Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Asian Brand Vehicles to Rally at M1 Concourse in Pontiac May 4
Tricked-out Subarus, Mazdas, Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas from past to present will converge on M1 Concourse in Pontiac for Cars & Coffee on Saturday, May 4 from 8-11 a.m.
Guests can expect a flurry of modified neon green and bright blue cars, rear spoilers galore, and a chance to look under the hood.
The state’s largest Cars & Coffee event of its kind is an open-to-all. While Japanese domestic vehicles are the focus, other unique and collector cars are welcome. Cars & Coffee is presented by Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM.
On-site activities include a complimentary or specialty coffee from Rootless Coffee, a food truck, M1 merchandise, and displays from Snap-on, Yankee Air Museum, Rhino Dyno, Suburban Exotics, and Ziebart.
M1’s Cars & Coffee was named within the Top 5 national people’s choice car shows by USA Today’s 10Best editors.
Tickets are available at no cost in advance by visiting here.
Massachusetts-based UniFirst to Open New High-tech Facility in Taylor
UniFirst Corp., a Massachusetts-based provider of customized business uniform programs, is hosting a ribbon-cutting event at 11 a.m. May 3 to celebrate the grand opening of its new 70,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art uniform service and processing facility in Taylor.
Developed to accommodate a rapidly growing customer base in metro Detroit, the new plant is one of the most technologically advanced operations in North America, featuring the latest innovations in textile services technologies and automation. The new operation and its team of approximately 100 on-site employees provide local business with personalized service programs for uniforms and workwear, as well as facility service products like floor mats and mops, wipers and towels, and restroom and ancillary business products.
“Our flagship operation in Taylor is at the forefront of the latest advances in uniform and textile service technologies and innovation,” says Steven Sintros, president and CEO of UniFirst. “Our expansion in this important market will allow us to maximize service levels to local business customers allowing us to always deliver exceptional service and customized products.”
Spanning nine acres, the new facility supports greater energy efficiencies through investments that include heat reclaiming equipment, contemporary rooftop HVAC units, and the latest-generation high efficiency machinery using less of gas, electric, water, and detergents while producing hygienically laundered garments and textiles. This eco-conscious approach extends to our cleaning formulas and detergents that are environmentally friendly while natural light throughout the plant offers a better employee experience while saving energy.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing this world-class operation to the metro Detroit market,” says Earl Harris, general manager at UniFirst. “I’m proud that our Taylor facility houses the very best of all the technological advancements we’ve made over the years and is a flagship for future UniFirst servicing operations. It also reinforces our ongoing commitment to always deliver quality, efficiency, and industry-leading customer service, and represents UniFirst’s long-term commitment to the local business community.”
HopCat to Open New Partridge Creek Restaurant May 6
Project BarFly, the west Michigan-based hospitality group that oversees operations of HopCat and Stella’s Lounge, announced grand opening details for its new HopCat restaurant located at 17380 Hall Road at The Mall at Partridge Creek.
The 7,000-square-foot restaurant and beer bar will open to the public beginning at 11 a.m. on May 6, offering 42 taps of local craft beer and its comfort food menu with Cosmik Fries.
On May 9 at 2 p.m., HopCat will host an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce, local community leaders, and HopCat’s mascot, Brewce. On May 11, HopCat will be giving away free Cosmik Fries for one year to the first 100 guests in line during a public housewarming celebration. Doors will open at 10 a.m., and dine-in guests will receive HopCat promotional items and special gifts while supplies last.
Guests will not be allowed to form a line overnight. Those interested in being one of the first 100 guests may begin lining up after 6 a.m. on May 11.
The new location will accommodate up to 320 guests and feature a wrap-around bar, spacious booth seating, an outdoor patio, and a private event space for up to 50 people. Additionally, HopCat’s music theme décor is on full display in the new space with a signature wall adorned with classic vinyl record covers of famous musical artists, custom murals & the brand’s largest beer tap handle wall.
Prior to the public opening on May 6, HopCat is partnering with the Humane Society of Macomb County. During the soft opening weekend, HopCat will match up to $5,000 of all monies raised through alcohol sales and charitable donations to support life-saving resources for homeless dogs and cats.
HNC Virtual Solutions in Wixom Rebrands to J&B Virtual Solutions
HNC Virtual Solutions, the technology research and telehealth affiliate of J&B Medical and J&B Pharmacy Services in Wixom, announced the company has changed its name to J&B Virtual Solutions.
In addition to adding clarity to the company’s affiliation with the J&B Family of Cos., the move positions the family of companies to further its mission of providing population health management solutions by providing the best medical products, services, and technology.
J&B Virtual Solutions offers VideoDoc, a comprehensive and integrated Telehealth Platform that includes and supports virtual visits, remote patient monitoring, patient health surveys, and both behavioral health and social determinants of health screenings with tailored brief interventions and patient resources. The new integration of J&B Virtual Solutions provides services into the full J&B suite of offerings. Healthcare professionals will benefit from more streamlined communication and faster processing time, which helps them improve outcomes for patients.
For more information, visit jandbvirtualsolutions.com.
Meijer Donation Supports Development of Michigan’s First Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital
Grand Rapids-based retailer Meijer announced a $3 million donation to the Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, a joint partnership between Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation and Corewell Health Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The donation will help fund the construction of this new facility, bringing more innovative care for young patients who have experienced a life-changing injury or illness.
The Joan Secchia Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital will be a state-of-the-art, freestanding children’s rehabilitation hospital dedicated to helping all kids achieve the best possible outcome through compassionate collaboration, innovation, and interdisciplinary care. The hospital will offer inpatient and outpatient services for children with a wide range of conditions, such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multi-trauma, and cancer.
The hospital will be built on Wealthy Street across from the Mary Free Bed Grand Rapids Campus with a pedestrian walkway connecting the hospitals. The three-story facility will have 24 private inpatient rooms, sophisticated technology fit for children, and spaces for specialized services.
Groundbreaking for the $70 million freestanding hospital is planned to take place this year, with expected completion in 2026.
Top Four Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest Finalists Compete for $100K at the Hatch Off
The four finalists in the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown will pitch their businesses to a panel of judges and a live audience at the Hatch Off on Thursday, May 9, for the chance to win $100,000 in startup funds from Comerica Bank, as well as technical assistance from TechTown Detroit and its partners, to open a brick-and-mortar business in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park.
The event will take place starting at 6 p.m. May 9 at the Wayne State University Industry Innovation Center (461 Burroughs St.) in Detroit.
The four finalists are:
- Amarra Beauty Products/G.L.A.M. Body Scrubs
- Harry Rich Clothier
- Khana
- Roller Skate Detroit
ACG Detroit to Present Success, Scaling & Lessons Learned May 14 in Birmingham
ACG Detroit is hosting Entrepreneurial Business Growth in the Middle Market: Success, Scaling & Lessons Learned from 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 14 at the Birmingham Community House (380 South Bates St.).
Panelists will explore a variety of experiences and perspectives that have shaped their organizations and attendees will hear the secret sauce behind how they have been able to successfully build partnerships, navigate succession planning, scaling, and continue to achieve success post pandemic.
Panelists include Ron Hall, president and CEO of Bridgewater Interiors; Mark Douglas, president of Avis Ford Inc.; Dimitrius Hutcherson, executive vice president, chief administrative officer, and chief technology officer at First Independence Bank,, and moderator Elizabeth Masserang, a senior project consultant at SME.
Tickets are $75 for members, $95 for non-members. To purchase tickets, visit here.
O’Keefe Awarded TMA Detroit 2023 Transaction of the Year
O’Keefe, a financial and strategic advisory firm specializing in corporate finance, litigation support, strategic advisory, and turnaround and restructuring, announced the firm will be recognized at the 2023 TMA Detroit Awards Reception.
O’Keefe, along with Taft, Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Miller Johnson, PLC, and Robert N. Bassel, have been named recipients of the TMA Detroit 2023 Transaction of the Year (Large Company) award for their work with Ark Laboratory.
As a result of this turnaround, the company was able to main its infrastructure and improve capacity to deliver care to Michigan communities.
The TMA Detroit Transaction Awards are presented to the individual who, together with a team of other TMA turnaround professionals, has orchestrated the most successful transaction/turnaround this past calendar year.
O’Keefe, and other 2023 award recipients, will be honored at an awards ceremony on May 7, 2024, at the Kingsley by Doubletree Hotel in Bloomfield Hills.
Rehman Named ‘Best and Brightest’ Company to Work for in West Michigan, Metro Detroit
Rehmann, a professional advisory firm in Troy, has been named a 2024 winner for both West Michigan’s and Metro Detroit’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by The National Association for Business Resources (NABR). This marks Rehmann’s 22nd year receiving the recognition.
“At Rehmann, we prioritize creating an accepting and positive environment for our associates. Receiving this award proves that our put people first mindset and methods produce healthy results firmwide,” says Scott Bonacorsi, chief human resources officer at Rehmann. “The success we see as a firm is directly related to our extraordinary associates who provide exceptional services to our clients.”
To be considered for the award, Rehmann was evaluated on several measures including compensation, benefits, employee engagement and development, recruitment and selection, employee achievement and recognition, communication and shared vision, diversity, equity and inclusion, work-life balance, community initiatives, leadership, and company performance.
For the full list of 2024 recipients, visit here. For more information about Rehmann, visit rehmann.com.
MedCerts, Mott Community College Announce New Partnership
The Mott Community College Workforce and Economic Development Division in Flint and MedCerts announced a collaboration aimed at enhancing allied health education.
By tapping into the potential of MedCerts’ short-term online programs and content, MCC will provide additional opportunities for students interested in pursuing careers in critical health care roles. This partnership is expected to be a significant step forward for MCC’s Workforce and Economic Development Division, as it becomes the first community college in Michigan to join forces with MedCerts.
This alliance could reshape health care education by offering students the opportunity to become trained and certified as medical scribes and EKG technicians. The programs will feature a hybrid format, combining online coursework with a hands-on externship component, ensuring students acquire practical skills essential for success in the health care industry.
Forgotten Harvest Farms’ 2024 Season Opens to Volunteers May 1
Oak Park-based nonprofit Forgotten Harvest operates a 95-acre farm in Fenton that opens May 1 and is seeking volunteers for a variety of duties.
The farm, which has been operating since 2013, was conceived to deliver more fresh produce into the homes of metro Detroiters experiencing food insecurity and has harvested more than 7 million pounds of fresh produce since then.
For the 2024 season, the farm team met with the Forgotten Harvest Food Sourcing and Client Services teams to determine the 15 crops that will be grown this season based on the specific cultural and dietary needs of metro Detroiters.
Nicola potatoes, a type of potato with a low glycemic index that is better for individuals with diabetes or heart disease, is one of the new crops being planted and harvested this year. Additionally, Forgotten Harvest Farms staff and volunteers are planting red cabbage for the first time due to its nutritional value. Other crops that will be planted this year include several varieties of peppers, collard greens, eggplant, green beans, sweet corn, zucchini, watermelon, honeydew melon, a variety of lettuces, pumpkins, garlic, and several herbs.
The volunteer schedule is live on Forgotten Harvest’s volunteer website with opportunities beginning May 1 for as many as three days a week until it’s time to harvest in late summer and fall. This spring, volunteers will help with field preparations, tidying around the barnyard, and landscaping.
Opportunities are open between May and November and, with a yield goal of more than 900,000 pounds of fresh produce, metro Detroiters experiencing hunger are relying on plenty of volunteer power to help get that food into the community.
For more information and to volunteer, visit here.
Milliken State Park to Host Sturgeon Day This Saturday
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, in partnership with the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, is hosting Sturgeon Day from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. this Saturday at William G. Milliken State Park (1900 Atwater St.) in Detroit.
Staff from the Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office – Detroit River Substation and the Michigan DNR also will be participating in the free event to teach guests about the sturgeon, which is considered a threatened species in Michigan.
After decades of declining numbers, the sturgeon population has increased and now there are estimated to be more than 4,400 of them living in the Detroit River.
Guests at Sturgeon Day can enjoy learning activities, games, arts and crafts, and have the opportunity to touch a live sturgeon that was caught in the Detroit River. A local food truck will provide food and refreshments for purchase.
To register, visit here.
Parking is available across the street from the event at the Outdoor Adventure Center lot. Free parking is available down the street near Robert C. Valade Park (corner of Atwater and Chene streets), and at Cullen Plaza (1340 Atwater St.) in Detroit.
