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.
Butzel Law Firm Expands Footprint with New West Michigan Office
Detroit-based Butzel, one of Michigan’s leading law firms, is adding a Grand Rapids office that includes three established local attorneys who will join Butzel on Jan. 1, 2023.
The addition of Lee T. Silver, Michael L. Gutierrez, and J. Terrance Dillion, currently with Silver and Van Essen P.C., will augment Butzel’s litigation practice, with the intent to grow the new location into a full-service office with the addition of more attorneys, according to Paul M. Mersino, who will become Butzel’s next President and CEO in March 2023.
“We are focused on growing as a firm and adding a Grand Rapids office is part of that initiative,” Mersino says. “We already have clients who conduct business in west Michigan, and this will allow us to better serve them while also broadening our client base. This an excellent time for Butzel to expand in the region, and we are doing so with some of the most respected and talented lawyers in Michigan. We could not be more excited by this expansion.”
Justin G. Klimko, the firm’s current President and CEO, adds: “We are thrilled to welcome Lee, Mike, and Terry to Butzel’s ranks. They bring to us an established and highly respected presence in west Michigan. Grand Rapids is an important city and market and presents great opportunities to our firm, especially with such outstanding colleagues.”
Silver is an experienced trial lawyer who has a long record of obtaining results for his clients. He has successfully handled complex commercial litigation cases of virtually every type over the past 38 years in state and federal courts throughout Michigan and more than a dozen other states.
Licensed in Michigan and Illinois, Gutierrez handles complex litigation matters and disputes for businesses and individuals throughout Michigan and nationally. He regularly represents manufacturers in supply chain litigation involving stop-shipment situations, requests for injunctive relief, volume, and pricing disputes, and related “terms and conditions” negotiations and litigation.
Dillon is a former assistant U.S. attorney specializing in white collar criminal defense, internal investigations, and commercial litigation.
Survey: Manufacturing Slowing Down but Long-term Positive Trends Remain
Bank of America’s latest Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing survey suggests the sector contracted in November, the first time since May 2020. And it’s clear that following the strong bounce back after the pandemic, that growth is at least moderating.
As global supply chain pressures ease and underlying demand in the economy undergoes a cyclical weakening, manufacturing sector growth in the short run looks likely to ease. An additional factor is that some retailers have excess inventories on their books, so manufacturing demand may also be squeezed by some destocking.
In the near term, manufacturing faces downward pressure as the tailwind from easing global supply chain fades and final demand undergoes a cyclical weakening. The strong dollar and an inventory overhang in retail are further drags on the sector.
This moderation is starting to become evident in the Bank of America data. Small businesses in manufacturing are showing slower growth in payroll payments — down from a peak of 16.4 percent year over year in March to 7.6 percent in October. And payments per small business client for this group has also flattened out lately, after growing at a strong pace for the past two years.
But the bank says it sees two reasons to be cheerful in the longer run. First, the auto sector likely has considerable pent-up demand following the chip shortage, which should support manufacturing in this space. And second, onshoring, aimed at shortening supply chains and bringing manufacturing back to the U.S. from overseas, should provide longer-lasting support.
To view the full results of the survey, visit here.
Ferndale’s RAD-G Using AI to Address Safety Concerns at EV Charging Stations
Robotic Assistance Devices Group (RAD-G) in Ferndale is providing its AI-powered security analytics as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components, which have the ability to detect and respond to instances of trespassing, loitering, and the presence of firearms at electric vehicle charging stations.
Safety feature components may include a system-level board (RADPack Milli), microphones, security cameras, audio speakers, and messaging panels. Components can detect and respond to instances of trespassing, loitering, and the presence of firearms.
“In order to provide enough range for drivers, some charging stations will undoubtably be in dark and desolate locations,” says Steve Reinharz, founder and CEO of RAD-G. “They must be secure for drivers to use them.
“Implementation of our devices in charging stations will help create safe havens so drivers can charge their vehicles safely and securely and in doing so we can support the movement toward electric vehicles, which is so important to our energy and environmental future.”
At the core of the RAD ecosystem is what’s known as an autonomous response, the series of programmed and machine-learned responses to events and actions within the device’s field of view. Other security devices record video for later retrieval and review, but only after the occurrence of suspicious or unlawful activities.
RAD-G’s package, the RADPack Milli, can detect firearms up to 250-feet away, under the right conditions, providing an advantage of time to protect and respond. RADPack Milli harnesses the power of RAD’s AI analytic library to be able to detect when an unusual situation occurs and if it continues.
These fully customizable autonomous responses could be an escalation of both audible and visual alerts, including highly visible lighting and blaring alarms. If the detected situation continues, devices may open lines of communication with local or remote monitoring personnel or law enforcement to dispatch resources to the scene.
“Our plan is to offer EV charging station manufacturers low-cost, add-on components to their existing charging stations,” Reinharz says. “Our RADPack Milli, when integrated into a charging station, will greatly expand the value of any charging station, providing much need security and safety features to an often-vulnerable situation.”
Meijer Announces Opening Date for New Meijer Grocery Store Concept
Grand Rapids-based Meijer announced Jan. 26, 2023 as the opening day for its first two Meijer Grocery stores, in Orion Township and Macomb Township.
“By opening Meijer Grocery stores, we’re introducing a new way for our customers to shop that provides convenience, value, and the great quality our customers have always come to expect from Meijer,” says Rick Keyes, president and CEO of Meijer. “Our customers’ needs are always evolving, and we’re committed to meeting them where they are. That’s why we’re excited to share this new Meijer experience with the Orion Township and Macomb Township communities.”
Meijer Grocery is a new type of Meijer store focused on simplifying the customer shopping experience. The stores are designed with convenience and ease in mind. For example, parking will wrap around a singular corner entrance to maximize the number of parking spaces near the door. The stores will be 75,000-90,000 square feet each and feature all the categories customers need for a weekly trip to restock the home, including:
- Produce and grocery
- Meat counter with in-store meat cutters
- Bakery equipped with in-store cake decorators
- Full-service deli
- Pharmacy
- Health and beauty care
- Baby, pets, and consumables
- Card and party, and floral
“Orion and Macomb Townships are already very familiar with our Meijer supercenters, but we believe they will benefit from the added convenience Meijer Grocery will bring to their neighborhoods,” says Don Sanderson, senior vice president of merchandising at Meijer. “We specifically chose to launch this new store format in southeast Michigan because we’re a Michigan company that has been serving customers in metro Detroit for decades.”
For more information, visit here.
Commercial Alliance in Troy Passes $1B in Portfolio Loans Outstanding
On the strength of generating more than $270 million in new commercial loans so far in 2022, Troy-based Commercial Alliance’s commercial loan portfolio has passed the $1 billion mark.
“We have had a strong production year, and we will approach closing over $300 million in originations by year end, says Scott Wolffis, CEO of Commercial Alliance. “Our loan participation network of credit unions is as strong as ever, and we continue to support them in their pursuit of having an impact on the communities they serve.”
Commercial Alliance ranks among the top commercial lending credit union service organizations in the nation thanks to its strong commercial loan underwriting, documentation, servicing, and loan administration services. Wolffis also notes the strength of its expanded loan participation network, credit union training program, and special assets management team as drivers of the company’s success.
Southwest Housing Solutions Finishes Renovation of Two Detroit Apartment Buildings
Southwest Housing Solutions in Detroit has completed the $7.8 million renovation of the Savannah and Wilshire apartments on West Grand Boulevard that will be offered at deeply affordable rates of 60 percent area median income and below.
The 20-unit Savannah and Wilshire apartments are located at 250 W. Grand Blvd. and 388 W. Grand Blvd., respectively. Both buildings had last been renovated in the 1990s and were in need of updates. Southwest Housing Solutions, a subsidiary of Southwest Solutions, served as the developer and project manager.
The renovations and commitment to preserving affordable housing represent an investment of $7.8 million in the Hubbard-Richard community. All residents who were temporarily relocated during the renovations will be able to move back into the building, and the affordability has been guaranteed for the next 50 years.
“The Hubbard-Richard neighborhood, like many others in Detroit, has experienced quite a renaissance over the past two decades,” says Sean de Four, president and CEO of Southwest Solutions. “We’re proud of role Southwest Solutions played in helping to kick start the revitalization of this area when we first renovated the Savannah and Wilshire over 20 years ago. And, we’re even more proud today that we have secured an affordable option for Detroiters who want to live in this neighborhood, for another generation.”
All 40 units received new kitchen countertops, appliances, flooring, and fixtures; new bathroom countertops, flooring, and fixtures; and upgraded HVAC systems, as well electrical and plumbing upgrades. The building itself got new or repaired windows, a new roof, landscaping, new hallway flooring, and masonry and foundation repairs.
Residents will begin moving back into the Savannah this month, and into the Wilshire at the end of January.
The Savannah and The Wilshire both were built in 1926.
The City of Detroit Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD) helped facilitate the renovations by doing a loan modification and transferring the existing $800,000 in HOME loans to the new project. HRD also helped secure a 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) award for the deal. Other sources of funding include a sponsor loan of $450,000, a Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) permanent loan of $1.5 million and an additional MSHDA HOME loan of $962,000. MSHDA also provided the nonprofit a tax-exempt construction loan of $4 million.
Karmanos Cancer Institute Receives the Women’s Choice Award
For the 10th consecutive year, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute has been named one of America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care by the Women’s Choice Award.
The award signifies that Karmanos is in the top 10 percent of 4,729 U.S. hospitals offering cancer care services. Karmanos has received this honor since the inception of the award in 2014.
“This award speaks to our excellence in the care of cancer patients,” says Kay Carolin, chief nursing officer at Karmanos Cancer Hospital. “We are proud of our long history of being recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and are currently one of only 53 NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country.
“When our patients come to us, we commit to supporting them through their cancer journey by providing expert care and compassion in a healing environment. This aligns with our mission of a world free of cancer.”
America’s Best Hospitals for Cancer Care by the Women’s Choice Award also ranked the NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in the top 8 percent for Breast Care and the top 5 percent for Mammogram Imaging.
For more information on Karmanos Cancer Institute’s cancer services and programs, visit karmanos.org.
Walmart, Bimbo Bakeries USA, Tyson Foods Partner Donate Food to Gleaners
For the sixth year in a row, Walmart, Bimbo Bakeries USA, and Tyson Foods have joined forces to help end hunger across the United States.
The three companies donated 40,000 pounds of food to Gleaners Community Food Bank through a partnership with Feeding America.
As part of this partnership, Walmart, Bimbo Bakeries USA, and Tyson Foods donated 5,000 pounds of bread and 35,000 pounds of protein that will be given to individuals and families over the coming weeks.
“We are so thankful to our corporate partners for this generous donation,” says Gerry Brisson, president and CEO of Gleaners Community Food Bank. “The pandemic created new challenges for families, many of whom were facing hunger for the first time.
“When you add in inflation, the holiday season, and kids on winter break, far too many households are experiencing the toxic stress of food insecurity. Donations like this help us keep up with the increased demand brought on by recent health and economic crises to take hunger off the table in southeast Michigan.”
Gleaners Community Food Bank provides food to more than 600 partner soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and other agencies across the region, and supplements efforts of those partners by offering direct service drive-up grocery distributions.
Puff Cannabis in Madison Heights Begins ‘Jackets for Joints’ Promotion
“Jackets for Joints,” a holiday giving program of Madison Heights-based Puff Cannabis, began Monday and will continue through Dec. 18.
During the promotion, Puff Cannabis customers can come into Puff Cannabis Madison Heights (2 Ajax Drive), Hamtramck (11941 Joseph Campau), and Utica (44825 Van Dyke) with a new coat or jacket appropriate for a 3- to 12-year-old and they will receive one jar of Baby Jeeter pre rolls, valued at $50.00. Limit one per customer, while supplies last.
Once all the coats and jackets are collected, they will be donated to local churches and community organizations to be distributed to children in need on Dec. 22. Justin Elias, who debuted Puff Cannabis in Michigan in 2019, says he feels strongly about supporting the communities that Puff Cannabis serves.
Jackets from Madison Heights will go to Goodfellows of Madison Heights. Coats from Hamtramck will be donated to Fellowship Chapel. Donations from Utica will be delivered to Lighthouse MI.
“I recognize that due to the times we live in, many children throughout the state of Michigan need warm jackets and coats and our Jackets for Joints program will come to the aid of many of those little ones. I hope we can collect and give away thousands of warm jackets and coats this winter in order to keep our children warm,” Elias says.
