Here is a roundup of the latest news concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to announcements from local, state, and federal governments, as well as international channels. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
StartupNation, Dell, Microsoft Webinar Feb. 24 to Address Workplace Technologies
StartupNation in Birmingham is hosting a webinar and Q&A with representatives from Dell Technologies and Microsoft on Wednesday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m. focusing on modern workplace solutions and collaboration technologies
The webinar will be hosted by Jeff Sloan, founder and CEO of StartupNation. Presenters include Aly Hirani Sr., channel sales executive MNA at Microsoft, and Megan Shadle of Dell Technologies. Sponsors include Venture Catalysts, purpose.jobs, and DBusiness.
Participants will learn about tools, from Windows 10 Pro to Microsoft 365 Business, that will help them digitally transform their business how to position them for the future. One lucky webinar attendee will take home a Dell XPS 13 7390 and a Microsoft 365 Business Standard annual subscription.
To register for the webinar, visit here.
Study: Metro Detroit Will Gain 46K+ 5G-related Jobs Over Next Decade
According to new research from Boston Consulting Group, 5G deployment will contribute $1.4 trillion to $1.7 trillion to U.S. GDP and create 3.8 million to 4.6 million jobs in the next decade.
The report, done in collaboration with CTIA, states the Detroit metro area is set to gain more than 46,000 5G-related jobs by 2030. The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn area alone should see a bump in GDP growth from 5G of $16.18 billion over the same period.
This growth will occur directly through infrastructure investment and indirectly by enabling innovation that transforms all sectors of the economy.
The research also suggests three industries are set to benefit the most:
- Information services, which will see job growth of 205,000 and contribute $217 billion to the U.S. GDP.
- Manufacturing, which will see a boost of 380,000 jobs and contribute $165 billion to the U.S. GDP.
- Health care, which will see 341,000 new jobs and contribute $104 billion to the U.S. GDP.
5G will enable new innovative services that transform all sectors of the economy and reach all regions of the U.S., helping the economy to recover from COVID and putting people back to work, much like the wave of 4G innovation did after the 2008-09 recession, according to the report.
To review the full study, visit here.
Promenade Artisan Foods Bringing Parisian-style Cafe to Historic Fisher Building
Promenade Artisan Foods announced that it will be opening a new location inside Detroit’s iconic Fisher Building, debuting with a special pop-up on Feb. 16 starring the bakery’s own take on metro Detroit’s beloved paczki.
On Fat Tuesday, Promenade will celebrate Craczki Day from 8 a.m-4 p.m. (or while supplies last) by offering Promenade’s version of the pre-Lent staple, featuring a delicious, flaky croissant dough. Craczki will be available for this one day only.
Then, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Promenade initially will be open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursdays from Feb. 18 until March 18. After that, the restaurant be open Monday through Saturday, as well as on theater nights and for events. It will offer breakfast and lunch, as well as catering services, and grab-and-go dinners, to appeal to office workers and neighborhood residents.
After the pandemic, Promenade will open its dining room, which will make it convenient for a bite before, during, or after performances at the Fisher Theatre attendees, patrons of the Shops at the Fisher, those taking tours of the building, and other visitors.
This will mark the second restaurant for Trenton eatery, which offers sandwiches, salads, and other treats, such as macarons and croissants. Among its most popular menu items are sea salt chocolate chip cookies and quiche that boasts a creamy custard and extra flaky crust.
A key signature of the Promenade brand is its commitment to sourcing high-quality, local ingredients and preparing homemade foods from scratch, such as its breads, pastries, dressings, and sauces.
Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital Opens New Catheterization Lab
Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital has opened a new $2.4 million catheterization lab and improved Congestive Heart Failure Clinic.
This announcement comes after the recent opening of the hospital’s Stroke and Neuroendovascular Center, which provides innovative, minimally invasive procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions in the brain.
In addition to performing procedures like heart catheterization diagnostics, stent insertion, and treatment of heart blockages, the new cath lab features improved imaging, enhanced detection capabilities for cardiac and vascular imaging, decreased x-ray dosing, and higher capability to perform procedures not only in the heart, but in all of the peripheral-vasculature of the body.
The expanded CHF Clinic is designed to help heart failure patients implement healthy lifestyle changes as a result of education and planning with a multidisciplinary team.
Oakland County Treasurer Continues Property Tax Foreclosure Moratorium
Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner announced the foreclosure moratorium will continue for the second consecutive year — with 2,616 parcels being withheld from tax foreclosure in 2021 — in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As introduced in 2020, Oakland County residential and commercial property owners will not lose their properties to tax foreclosure as our state and nation continues to grapple with the pandemic.
Recognizing the ongoing economic hardships being faced by many residents and business owners throughout the county, the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office offers several payment options, including payment plans with practical terms that enable taxpayers to retain their property. Since Jan. 2, 2021, the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office says it has worked to assist property owners through individual taxpayer assistance meetings on nearly 500 parcels and approximately 1,400 automatic repayment schedules have been issued.
There are 800 parcels being held from tax foreclosure without a payment plan. Due to a range of environmental issues, 13 properties are being foreclosed for public health and safety concerns. Last year, 2,494 properties were withheld from tax foreclosure.
All Oakland County property owners are encouraged to contact the Oakland County Treasurer’s office by phone at 248-858-0611 or visit here for assistance.
MDHHS Partners with GetSetUp to Help Residents Navigate Online Vaccine Information
Through its partnership with the education technology company GetSetUp, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Adult Services Agency is offering a series of sessions to walk older Michiganders through the Michigan COVID-19 vaccine website. The goal is to help them find their local health department to register online for a vaccine appointment or to be added to the waitlist.
In addition to the vaccine information sessions, older Michiganders can access more than 150 free online group classes designed for and led by older adults. Popular classes include how to use a smartphone or tablet, how to use services like video conferencing, email, social media, as well as virtual social hours. More than 45,000 older Michiganders are currently taking advantage of free classes through GetSetUp.
Study: Consumers Are Willing to Travel Longer Distances to Get Cars They During COVID-19
Consumers are willing to go the extra mile to get the cars they desire during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the car shopping experts at Edmunds, which has an office in Detroit.
Edmunds data reveals that new vehicle inventory is down by nearly 20 percent compared to the same time last year and, as a result, car shoppers are expanding their online searches to include dealerships that are farther away. According to Edmunds website data, car shoppers indicated that they were willing to drive 47 miles on average for outgoing 2019 model year vehicles in January 2020. In January 2021, car shoppers indicated that they were willing to drive 65 miles on average for outgoing 2020 model year vehicles, nearly a 20-mile increase year over year.
“New car inventory was already tight due to coronavirus-related factory shutdowns from last year, and the current global chipset shortage has exacerbated the situation,” says Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights at Edmunds. “But car shoppers aren’t being dissuaded by the lack of inventory. They’re demonstrating that they’re ready to literally go the distance to get their hearts’ desire, even in the midst of a pandemic.”
Edmunds analysts have created a Valentine’s Day-themed “Most Desired Vehicles” barometer, which takes into account all car shopping leads submitted on Edmunds and identifies vehicles that car shoppers indicated they were willing to drive the farthest distance to obtain. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class clinched the No. 1 spot in the hearts of car shoppers, commanding an average distance of 363 miles. The Toyota GR Supra came in second, with consumers indicating they’d be willing to drive an average of 167 miles. The Kia Stinger came in third, rating an average distance of 166 miles from willing car shoppers.
GMC’s Sierra 3500HD came in fourth at 161 miles, GMC’s Sierra 2500HD placed sixth at 132 miles, Ford Motor Co.’s F-350 came in seventh at 122 miles, and General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Corvette placed eighth at 99 miles.
XLerateHealth Accelerator in Flint Recruiting Entrepreneurs
The XLerateHeath accelerator in Flint is recruiting health care Flint and Genesee County entrepreneurs, innovators, and startups for its 2021 cohort.
Applications are open through April 30 for the virtual program that runs from July 15-Sept. 23.
XLerateHealth is one of the nation’s longest-standing health care accelerators. The program expanded to Flint in 2018. Once a cradle for the birth of the automobile industry and a 20th Century industrial powerhouse, Flint is evolving to become the center of a 21st Century startup ecosystem. XLerateHealth works side-by-side with innovators, local government, and the venture capital and angel investor ecosystem, as well as a wealth of talent and resources from local universities, including The University of Michigan.
For more information and to apply, visit here.
Neighborhood Service Organization Awarded $4M for Mental Health Services
Detroit’s Neighborhood Service Organization announced that it has been selected as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and awarded $4 million in federal funding for two years to support its work.
The award enables NSO to help meet the growing needs for mental health and addiction services throughout the Detroit area and provides start-up funding for the community and mental health service provider to become a CCBHC.
Funds were made possible through the Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act, authored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). The act established new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic designation to ensure community behavioral health clinics receive the same kind of full funding as community health clinics. The program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
In becoming a CCBHC, community health centers will attain the behavioral health status equivalent to Federally Qualified Health Centers, and a way to provide whole person care for people experiencing behavioral health conditions, while also creating an integrated and financially sustainable model of patient care. Historically, behavioral and physical health needs have required separate insurance providers, especially for Medicaid patients. Today’s systems do not communicate with each other, making it difficult to deliver whole person care to vulnerable populations because of transparency issues and lack of access to data across silos.
The Excellence in Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Act requires all CCBHCs to provide a comprehensive set of behavioral health services, including 24/7/365 crisis services; outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment services; immediate screenings, risk assessments and diagnoses; and care coordination with emergency rooms, law enforcement, and veteran groups.
For more information, visit here.
JS Clark Agency Virtual Seminar Focuses on Employer Insights for an Unpredictable 2021
JS Clark Agency, an insurance provider in Southfield, is presenting its virtual spring seminar, “Employer Insights for an Unpredictable 2021,” Tuesday, march 2021
Event Time: March 16th, 2021 from 10am-3pm
Event Information: Join the JS Clark team online on Tuesday, March 16, at 10 a.m.
The seminar will provide employers with a range of professional insights and guidance for managing the challenges of the ongoing pandemic. It also will explore the rapidly changing laws and regulations due to COVID-19; highlight economic impacts of health care in 2021; and provide legal updates on COVID-19 vaccinations.
To register, visit here.
Campaign Sets Goal to Thank Every Frontline Nurse in the Country
Plymouth Township-based Nurses Inspire Nurses, a small business that offers merchandise, events, meet-ups, and free resources for nurses, is on a mission to Inspire A Nurse. The organization is asking for the community’s help to get Inspiration Kits to as many nurses on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic as possible.
“Our wish is that nurses everywhere will know they are not alone, and that they are supported and appreciated,” says Cat Golden, founder of Nurses Inspire Nurses. “If I had one goal, it would be to get an Inspiration Kit into the hands of each nurse on the frontlines to let them know how important their work is to so many. And that’s a tall order.
“We know there are many individuals and organizations that want to support nurses at this time and are unsure how to do that. This Inspire A Nurse program is an avenue to connect people with caring hearts to the nurses that need a little extra love and support right now.”
Each Inspire A Nurse Inspiration Kit varies and can include anything from self-care items, a mug or tumbler to a Nurses Inspire Nurses-branded T-shirt. What every kit does include is a thank you note and mantra card.
Those looking to get involved and support nurses on the frontlines of the pandemic, Nurses Inspire Nurses offers the following three options:
- Send an encouraging email. Send an email to InspireANurse@NursesInspireNurses.com with some encouragement and thanks for a nurse working on the frontlines. Emails will be printed and mailed to nurses on its waiting list.
- Write a handwritten card. Write a card or note and then send it to the Nurses Inspire Nurses warehouse to be included in Inspiration Kits: 15087 Northville Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170.
- Purchase an Inspiration Kit. Purchase an Inspiration Kit for $25 from the Nurses Inspire Nurses shop to be shipped to a nurse on its waiting list (currently there are approximately 2,300 nurses at this time). Each kit includes various self-care items and snacks, along with a ‘thank you’ note and mantra card.
To help cover shipping costs and employee labor associated with the program, Nurses Inspire Nurses also welcomes one-time and monthly monetary donations.
Nurses who would like to sign up to receive a free Inspiration Kit can do so by visiting here and completing a request form.
IFF Seeks Detroit-based Early Childhood Education Providers to Apply for Free Program
IFF, a nationally recognized mission-driven lender for Midwest nonprofits, is seeking early childhood education providers across the city of Detroit to apply its Learning Spaces program, now in its fourth year.
The program, which is offered free-of-charge to community-based early childhood education providers, offers consulting services, grants, and technical assistance to transform facilities into safe and inspiring learning environments, and strengthen communities’ educational foundations.
Eligible applicants to the Learning Spaces program must have a 3+ star rating in the Great Start to Quality rating system, have no current major licensing infractions and have been in operation for at least two years. Interested providers can apply here until March 1. The Winter 2021 Detroit cohort is funded by the Kellogg Foundation.
“With Learning Spaces, we strive to make early childhood education facilities reflective of the dignity the community deserves, and set a new standard for children’s learning environments, regardless of economic status or background,” says Ashanti Bryant, director of early childhood services at IFF. “We’re grateful for the support of our funders, like the Kellogg Foundation, in helping us expand access to quality early childhood education in the Detroit area.”
U-M’s Ross School of Business Planning Michigan Fashion Media Summit March 8-10
Students at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor are conducting their fourth annual Michigan Fashion Media Summit, March 8-10. This year’s event will be virtual.
The MFMS was created by a group of U-M students to inspire and educate the next generation of fashion industry leaders by connecting them to creative and professional opportunities across the retail world.
This year, Diane von Furstenberg is the event’s first keynote speaker. Scott Zalaznik, senior vice president of digital at Adidas, also is slated to speak at the summit.
For more information, contact Dana Papandreadis at danapapa@umich,edu.
LTU Essay/Video Competition Offers Summer Science Camp as Prize
Michigan middle school and high school students are invited to solve the technological challenges of tomorrow as part of Southfield’s Lawrence Technological University’s celebration of National Engineers Week.
The LTU E-Week Challenge asks students to submit a written essay of up to 500 words or a one-minute video on solving a scientific, engineering, or technological challenge.
The entries can be in one of three tracks:
- A solution to address one of the National Academy of Engineering’s Grand Challenges for Engineers.
- A science or engineering related competition solution or innovation.
- A motivational story about why the student wants to pursue a career in STEM.
Entrants must be a student in a Michigan public, private, or home school in grades six-12, with middle school and high school entries judged separately. A student team of up to four members may submit a joint entry for the first two tracks. In those tracks, designs will be judged by LTU students and faculty on creativity, problem solving technique, quality of communication, and the reason for the solution.
For the third essay track, entries will be judged by LTU students and faculty on inspirational and motivational value, description of societal needs, and explanation of a path to achieve career goals. In all tracks, sources must be cited, and plagiarized entries will be disqualified immediately.
The deadline for entry is Saturday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. Entrants must use the online submission form here.
The top three winners among the middle school and high school entries will be announced at a virtual Pi Day celebration on Tuesday, March 16 at 12:30 p.m. The first-place winner at the high school level will receive a free session at an LTU Summer Camp, a $950 value. Second and third place winners will receive an LTU laboratory experience.
JVS Human Services and Jewish Family Services Offer Free Meditation Program for Seniors
“Grey Matters: Meditation and the Brain” is the title of a free virtual lecture for metro Detroit seniors on Feb. 17 at 1 p.m. It is part of a monthly lectures series offered by Mind University, a joint initiative of JVS Human Services and Jewish Family Services, to provides seniors with activities and programs to keep their brains healthy.
“Meditation and the Brain” is being run by Rabbi Aaron Bergman of Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, who has been practicing meditation since the age of 9, when his parents became interested in transcendental medication. He will discuss the various kinds of meditation (transcendental, Zen, and insight), its benefits for older people, and practical advice on getting started with meditation.
To register for the free lecture, email MindU@jfsdetroit.org or call 248-788-MIND.
