DBusiness Daily Update: Comerica Bank Celebrating 175th Anniversary in 2024, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies.
215
Comerica bank exterior
Comerica Bank is celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2024. // Photo courtesy of Comerica

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.

Comerica Bank Celebrating 175th Anniversary in 2024

Comerica Bank is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. The institution got its start when Michigan Governor Epaphroditus Ransom signed an act authorizing the formation of the Detroit Savings Fund Institute — today known as Comerica Bank — as a trust to encourage reliable care of a working person’s savings.

Comerica now operates 407 banking centers across the country offering personal, small business, and commercial banking services, as well as wealth management.

Under its original name, Comerica opened its doors on Aug. 17, 1849, to a city bustling with shipyards, river trade, sawmills, and horse-drawn carriages. At this time in history, most banks existed to serve the business community.

But the institute had a different vision — to serve the people — and courted customers from the working class, merchants, and even children. Unlike most banks of that time, the institution paid interest on deposits, had no shareholders or capital stock, and was managed by unpaid fiduciaries. It had six customers that first business day, with receipts totaling $41.

Through the Civil War, world wars, the Great Depression, the economic and political turbulence of the 20th century, the Great Recession, a global pandemic, and now more than two decades into the 21st century, Comerica Bank continues.

Comerica expanded to Florida in 1982, to Texas in 1988, to California in the early 1990s, to Arizona in 2001, and then most recently to North Carolina in 2021 and Colorado in 2022.

Stellantis Unveils Iconic Mural at Mack Assembly plant

Stellantis in Auburn Hills is honoring the legacy of Detroit’s east side through art with a mural, recently completed by muralist Hubert Massey and his team of Detroit-based artists.

The mural, which spans more than 1,500 feet on the surface of the sound barrier outside Stellantis’ Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack plant along Beniteau Street, features imagery of iconic local landmarks and the people who shaped the community.

“This is an amazing opportunity to celebrate this great community on the east side,” says Massey, a Detroit resident.

The mural project is part of the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) reached between Stellantis, the city of Detroit, and the Neighborhood Advisory Committee in 2019 when the company committed to building the first new assembly plant in the city in more than 30 years. Commercial Contracting Corp. (CCC) and PPG partnered with Stellantis and Massey on the project, providing equipment and supplies.

“The mural is really spectacular and we’re grateful to Dr. Massey for capturing this community’s culture and history, resulting in some truly stunning artwork,” says Ron Stallworth, public affairs lead for Wayne County, Stellantis North America. “And we’re grateful to our neighbors in the community for sharing their stories with us and allowing us to bring this amazing project to fruition.”

One section of the mural pays tribute to local civil rights pioneer Sarah Elizabeth Ray, a Black woman who was denied a seat on one of the Boblo ferries and subsequently won her fight for integration before the U.S. Supreme Court. In another piece, the faces of several men are featured, representing another historic neighborhood mural “The Wall of Dignity.”

“It was so important to have those in the mural; they’re part of the narrative and the history of the community,” Massey says.

Another section displays a man standing alongside a classic Dodge truck. The man and truck image represents an “everyman,” but honors a former resident of the area. His son watched the creation of the first mural and provided Massey with a photo of his late father Henry Williams, an employee at the former Chrysler plant. The son, Francisco Williams, was moved upon seeing his family and neighborhood history captured so beautifully in the mural.

“Every time I look at this, it makes me want to cry,” Williams says, noting that the house pictured in the background of the scene on the mural is his eastside childhood home where he was born and raised.

According to Massey, he had many, similar positive interactions with community members throughout the creative process and painting the mural.

“It’s those types of stories and those types of things that really resonate in the community, in how this community really embraced the mural,” Massey says. “They were truly excited about it because it tells their story and celebrates this community to the highest level.”

The northern section of the mural runs adjacent to Southeastern High School, so it’s no surprise that the educational landmark is well represented in the artwork. While working on the project, Massey sat down with Southeastern art students to get some inspiration for what they thought best represented their school and community.

The result is a display of the school’s mascot, the Jungaleers, represented through a trio of ferocious roaring, purple-maned lions. An image of the historic school building and its 3030 address on Fairview Street also is displayed.

New York Company Acquires Energy Storage Project in Otsego County

Pedal Steel Solar in New York has acquired a standalone energy storage project in development in Otsego County in the northern lower peninsula, from Florida-based Valor Infrastructure Partners. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Polar Steel also acquired a similar project in Kentucky.

“We are excited to collaborate with VIP and add these projects to Pedal Steel’s pipeline to serve the heartland’s growing clean energy needs,” says John Bridge, founder, and CEO of Pedal Steel. “This transaction is as much about the partnership as it is about the assets – VIP’s smart team and development strategy strongly complement Pedal Steel’s goals.”

Detroit’s Centroid Systems Buys Intellective Consulting Firm

Detroit-based Centroid Systems, a cloud service and technology company providing services that span the entire enterprise, announced the acquisition of Intelletive in California, a technology consulting firm with core competencies in automating the deployment of software and infrastructure.

Intelletive also brings with it m9sweeper, an open-source Kubernetes security platform. This move is designed to solidify Centroid’s position in the marketplace and accelerates its growth trajectory, greatly enhancing its capacity to cater to the needs of business technology clients across the globe.

“This merger heralds a vital moment to amplify our technological offerings and foster unprecedented adoption levels,” says Scott Morrell, CEO and managing partner of Centroid. “By melding Intelletive’s advanced expertise in DevSecOps, Kubernetes, AI, and ML with our robust service portfolio, we’re poised to deliver groundbreaking solutions that will redefine the technological landscape for our clients.”

General Motors Grants Help Two Oakland County Downtowns Make Improvements

Two Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) communities — Pontiac and Holly — are among five downtowns nationally that are each receiving $50,000 grants from the 2024 GM on Main Street Grant Program. These grants are being given by General Motors Co. and Main Street America to support place-making initiatives near GM facilities.

Main Street Pontiac will use its grant for the Saginaw Green Maker Village project. Main Street Holly will use its grant for the Beautify Holly Battle Alley Social District and Ganshaw Park projects.

“The collaboration between the Main Street programs and General Motors is helping to make our historic downtowns and Main Streets the vibrant places where people want to live and visit and businesses want to locate and expand,” says Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter.

The criteria for evaluating the grant applications prioritized placemaking, innovation, inclusivity, and feasibility. It also ensured that successful projects could be modeled or scaled for other Main Street programs to adopt.

“GM on Main Street has become a catalyst for place-based progress in our hometowns and communities across the U.S.,” says Heidi Magyar, executive director of corporate giving at GM. “We’re proud to work with Main Street America as they help connect resources to these important and worthy nonprofit and municipality projects.”

The grant will aid Holly in replacing some streetscape items that were damaged in the 2022 fire.

“We will replace and upgrade tree planters, benches, and trash cans in Battle Alley that were damaged in the 2022 fire,” says Nick Klempp, executive director of the Holly Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program. “Battle Alley is a pedestrian-only social district in Holly’s downtown that offers an accessible, free place for residents and visitors to gather and enjoy events.”

Ram ProMaster Electric Van Selected for Collegiate Battery Workforce Challenge

The Battery Workforce Challenge, a public-private partnership and North American collegiate engineering competition between the U.S Department of Energy (DOE), Auburn Hills’ Stellantis, and Argonne National Laboratory, announced the recently introduced Ram ProMaster electric van is the vehicle that students will receive to design, build, test, and integrate an advanced electric vehicle (EV) battery pack.

The 2024 Ram ProMaster EV was introduced earlier this year and is designed specifically for electrification, featuring a unibody design that efficiently incorporates the production battery pack. Perfect as a work van to perform commercial activities, this application serves as an exciting opportunity for students to design batteries for bigger vehicles.

The Battery Workforce Challenge began in 2023 and features 12 North American university teams, each partnering with a local community college. The teams were selected through a competitive process to secure a spot in the elite competition. Participating students will receive firsthand, experiential learning and will work in close partnership with industry experts to tackle one of the most relevant real-world engineering challenges facing the automotive industry today.

“The new Ram ProMaster EV is designed specifically for electrification and provides the students with a great proving ground to push the boundaries of technology,” says Micky Bly, senior vice president and head of global propulsion systems at Stellantis. “We look forward to seeing the students’ creative solutions for incorporating a Stellantis battery pack into the vehicle and how their work will help shape the future of mobility.”

The competition culminates in 2026, with the winning teams receiving dozens of annual engineering and sponsor-related category awards; $100,000 in industry-provided prize money; and invaluable real-world experience working with industry leaders.

Express Wash Concepts 80th on Inc.’s List of Fastest Growing Companies in Midwest

Ohio-based Express Wash Concepts (EWC), which has several car washes in metro Detroit, is ranked 80th on Inc. magazine’s list of the fastest-growing Midwest companies.

The company has posted a two-year revenue growth of 147 percent.

“Each day, our 950-plus team members remain focused on providing our customers with the best wash experience possible, and their dedication has enabled us to grow responsibly and consistently be named one of the Midwest’s fastest growing companies,” says John Roush, CEO of Express Wash Concepts. “Being home-grown and operated, we are so proud to be featured alongside six other central Ohio businesses and look forward to our continued positive impact on the region’s economy.”

Express Wash Concepts currently operates more than 95 award-winning express car washes across six states and five brands.

Judson Center Seeks Financial, Housing Support for New Program

The Farmington Hills-based nonprofit human services agency Judson Center and its affiliate, Child Safe Michigan, are seeking financial and housing assistance for a newly launched Independent Living program for youth who age out of Michigan’s foster care system.

The program addresses the needs and issues facing 16- to 21-year-olds leaving foster care and helps them prepare to live on their own. Judson Center’s team of professionals work with the youth in a variety of areas including identifying living arrangements and providing life skills training, educational and vocational planning, budgeting, and financial literacy, and mentoring.

“Each year, approximately 1,000 youth transition out of Michigan’s foster care system,” says Lenora Hardy-Foster, president and CEO of the Judson Center. “Unfortunately, many of these young people are met with challenges that result in homelessness, joblessness, and sometimes incarceration. So, the need to prepare older foster youth for independent living is immediate and crucial. We are committed to making a difference in these young people’s lives by providing guidance and a strong support system that will help them become successful and productive citizens after they leave foster care.”

For more information on the Judson Center/Child Safe Independent Living Program and how to help, call 248-554-6425.

Auburn Hills’ Whisker to Sponsor Cat Adoption Fees in March at Best Friends Animal Society

Whisker, the Auburn Hills-based maker of Litter-Robot, announced an extension of the company’s ongoing partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters in 2025.

Throughout March, every purchase of the Litter-Robot x Best Friends bundle through Whisker’s website will help save cats at Best Friends Animal Society’s lifesaving centers.

For each Best Friends Bundle sold through March 31, Whisker will give back 1 percent of sales to cover cat adoption fees at Best Friends’ lifesaving centers located across the country. As a result of this donation, prospective cat parents looking to adopt through Best Friends will have their adoption fees fully covered throughout the month. By making the path to pet adoption more seamless, Whisker aims to support the animal welfare organization’s mission to bring about a time when there are No More Homeless Pets.

Lawrence Tech in Southfield to Host Scholarship Gala June 1

(Southfield, Mich.) March 7, 2024 – Lawrence Technological University in Southfield is planning its inaugural LTU Scholarship Gala: Celebrating the Spirit of Giving at 6 p.m. at The Mint at Michigan First Conference Center (27000 Evergreen Road) in Lathrup Village.

The event is designed to unites alumni, students, and friends of LTU to raise scholarship funding for individuals who aspire to earn a world-class technical education. The event will celebrate the spirit of scholarship, honor deserving students, and recognize outstanding alumni with a cocktail reception, formal dinner, and program.

“Those who attend the gala are directly supporting economic sustainability in the region,” says Tarek Sobh, president of LTU. “Our students leave with an education that leads to eminent professional employment. They earn some of the highest salaries among all Michigan universities and overwhelmingly choose to stay and work in Michigan.”

All proceeds raised through ticket sales go directly to student scholarships, making a highly sought-after STEM education possible for students at all levels of education, with a strong focus on underserved communities.

“We are a private university,” says Kevin Finn, vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagements at LTU. “We do not receive state funding. Yet, we work hard to make it possible for students to afford a high-quality education. We’re looking to our alumni, industry partners and the community to join us in this worthy investment.”

In the fall 2022 semester, approximately 100 students who had been admitted to LTU did not enroll due to a lack of financial resources. The university is hosting the gala to raise the money needed to prevent this from happening in the future.

“We are excited to kick off what we intend to be an annual event that celebrates LTU’s past and present while meaningfully expanding financial support opportunities to help reach students from underrepresented backgrounds,” says Finn. “As the world increasingly looks to technology to solve a range of challenges, it’s crucial that individuals from diverse backgrounds have access to a high-quality STEM education.”

The evening will include a roster of speakers whose stories have helped make an impact on LTU students and the future of our region.

Fox 2 News reporter and anchor Charlie Langton will host the gala.

In addition to dinner, live entertainment and silent auction, the gala will include the presentation of two prestigious LTU awards: the Edward Donley Distinguished Graduate Award and the Ray Moy Award. The evening will celebrate individuals who, following their time at LTU, have made significant contributions in leadership, philanthropy, scholarship and service.

Tickets and sponsorship information are available now at LTU.edu/alumni/gala.

Detroit City Distillery Invites NFL Draft Fans to Unique Experiences While Visiting Detroit

In celebration of the NFL Draft coming to Detroit, Detroit City Distillery (DCD) has announced a series of events designed to welcome visitors and locals alike to enjoy the festivities with a touch of Detroit’s finest spirits.

The events include:

Bar Takeover at The Foundation Hotel

Join DCD at The Foundation Hotel, a cornerstone of downtown Detroit’s hospitality, where DCD’s expert bartenders will take over the Satellite Bar in the Elevator Lobby for four evenings. From Tuesday to Friday, April 23-26, from 5-9 p.m., guests can enjoy bespoke cocktails crafted by some of the city’s most talented mixologists. This takeover offers a unique opportunity to taste DCD’s signature drinks in the stunning setting of one of Detroit’s most iconic hotels.

Special Tours at The Whiskey Factory

For those interested in a deeper dive into the art of distillation, DCD is offering special tours of its Whiskey Factory the entire week of the NFL Draft from April 23-27th. The Factory is housed in the historic former Stroh’s Ice Cream Factory and home of Goebbel’s Brewing. Tour tickets are available for purchase here.

Factory Cocktail Lounge: NFL Draft Viewing Experience

On Friday, April 26th, DCD will host three separate seatings in its Factory Cocktail Lounge, where guests can relax with craft cocktails while watching the NFL Draft live-streamed. The seatings will occur from 5-7 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. and 9-11 p.m., offering a cozy atmosphere for fans to follow the draft picks in real time. Tickets for this viewing experience are available at whiskeyfactorydetroit.com.

Live Stream the NFL Draft at DCD’s Bar Tasting Room

The festivities extend to Detroit City Distillery’s Bar Tasting Room located at 2462 Riopelle Street in Eastern Market, which will also live-stream the NFL Draft. This venue offers a vibrant

Pontiac Youth Recreation to Begin Spring Season with Spring Bash

City of Pontiac Youth Recreation is starting its spring season with its Spring Bash from noon-2 p.m. March 23 at the UWM Sports Complex (867 S. Blvd. E.) in Pontiac.

The event will feature bounce houses, face painting, take-home photos, food trucks, a live DJ, goody baskets, and an egg hunt around the venue, all free of charge.

Those interested in attending can register here.