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.
CODE313 Opens 7,500-square-foot eXperience Center for STEAM Education in Detroit
CODE313, a Detroit-based nonprofit dedicated to providing hands-on, inquiry-based science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education for students, has opened a new, 7,500-square-foot space that will serve as a hub for equitable access to STEAM education.
Located at 2987 Franklin St.) in Detroit’s Rivertown district, the eXperience Center features a drone cage, robotics arena, esports, 3-D printing, laser cutting, classroom space, and more. With more than 12 categories of curriculum and more than 20 different activities, the CODE313 team will provide customized experiences to help students prepare for standardized tests and entry-level certification exams, expand critical thinking skills, and strengthen their STEAM knowledge and skills. The center is expected to serve more than 2,000 students per month.
“The CODE313 STEAM eXperience Center will be a field trip destination for metro Detroit schools and organizations,” says Bartel Welch, founder and executive director of CODE313. “We’ll host weekly workshops, weekend programming, provide space for community meetings, and offer rentable space for other nonprofit youth organizations. We’ll also house a tech certification center for adults and provide team building opportunities for corporations. This new space be a great asset for Detroit students and entire community.
“This central location will enable us to serve more people in our own space and allow us to more easily provide access to the latest technology.”
Programming is underway and registration is now open for the following special events:
STEAM Slam Family Nights: Evening workshops for parents and children to work together on activities including 3-D printing, robotics, and drones. Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. Cost: $15 per person.
Three-Day Winter Camp: For youth in grades 3-5. Dec. 27-29, 9 a.m.-noon. Cost: $150/child (scholarships available).
Field Trips: For schools, organizations, sports teams, and corporate team building, field trips offer an outing to engage, connect, and inspire teams to bond. Call/email CODE 313 for pricing.
CODE313 also is hiring additional STEAM instructors. To learn more, visit code313.com.
Bill & Rod’s Appliance Opens New Showroom in White Lake Township
Bill & Rod’s Appliance Inc., which has a store in Livonia, has opened a new location in White Lake Township.
The White Lake Showroom (8010 Cooley Lake Rd.) is 6,300 square feet and will showcase Miele, SubZero, Wolf, Cove, Asko, Monogram, Electrolux, KithenAid, Café Appliances, and more. All will be displayed in a clean, well-lit showroom to provide “an exquisite shopping experience.”
“This is an exciting time for us as we embark on this new adventure,” says Joe Legato, the third-generation owner of the business.
“Our appliance and grill partners have really been great supporters of this move,” Legato adds. “They have committed to us product that will meet the needs of our extended community not only in White Lake but extended again to our Livonia store.”
For more information, visit here.
HighHello in Grand Rapids Begins Monthly Cannabis Subscription Club
HighHello, based in Grand Rapids, has launched a new subscription service for cannabis products that will deliver a box of its products to members every month.
Members receive a variety of cannabis products they might not ever have thought to try, plus “bonus goodies” to surprise them monthly.
“Everything about this experience is centered around discovery, fun, and education,” says co-founder and head of operations Zalman Makher. “We want to help our members navigate their cannabis journey.”
Here’s how HighHello works:
- Sign-up includes entering delivery information along with a day of the week and a three-hour time window that works best to receive the much-anticipated, hand-delivered box.
- Each mixed box is curated with an assortment of five to seven products including flower, pre-rolls, edibles, and vapes in a variety of cannabis strains.
Although the total monthly membership is valued at $150, subscribers pay $100. An edibles-only subscription goes for $75 per month.
A HighHello subscription includes the option to chat with a virtual budtender each month in a private, 15-minute session. It also includes access to The Green Room blog, an educational content library with cannabis news and information on the latest products and brands.
“Our mission isn’t complete until our members have the resources they need to engage with the cannabis community and what works right for them,” Makher says.
To begin the process, visit here.
Consumers Energy Provides $7.25M to Help Michiganders with Winter Heating Bills
Consumers Energy in Jackson is providing $7.25 million to help customers pay heating bills, providing a lifeline to thousands of families just before the start of another cold Michigan winter.
The new contributions are going to eight Michigan nonprofit organizations that will help people directly with Consumers Energy bills.
“Consumers Energy understands many Michiganders are facing challenging times, and no one wants to see rising energy bills ― especially our most vulnerable customers. We recognize our responsibility to help our customers who count on us every day,” says Garrick Rochow, president and CEO of Consumers Energy. “Natural gas prices have climbed across the Midwest and nation, and we are committed to helping customers manage their bills and help those in need immediately.”
The money is being distributed through The Salvation Army, TrueNorth Community Services, United Way of South Central Michigan, Roscommon County United Way, United Way for Southeastern Michigan, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Superior Watershed Partnership, and Michigan Veterans Trust Fund.
Customers should call 2-1-1 if they are facing hardship or are trying to access the new funding. The 2-1-1 service is a free resource that connects Michiganders with nonprofits to find help with basic needs, from energy bills to food and shelter. Consumers Energy customers also should call 800-477-5050 if they are facing challenges with their bill.
Get Real-Time Santa Location Updates with OnStar this Holiday
Waiting for Santa’s arrival is a timeless tradition, and it’s even more magical when kids can track his route around the world. Beginning Dec. 19, children whose families have Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, and Buick vehicles equipped with an active OnStar plan will be able to contact OnStar and locate Santa’s sleigh by pushing the blue OnStar button.
OnStar, for the 14th year, is collaborating with the North American Aerospace Defense Command and will provide real-time updates during Santa’s annual flight using NORAD’s official sleigh-location data. In addition to tracking the jolly guy, for every button push, GM and OnStar will donate $1 to the Red Cross, up to $25,000.
Goodman Acker Hosting 17th Annual Winter Clothing Drive to Benefit Vets
Southfield-based law firm Goodman Acker is hosting its 17th annual Winter Clothing Drive in partnership with the Plymouth-Canton Vietnam Veterans of America, benefiting the Michigan Veterans’ Foundation of Detroit.
They are collecting both monetary donations and clean, unused bath towels, pillows, and pillow cases.
Donations can be dropped off at Goodman Acker (17000 West 10 Mile Road) in bins located outside the front door at the main lobby from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pickups also can be scheduled by emailing trusted@goodmanacker.com or calling 248-483-5000. Donations will be accepted through Dec. 12.
