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 Internet Exchange Surpasses One Terabit of Internet Traffic
The Detroit Internet Exchange (DET-iX), one of the largest nonprofit and fee-free internet exchange points in the world, surpassed one terabit (one trillion bits per second) of peak traffic for the first time in its history.
The milestone further demonstrates the proliferation of internet traffic connecting Michigan communities and businesses to local and global content providers.
Since 2014, the DET-iX has grown both its membership and traffic, in part, to its free connections and ports, allowing members to exchange traffic across a range of networks.
Major content and internet providers have taken notice with Apple, Microsoft and Google among the DET-iX’s more than 70 members. Other members include Fortune 500 companies and businesses across the telecommunications, automotive, education, and healthcare industry.
“The DET-iX was established to improve internet service and lower expenses for Michigan communities and businesses,” says Ryan Duda, chief technology officer at 123NET. “Its success has exceeded our expectations and reaching the 1Tbps milestone demonstrates the strong demand for a better internet experience.”
For networks that are interested in joining, visit detroitix.com or call 800-227-1957.
SEE Eyewear Co-founder Rochelle Golden Dies
Rochelle “Shelley” Golden, known for inspiring women in business and other ventures, died on Dec. 16. She was 75.
Golden of Bloomfield Hills and Surfside, Florida co-founded SEE, a 43-store optical boutique chain known for its leading-edge fashion designs. Along with her husband of 53 years, former D.O.C president and current SEE CEO of Richard Golden, Shelley Golden helped build a nationally known brand that has inspired other entrepreneurs to create new brands in the industry.
“Shelley is actually the one who came up with the name SEE for our company,” says Richard Golden. “On a cross-country plane ride to meet with potential architects and branding agencies for the still unnamed company, I challenged Shelley to come up with a short, easy to remember, iconic name. Shelley’s response? Let’s name it SEE. Considering the number of optical companies in the U.S., I never thought it possible that SEE would be available. Here we are, almost 25 years later, thriving with the moniker she conceived.”
Shelley Golden actively advocated for promoting women in leadership roles in the SEE organization and worked as a sounding board for new ideas and initiatives. She inspired and spearheaded SEE’s Protect Your Privates ovarian cancer charity program.
The goal of the program is to raise awareness about early detection and to raise funds for OCRA (Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance). Over the years, SEE has raised a significant amount of money for OCRA through its crowdsourcing efforts. She spoke at countless women’s events and sat on the board of OCRA for many years.
Services were held Sunday at Temple Israel.
McNamara Federal Building in Detroit Awarded $24M to Update Parking Garage
The Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building in Detroit will receive $24 million from the U.S. General Services Administration to upgrade its parking garage.
The $24 million is part of more than $300 million in construction and renovation projects funded through the Inflation Reduction Act. This first set of projects aims to catalyze clean energy innovation and spur domestic clean manufacturing by incorporating emerging technologies and low-carbon materials into construction and renovation projects at federal facilities across America.
The McNamara Federal Building project will complete critical structural and related system upgrades to a rapidly deteriorating parking garage. The funding will allow for the incorporation of low-embodied carbon materials (asphalt, concrete, and steel) and emerging technologies. GSA is studying converting the garage’s HVAC system to all-electric power and incorporating electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Overall, the Inflation Reduction Act provides GSA with $2.15 billion for low-embodied carbon materials for construction projects; $975 million to support emerging and sustainable technologies; and $250 million for measures to convert federal facilities into high-performance green buildings.
OneStream in Birmingham Recognized as a Leader in Financial Planning Software
OneStream, a Birmingham-based provider of corporate performance management solutions, has been recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Financial Planning Software.
Gartner evaluated 14 financial planning software providers based on their ability to execute and completeness of vision and placed OneStream in the Leaders Quadrant.
“We are proud to be recognized as a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Financial Planning Software,” says Tom Shea, CEO at OneStream. “OneStream’s success is built on our mission to ensure every customer is a reference, one success at a time.
“We believe this recognition reflects our strong momentum in the market and the value customers gain by adopting OneStream’s unified, extensible platform to streamline their complex financial processes across planning, reporting, and analytics.
For more information, visit here.
Miracle Method Franchise Expansion Includes Michigan
Colorado Springs-based Miracle Method, a kitchen and bathroom remodeling company, announced a plan to expand its presence across the country through strategic franchising, with a specific focus on opening locations in new markets that includes Michigan.
Miracle Method currently has franchise locations across 160 U.S. cities, including a location in Troy.
“In the markets we are already serving, some of which we’ve been in for decades and others just a few years, we’ve quickly and consistently become the unquestioned go-to surface refinishing business,” says Chuck Pistor, president and CEO of Miracle Method.
Pistor says the expansion plans would more than double its current locations, forecasting at least 500 locations nationwide. Annual expansion is anticipated to begin tripling in key U.S. markets with Detroit, Grand Rapids, Chicago, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and Birmingham, Ala. initially prioritized.
EMU’s Center for Entrepreneurship to Launch Certificate Program Feb. 4
The Center for Entrepreneurship at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti is launching its third installation of the Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship program to help aspiring entrepreneurs jumpstart their ideas.
With funds raised from EMU alumni and community partners, the eight-week in-person and online hybrid program offers business instruction, professional coaching, mentorship, networking, and the chance for participants to pitch their startup ideas for a $25,000 business expense fund.
“Entrepreneurship is challenging, especially at the very early stage,” says Sanjib Chowdhury, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Eastern. “We are thrilled to offer this incredible program for passionate Michigan entrepreneurs and help them move their ideas forward.”
Also interacting with the participants will be Chris Kaufman, co-founder of StockX. “As an entrepreneur and EMU graduate, I understand the impact a program like this will have on budding entrepreneurs. I look forward to working with the participants and helping them develop their ideas,” Kaufman says.
The Executive Certificate in Entrepreneurship will include additional industry experts, professional coaches, mentors, and startup investors. It was developed for aspiring entrepreneurs with growth-oriented and scalable business ideas and executives looking to expand their entrepreneurial mindset. The program will consist of eight modules with topics including:
- Value proposition
- Customer discovery
- Market position and branding
- Organizing startups and legal Issues
- Financial modeling and P&L projections
The program will include a venture challenge among program participants for business expense funding. One winner will be chosen from 20 participants at the final Venture Challenge. Established investors and entrepreneurs from Michigan will serve as professional coaches, mentors, and judges throughout the eight-week program.
Several scholarships are available to participants. The application deadline for the program is Jan. 12. For more information and to apply, visit here.
Pop-up Restaurant Bella Sorpresa Opens at The Highlands in Harbor Springs
A new pop-up Italian dining experience is now open at The Highlands in Harbor Springs, Bella Sorpresa, located inside the Country Club of Boyne and features home-cooked Italian specialties.
Guests of the resort can take complimentary shuttle transportation to the club, which also is open to the public.
Bella Sorpresa’s menu features classic Italian recipes, along with modern dishes. House favorites include Porcini Vellutata, a velvety and elegant soup featuring porcini mushrooms, and Anatra; a Culver Farms duck breast with fondant potato and poached pears. The restaurant offers fresh pasta features, and all entrees are served with house-made crusty sourdough bread with roasted garlic puree and extra virgin olive oil.
A wine and dessert menu also is available.
Dining reservations are suggested and can be made online via OpenTable. Bella Sorpresa is open from 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays through early March. The restaurant also can be booked for private parties.
For full menu details or dining reservations, visit highlandsharborsprings.com.
Salvation Army Thrift Stores to Kick Off New Year with Big Savings
The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center is conducting its annual New Year’s Day Sale, beginning Jan. 2. Customers can ring in 2023 by saving 50 percent off clothing at all 29 southeast Michigan Salvation Army Family Thrift Stores.
Proceeds from all 29 metro Detroit thrift stores benefit The Salvation Army Southeast Michigan Adult Rehabilitation Center’s independently funded, 180-day residential rehabilitation program. The ARC provides substance-abuse rehabilitation, nutritious meals, leisure activities, individual counseling, and spiritual direction, along with resources to develop life skills.
In addition to affordable, gently used clothing, The Salvation Army Thrift Stores offer merchandise in a variety of departments, including clothing, accessories, housewares, linens, furniture, and more.
Most Salvation Army Thrift Stores are open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To learn more about specific store locations and hours, visit semichigan.satruck.org.
