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 Doubles Production of Annual Honey Bourbon
Detroit City Distillery (DCD) is taking its annual release of Honey Bourbon to new heights this year, doubling production, expanding distribution statewide, and adding a new ready-to-serve Honey Old Fashioned to its lineup.
The official launch kicks off with online sales at detroitcitydistillery.com starting at 8 a.m. on Nov. 10. A launch party begins that day at 4 p.m. at the distillery’s Tasting Room in Eastern Market for in-person sales and online purchase pick-ups along with many honey-themed treats and gifts provided by Bees in the D, a nonprofit focused on honeybee conservancy and education.
Honey Bourbon and Honey Old Fashioned will be available statewide on shelves the week of Nov. 20.
Honey Bourbon launched in 2019 as an experimental limited-edition single barrel of bourbon. Since then, sales have grown 20-fold. Due to demand from across Michigan, the distillery is doubling production this year for statewide distribution to grocers, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants throughout Michigan.
For the first time, Detroit City Distillery is putting a ready-to-serve cocktail into distribution with its new Honey Old Fashioned. The new product is based on the distillery’s best-selling cocktail, and features Honey Bourbon, raw Michigan honey, and house-made bitters.
“This fine bourbon features the truest taste of Detroit you can get,” says Michael Forsyth, co-owner of Detroit City Distillery. “We combine the award-winning bourbon we make in Eastern Market with honey made by thousands of honeybees using flower nectar from all over the city. This year we’re launching our first ready-to-serve cocktail in distribution, the Honey Old Fashioned, so more fans can enjoy this product in more ways.”
DCD also is offering Bees in the D Bourbon Barrel-Aged Honey, crafted from honey harvested atop the company’s whiskey factory rooftop and aged in bourbon barrels. All of the honey revenue supports the nonprofit Bees in the D.
Boston’s Veolia North America Acquires U.S. Industrial Technologies in Livonia
Veolia North America, a Boston-based integrated provider of environmental services in the U.S. and Canada, has completed the acquisition of Livonia’s U.S. Industrial Technologies, a provider of total waste and recycling services that has managed industrial waste streams for automakers as well as other large manufacturers, medium and small businesses, governments, and municipalities since 1996.
The acquisition will expand the U.S. market share for Veolia’s Environmental Solutions and Services (ESS) division, which already is recognized for its ability to provide customized integrated services for the management and treatment of hazardous, non-hazardous, and recyclable waste for thousands of U.S. industrial, commercial, and government customers.
The transaction includes the acquisition of USIT’s main operational location in Livonia and another operation in Knoxville, Tenn. The Livonia center serves as a collection and storage location for complex waste streams from a wide variety of customers, most notably in the manufacturing sector. USIT employs more than 70 people at company-owned and customer facilities.
Little Caesars, ‘Call of Duty’ Join Forces to Elevate Gaming Experience
Detroit-based Little Caesars is announcing its second-year collaboration with the “Call of Duty” gaming franchise.
Following the success of the inaugural partnership last year, Little Caesars and “Call of Duty” are set to raise the bar even higher with an expansive co-branded activation for the release of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.”
Beginning today through Dec. 31, with each transaction more than $3 at a participating Little Caesars location, guests can earn perks like Dual 2XP, bonus in-game rewards, and entry into a sweepstakes for coveted gaming-themed prizes. To unlock Dual 2XP and in-game rewards for consoles and PCs, gamers must visit www.LittleCaesarsCallOfDuty.com to upload their in-store receipt or enter the unique code on their digital receipt.
To complement this collaboration, Little Caesars is offering Stuffed Crazy Bread, a cheesy, garlicky-, herby-parmesan product “perfect for intense gaming sessions.”
“We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with ‘Call of Duty’ given the enthusiastic response from last year’s program — and this year we’re offering even more fun experiences for gamers,” says Greg Hamilton, chief marketing officer at Little Caesars. “By pairing our Stuffed Crazy Bread with the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, we’re really taking the gaming experience to a new level.”
Josh Lang Brings 7OH2 Hospitality to Downtown Detroit
Hospitality and marketing executive Josh Lang is launching 7OH2 Hospitality in the heart of Downtown Detroit.
From offices at 1528 Woodward Ave., Ste. 600, 7OH2 Hospitality will operate Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop, a multi-faceted dining and elevated sports and entertainment venue. The group also will unveil a second venue in early 2024, introducing Detroit to a first-of-its-kind sensory-driven food and dining experience. Both Gilly’s Clubhouse and Rooftop and the yet-to-be-announced venue will be housed in an historic storefront in the Kay Baum Building on Woodward Avenue, a short walk from downtown Detroit’s sports venues, retail, and transit options.
“A 7OH2 experience should lead with a curious thought, followed by an overwhelming sensation of energy, and for the finale, it should leave you wanting to know how the hell they did that and how can I have it again,” Lang says.
StradVsion Showcases Vision Perception Technologies at SV Roadshow 2023
StradVision, a South Korea-based AI vision processing technology company for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems with North American headquarters in Sterling Heights, is demonstrating its innovations at the SV Roadshow 2023, staged globally from October to November across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and China.
StradVision is showcasing its SVNet, including FrontVision, SurroundVision, and MultiVision, technologies designed to revolutionize the future of autonomous driving and Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS). The company also shared its newly organized product lineup and roadmap, a preview of which will be showcased at the upcoming CES 2024 in Las Vegas.
“In the dynamic landscape of autonomous driving and ADAS, automotive OEM customers are actively striving to integrate cutting-edge automotive technologies,” says Junhwan Kim, CEO of StradVision. “At StradVision, we are dedicated to fueling this innovation by providing robust vision perception technologies. We are committed to supporting our customers’ eagerness to embrace driver-assist systems, offering them not just solutions, but the promise of a safer and more connected future on the roads.”
At the core of the company’s products is SVNet, an ultra-light, high-efficiency solution seamlessly integrating deep learning-based object recognition. Compatible with more than 18 System-on-Chip (SoC) platforms, SVNet offers more than 30 object recognition functions.
Steady Impact Selected to Lead Pioneering Guaranteed Income Initiative for Gig Workers
Steady Impact, which works with cash assistance programs across the country to streamline distribution and quantify impact, announced that its platform has been selected to administer the Guaranteed Income to Grow Ann Arbor (GIG A2) pilot program in Ann Arbor.
Steady’s technology will support the distribution of funds directly to program participants and will also help the initiative’s leaders measure its impact on participants’ financial health.
“What sets Steady apart is not just their commitment to the mission of this program, but also their deep experience working with the gig and non-standard workers that we aim to serve,” says Kristin Seefeldt, associate director of the University of Michigan’s Poverty Solutions team. “With Steady’s help, we’re contributing to an evidence base about guaranteed income programs — and hopefully strengthening Ann Arbor’s community and economy in the process.”
Co-founded by Shaquille O’Neal, Steady launched in 2017 with the goal of harnessing the potential of emerging technology to alleviate poverty, and now helps more than 6 million users — with a high concentration of non-standard (e.g., gig, contingent, and other non-W2) workers — track and boost their income.
As Steady’s social impact arm, Steady Impact has distributed $115 million to more than 700,000 individuals through partnerships with city governments and community-based organizations from Atlanta to Santa Fe to Baltimore. The company’s proprietary technology also helps program leaders measure the impact of cash assistance on recipients’ financial health.
Led by the U-M’s Poverty Solutions team, GIG A2 will choose 100 participants to receive monthly payments of $528 for two years. Applications for the program, which prioritizes Ann Arbor residents who are entrepreneurs, self-employed people, small business owners, and gig workers, were taken in early October, and participants will be selected later this fall.
U.S.: Priority Health Has Highest Rated Michigan-based Medicare Plans
Priority Health in Grand Rapids, a nonprofit health plan serving more than 1.3 million members, has been recognized as a top performer through the 2024 Medicare Star Ratings released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Priority Health’s HMO/POS and PPO plans both earned 4.5 stars (out of 5) for 2024, the highest rating granted to a Michigan-based plan this year. Every year Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system.
“These exceptional ratings show our commitment to ensuring our members get the service and care they need at an affordable cost,” says Joyce Chan Russell, senior vice president of government markets at Priority Health. “Year after year, Priority Health continues to be a leader in quality and will continue offering better benefits and lower premiums for Medicare members.”
For more information, visit here.
Adell Media Expands Detroit’s 910 AM Superstation to 104.3 HD2
Following the successful launch of 910 AM Superstation – Detroit’s News/Talk Radio Station in September 2023, Adell Media announced today the expansion of 910 AM’s 24/7 lineup to 104.3 WOMC-HD2, effective immediately.
910 AM (WFDF-AM) experienced more than 300 percent growth among listeners 6+ from September 2023 to October 2023 (Source: Nielsen Audio, PPM, AQH, MoSu 6a-12m, P6+).
104.3 HD2 now broadcasts 910 AM’s roster of news and conservative talk, including: “The Glenn Beck Program,” “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show,” “The Sean Hannity Show,” “The Jesse Kelly Show,” “The Bill O’Reilly Show,” and others. In preparation for the winter season, 104.3 HD2 also will feature Total Traffic & Weather Network around the clock on weekdays and from 6 a.m.-noon on weekends, along with daily coverage from ABC News and ABC Breaking News.
As part of the launch, Adell Media purchased a heavy media schedule on iHeartMedia’s 100.3 WNIC in Detroit. Voiced by Sean Hannity, the ads will run from Nov. 3 through Christmas.
“910 AM Superstation is living up to its name,” says Kevin Adell, CEO of Adell Media. “The audience growth we’ve seen since launching our conservative news/talk lineup in September has been exponential, and we’re looking forward to reaching even more listeners on 104.3 HD2.”
Visit 910amsuperstation.com/ for more information.
The Parade Co. to Host 24th Annual Pancake Breakfast Nov. 3
The Parade Co. will host hundreds of business and community leaders at its 24th annual Pancake Breakfast presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) from 6:30-9 a.m. Nov. 3 from 6:30-9 a.m. at The Parade Co.
Alongside celebrity pancake flippers, Barton Malow will reveal its new parade float, which will make its debut on Woodward Avenue during America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Gardner White.
The private breakfast event will feature a live broadcast with WJR’s Guy Gordon, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds, and live float unveiling with WDIV Local 4.
State Bank Partners with Kasasa, Charlie Rocket’s Dream Machine in Fenton
The State Bank, in partnership with Kasasa and the Dream Machine, is hosting Fenton’s local Best Day Ever at 10 a.m. on Nov. 3.
The State Bank will be hosting community event take-overs. Its staff will be visiting local hotspots in the Fenton community to surprise residents and spread goodwill, including Fenton VGs, Alpine Grocery, The Grand Mall, Flint Farmers Market, among many others.
Kasasa, which offers free reward checking accounts exclusively at community banks and credit unions, and the Dream Machine founded by Charlie Rocket, has joined with community financial institutions across the country with the goal of performing 100,000 acts kindness in a single day.
The State Bank’s local event is its contribution to the nationwide effort aimed at showcasing the significance of community banks and credit unions. It demonstrates how these institutions are integral to the communities they serve and emphasizes their role in preserving the vital human connection that is progressively disappearing from financial institutions. This event also underscores the scale of the Kasasa network of community banks and credit unions, which combined represents the fourth largest branch banking network in the country.
Reuters President Receives Kettering University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award
Henry Ford Museum’s Lovett Hall hosted Flint’s Kettering University’s Evening of Distinction and Determination Oct. 26 when Reuters President Paul Bascobert was presented with the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
“The Evening of Distinction and Determination is one of Kettering University’s premier events,” says Jennifer Patterson, vice president of university advancement and external relations at Kettering. “It’s an honor to celebrate our amazing and accomplished Kettering/GMI Alumni Association award winners and to thank our generous and thoughtful donors.
“Each fall, this event brings together alumni, donors, students, families, faculty, and staff, and the energy and warmth among the attendees inspire the entire community. It is a wonderful representation of what makes Kettering University truly exceptional and unique.”
The event, conducted in partnership with the Kettering/GMI Alumni Association, recognized eight alumni and included a cocktail reception, dinner, and a 90-minute program. Alumnus Chuck Gray served as emcee for the program.
In addition to Bascobert, the following alumni were recognized:
- Lori Flees, CEO and director of Valvoline Inc., Extraordinary Leadership Award.
- John Suh, vice president of Hyundai Motor Co. and founding director of New Horizons Studio, Engineering Achievement Award.
- Sean McBurney, regional president of Caesars Entertainment Inc. Management Achievement Award.
- Steven Schwartz, founder of Alfa Jango and co-founder and former CTO of Genomenon, Entrepreneurial Achievement Award.
- Kai “Ray” Lum, co-founder of the Chinese Association, Civic Achievement Award.
- Yvonne Brooks, senior test engineer and mechanical consultant, Alumni Service Award.
- Peter Deppe, founder and CTO of Kuhmute, Young Alumni Award.
Donors who increased their support in the past year to move into a new Kettering University donor society were also recognized.
‘Leo’s Big Day Out’ Makes National Onstage Debut at Henry Ford College Nov. 18-19
The new family-friendly musical, “Leo’s Big Day Out,” will make its national onstage debut Nov. 18-19 in the Adray Auditorium at Henry Ford College (HFC) on the first floor of the MacKenzie Fine Arts Center (Building F on the main campus).
Leo’s Big Day Out runs just under an hour with no intermission. The performances will be on the following days and times:
Nov. 18, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Nov. 19, at 2 p.m.
A collaboration between HFC Theatre and HFC Music, “Leo’s Big Day Out” is the creation of Aaron Coleman with music by Chuck Pelletier. It was created as part of the New York City-based Circle in the Square Theatre School’s efforts to provide virtual children’s theatre during the COVID 19 pandemic.
“It’s really such an exciting honor to be trusted with creating the onstage premiere of this sho,” says John Michael Sefel, director of theater at HFC. “Circle in the Square is an absolute legend in the theatre community — the idea that this show debuted there, albeit virtually due to the pandemic – and its next step into life is on HFC’s stage is such an exciting feather in our cap.”
“Leo’s Big Day Out” is the story of 9-year-old Leo Fawaz, who lives with his immigrant aunt named Letty in a new city, and desires nothing more than to get out, explore, and make music in this new city, despite his aunt’s fear of the unknown and wanting him to stay home. The play features dialogue in English, Arabic, and Spanish. It also includes singing, dancing, and puppetry.
Tickets go on sale today and can be purchased here and at the door.
At each performance, HFC Theatre will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Hawk’s Nest, HFC’s student food pantry. Food items should be at least two months prior to their published expiration date. Please check the published expiration dates carefully before you donate.
Washtenaw Economic Club to Host DTE Executives for Discussion on Energy Needs
The Washtenaw Economic Club will host its final luncheon event of 2023 with a session focused on energy needs from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Morris Lawrence Building on the campus of Washtenaw Community College in Ann Arbor.
The meeting, titled “Future Energy Demands: The Role Natural Gas Will Play in Electrification,” will feature DTE executives Cedric Flowers and H.J. Decker of DTE Gas.
The event will include a panel discussion with both speakers and a moderator. The executives will discuss the state’s evolving energy needs amid the desire to reduce carbon emissions.
Flowers serves as vice president of gas operations for DTE Gas. DTE Energy’s natural gas utility provides service to 1.3 million homes and businesses in Michigan.
Flowers has been with DTE since 2019 and is responsible for managing utility gas operations, including construction, transmission, distribution, storage and planning of DTE’s natural gas system within applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Decker is acting vice president of gas sales and support, and is responsible for industrial and residential natural gas sales and marketing, home appliance repair marketing and operations, natural gas procurement for utility customers, and midstream transportation and storage services. He has been with DTE Energy for seven years.
The WEC welcomes the public to participate by either becoming a member of the club or purchasing available individual tickets per event.
You can become a member and purchase tickets by visiting here.
