Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Broder & Sachse Real Estate Pioneers Resident-only NFT Drop with Detroit Artists
Broder & Sachse Real Estate, a Detroit-based full-service real estate development company, has commissioned three Detroit artists to create unique limited edition NFT collections from original artwork.
Each piece has been enhanced with interactive augmented reality experiences produced by the nation’s leading 3-D digital art company BrandXR. Residents at Detroit properties, The Scott at Brush Park, The Albert – Capitol Park, and The Hamilton – Midtown, will be gifted a unique NFT from their property collection:
- THE ALBERT x OLIVIA GUTERSON: A 225-piece NFT collection from her artwork titled “Teach Me How to Listen.”
- THE HAMILTON x CHRIS TURNER: A 225-piece NFT collection from his artwork titled “HOMEFRONT.”
- THE SCOTT x EL CAPPY: A 361-piece NFT collection from his artwork titled “WARM.”
Launching this month, the three physical art pieces will be installed in the common spaces of the Broder & Sachse Real Estate properties. The NFTs for each collection are composed of hundreds of unique slices of the artwork that will be transferred to residents to own at no charge. All residents will receive a limited edition NFT, physical twin of their building’s artwork, along with support on how to add their NFT to their crypto wallet.
Rich Broder, Partner of Broder & Sachse Real Estate, explained that each of the three Detroit multifamily properties have their own distinct personality and art collection, and his team was intentional about pairing each artist to their respective property.
“Our team has a long-standing commitment to supporting artists and creatives in Detroit,” Broder says. “We are excited to provide our residents with this unique crypto experience. NFTs can build community around an artist and in this case, also our Detroit properties.”
Broder & Sachse Partner Todd Sachse said the future uses for the resident NFTs are exciting and endless.
“Ultimately, we see these NFTs being used by our residents as a utility for membership and access to cool exclusive experiences,” Sachse says. “For now, the initiative rolls out in May 2022 and runs through the end of the year or until we run out of NFTs. Every current and new resident will receive an NFT from their building’s collection until the limited edition is fully committed, and all NFTs have been transferred.”
Visitors entering any of the three properties will be able to bring the artwork to life though an app called Electrifly, allowing them to play and interact with the artwork in augmented reality directly on their smartphones.
Artist Chris Turner, who bases much of his work in three dimensions of sculpture, says bringing his work to life through augmented reality is something he’s been doing recently as augmented reality technology improves.
“I’m excited to see the NFT project launch and know that over 200 Detroiters will own a small piece of the work through their NFT,” Turner says. “A great deal of my work is structural and by nature three dimensional, so it’s super cool to see one of my acrylic works come alive and pop off the canvas.”
Greystone Financial Hosting Market and Economic Outlook Summit May 18
Greystone Financial Group is hosting its 2022 Market and Economic Outlook Summit at 5:30 p.m. on May 18 at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy (811 W. Square Lake Rd.).
Guest speakers will include Kathy Walker of Walker Accounting and R.J. King, editor of DBusiness, DBusiness Daily News, Tech and Mobility News, Detroit 500, and author of five books, including “Detroit: Engine of America,” published by Troy-based Momentum Books and a gold medal winner of the Midwest Book Awards.
The event includes h’ordeuvres and cocktails.
RSVP to 248-267-1270 or lthompson@grestonefg.com.
Pure Michigan Tunes into State’s Musical History with Custom-made Guitar
Michigan Cares for Tourism (MC4T) nonprofit has officially launched an auction for the Pure Michigan guitar, a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind instrument created by Wallace Detroit Guitars. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to MC4T, a volunteer partnership of tourism professionals dedicated to restoring and preserving Michigan’s historic, cultural, and natural attractions.
“Pure Michigan is proud to partner with Wallace Detroit Guitars, who designed and built the Pure Michigan-branded Jazzmaster guitar,” says Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. “This incredible instrument brilliantly incorporates so many unique elements of our state, while also paying homage to our rich musical and manufacturing heritage – and it plays beautifully as well.
“We’re excited to share the opportunity to win this guitar. Whether you’re a collector or a serious musician, this instrument will be a cherished keepsake for generations to come.”
The custom-made Pure Michigan guitar is made of reclaimed old-growth pine from the Packard assembly plant, originally cut from Michigan forests. The custom pickguard is handmade of aged copper and hand-etched with the Pure Michigan logo and scenes from around the state. The guitar strap is handmade of reclaimed vinyl from 1960 Cadillac car seats, and the control knobs are handmade brass replicas of Detroit manhole covers.
To bid on the guitar, visit here. The auction will close at noon on May 25, and the winner of the guitar will be announced later that day at the “Return to Summer” Pure Michigan event on Mackinac Island via Facebook Live. To watch of video of the making of the guitar, visit here.
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment to Host Job Fair May 14
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment (IS+E) is hosting a job fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on May 14 at the Freedom Hill Banquet & Event Center in Sterling Heights looking for individuals to help create exceptional experiences for guests at outdoor entertainment and concert venues for the upcoming season.
Attendees should enter the venue parking lot located at 15000 Metro Parkway in Sterling Heights. Free parking will be available.
No reservation or appointment is needed. Available part-time positions to be hired on-site include ushers, guest services, crowd managers, concierge, parking, and more.
For additional information or to apply online, visit DistrictDetroit.com/Jobs.
Related Cos., Olympia Development, Project Destined Partner on School Internship
Related Cos. and Olympia Development of Michigan are partnering with Project Destined to offer a real estate internship program for students in Detroit.
The partnership, which builds on the internship program that Olympia Development launched last year, demonstrates Related and Olympia Development’s commitment to ensure that the Detroit Center for Innovation and The District Detroit have a positive impact on the community.
Project Destined was launched in Detroit in 2016 with a focus on increasing the number of diverse owners and leaders in the commercial real estate industry. The social impact platform, now active across 30 markets, partners with corporations, schools, and nonprofits to train students in the fundamentals of commercial real estate. Students learn through immersive sessions where they analyze live deals with experienced architects, contractors, bankers, and developers.
Through the end of June, 20 Detroit Public Schools Community District high school students will learn about real estate, business, investment, and management. The spring virtual internship program is organized into four, two-week rotations where interns will develop their team building and work experience and skills related to market research, project analysis, property valuation, deal financing, and more.
As part of the internship, students gain hands-on experience and learn alongside a team of fellow interns. Each team has a dedicated Project Destined alumnus who serves as a program manager, and each works closely with a set of company executives who provide mentorship and oversight throughout the internship. The internship program will also include a fall internship class.
Deadline Approaching to Enter $100K Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest
For entrepreneurs seeking funding to open a retail storefront in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck, the deadline is fast approaching to enter the 2022 Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest in hopes of winning $100,000 from Comerica Bank.
Interested applicants with a retail concept looking to open a brick-and-mortar location can submit their business plans via the Hatch Detroit website no later than Thursday, May 12 at 11:59 p.m.
Entrepreneurs also can drop off samples in person at TechTown Detroit (440 Burroughs St.) from May 10-12 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
The contest, which is returning for the first time since 2019, aims to promote small business economic development in Detroit. It takes place over a four-month span, including two rounds of public voting — Top 10 and Top 4 — allowing the community to vote for their favorite businesses to win.
The top 10 ideas will be introduced to the community for public vote to determine four finalists. A second public vote will help decide the contest winner. Each of the four finalists will compete in a “Hatch Off” event competition on July 21 and pitch their business idea to a panel of judges and an audience of peers. Public vote and judges’ deliberation determine the winner.
The winner of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest will receive $100,000 to support their business plan from Comerica Bank at the annual “Hatch Off”. The winner will also receive technical assistance from Hatch Detroit, TechTown and their partners that includes accounting, legal, IT, public relations, and counsel to help open a business in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck.
For more information to submit business proposals to Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest, interested entrepreneurs can visit HatchDetroit.com.
Lee Group’s Small Business Workshop Virtual Series Begins Wednesday
The Lee Group will be conducting its eighth annual Small Business Workshop — with the theme “The Future is Now: The Roadmap to Recovery” — at 10 a.m. starting May 11.
Presented by Fifth Third Bank, the series will focus on business recoverability and sustainability with sessions on May 11, 18, 25, and June 1.
“The last two years have been truly a challenge for everyone, including small businesses,” says Mark S. Lee, president and CEO of the Lee Group. “We’ve seen small businesses struggle to survive. However, tools are in place to continue to fight COVID. We’re beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have some distance to cover.”
The purpose of this year’s workshop is to focus on re-establishing a strong foundation, strengthening the small business core with an eye toward the future. The objective is to identify practical solutions businesses need to prepare for a post-COVID-19 world.
Attendees will hear from business experts, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who will discuss practical solutions businesses need to continue to navigate the pandemic while preparing and focusing on sustainability.
For more information, visit here and use the Small Business Workshop tab.
Ann Arbor SPARK Annual Meeting is May 17 at EMU
Ann Arbor SPARK is conducting its annual meeting from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on May 17 at the Eastern Michigan University Student Center in Ypsilanti (900 Oakwood St.).
Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the science mission directorate at NASA, will be the keynote speaker.
Zurbuchen is well versed in the practice of asking difficult questions that help people seek interconnected answers leading to real-world impacts. He is interested in innovation and how leadership is developed and how the pursuit of excellence can help change the world.
To register to attend the meeting, visit here.
Agency Honors Foster Parents for National Foster Care Month
The Children’s Center (TCC) will observe national Foster Care Month in May by saluting a few good parents who have stepped up to answer the call with a Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner June 3 at the Hilton Garden Inn – Southfield.
“Foster parents are the unsung heroes,” says Debora Matthews, president and CEO of The Children’s Center. “They are learning and loving children through their previous pain and helping them heal and live healthy and whole lives. It is not easy – it is definitely a ‘labor of love.’ And we honor them for their efforts.”
In Michigan, more than 13,000 children are placed in foster care annually. The Children’s Center provides foster care services for approximately 225 children on any given day. The only agency in Michigan whose child welfare staff is fully trained in Traumatic Stress, TCC offers an array of programs to help stabilize families and return children to their homes. It also provides adoption and respite services to TCC foster parents to support the mission of caring for children and families.
In addition, TCC provides an Independent Living support program for young adults who have aged out of the foster care system. TCC is unique in offering a one-stop-shopping approach to mental, physical, behavioral, and developmental services at a single location on their Midtown campus.
For more information, visit here.
WCC to Display Mustang Mach-E, Highlight Training at May 12 Careers Event
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor will display its Ford Mustang Mach-E electric vehicle, its automotive cybersecurity workbenches, and skills training pathways at the Careers of Today & Tomorrow event May 12, at the Southern Michigan Center for Science & Industry in Hudson.
WCC is one of the primary sponsors along with host Michigan Works! Southeast.
Hundreds of high school juniors and seniors and adult job seekers are invited to the event where they will learn about workforce training and immediate career opportunities in manufacturing and engineering, health sciences and human services, construction and energy, and other in-demand careers, including transportation.
Interactive demonstrations will be led by working professionals to showcase the types of current and future careers. Nearly 25 employers will be on hand looking to fill jobs.
WCC will highlight occupational programs, certificates, and associate degrees. In addition to its Advanced Transportation Center and mobility exhibit with the electric vehicle, in-demand programs such as welding, advanced manufacturing, health sciences and construction management will be featured.
Admissions reps will also be on hand to discuss WCC’s low tuition and other benefits such as its Open Education Resources program, which has saved students $9 million in recent years with free online textbooks for certain courses.
Careers of Today & Tomorrow will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Southern Michigan Center for Science & Industry, 550 E. Main St., Hudson.
The complete list of sponsoring organizations, and attendee and exhibitor registration can be found here.
Power Up: It’s a Mother-Daughter Thing! Coming to Midland May 18
The Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA) and LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction) are bringing Power Up: It’s a Mother-Daughter Thing! to the Greater Midland Curling Club (2009 S. Jefferson Ave.) on May 18 at 5:30 p.m.
Power Up’s mission is to educate young women on careers in the construction industry; engage girls with women and employers in the construction industry; and encourage young women to explore the construction industry through hands-on activities and learn more about the educational resources.
Power UP uses what it calls “innovative solutions” to create partnerships at all levels and works toward removing barriers that have prohibited the development of a diversified and strong workforce for the construction industry.
“We are so excited to be bringing the Power Up event to young girls and their moms/guardians,” says Stephanie Davis, president of GMCA, about bringing the event to Midland. “This will be the first event of its kind in our region. This event will educate and engage young girls and allow them to explore the construction industry through hands-on activities.”
Female students in grades 6-12, and their parent/guardian will spend the evening participating in hands-on activities, hearing from speakers, and exploring career opportunities in the construction industry.
