Michigan Gets $66.3M in Federal Funding to Improve Airport Infrastructure
The Michigan Infrastructure Office in Lansing announced Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) in Romulus and Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) in Grand Rapids are set to receive a total of $66.3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The funding is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Airport Infrastructure Grants Program (AIG) and will enhance airport infrastructure, improve safety, and increase efficiency for travelers.
DTW will receive $61.8 million to fund the rehabilitation of a portion of Dingell Drive, the main road artery serving the McNamara Terminal, and sections of the adjacent service road. This is a multi-year project.
Roadway work includes replacement of storm sewer sections, concrete curb and median walls, overhead and cantilever signage, as well as roadway light poles. Tunnel work included in the project scope addresses all three tunnels which run beneath both of the airport’s crosswind runways and associated taxiways. Tunnel mechanical and electrical systems will be upgraded, along with structural repairs.
GFIA will receive $4.5 million to expand the existing snow removal equipment building by an additional 37,317 square feet, ensuring that the airport can maintain operations during severe winter weather.
To date, Michigan has brought home $10.8 billion in funding from the BIL to invest in improving our roads and bridges, high-speed internet access, water systems, public transit, clean energy and more to drive enhanced connectivity, improved transportation, and resilient infrastructure.
For more information, visit here.
Jeep Recognized for 23rd Consecutive Year as America’s Most Patriotic Brand
The Jeep brand of Stellantis in Auburn Hills has again been named as America’s most patriotic brand. For the 23rd year in a row, the Jeep brand is America’s most patriotic, according to Brand Keys Most Patriotic Brands survey. Consumers who were surveyed assessed brands that best embody the value of patriotism in 2024.
To determine the 2024 rankings, Brand Keys surveyed more than 7,460 consumers, 18 to 65 years of age, balanced for gender and political affiliation, assessed 1,381 brands in 143 B2C and B2B categories, using Brand Keys emotional engagement measures. The assessments evaluated brand resonance for the single value of patriotism, and the Jeep brand was identified as the best for meeting today’s patriotism challenges.
The Jeep brand and the USO also are marking 16 years together to help support and keep the members of the nation’s military connected to everything that gives meaning to their service. More information can be found at USO.org.
Additionally, through the Jeep brand’s Military Incentive Program, select military personnel are eligible for military bonus cash to use toward select Jeep brand vehicles. Active, active reserve, retired military, retired military reserve, 100% disabled veteran and honorably discharged veterans, within 12 months of discharge date, are eligible under the program. The offer applies to purchases and leases on select 2024 and 2023 Jeep brand vehicles.
Another reward for being a Jeep 4×4 owner is the Jeep Wave, a premium owner loyalty and customer care program that is available to the entire Jeep 4×4 lineup, which is filled with exclusive benefits to deliver Jeep vehicle owners the utmost care and dedicated 24/7 support.
Steelcase in Grand Rapids Commits to a Net-Zero Future by 2050
Grand Rapids-based Steelcase has announced its commitment to a net-zero future, reducing its carbon emissions more than 90 percent throughout its entire value chain — through its products, operations and transportation — by 2050.
Steelcase has released an industry-first net-zero transition plan, “Power of Possibility: A Net-Zero Future Needs Us All.” This plan outlines how the company is taking action on its path to net zero. Steelcase says it aims to transform its entire business, reducing carbon emissions from the products it makes, how the products are made, and the ways products are delivered. Steelcase also is using this moment as a call to action to accelerate its impact by engaging employees, dealers, suppliers, customers and peers to achieve a net-zero future.
This commitment builds on the organization’s science-based targets set in 2019 to cut emissions in half in its own operations by 2030. The Science-Based Targets initiative, the leading authority guiding businesses on how much and how quickly they need to cut carbon emissions to reduce the impacts of climate change, validated the company’s near-term and new net-zero targets.
The company’s history of a commitment to designing better futures for the wellbeing of people and the planet is demonstrated through three key areas: reducing its carbon footprint, designing for circularity and choosing and using materials responsibly. Steelcase was the industry’s first to become carbon neutral, first to set science-based targets to reduce its emissions from its operations 50 percent by 2030, first to set the industry’s most ambitious supplier engagement targets, partnering with suppliers to set their own science-based targets, and first, and only, to offer CarbonNeutral certified products.
For more information, visit here.
Thumb Electric Cooperative Joins Wolverine Power Cooperative as Member-owner
Thumb Electric Cooperative (TEC) in Ubly in the Thumb Region is joining the Wolverine Power Cooperative in Cadillac in the northern Lower Peninsula as a member-owner.
The partnership promises mutual benefits while ensuring TEC’s access to the reliable, competitive, and clean power supply provided by Wolverine.
Wolverine Power Cooperative operates under the same cooperative model as TEC, ensuring that TEC members will benefit from the same values and principles to which they’ve grown accustomed. Wolverine’s portfolio includes modern and reliable natural gas plants across the Lower Peninsula, 200 MW of wind power in Michigan’s Thumb, and a long-term agreement to purchase 436 MW of power from the Palisades Power Plant once it restarts in late 2025. This diverse and clean energy mix puts TEC, along with Wolverine’s other member-owner cooperatives, on track to have the lowest carbon-footprint of any utility in Michigan, all while maintaining reliability and affordability.
One Detroit Credit Union Named 2024’s Outstanding Credit Union of the Year
One Detroit Credit Union has been named Credit Union of the Year in the Small Asset Size Category by The Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) at the 2024 MCUL and Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) Awards ceremony last week in Traverse City.
The MCUL and MCUF Awards recognize credit unions, professionals, and volunteers for outstanding efforts in leadership, operational effectiveness, community service, and financial education. The awards, presented across various categories, highlight achievements across the asset-size spectrum and at different stages of career development. One Detroit Credit Union earned this prestigious accolade in the small asset category, focusing on their exceptional contributions to member services and community engagement.
For 90 years, One Detroit Credit Union has served as Detroit’s community financial institution with a mission to impact and change lives. As a nonprofit, member-owned institution, One Detroit offers credible, fair, and reasonably priced financial products and services to the Detroit community, with special concern for those overlooked by the mainstream banking system.
The honor lays the foundation for the credit union’s anniversary celebrations starting in fall 2024, among other exciting announcements to come. For more information about One Detroit Credit Union, please visit www.onedetroitcu.org or explore their branch locations as detailed on their website.
Five Trade Unions Coming to Washtenaw Community College for Summer Training
More than 6,100 members from five national and international trade unions will travel to Ann Arbor this summer to advance their skills and knowledge. Nearly 5,000 will train at Washtenaw Community College (WCC).
Plumber and pipefitter; ironworker; roofer; plasterer and cement mason; and electrical worker union members will train with their respective trade organizations each for a week from now through August.
The “teach the teacher” partnerships bring union members from throughout the United States and countries such as Canada, Ireland, Australia, and beyond. Through a multi-year program, trainers work to enhance their skills and safety practices and then go back to teach fellow trade workers in their organizations.
Destination Ann Arbor projects a $20 million economic impact from the summer training programs, benefiting the local businesses, restaurants and economies of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County.
Training weeks begin this week with 120 members of the Operational Plasterers and Cement Masons International Association on campus.
The largest of the groups, the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), wraps up the summer of skilled trades training with about 3,000 union members Aug. 10-16. An additional estimated 600 vendors and industry guests also will be on campus for support and special events.
Other skilled trades groups this summer include the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers, with about 200 members June 24-28, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers – National Electrical Contractors Association, with about 2,100 people July 29-Aug. 2. The electrical workers will split training between WCC and the nearby Eastern Michigan University campus, with about 850 concentrated at WCC.
Union trainers typically spend a week on campus enrolled in hands-on instruction to stay ahead of the curve in cutting-edge skills and technological developments within industry. Some also return at various times throughout the year for specific training.
The groups also bring apprentices to campus for training and competitions. Additionally, union members may also enroll as WCC students to pursue a certificate or associate degree.
Detroit Historical Society to Celebrate Juneteenth with Two Family-friendly Events
The Detroit Historical Society has announces two family friendly Juneteenth programs at the Detroit Historical Museum on June 19. Both events are free to the general public. Advance registration is preferred, but walk-in registrations are also welcome. Please note the museum is closed except for these programs.
Program 1, from 1-4 p.m., is Art and Activism with Kwaku Osei-Bonsu, who will present his exhibition, “These Flowers Belong to Me,” which offers an exploration of his artistic practice and celebrates the resilience and richness of Black culture. Guests also will have time to view the art installation.
Program 2, from 6-8 p.m., is the Kresge Conversation Series panel discussion. In conjunction with the museum’s newest exhibition, “Kresge at 100: A Century of Impact, a Future of Opportunity” now open in the Streets of Old Detroit, the panel will explore the role of lunch counters in the South and picketing in the North within the larger context of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
For more information, visit here.
Gesher Human Services in Southfield Offers Free Resume Writing and LinkedIn Webinar
Gesher Human Services in Southfield if offering its free “Level Up Your LinkedIn and Slay the Resume Game Post-Grad” Zoom webinar for Michigan high school and college graduates at 10 a.m. June 24.
The webinar also is open to young people who have graduated from college, have been working in a first job, but might be looking for their next employment opportunity.
For more information, contact employmenthelp@geshermi.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County to Open New Southfield ReStore Location
Habitat Oakland has announced that the ReStore in Farmington Hills will be moving to a new, larger facility in Southfield. The transition to the new location is currently set for September.
This move is part of Habitat Oakland’s ongoing efforts to better serve the community by providing an enhanced shopping experience as well as a wider selection of building materials and home improvement items. The new location will allow the ReStore to increase inventory and offer more space for customers as well as volunteers.
The new ReStore in Southfield is located at 22110 Telegraph Road (the former Bright Ideas Furniture store), making it accessible for both current customers and new visitors. This facility will offer an increased amount of retail space, allowing for a greater variety of products and a more comfortable shopping environment.
All Four One Delivers 100 Bikes to Low-income and Reduced-lunch Students
All Four One and its 2024 All Four One Gives Bike Challenge delivered 100 bikes to students at Dixon Educational Learning Academy and Jane Addams Elementary School in the city of Detroit and Redford Charter Township.
“Every student who showcases amazing grades and attendance received a brand-new bike,” says Ishmail Terry, CEO of All Four One CEO. “Dixon and Jane Addams is a very special place, we serve youths that are low income and have reduced lunches, and for businesses and communities to help us in this way is something I can’t even describe.”
After getting their new bike, a new helmet from All Four One Gives, and a conversation from their principal, the students and the staff placed the bikes in their parents’ vehicle.
The program was possible due to donations from private and public sponsors, the Trust Powered By NFLPA, Henry Ford Health System, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Southeastern Michigan, Walmart Meijer, Livonia Rotary AM Club, Detroit Manufacturing System, UAW Region 1 A, UAW Local 22, Costco Wholesale, Amadore Beverages Co., and Black Rose Art Gallery.
