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.
Cranbrook Miniature Golf Course Opens May 24 for Second Season
Bloomfield Hills, Mich., April 18, 2023 — Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills is bringing back its artist-designed Cranbrook on the Green miniature golf course for the 2023 summer season with the addition of two new holes.
Members of the Cranbrook community (students, alumni, past and present faculty, and staff) were asked to submit ideas for new hole designs that were inspired by a Cranbrook site, story, or alumni. All submissions were reviewed by a blind jury, who selected two new concepts. The winning concepts are:
New Hole 1: Glassy Green — Cranbrook Academy of Art student Katie Mongoven was inspired by the windows of the Cranbrook Dining Hall on the Cranbrook campus of Cranbrook Kingswood Upper School. Designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1929, each window is a complex geometric tessellation of glass, and each window has its own unique design. The new hole will have five acrylic “windows” that mimic the windows of the dining hall.
New Hole 2: Greek Theatre — The second new hole is developed by sisters Priscilla and Gabriela Lloyd, who currently work as part of the exhibition team at Cranbrook Institute of Science. Their design is inspired by Cranbrook’s Greek Theatre, located near Cranbrook House and next to what is now St. Dunstan’s Theatre. It was designed by Marcus Burrowes in 1915 on the ridge adjacent to the estate’s swimming pool. The flow of the hole will begin at the top of the stepped semi-circle seating area, where players will have to traverse the tiered area to guide their ball to the second part of the hole, which features the theater’s sunken “pool” (a painted blue depression that adds another challenge to the game).
Play starts on the bonus hole, Gateway, which is played through Cranbrook’s famous gates and around Cranbrook Schools’ Quadrangle Fountain.
The course will be open from May 24 through Sept. 3. Every Thursday, a cash bar serving wine and beer will be open.
For prices, days and hours of operation, visit here.
Chevrolet Announces $100K Trax Lead Dream Chaser Winner
The Chevrolet brand of General Motors Co. in Detroit today announced the winner of its “Lead Dream Chaser,” a three-month opportunity for one person to pursue their lifelong dream or passion project with a cash prize and three months use of the 2024 Chevy Trax, which arrives this spring.
Local Michigan activist and environmental educator Meag Schwartz has been selected for the role, which will enable her to pursue her passion project of protecting and cleaning up the Great Lakes.
Known as “The Great Lakes Litter Lady,” Schwartz is a dedicated advocate for freshwater and dreams of growing her marine debris removal passion project, “Great Lakes Great Responsibility.” She will receive $100,000 and three months with the all-new 2024 Chevy Trax to help make her dream possible.
Schwartz was chosen by a panel of judges from hundreds of video submissions. She will share her journey on social media for others to follow along as she aims to highlight the natural beauty of the Great Lakes and its shorelines and encourages her followers to be a part of the mission.
“This is a dream come true,” says Schwartz. “The funds and Chevy Trax will go a long way in helping us achieve our goal of protecting and enjoying the Great Lakes. Thanks to Chevrolet for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I encourage everyone to follow @greatlakeslove to see the dream unfold in real time.”
State Grants Nearly $8M to Support Blight Elimination Efforts
The Michigan State Land Bank Authority (SLBA) recently awarded nearly $8 million in grants to local land banks and municipalities to help revitalize 198 properties across the state. The funds, made available through round one of the Blight Elimination Grant Program, aim to assist communities in addressing vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties and are part of the governor’s larger $75 million budget to eliminate blight in Michigan.
“With the help of this blight elimination funding, we are continuing to work with local governments and communities to spur economic growth and provide a better quality of life for all Michigan residents,” says Emily Doerr, executive director of the SLBA. “Returning more properties to productive use will have a critical, positive impact on the safety of our communities, surrounding property values and local tax revenue.”
Eligible grant applicants included local land banks, and county, city, village, and township officials who do not have a local land bank. SLBA provided funding to a total of 46 different counties statewide, including 33 county land bank grantees. Of all the grantees, 25 were from rural counties and 21 from non-rural counties.
Round-one grant applicants were given the opportunity to apply for up to $200,000 to support projects to stabilize, protect and rehab vacant properties, demolish properties that cannot be rehabilitated, or as match or gap funding for environmental remediation.
Of the properties awarded, 159 will be demolished, 37 will be stabilized and two grants will provide gap funding for environmental remediation.
SLBA also launched the Requests for Proposals (RFP) process for round two of the Blight Elimination Grant Program. There have been some changes from round one, including a cap of $1 million maximum award per county and the inclusion of additional resources to help local communities prepare their proposals. Applicants are encouraged to visit the SLBA webpage for additional details and resources, including a submission checklist and budget format.
Responses to the RFP are due May 31. Projects must be completed by Aug. 31, 2024, and reimbursement requests must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2024.
U-M Participating in Clinical Test for COVID-19 Medication
Florida-based Cantex Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor initiated a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 2/3 clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of azeliragon in decreasing the incidence of acute kidney injury and other life-threatening complications in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.
Cantex’s azeliragon is an orally administered inhibitor of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (known as RAGE). Excessive activation of RAGE has been strongly implicated in life-threatening complications of COVID-19 infection, including lung and kidney failure. A protein produced by the immune system, known as “suPAR,” at high levels predisposes patients to acute kidney injury during critical illnesses, including severe COVID-19. In pre-clinical studies, suPAR’s effects are blocked by azeliragon.
“Our research into suPAR’s role in health and disease has indicated that suPAR plays a role in a broad range of cardiovascular and kidney diseases,” says Dr. Salim Hayek, medical director of the U-M Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center Clinics. “Cantex’s azeliragon, by inhibiting the suPAR signaling that produces harmful effects, has potential not only as a treatment of severe COVID-19, but also as a treatment of a broad range of life-altering and life-threatening kidney diseases in which suPAR clearly plays a role.”
Applications Open for Funding Bootcamp for Women, Nonbinary Small Business Owners
Applications are now open for the FUND Bootcamp, a new place-based program to help women and nonbinary small business owners understand their funding options from the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Ladies Who Launch in San Francisco.
This one-week program is open to women and non-binary small business owners across all industries with gross annual revenue between $25,000 and $199,999 in August in Detroit
Ladies Who Launch will select 30 small business owners to participate in a week of virtual workshops focused on different funding options and featuring local speakers who will share financing resources available in each city. The program will conclude with a pitch competition where FUND Bootcamp participants will have the chance to win a cash prize to support their small business’s growth.
Program dates for Detroit are Aug. 21-25. The pitch competition is Aug. 31.
Eligible women and non-binary small business owners can apply to the FUND Bootcamps through May 31 here.
Wolverine Bar Foundation Celebrates ‘Old Detroit’ at 61st Barristers’ Ball April 29
The Wolverine Bar Foundation and The Wolverine Bar Association announced the 61st Annual Barristers’ Ball, a black-tie charity fundraising gala, will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the Detroit Marriott Hotel at the Renaissance Center.
The theme for this year’s event is celebrating Paradise Valley, the fabled entertainment and business district of old Detroit.
The event attracts more than 1,500 business and community leaders each year to raise money for scholarships and educational programs designed to improve diversity and inclusion within the legal profession and ensure equal justice and access under the law. The event’s annual awards program honors the state’s exceptional legal professionals and community partners.
The night’s honorees are:
- Bishop Edgar Vann II, senior pastor of the Second Ebenezer Church, Community Impact Award
- Virgie Rollins, chair of the Democratic National Committee Black Caucus, Civic Service Award
- Carl S. Taylor, professor emeritus, Michigan State University, Legacy Award
- Victoria A. Roberts, U.S. District Court judge, Eastern District of Michigan, and the first Black woman president of the State Bar of Michigan, Legacy Award and Golden Gavel Award
- John A. Murphy, 3rd Circuit Court judge and Michigan’s longest-serving state-elected Black judge, Golden Gavel Award
- Deborah G. Ford, 36th District Court judge, Golden Gavel Award
Visit here for more information and tickets.
EMU Enters Utilities Partnership to Support Sustainability Efforts and More
Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti is finalizing a utilities and infrastructure partnership that will deliver “significant and lasting” enhancements to the overall campus experience for students, faculty, and staff.
The partnership will generate a multi-million-dollar influx of outside funds to the university to:
- Further support Eastern’s strong sustainability efforts and energy conservation measures, while making the University even more “green.”
- Provide immediate and long-term solutions to deferred maintenance of older buildings and modernize the aging utility infrastructure.
- Create a continuous income stream to support academic programs and strategic enrollment and retention initiatives, while including a distinctive opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to develop projects to support enrollment and retention objectives.
“The higher education environment is as challenged as it has ever been in my 14 years as a university president,” says Eastern Michigan University President James Smith. “Institutions must become nimbler and more creative than ever to identify new sources of revenue to invest in student and employee success.
“This innovative initiative will deliver significant and sustainable enhancements to the overall campus experience for students, faculty, and staff. The university will immediately begin working to implement the full scope of projects under this partnership, with some of the enhancements taking place within a matter of months. Others will roll out over time in the months and years ahead and will benefit the university for decades in the future.”
EMU has entered into a 50-year partnership with Eagle Energy Partners, a consortium consisting of CenTrio Energy, Noresco, and Burns & McDonnell, all of which bring deep energy-sector expertise to modernize utility systems and improve sustainability efforts.
Eastern and Eagle Energy Partners have identified a series of projects that will result in reductions in energy use and in operating costs, while enhancing the redundancy and reliability of the University’s electrical grid and its capacity.
Under the agreement, Eastern will receive approximately $115 million (final amount to be determined on financial close later this summer) to address the following needs:
- Reduce existing university debt by $25 million, which will generate approximately $1 million in annual debt service savings.
- Provide $90 million for the university to establish the Strategic Initiatives Fund, which is projected to generate $5 million annually in investment returns.
Other key elements of the partnership include Eagle Energy Partners investing $20-25 million of its own funds in immediate infrastructure improvements, which will generate approximately $900,000 annually in utility and operations savings for the university.
Eagle Energy Partners also will invest $26 million of its own funds (pending final agreements) in energy conservation projects, which will generate $1-1.5 million in annual utility and operations savings for the university.
Eastern will pay Eagle Energy Partners $5.3 million annually to manage, operate, maintain, and improve the university’s utility infrastructure.
Taking into account the investment returns, debt savings, utility and operational savings, and the University’s payment to the partner, The overall annual net benefit to the university is expected to be $2.7-$3.2 million.
Eagle Energy Partners was selected for the project by Gilbane, EMU’s master developer. Gilbane is the construction and development firm leading the University’s new $200 million residential housing transformation, “Welcome Home 2025.”
Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce Presents Chamber Choice Awards, Expo May 5
The Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce is announcing this year’s annual Chamber Choice Awards and Expo starting at 10:30 a.m. May 5 at The Henry Hotel in Dearborn. Lunch and the awards program begin at noon.
The DACC Awards chosen by nomination and committee include:
- Business of the Year
- Small Business of the Year
- Business Leader of the Year
- Impact Award
- Startup Award
“The Dearborn Area Chamber is thrilled to celebrate the businesses that make our region a great place to live, play, and work,” says Jackie Lovejoy, president of the Dearborn Chamber. “Every year this event puts a spotlight on the people and organizations that we are
proud to represent.”
For more information about the event, visit here.
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Earns Fifth Nursing Redesignation
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak has achieved the highest honor for nursing excellence through the Magnet recognition program of the American Nurses Credentialing Center, a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association. Only about 8 percent of the hospitals across the country have earned Magnet status.
“Magnet designation is an accomplishment our community, hospital and health system can all celebrate,” says Kelli Sadler, chief nursing officer, Corewell Health in southeast Michigan. “Earning this fifth Magnet designation is an extraordinary achievement for our Royal Oak team who continues to be leaders in excellence within nursing practice and in achieving and sustaining high quality patient care.”
Magnet was created in 1994 to recognize health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. In 2004, Beaumont, Royal Oak became the first hospital in Michigan to achieve the milestone.
“Since the hospital’s first designation in 2004, our team members have continued to demonstrate high engagement, collaboration, and a standard of excellence in nursing,” says Anne Stewart, chief nursing officer for Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. “Earning our fifth Magnet designation is an honor and validates the entire team’s continued commitment to evidence-based practice and elevating care for our patients and their families.”
Detroit Cristo Rey High School to Host Caring for Creation Gala May 19
Detroit Cristo Rey High School in southwest Detroit is planning its annual gala, themed “Caring for Creation,” May 19, in the Crystal Ballroom at the Masonic Temple Detroit.
The gala is one of the school’s chief fundraisers and critical to its ability to support the enrollment of nearly 300 students of all faiths who attend Detroit Cristo Rey on some level of scholarships to offset the cost of their education.
Coincident with the gala, the school has been chosen as the recipient of a $150,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor, with all gifts to the school matched from now through May 30.
“The gala celebrates the heart, spirit, and mission of the Detroit Cristo Rey community,” says Christopher Lynch, president of the school. “We’re thrilled to bring our friends and supporters together in a festive setting to highlight the impressive accomplishments of our students — including 100 percent college acceptance of our seniors for 12 years running — and to build capacity to allow even more hard-working students to benefit from a Detroit Cristo Rey education.
“The added excitement of the matching gift will take the spirit of the evening to new heights, as we can make a true impact on the students we serve.”
This year’s guest speaker will be Marcela Alava, special assistant to the President of the United States and deputy director of White House Information Technology.
General admission tickets are $150 per person and VIP tickets are $250 each. The VIP Cocktail Hour begins at 5:30 p.m. before the main event at 6:30 p.m. More information, including a link to purchase tickets and review sponsorship packages for the event, is available here.
Gesher Human Services Recharge! Program Starts May 8
Gesher Human Services in Southfield will be offering a three-week career reinvention program for metro Detroiters aged 45 and older, as increasing numbers of mature adults look to stay or rejoin the workforce instead of retiring.
Recharge! will take place at Gesher headquarters (29699 Southfield Road) from 10 a.m.-noon on Mondays and Wednesdays from May 8-24 and will offer participants the opportunity to reconnect with their skills and interests, refresh their resume, restore belief in themselves, and re-energize the job search process. The program requires registration and there is a $40 material fee, although scholarships are available.
A new book called “In Control at 50+: How to Succeed in the New World of Work” highlights the shift for experienced workers to remain in employment, and the importance of ensuring skills are up-to-date.
Sherrie James, a career counselor at Gesher Human Services who runs Recharge! said that while there will be an emphasis on resume writing, modern employment search processes, and networking using LinkedIn, she and her team will also focus on an individual’s values and strengths.
To register for Recharge! contact Sherrie James at sjames@geshermi.org or call 248-233-4472.
BISSELL Pet Foundation and Dogtopia Team Up to Empty the Shelters
BISSELL Pet Foundation in Dearborn is teaming with Dogtopia for the foundation’s first Empty the Shelters national adoption event of 2023, May 1-15.
Locally, the event will take place at:
- The MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center (16121 Reckinger Road) in Dearborn, May 1-15.
- Canton PetSmart (47142 Michigan Ave.) from noon-3 p.m. May 6.
- Detroit Premier Pet Supply (1511 Washington Blvd.) from noon-3 p.m., May 6.
All interested adopters can find more details online here.
