‘Detroit: City of Chefs’ Offers Father’s Day Fundraising Package
To raise funds to help the “Detroit: The City of Chefs” documentary by Wixom-based filmmaker Keith Famie transform into a five-part series, the production team is offering a Father’s Day Package that includes:
- A “Detroit: The City of Chefs” coffee mug and a three-seasoning pack.
- A logo t-shirt.
- An embroidered logo chef’s bib apron from Bragard.
The film is scheduled to premiere on Detroit PBS on Dec. 10. A red carpet premiere also is in the works.
The Father’s Day package is available now to order or can be purchase a la carte at the film’s online store.
Orders received by June 11 will arrive before Father’s Day.
To view a trailer for the program, visit detroitcityofchefs.com.
Study: Customers Prefer Fiber Internet When Available
Fiber internet service providers (ISPs) outshine non-fiber ISPs 76 to 68 (out of 100) for customer satisfaction, according to the Telecommunications Study 2024 from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) in Ann Arbor.
Although fiber remains the top broadband choice, 5G has emerged as a viable alternative.
“5G satisfaction scores were on par with fiber in some regions, suggesting wireless technology is stepping up to deliver the high-speed experience customers expect,” says Forrest Morgeson, associate professor of marketing at Michigan State University and director of research emeritus at the ACSI. “Continued growing demand for connectivity underscores the need for both fiber buildouts and robust 5G networks to reach more communities nationwide.”
Despite remaining near the bottom of approximately 40 industries measured by the ACSI, overall customer satisfaction with ISPs improved 4 percent to 71, thanks to gains for both fiber and non-fiber providers.
Amid revenue growth, AT&T Fiber again leads fiber ISPs with an ACSI score of 80 (unchanged). Several fiber ISPs land within 3 to 4 points of the leader, including the group of smaller ISPs and Verizon Fios (both up 3 percent to 77).
The two non-fiber, 5G providers, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet (up 4 percent to 76) and ACSI newcomer Verizon 5G Home Internet (74), lead the segment. AT&T Internet is next despite falling 4 percent to 69. Cox and Spectrum both surge 6 percent to 68.
Along with fiber and non-fiber ISPs, the ACSI Telecommunications Study includes video streaming service and subscription TV service.
Video streaming customer satisfaction climbed 3 percent to an all-time high ACSI score of 79.
Amazon Prime Video moves into sole possession of first place after improving 3 percent to 82. The highest-rated video streaming service earns praise for its original programming, mobile app, and performance and reliability. Peacock (up 1 percent) and YouTube Premium (up 3 percent) are next at 80 apiece.
To download the full report, visit here.
ELGA Credit Union in Grand Blanc to Acquire Marine Bank & Trust
ELGA Credit Union has agreed to acquire Marine Bancorp of Florida Inc. in an all-cash transaction where shareholders of Marine Bank will receive $43.75 in cash for each share owned.
The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of ELGA CU and Marine Bank, combines ELGA CU’s consumer and low-income lending expertise with Marine Bank’s commercial and treasury management offerings. Upon completion of the transaction, ELGA CU will have total assets of approximately $2.2 billion, serve over 105,000 members and expand the communities it serves to 18 branches throughout Michigan and Florida.
Gavin Financial Group in Midland Joins Forces Minnesota Firm
Wealth Enhancement Group, an independent wealth management firm in Minnesota, has joined forces with Gavin Financial Group in Midland. The team of five manages more than $658 million in client assets and is led by owner Michael Gavin.
Founded in 1996, Gavin Financial Group has served the Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond for more than 27 years. The firm says it strives to provide financial freedom by assisting clients with comprehensive life planning and prudent investment management which allows them to pursue their dreams with confidence. The team works with pre-retirees, retirees, and high-net-worth families, and their goal is to assist multiple generations.
Penske Automotive Group Completes Purchase of Porsche Dealerships in Australia
Penske Automotive Group Inc. in Bloomfield Township has completed its acquisition of Porsche Centre Brighton and Porsche Centre Doncaster located in Melbourne, Australia, expanding its portfolio to 24 Porsche dealerships worldwide. The acquisition is expected to add $130 million in estimated annualized revenue.
Agape Childcare Center to Open New Facility on Detroit’s East Side This Summer
Agape Childcare Center, a licensed childcare center on the east side of Detroit, will open the doors to its new state-of-the-art facility at 16225 E. Warren this summer. Construction for the 3600-square-foot, five-classroom facility kicked off in October 2023 and was designed with health and safety as a top priority for the many students who will walk the halls.
The new facility will hold up to 58 students, ages 0-12, throughout the five modernized classrooms. The facility and classrooms were designed to be warm and inviting, including open spaces with natural lighting. To protect the health of the students and faculty, the entire facility was designed to be hands-free, including doors, sinks, toilets, soap dispensers, and more.
Agape Childcare Center has been in existence since 2019 and has been the only Great Start To Quality five-star rated program in the 48224 zip code area. Agape Childcare Center utilizes the HighScope Curriculum and implements Matrix Early Head Start program guidelines. In 2023, Agape Childcare Center was highlighted in Crain’s Detroit Business as a Matrix Human Services partner.
Agape Childcare Center also received the Motor City Match Cash award in 2023 and was awarded $80,000 to put toward the facility buildout.
To learn more about Agape Childcare Center, when the facility will open this summer, and inquire about enrollment, visit here.
Ann Arbor’s RealTruck Unveils First Major Marketing Campaign
RealTruck Inc., a global aftermarket product and accessory brand in Ann Arbor, announced a multi-faceted marketing campaign titled “Bring Your Truck to Life.” The integrated marketing campaign is the first since rebranding the company to RealTruck and is highlighted by an eight-figure digital advertising campaign.
The new creative celebrates life’s adventures through the lens of truck and off-road vehicle owners, featuring DIYers, families and mountain bikers who bring their truck to life in pursuit of their favorite pastimes.
The “Bring Your Truck to Life” campaign is designed to showcase the company’s passion for elevating every truck owner’s experience and to become the world’s leading aftermarket accessories brand. RealTruck’s extensive catalog of products is designed and developed to customize trucks for adventures ranging from extreme overlanding to tailgating to everyday DIY projects around the house.
It’s said to represents a milestone in RealTruck’s evolution as a brand and business.
“It demonstrates our passion for building high-quality aftermarket accessories for truck, Jeep, and Bronco owners around the globe,” says Tony Ambroza, chief growth officer at RealTruck. “Every element in this campaign is designed to inspire enthusiasts and invite newcomers to customize their vehicles with RealTruck products in pursuit of life’s adventures on four wheels.”
D1 Training Introduces Premier Athletic-Based Fitness Concept to Lake Orion
D1 Training will be opening a new location in Lake Orion at 1216 S Lapeer Road on June 10. The group fitness facility employs a sports-science backed training regimen led by certified trainers to help people of all ages achieve their sport and fitness goals.
In celebration of the new location’s launch, Lake Orion neighbors and area residents are encouraged to stop by and meet the facility’s team at its grand opening event on July 13.
Local franchisee Dimitra Boulos will join a roster of impressive existing franchisees and owners some of which include professional athletes such as Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, Tim Tebow, and Michael Oher.
“Joining D1 Training was more than a business decision; it marked our pledge to cultivate a robust and healthy community, beginning with our youngest athletes,” says Boulos. “Choosing D1 Training represents our commitment to meaningful change. It’s where our family’s love for sports meets our dedication to our community, wellness and personal growth.”
D1 Training offers four age-based programs including Rookie (ages 7-11), Developmental (ages 12-14), Prep (ages 15-18), and D1 Adult. Each fitness program is based on the five athletic-based tenets: dynamic warm-up, performance, strength program, core and conditioning, and cool down. Outside of group workouts, D1 Training offers one-on-one training with world-class coaches. The goal is simple: to continue to train athletes who are dedicated to their sport or their fitness goals, regardless of age or athletic background.
For more information, visit here or call 248-986-2871.
Oxford Bank Marks 140 Years of Community Banking
Founded in 1884, Oxford Bank, the oldest commercial bank in Oakland County, has survived through some of the toughest times in history, including two world wars, the Great Depression, and numerous banking crises. Celebrating its 140th year, the bank continues to thrive under local ownership and management, ranking within the 93rd percentile of long-standing U.S. banks.
Since the inception of the first U.S. commercial bank in 1782, banks have played a crucial role in maintaining financial security for American depositors and borrowers. History shows, however, that not all have withstood tough times: more than 9,000 banks failed during the Great Depression, around 2,900 during the 1980s and 1990s savings and loan crisis, and more than 450 during the 2008 financial crisis, as reported by the Pew Research Center and FDIC.
Despite such challenges, Oxford Bank has expanded and diversified significantly over its 140-year history. It became a publicly traded company in 2016, now boasting $816.666 million in bank deposits and a 36 percent increase in earnings since 2022. With seven branches and three customer experience centers across Michigan, the bank embraces cutting-edge technologies like interactive teller machines (ITMs) and sophisticated fraud prevention tools.
“Our continual growth can largely be credited to our focus on strategic diversification and expansion, relentless focus on our team and customer experience, and the commitment of our dedicated team,” says David Lamb, chairman, president, and CEO of Oxford Bank.
The Northeast Oakland Historical Museum and Oxford Bank will present an exhibit showcasing Oxford’s storied past at the bank’s headquarters in Oxford through June 30, later moving to the museum for display throughout 2024.
Events include:
- June 17: Branch celebrations at all Oxford Bank locations with cupcakes and keepsakes.
- June 23 (2-5 p.m.): A community celebration at the headquarters, featuring presentations, refreshments, and games.
- June through October 2024: Student tours and time capsule installations as part of the Oxford Bank Money Masters program.
Pope Francis Center Opens the Doors Bridge Housing Campus for the Homeless in Detroit
Pope Francis Center (PFC) began a new era, June 3, for ending chronic homelessness in Detroit with the opening of its Bridge Housing Campus, a $40 million facility that provides comprehensive transitional services under one roof.
Born out of a desire to address the underlying reasons people live on the streets, the Bridge Housing Campus is the culmination of decades of PFC’s experience, research and dedication to helping the chronically homeless, one of the most challenging populations to serve.
“Putting people in a house or apartment before addressing issues such as substance abuse or mental health doesn’t work for everybody,” says Fr. Tim McCabe, SJ, president and CEO. “Our facility is a game-changer in how it allows those experiencing homelessness to have agency in their own healing. They decide how they want to progress, while we give them the support necessary to chart a better path in life.”
The 60,000-square-foot Bridge Housing Campus sits on 5.3 acres of land in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood. In addition to 40 furnished studio apartments, the facility features a gymnasium, commercial kitchen, free medical and dental clinic, library and classrooms, barbershop, and space for family gatherings and special events. A unique feature: heated sidewalks and an over-hang outside the building for those not yet ready to make their way indoors.
Residents will have access to a range of social services including substance abuse rehabilitation, mental health assistance, and job training and computer classes. When they are ready, residents will transition to permanent housing while still receiving any support they need from PFC and its partners.
The Bridge Housing Campus is located at 2915 West Hancock St. in Detroit. PFC staff are working to determine the first group of residents. Plans are for them to move in late June, although that may change if the selection process takes longer.
The Bridge Housing Campus also will double as PFC’s new headquarters. PFC will continue to operate the day center and shelter where it started in 1990 and now serves more than 200 guests a day. The center is located at 438 Saint Antoine St. in Detroit, next to Sts. Peter and Paul Jesuit Church.
Detroit Grand Prix Inaugurates Daniel J. Loepp Community Champion Award
Last Friday night during the Detroit Grand Prix event weekend, Grand Prix officials presented the inaugural Daniel J. Loepp Community Champion Award, recognizing excellence in leadership and community service, to Daniel Loepp, retiring president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
The award is named after Loepp, who has served as president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for nearly 20 years and will be retiring at the end of the year. He was honored as the first recipient of the award on during the annual PwC Grand Prixmiere presented by Chevrolet charity gala held at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit.
The Daniel J. Loepp Community Champion Award celebrates and recognizes individuals who have helped advance social change through philanthropic community engagement, teamwork and partnerships in the City of Detroit. The eponymous award honors the legacy of Dan Loepp, who has made an indelible impact in the community through his humanitarian efforts and vision for the city’s future. Loepp’s lifelong commitment to Detroit and its surrounding communities has forged a path for civic leaders to make a difference in southeast Michigan.
Winning Futures in Warren is Hiring, Planning Golf Social at Topgolf
Winning Futures in Warren is hiring two positions, planning a golf social at Topgolf, and looking for mentors for the 2024-25 school year.
The two positions it’s hiring are a match manager, responsible for student case management, career mentor support and related activities, and a program assistant, who helps in planning and executing mentoring class sessions. Learn more and apply here.
The organization is planning a day of golf and networking at is Golf Social at Topgolf in Auburn Hills on Sept. 25. Replacing the previous Golf Classic outing, this event is for golfers of every skill level – even those who have never picked up a club. Guests will enjoy a team competition, food and drinks, door prizes, raffle prizes, networking, and more. Individual tickets and sponsorships are available. Contact Daneila Matthews at Daniela@WinningFutures.org or 586-276-5236. Learn more and register here.
Winning Futures needs career mentors for the 2024-25 school year. With training and support, career mentors attend on-site sessions and coach students through our program, participating with them in hands-on activities, discussions, and completion of workbook pages. Mentoring sessions take place two or three times per month from November through May at participating schools. Learn more and apply here.
Stephanie Burnley-Hemphill, co-CEO at Devon Industrial, has joined the Winning Futures Board of Directors.
Michigan Receives $18M in AmeriCorps Funding to Strengthen Communities
The Michigan Community Service Commission announced that Michigan has received $18 million in AmeriCorps funding to support the work of more than 1,100 AmeriCorps members as they tackle some of the state’s toughest challenges, including disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, education, health and public safety.
AmeriCorps funds will support 24 Michigan organizations through 30 program subgrants and three planning grants to expand their reach and impact in Michigan communities.
Organizations receiving grants include:
- Albion College
- Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan
- City of Ann Arbor
- City Year
- Communities First Inc.
- Community Economic Development Association of Michigan
- Crim Fitness Foundation
- Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
- Eastern Michigan University
- Family Scholar House
- Hannan Center
- Hope Network
- Huron Pines
- Ingham County
- Lead for America
- Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness
- Michigan College Access Network
- Michigan State University
- Peckham, Inc.
- Special Olympics of Michigan
- Teach for America
- United Way of Genesee County
- Urban Neighborhood Initiatives
- Wayne State University
Learn more about Michigan’s AmeriCorps efforts at Michigan.gov/volunteer.
