partnership with Corporate Travel in Dearborn Heights and the Archdiocese of Detroit, today announced its first Detroit performance, taking place Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Detroit Opera House.

Mobility researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor have devised a way to test autonomous vehicles, bypassing the billions of miles needed for consumers to consider them ready for the road.

Grand Rapids-based Steelcase Health, a designer of healthcare spaces and a division of Steelcase Inc., today announced Surround, a collection of healthcare furnishings designed to support family members in patient settings.

Midland-based MidMichigan Health, a non-profit health system affiliated with Ann Arbor’s Michigan Medicine, today announced a $57 million construction project, $30 million of which is dedicated to a new Heart and Vascular Center at its Midland campus.

Birmingham-based developer Broder and Sachse Real Estate and Detroit officials today announced an agreement to maintain housing in Midtown Detroit’s 40 Davenport St., formerly known as the Milner Arms Apartments.