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.
Bedrock Presents Decked Out Detroit Field Guide for NFL Draft
Downtown Detroit commercial real estate company Bedrock has published the Decked Out Detroit Field Guide highlighting 119 must-visit spots for dining, eating, drinking, shopping, parking, and entertainment for locals and visitors coming to the NFL Draft.
An interactable version of the Field Guide is available at DeckedOutDetroit.com. When the website opens, click on ”Plan Yor Visit” on the toolbar.
New and notable in the Field Guide:
- Next Level by Rollercade
- Remix Detroit
- Adelina
- Gilly’s Clubhouse
- Chipotle
- Rifai
- Leña
- Dunkin’
- Easy Peasy
- The Aroma Labs
- Born in Detroit
- NFL Shop presented by Visa
- Detroit Lions Shop
- Recess
- The StockX Experience
Angela Hospice Opening Hospice Residence at Lourdes Senior Community in Waterford Township
Angela Hospice will expand its caring services to the Waterford Township community and beyond when it begins operating a 15-bed hospice residence at Lourdes Senior Community this summer and providing additional home hospice services in the area.
The nonprofit will extend its geographic reach further into north Oakland County, offering additional outreach to benefit all in the community, not just those on hospice care, through transformational grief support groups, educational outreach, and the Good Samaritan program, which serves those who are without insurance or the ability to pay for hospice.
“This is such a wonderful opportunity for us to expand our compassionate hospice care that we’ve become known for since 1985,” says Marti Coplai, president and CEO of Angela Hospice. “To be able to support even more people going through one of life’s most difficult times will be so meaningful for our team, and we hope, the community too. We couldn’t have asked for a better location than at Lourdes Senior Community, whose mission and core values are so similar to our own.”
While the inpatient hospice residence at Lourdes will offer care for those who are unable to remain at home due to the severity of their illness, or lack of an available caregiver; Angela Hospice’s home hospice program will support an even greater number of families, offering home visits for terminally ill people to manage symptoms and other caring services, such as emotional support from social workers and spiritual care counselors, and a telehospice patient support center that provides access to Angela Hospice nurses any time of day or night.
For more information, visit LourdesSeniorCommunity.org.
Dearborn’s Carhartt Force Sun Defender Series Enhances UV Protection
Carhartt in Dearborn has launched the Force Sun Defender series — its lightest performance gear solution to battle the heat and sun.
The Force Sun Defender line combines the workwear brand’s durability with UV protection tough enough to withstand tasks ranging from the jobsite to the great outdoors. Built to get the job done in the sun, the series is engineered to deliver UPF 50+ sun protection and block 98 percent of harmful UV rays from reaching the skin. Additionally, each piece features Carhartt’s Force and FastDry technologies is designed to wick away sweat.
“At Carhartt, we pride ourselves on serving and protecting hardworking people every day, no matter the task, condition or season,” says Susan Hennike, chief brand officer at Carhartt. “This innovative series embodies our dedication to the health and safety of workers in need of sun protection tough enough for the jobsite. For us, Force Sun Defender is more than just workwear — it’s a commitment to equipping the workforce with the resources they need to stay protected against the elements and create their own histories.”
With new colors such as Coral Glow, Gulf Blue, Lilac Haze, Sedona Orange, and more, the new Force Sun Defender series offers full body protection with new pieces in men’s and women’s styles, including long-sleeve hooded T-shirts, logo graphic T-shirts for men and women, and a relaxed fit lightweight shirt for men.
For more information, visit here.
Sharrow Propeller Named Clean Technology Transportation Solution of the Year
The Sharrow Propeller from Sharrow Marine in St. Clair Shores has been named the Clean Technology Transportation Solution of the Year in CleanTech’s Breakthrough’s inaugural awards program.
CleanTech Breakthrough is an independent market intelligence organization that evaluates and recognizes standout climate and clean technology companies, products, and services around the globe in categories including solar technology, smart grid, energy management, wind energy, waste and recycling, transportation, and more.
“The Sharrow Propeller is a groundbreaking leap in propeller technology, addressing long-standing inefficiencies in traditional designs,” says Bryan Vaughn, managing director of CleanTech Breakthrough Awards. “Designing and building sustainable technology within the maritime industry is essential for reducing environmental impact and protecting our oceans and waterways.
“Even small efficiency gains make a significant difference for consumers and the impacts on marine life. The dramatically reduced fuel consumption and environmental impact are compelling and crucial aspects of this technology for boats and beyond.”
The Sharrow Propeller is recognized as the first major advancement in propeller technology since the 1830s, with a patented design that eliminates or significantly reduces tip cavitation and vortices. Third-party testing and the endorsement of satisfied customers attest to its benefits. It offers up to an 80 percent reduction in noise, a smoother and more reliable boating experience, and up to 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to standard propellers. These advantages enhance the boating experience and significantly reduce each boat’s carbon footprint and impact on marine life.
Report: Graduates of Three Michigan Colleges Among Nation’s Best Paid
Think Advisor has placed three Michigan business schools among the top 15 business schools in the nation, based on how much their graduates are paid.
Cleary University in Howell and Northwood University in Midland tied for 9th place on the list with graduates making $102,700 mid-career, based on data from PayScale. Walsh College in Troy checked in at No. 14 at $97,700.
Babson College in Massachusetts was No. 1 on the list with graduates making $175,200 mid-career.
GSH Group in Clawson Sells Foote Hills Property in Grand Rapids for $32M
The GSH Group, a multifamily real estate investment company in Clawson, has sold its Foote Hills property in Grand Rapids for $32 million.
GSH acquired the Foote Hills property in March 2020, recognizing the potential in the thriving Grand Rapids submarket. At the time of acquisition, rental rates in the community were below market rents. GSH implemented an intentional value-add program, making capital investments to upgrade the interior units and enhance the property’s exterior components.
These improvements allowed the property to attract a higher-quality demographic of renters and subsequently raise the rental rates, thereby significantly boosting the asset’s status in the market.
Born In Detroit Creates Apparel Line to Benefit Fredi the Pizza Man Foundation
Fredi The Pizzaman Foundation announces a collaboration with Michigan owned and operated, Born in Detroit Apparel, with the launch of an exclusive Fredi The Pizzaman Foundation apparel line.
A portion of proceeds from this limited-edition line will benefit the foundation, which focuses on autism. The collaborative apparel line is available for a limited time, now through April 22, at BornInDetroit.Store and at FrediThePizzaMan.com.
The foundations mission is to create Autism Acceptance and honoring Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) teachers for all the great work they do for children. The purpose of the Fredi The Pizzaman Foundation is to provide sensory rooms in Michigan schools and public places. To date the foundation has supported 85 schools throughout Michigan and some major arenas including Ford Field and the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Davenport University Introduces Only Cancer Tumor Registry Certificate in Michigan
Davenport University in Grand Rapids has introduced a certificate program enabling students to contribute to research needed to improve cancer outcomes.
Davenport’s post-associate cancer tumor registry certificate is the only one of its kind in Michigan. The specialized program, which is totally online, is aimed toward students who already have an associate degree and want to pursue a career as an oncology data specialist (ODS), formerly cancer tumor registrar (CTR). The role is essential for providing the data needed for researchers and health care providers.
Megan Tober, the associate department chair and program director for the health information management programs at Davenport, says the program can be completed in as little as three semesters.
Michigan’s Americana Radio Platform The Sonic Coast Celebrates Milestone
Pioneering internet radio station The Sonic Coast, founded by broadcast executive and Royal Oak native Brian Maloney, is marking its first six months on the airwaves.
Since its inception in September 2023, The Sonic Coast already has played more than 30,000 songs recorded by Michigan artists and counting, establishing itself as a premier platform for Americana and roots-rock music while spotlighting Michigan’s rich musical heritage.
Maloney’s deep-rooted connection to Michigan and his passion for its music scene sparked the creation of The Sonic Coast, providing local artists with a professional platform for exposure and recognition. Through its dedicated Android and iOS apps and compatibility with home listening devices, The Sonic Coast ensures accessibility for listeners worldwide, fostering a global appreciation for Michigan’s musical talent.
Michigan State University Graduate Programs Ranked No. 1 by U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report recognized six of the graduate programs at Michigan State University in East Lansing as first in the nation, including two programs recognized as No. 1 for three decades, in its 2024-25 Best Graduate Schools rankings
“Leading global research universities like MSU are all about strong academic disciplines and professional programs,” says Kevin M. Guskiewicz, president of MSU. “Continuously earning high marks from our peers through the U.S. News & World Report rankings confirms the high quality of our work. Spartan graduate students are tomorrow’s knowledge leaders and world-changers.”
With the release of the report, the College of Education — which is ranked No. 21 in the nation overall — broke two of its own records. Five programs are now ranked No. 1 and all of the ranked programs appear in the top 10. This marked the 30th consecutive year the college has been ranked No. 1 for elementary and secondary education.
The rankings of the College of Education graduate programs are:
No. 1 — Curriculum and instruction
No. 1 — Elementary education
No. 1 — Secondary education
No. 1 — Educational administration
No. 1 — Higher education administration
No. 4 — Educational psychology
No. 6 — Education policy
No. 9 — Special education
MSU also continued its excellence in supply chain management. U.S. News & World Report ranked the supply chain and logistics graduate program No. 1 for the eighth straight year with the undergraduate program ranked No. 1 for more than a decade. The operations and sourcing management program, also in the Department of Supply Chain Management, is ranked No. 9 in production/operations.
The magazine doesn’t rank every program annually. The graduate programs not appearing in the 2024-25 report that maintain their top 20 positions are:
No. 2 — Nuclear physics
No. 2 — Rehabilitation counseling
No. 2 — Industrial and organizational psychology
No. 3 — African history
No. 9 — Criminal justice/criminology
No. 15 — Veterinary medicine
No. 16 — Econometrics
No. 17 — African American history