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.
Bayview Yacht Club Opens Pre-registration for 100th Bayview Mackinac Race
Bayview Yacht Club in Detroit announced that registration for the 2023 Bayview Mackinac Race (BMR) and pre-registration for the 2024 Race, the 100th edition of the world’s longest consecutively run long-distance freshwater yacht race, is open.
To date, more than 160 competitors have signed up to participate in the 2023 BMR, which begins July 15. To register or learn more about the 2023 race, visit here.
“Registration for this year’s race is off to a strong start,” says Kevin Thomas, chair of the 2023 Bayview Mackinac Race. “Seeing the number of new and returning boats already registered is exciting. We have boats from Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Illinois, Ohio, Minnesota, New York, and Ontario, Canada already signed up to race.”
In anticipation of the historic 100th consecutive running of the BMR in 2024, officials have announced that pre-registration for the event is open. By pre-registering, sailors will be allowed to register for the race a week before official race registration opens in early October 2023.
“Planning for the 2024 Bayview Mackinac Race is going very well,” says Charlie Trost, chair of the 2024 race. “We are looking at some exciting ideas for sailors and the public. We are expecting boats and sailors from all over the world to come to Michigan to participate in the 100th.
“We expect a large fleet for the 2024 race, maybe the largest ever, and with limited dockage, berthing on the island will be at a premium. The goal in opening pre-registration so early is to secure boats who have been regular participants of the race and give new and out-of-town boats time to plan.”
The 100th BMR will start on July 20, 2024. To learn more, visit here. Current or returning competitors can register their boat record on the official race website, bycmack.com. New competitors must complete a request for an invitation that can also be found on the official race website.
Michigan Saves Reaches $1M Milestone in Loans to Detroit Residents
Lansing-based Michigan Saves, the nation’s first nonprofit green bank, has reached the $1 million loan milestone through its Detroit Loan Fund.
Close to 115 (114) Detroit households are enjoying home improvements from new windows to insulation to HVAC systems thanks to Michigan Saves and The Kresge Foundation, which provided a $2.5 million investment to establish the program.
Additionally, Michigan Saves has partnered with True Community Credit Union, which handles the origination and servicing for these loans. The fund helps ensure equity in borrowing by eliminating credit scores as loan criteria, focusing instead on the borrower’s ability to make loan payments. Reaching this milestone in just nine months, clearly indicates that Detroiters need and deserve a fair shake when it comes to home loans.
The Detroit Loan Fund also provides funding to city of Detroit nonprofits, community organizations, and small businesses for solar photovoltaic, battery storage, or electrification projects. Michigan Saves will continue to accept residential, nonprofit, and commercial applications until available capital is exhausted.
Consumers Energy Foundation to Award $50K to Small Towns
The Consumers Energy Foundation in Jackson is calling for entries in its annual Put Your Town on the Map pitch competition. The competition will provide $50,000 for big ideas in Michigan’s small towns.
The competition provides funding for three projects that help small communities in Michigan grow and thrive. Communities with up to 10,000 residents can submit proposals through April 7.
“The Put Your Town on the Map competition is all about helping make big ideas a reality for Michigan’s small communities,” says Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “Consumers Energy and our foundation have a proud tradition of helping the communities we serve to grow and thrive. Our small towns are the backbone of our state, and this competition helps those communities bring their ideas to life.”
The Consumers Energy Foundation and the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) will select 10 finalists to make their pitches at the Small Town and Rural Development Conference in June. The top three winners will receive grants worth $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000, respectively.
The Put Your Town on the Map competition seeks to reward innovative ideas that attract visitors to downtowns, advance housing, education, or employment, cultivate community pride and more. Community leaders can learn more and apply here.
Troy Chamber Announces 2023 Business Excellence Award Winners
The Troy Chamber of Commerce hosted its TC Business Excellence Awards Ceremony, presented by Horizon Bank on March 2 at the MSU Management Education Center. The ceremony announced the winners of the 13 Business Excellence awards.
Categories included Diversity Champion, Nonprofit Excellence, Woman in Action, Creative Disruptor, and more.
“All nominations were made by fellow chamber members and voting was open to the public,” says Tara Tomcsik-Husak, president and CEO of the Troy Chamber of Commerce. “I am proud to say that we received over seventy thousand votes over the course of three weeks. Each vote was counted, and we were excited to announce the winners at our first in-person Ceremony since the event’s inception in 2020.”
The award winners include:
- Nick Britsky, HOUR Media — Excellence in Tech
- Aarron Wilburn, founder of Insuring Change — Diversity Champion
- Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan — Resiliency
- Richard Machesky, superintendent of the Troy School District — Leadership
- Allison Gorman, broker, owner, and realtor at Gorman Real Estate Collective — Creative Disruptor
- 86 Plastic — Innovation
- Michelle Choice, event sales manager at Fogo de Chão — Young Professional
- Biggby Coffee Troy — Customer Service Excellence
- Gifts for All God’s Children — Community Impact
- Jill Gleba, founder and president of Gleba & Associates; author of “Uncommon $ense” — Inspiring Tomorrow
- JoJo Dries, branch manager and senior loan officer at Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. — Woman in Action
- Families Against Narcotics — Nonprofit Excellence
- Cindy Stewart, community affairs manager, city of Troy — Chamber Advocate
“While this event helped celebrate the many businesses we serve, we want to express our gratitude to all our members for supporting the chamber and local business community,” says Tomcsik-Husak.
Vibe Credit Union Wins MemberXP Awards for Transaction Experience
Vibe Credit Union in Novi has won awards for best transaction experience and mortgage loan experience in MemberXP’s 2023 Best of the Best program.
MemberXP, is a customer experience program offered through Credit Union Solutions Group.
“At Vibe Credit Union, we strive to meet the unique needs of all our members and ensure that every interaction is exceptional.,” says Melissa DeLisle, regional director of branch operations for Vibe. “We are committed to growing alongside our community by providing the tools and resources our members need to achieve their financial goals. This award is a testament to our dedication to serving our members with excellence.”
Only the highest-performing credit unions using the MemberXP program receive this honor. More than 300,000 member surveys were completed in 2022, providing data on key performance indicators and specific feedback regarding financial experiences, such as opening an account or applying for a loan.
Lee Group to Stage Ninth Annual Small Business Workshop
The Lee Group (TLG) will be conducting its ninth annual free Small Business Workshop, presented by Fifth Third Bank, at 8 a.m. May 24.
This year, the workshop will take place virtually focus on “where we go from here during these ongoing, challenging times.” Attendees will hear from business experts, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who will discuss practical solutions needed as businesses continue to navigate an uncertain economy while focusing on business sustainability.
The theme of the workshop is Navigating a Business during an Uncertain Economy.
For more information, visit here.
$6M in Grants Available in Michigan and Maryland for Aging in Place Programs
Enterprise Community Partners in New York opened applications for the second round of grants in the Thome Aging Well program to help older adults age safely and securely at home.
The program will award up to $6 million in grants this year to nonprofit organizations interested in scaling social services and other supports provided to seniors with lower incomes in Maryland and Michigan. Grants will range from $75,000 to $300,000.
The grants are part of a four-year, $19 million program funded by the Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation, Bank of America trustee, to address the structural barriers that hinder the ability of older adults to age with dignity in their homes. In 2022, Enterprise awarded $4 million in grants to 16 affordable housing providers.
“In this second round of funding, the Thome Aging Well program seeks to support the full spectrum of community-based organizations whose mission is to enhance the health and well-being of our nation’s seniors,” says Stephany De Scisciolo, vice president of impact, evaluation and population health at Enterprise. “One in five U.S. adults is age 55 or older, and as that number grows, it is essential that services and supports are in place to help people age comfortably in their homes. We are grateful to our funders for understanding the importance of this work and making the Thome Aging Well program possible.”
This round of funding is open to all nonprofit organizations providing support to older adults with low incomes residing in Maryland and Michigan. Grants will be awarded to organizations that either seek to scale supportive services and programs (e.g., social engagement, emotional well-being, skills training and physical, mental and financial health) or modifications to the built environment (e.g., accessibility, minor home repair and building safety).
Applications are due April 14 and awards will be announced in the summer. An informational webinar will take place at 3 p.m. March 14.
For more information, visit here.
Council Re|Sale in Berkley to Hold Spring Showcase Shopping Event March 26
Council Re|Sale in Berkley is ushering in spring fashion with its Spring Showcase from noon-4 p.m. on March 26.
Bargain-hunters also can sign up for a special early preview VIP event at the store (3297 W 12. Mile Road) from 10 a.m.-noon, at a cost of $25. End-of-season sales on winter clothing will be in place prior to Spring Showcase: 75 percent off all clothing and accessories from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. March 22 and a $25 fill-a-bag sale from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. March 23.
“We are so excited to be offering our Spring Showcase at a time when we know metro Detroiters are hoping to leave the winter behind but some might not have too much spare cash for a wardrobe refresh given the high cost of inflation,” says Sallyjo Levine, President of NCJW| MI. “Bargain hunters can find designer and top brands at our store, pay a fraction of the retail price, and know that they are also supporting the important work our nonprofit agency does to support local families in need.”
Levine adds that since the start of the pandemic, donations have remained consistently high, so special flash sales are being held at the store on an almost weekly basis; details of sales can be found at the store’s website councilresale.net or on Facebook or Instagram.
“We are so grateful to the local community for allowing us to thrive through their generous donations — we will surpass our budget for sales this fiscal year — as well as provide the opportunity for our customers to purchase outstanding items at prices they can afford,” Levine says.
