Annual 2017

Detroit-based energy provider DTE Energy today announced upgrades have been made to more than 2,100 miles of natural gas lines throughout the state. The utility also installed thousands of advanced meters through its Gas Renewal Program. The upgrades improve the safety and reliability of the natural gas delivery system, ensuring sufficient heat for homes and businesses this winter.

Humanities, a Farmington Hills-based designer, supplier, and manufacturer of crash test dummies and calibration equipment, today announced that a dummy designed to address the needs and characteristics of senior drivers and passengers has entered advanced testing for vehicle safety systems.

Guangzhou-based automaker GAC Motor will return to the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit with its entire lineup and several new vehicles, after showing off a limited number of vehicles at the show in recent years. 

Auburn Hills-based automotive supplier Faurecia today announced an agreement to acquire Swiss company Hug Engineering, which specializes in the design and production of complete exhaust gas purification systems for engines above 750 horsepower. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

The McGregor Fund, a private foundation dedicated to improving Detroit and Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties through grant-making, recovery, and restoration, today announced a $600,000 lead gift to establish the Detroit Justice Center (DJC). The center will provide legal services for hundreds of low-income individuals facing barriers to employment, housing, driver’s licenses, and address the consequences of mass incarceration and the criminalization of poverty for many Detroit families. 

DBusiness Daily News spoke with Andy Farbman, president of Southfield-based commercial real estate management company Farbman Group, about how the real estate industry is changing, progress in the city of Detroit, and recent industrial and commercial office trends.

In an effort to help customers meet SAE Level 5 Autonomous Driving standards, FEV in Auburn Hills is bringing new technology to the table.

Goldfish Swim School Franchising, a learn-to-swim concept formerly based in Birmingham, today announced the opening of a new headquarters in Troy.

Farmington Hills-based SafeWhistle today announced the introduction of a software solution to help corporations proactively and confidentially address issues related to harassment in and outside the workplace.

Ann Arbor-based veterinary pharmaceutical and diagnostic company Zomedica Pharmaceuticals Corp. today announced a license and supply agreement with Celsee Inc. in the emerging field of liquid biopsy. Under the terms of the agreement, Zomedica will pay Celsee $500,000 up front and an additional $250,0000 in stock for animal health exclusive global rights to develop and market Celsee’s liquid biopsy platform for use by veterinarians as a cancer diagnostic.

As 2017 comes to a close and metro Detroiters prepare to make end-of-year charitable donations, DBusiness Daily News spoke with Anthony McCree, managing partner of Detroit-based George Johnson and Co., an accounting firm that specializes in charitable giving, about how to make donations count.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, student debt currently sits at a massive $1.31 trillion. In just four years, national student debt has grown approximately 36 percent. Michigan was ranked 12th highest in average debt level per student at $30,045 according to The Institute for College Access and Success 2015 study.