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.
Detroit City Distillery Adds Hometown Horseradish to Pączki Day Vodka Launch
With a little over a week to go before the launch of its annual Pączki Day Vodka on Feb. 3, Detroit City Distillery will add an additional limited-edition vodka distilled with fresh horseradish, called Hometown Horseradish.
This unique vodka is made from raw horseradish and 100 percent Michigan corn vodka, which the distiller says is “perfect for making the ultimate bloody Mary.”
“Every year when we release Pączki Day Vodka, we try to create an amazing experience for our fans and reward them with something new,” says Michael Forsyth, co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. “This year’s big surprise is Hometown Horseradish Vodka.
“We called it Hometown Horseradish because we always associate horseradish with special family dinners and with recipes passed down for generations. It reminds you of home and where you come from. In addition to having a solid kick, it might be the smoothest vodka we’ve ever made.”
Hometown Horseradish Vodka ($35 per bottle), along with ready-to-drink Bloody Marys, cocktails, limited-edition merchandise, and Pączki Day Vodka also will go on sale at 8 a.m. Feb. 3 at detroitcitydistillery.com and will be available for pick up at the Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle St. in Eastern Market at 4 p.m.
Special events surrounding the launch of Pączki Day Vodka and Hometown Horseradish Vodka include:
- Pączki Day Vodka Launch Party — 4-11 p.m., Feb. 3, 2462 Riopelle St. in Eastern Market. Buyers of spirits will be able to pick up their purchases in-person. Details can be found here.
- Polish Bloody Brunch with Pietrzyk Pierogi — noon-3 p.m., Feb 12, at Detroit City Distillery Tasting Room. Visit here for more information.
- Pączki Party — 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Feb. 18 at Detroit City Distillery Tasting Room – Date: Saturday, February 18, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit here.
Lawrence Tech in Southfield to Open State-of-the-art Industry 4.0 Laboratory
Lawrence Technological University in Southfield this morning dedicated a new, advanced laboratory where students will learn about Industry 4.0 — and where they and their professors and industry partners will conduct research to advance the state of the art in manufacturing.
The million-dollar-plus laboratory is called the Rockwell Automation/McNaughton-McKay Electric Co. I4.0 Robotics and Industrial Automation Laboratory. Besides those companies, other sponsors of equipment in the lab include Kuka Robotics; DeepView, a Rochester company that has developed an intelligent camera inspection system; and Detect-It, an Oak Park startup developing novel artificial intelligence workflow and inspection systems.
“We believe this laboratory provides yet another unique advantage to Lawrence Tech engineering and computer science students, since this gives them a chance to work on state-of-the-art industrial automation hardware and software,” says Tarek M. Sobh, president of the university. “LTU is the creative, innovative university of tomorrow — and our graduates will be well qualified to design and optimize the factories of tomorrow.”
The laboratory is equipped with industrial robots, an intelligent customizable moving assembly line, intelligent inspection technology, and associated software.
Detroit’s Together Women’s Health Continues Chicago Expansion
Together Women’s Health, headquartered in Detroit, has completed an affiliation with Women’s Health Consulting, its third in the Chicago area.
Together Women’s Health is a women’s health-focused management service organization, backed by Shore Capital Partners, committed to partnering with leading physicians to build a premier network of women’s health services in the U.S. It currently TWH’s consists of eight practices with nearly 75 providers delivering women’s health services at more than 17 locations throughout Michigan, Illinois, and Alabama.
Women’s Health Consulting is a women’s health, obstetrics, and gynecologic practice in Chicago, with privileges at Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital. It is led by the physician team of Drs. Kellie Butler, Shayna Rubin, Wendy Goodall McDonald, and Sara Kritzer. The practice provides a comprehensive offering of gynecological and obstetric services.
“As a private practice, we have the privilege of knowing our patients and our patients knowing us,” says McDonald, a partner at Women’s Health Consulting. “Partnering with Together Women’s Health helps ensure that we can continue to give our patients the personal attention of a small practice with the support and infrastructure of a larger group for years to come.”
Anthony Ahee, CEO of Together Women’s Health, says: “Our physician-led culture is predicated on building a network of the best women’s healthcare providers throughout the country and we feel privileged to affiliate with such a well-respected group of women’s health care physicians from the Women’s Health Consulting team. We continue building something special and are excited to welcome our new partners to the Together Women’s Health family.”
$100K Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown Opens Applications
Comerica Bank and TechTown Detroit announced the return of the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by TechTown, which awards $100,000 in startup funds from Comerica Bank to an entrepreneur seeking to open a brick-and-mortar space in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park.
The competition promotes small business economic development and will take place over the next four months, with the crowning of this year’s winner in the spring.
Entrepreneurs with a retail concept looking to open a brick-and-mortar location in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck now can submit their business plans via the Hatch Detroit website through Feb. 21. Two information sessions will be conducted both in-person at TechTown Detroit and virtually on Feb. 2 and Feb. 9 to answer questions about the application and selection process. Interested entrepreneurs can sign up for information sessions at hatchdetroit.com.
The four-month contest includes two rounds of public voting — Top 10 and Top 4 — allowing the community to vote for their favorite business to win the $100,000 grand prize from Comerica Bank, as well as a package of accounting, legal, IT, and public relations support from TechTown Detroit and their partners.
The Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest concludes Wednesday, April 26 with the annual “Hatch Off” during which the Top 4 present their business plan in front of a panel of judges and live audience, and the winner is announced. New this year, public voting for the Top 4 will take place live during the Hatch Off.
“This community contest helps bring the dream of an aspiring business owner closer to reality and serves as a vital resource for these budding entrepreneurs,” says Steve Davis, Michigan market president for Comerica Bank. “Hatch Detroit has left a lasting impact on Detroit’s economic revitalization by bolstering the entrepreneurial spirit, rewarding innovation and promoting small business development. Through our partnership with TechTown, we are proud to assist local entrepreneurs access the capital and technical assistance needed to take their small business to the next level and thrive.”
Key Comerica Hatch Detroit Dates:
Jan. 24: Submissions began
Feb. 2 and Feb. 9: Information sessions
Feb. 21: Submission period ends
April 4: Top 10 announced
April 5: Top 10 voting begins
April 12: Top 10 voting ends
April 13: Top 4 announced
April 26: Winner announced at Hatch Off
Cannabis Brand Cookies Opening Grand Rapids Flagship Dispensary
International cannabis lifestyle brand Cookies will open its flagship Grand Rapids dispensary at 9 a.m. Jan. 28, in partnership with local cannabis retailer NOXX.
Cookies, founded in 2010 by San Francisco Bay-area rapper and entrepreneur Berner, has more than 57 locations around the world. As the only Cookies storefront in Grand Rapids, the 3,000-square-foot dispensary will house the region’s largest selection of Cookies’ proprietary genetics alongside products from other brands.
The dispensary’s interior will focus on key characteristics from the local Grand Rapids community, showcasing one-of-a-kind murals, artwork, and local reserve apparel and accessories, all true to the Cookies flagship store design.
“Witnessing the vision we had for the west Michigan community come to life with this new dispensary has been special,” says Berner, CEO of Cookies. “From classic cuts to our newest Cookies strains, this will be the hub for the best selection of cannabis in west Michigan, and I look forward to paying a visit to the store soon.”
Located at 330 Ann St. NW, the first 500 people in line for the opening will receive a free eighth of NOXX cannabis flower when they spend a minimum of $25.
Other activations include a heated outdoor lounge and music by DJ Composition, with local Grand Rapids vendors onsite throughout the morning and afternoon giving away free food from Patty Matters food truck, coffee from Morning Ritual, body art by Grassroots Henna and Design, caricatures from David Wodarek Caricaturists, and polaroid photography from Celestreeal Endeavors, while supplies last.
“Through our partnership with Cookies, we’re doubling down on our commitment to what our customers want: the best selection of top-quality cannabis products at the best prices,” says Tommy Nafso, founder and CEO of NOXX. “From Muskegon to Holland to Big Rapids and in between — customers will have access to a selection of Cookies products unavailable anywhere else in the region, whether they choose to shop in-store or online.”
For more information, visit cookiesgr.com.
Citizens Business Conditions Index Drops in Q4
The national Citizens Business Conditions Index (CBCI) dropped to 48.5 in the fourth quarter, ending a streak of eight consecutive quarters in growth mode above 50 and reflecting cooling sentiment as rate hikes from the Federal Reserve have their intended effect.
While business activity moderated, underlying components of the index were mixed, showing some areas of strength in the period.
For the first time in 2022, inflation did not come in at higher-than-expected levels, and, in fact, it declined steadily during the quarter as the Fed continued its rate-hike campaign with two additional increases, supported by the general strength of the employment market.
Consumer activity proved strong in many categories, with healthy spending in travel and recreation. The Treasury market continued to signal a potential slowdown with an inverted yield curve, where rates on two-year Treasuries were above rates on 10-year Treasuries. However, yields across maturities ended the quarter down from highs, indicating a shifting consensus about the outlook for inflation in the quarters to come.
“This quarter was a turning point for sentiment as we saw heightened impact from the Fed’s policy actions,” says Eric Merlis, managing director and co-head of global markets at Citizens. “The process is ongoing, but reducing inflation remains at the top of the economic agenda.”
The underlying components of the index showed mixed dynamics in the business environment. Two of five components boosted the index level, one was neutral and two weighed on the reading.
The proprietary activity data of Citizens’ commercial banking clients, a component of the index, was strong, suggesting that the conditions at middle-market businesses remained positive. The ISM non-manufacturing index also remained expansionary, though it did soften in December as extreme weather hampered holiday travel and interrupted power in some communities. Consumers spent more on services as they shifted away from large-goods purchases, which tend to be more connected to financing costs.
The strength of the consumer relies directly on employment, which has eased modestly but remains strong overall. As an index component, employment trends detracted from the index thanks to rising initial jobless claims; layoffs were announced in some technology, financial and automotive companies. New business applications also softened, weighing on the index. Still, the unemployment rate ticked down to 3.5 percent in December and non-farm payrolls edged higher in the tight labor market.
The ISM manufacturing index had a neutral impact on the CBCI level, easing from prior quarters. New orders in manufacturing have declined for four months on softer demand. The trend has contributed to inflation relief as well as to easing backlogs across the supply chain.
The mix of trends captures a quarter where softening demand for goods was deflationary while demand for services was steady amid broader employment stability.
Commodity-related sectors led performance for the sixth quarter in a row; this quarter, energy and utilities were the strongest. Many commodities were down from mid-year peaks but remained at elevated levels amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and the prospect of higher demand from a reopening China.
Geographically, we saw the highest levels of activity among companies in the Midwest region, followed closely by companies in the Mid-Atlantic. Companies in the Northeast showed the lowest levels of growth.
The fourth quarter CBCI revealed a business environment that is finally seeing the results of a year-long rate hike campaign from the Fed that drove short-term rates 4.25 percent higher. After eight quarters of surging activity post-pandemic, momentum finally moderated, allowing inflation to come steadily down from peak levels. With ongoing signals of recession from the bond market, the outlook for rates remains in focus amid a new set of conditions where deflationary forces are beginning to take root. Yet, the tightness in the labor market could have a stabilizing effect as business conditions search for a new post-tightening normal.
“The fourth-quarter CBCI showed a business environment where activity moderated as interest-rate hikes to curb inflation took hold,” Merlis says. “While the bond market continues to issue recessionary warnings, a still-strong job market continued to be a source of support during the quarter.”
For more information, visit here.
U.S. News & World Report Ranks Three MSU Online Graduate Programs in Top 10
Michigan State University in East Lansing has earned Top 10 rankings from U.S. News & World Report for three of its online graduate programs.
“It is rewarding to see Michigan State University’s commitment to provide high-quality, online education opportunities for a broad range of learners recognized at this level,” says Thomas Jeitschko, interim MSU provost. “These rankings are evidence of MSU’s institutional excellence and indicators of the scholarly excellence of our graduates.”
The Broad College of Business’ online non-MBA graduate program in business broke into the top 10 for the first time, jumping from No. 12 to No. 6. The program also jumped two places among U.S. public universities to No. 4 and maintained its No. 3 ranking for business programs for veterans.
“The college’s online master’s programs offer professionals the opportunity to reach their educational goals while sustaining their career momentum,” says Judith Whipple, interim dean of the Broad College of Business. “We are honored to be ranked in the top five of U.S. public universities and the top 10 overall. These rankings demonstrate our commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for our students who will inspire the future of business.”
MSU’s graduate program in the College of Education returned to the top 10 this year with a No. 10 ranking overall and among public institutions. The program also placed in the top 10 in the four specific disciplinary areas identified by U.S. News & World Report:
- 1 for curriculum and instruction
- 2 for educational administration and supervision
- 6 for educational and instructional media design
- 7 for special education
“The opportunities afforded by the college’s top-ranked online programs align seamlessly with not only the university’s land-grant mission, but also the strategic vision to expand opportunity and equity for all,” says Jerlando F.L. Jackson, dean of the MSU College of Education. “These top rankings confirm that our graduate students are using their strong knowledge base to excel in their fields of practice.”
The College of Social Science’s online master’s program in criminal justice dropped one spot to No. 6 in the nation. For the past two years it was ranked No. 5 and has consistently been in the top 10 since 2017.
In addition, MSU is ranked No. 11 in the disciplinary area of mechanical engineering, an improvement of three spots.
Detroit’s Wayne State Expands Debt-forgiveness Program to Former Students
Wayne State University in Detroit has expanded its Warrior Way Back program, a national model to provide access and opportunity to students who left the university with debt and without a degree.
The updated program has expanded the threshold for debt forgiveness, now enabling students with an outstanding balance of up to $4,000 to re-enroll and “learn” away their past-due balances and earn a college degree. When Warrior Way Back launched in 2018, the debt threshold was $1,500.
“When we introduced Warrior Way Back, we wanted to challenge the widespread practice of account and transcript holds that have unnecessary punitive effects, which disproportionately affect low-income students and exacerbate racial inequities,” says M. Roy Wilson, president of the university. “Wayne State is investing in the success of these students — and the successes they will bring their communities and employers — because we believe everyone should have equal access to higher education. We’re thrilled to be able to help even more Warriors re-enroll and achieve their aspiration of completing a degree.”
Nearly 400 students have enrolled in the program, with 125 completing their degree and more currently on the path to graduation. The recently expanded debt threshold makes thousands more students eligible, and Wayne State plans to re-engage with approximately 6,700 former students who stopped out before earning their degree.
Warrior Way Back students will reduce their past-due balances by one-fourth at the end of each successfully completed semester until the debt is eliminated. Upon re-enrolling, students will have access to a whole suite of robust services and resources specifically designed to help adult learners reacclimate to the university and succeed.
For more information, visit here.
Gardner White to Host Red, White & Beautiful Party Feb. 9 in Shelby Township
Warren-based Gardner White’s new American Life Collection in Shelby Township will showcase its’ exclusive, specially curated, Americana-inspired home furnishings, accent pieces, and authenticated collector items at a Red, White and Beautiful grand opening party from 6-8 p.m. on Feb. 9.
The soiree, which is open to the public, will welcome Michigan designers, Lori and Lou Mettler, owners of Mettlers American Mercantile in Petoskey. The Mettlers collaborated closely with Gardner White on the American Life Collection from concept to creation.
Detroit entertainer Ben Sharkey will perform live and signature cocktails and light refreshments will be served. Attendees also will be given a Gardner White golden ticket for 30 percent off merchandise at any of the company’s 13 stores through Feb. 12. Some restrictions may apply.
“Lori and Lou are a legendary design duo up north, and we’re thrilled that their many Michigan fans will have an opportunity to talk with them about the unique design and décor they helped curate in our American Life Collection,” says Rachel Stewart, president of Gardner White. “Lou’s genius at Ralph Lauren and Tommy Bahama helped reshape the American shopping experience, just as Gardner White is transforming the way Michiganders shop to furnish their homes.”
The American Life Collection features luxury furniture by designers Dovetail Design, Four Hands, Case and Canvas, and Sagebrook Home in suede, velvet, and top grain leather textiles. It has one-of-a-kind equestrian, nautical, automotive, and military antiques; original art, photographs, and unique handmade décor items; vintage American Flags; animal hides and mounted wildlife; and designer rugs, pillows, chandeliers, sconces, and lamps.
To pre-register for the event, visit here.
Gesher Human Services Offers Property Tax Assessment Assistance
Michiganders balancing their mortgage bills with food and other increased inflation costs can join a free, virtual program offered by Gesher Human Services in Southfield from 1-2 p.m. Feb. 7.
“Is Your Property Tax Assessment Worth Appealing?” will take place via Zoom and will explain why it is important not to ignore your property tax assessment or assume the assessed value is accurate.
In the city of Detroit, a new tool was announced in October 2022 to help residents understand the property taxes on their homes and to help them avoid being over-assessed. Homeowners are encouraged to know if their assessment has risen, because an increase can result in hundreds more dollars a year on mortgage bills and homeowners need tools for grounds to appeal. To register, go to the events page at geshermi.org.
