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.
Tigers to Face Red Sox in April 6 Home Opener; Will play All 29 Teams in 2023
Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers’ 2023 home schedule will be April 6 against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. First pitch will be at 1:10 p.m.
The Tigers will open the 2023 season March 30 at Tampa Bay, starting the 123rd year of Tigers baseball. Following the three games against the Rays, the season-opening road trip continues with three games at Houston from April 3-5.
Major League Baseball has implemented a balanced schedule starting in 2023, which includes two home and road series against each American League Central team, a home and road series against other AL teams and at least one home or road series against every National League team.
With the balanced schedule in effect for 2023, the Tigers will welcome eight NL teams to Comerica Park next season. The Chicago Cubs (Aug. 21-23), New York Mets (May 2-4), Atlanta Braves (June 12-14), and San Diego Padres (July 21-23) are among the NL teams slated to visit Detroit next season. Road interleague series next season include the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Milwaukee Brewers.
The Tigers will be home for a pair of summer holidays in 2023. Detroit opens a three-game series against the Texas Rangers on Memorial Day May 29, while the team will celebrate the July 4 holiday against the Oakland Athletics.
Detroit baseball fans can get started with the season ticket buying process by visiting here.
Southfield Approves $750K American Rescue Plan Allocation for Centrepolis Accelerator
The Southfield City Council approved a resolution authorizing the use of $750,000 from the city of Southfield’s American Rescue Plan allocation of $9,819,555 for the Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University to support the evolution of underserved Southfield entrepreneurs into a robust community through education, resources and mentorship.
Southfield, along with the other largest cities in Michigan, is still addressing the negative effects of largely empty office buildings as workers work remotely — with no predictable end date for the COVID pandemic. The effects of the pandemic have been far-reaching in all industries, but it seems clear that Covid-19 has fundamentally changed the way business is conducted. Many workers have left their traditional offices to seek to build their own businesses.
“Southfield Business Development identified a need to provide greater support to emerging small businesses owners and created a pilot program, Southfield Evolution Lab,” says Shelly Freeman, director of business and economic development for Southfield. “The Evolution Lab leverages our success with Centrepolis Accelerator @ Lawrence Technological University. Tapping into the Experts in Residents to provide clear and direct support to guide the evolution of the underserved Southfield entrepreneurs into a robust community through education, resources and mentorship.”
Southfield City Council approved the initial commitment of $150,000 at the Nov. 8, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting. These dollars served as a match New Economy Initiative’s Inclusive Small Business Network Fund creating a dynamic initiative that truly supports small micro maker businesses, 1-50 employees, located in Southfield and Wayne County that classify as undeserved businesses (managed by people of color, women, veterans, people with disabilities) or located in distressed communities.
The Micro Makers Evolution Lab provides impactful business and technical assistance to small businesses (1-4 employees), specifically makers of physical products and small manufacturers of goods located in the City of Southfield and Wayne County. Seasoned veteran experts offer product development services to help launch new products; manufacturing operational efficiency and scaling for existing products’ as well as marketing, sales support, intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights), forgivable grants & loans and fund-raising assistance to help companies grow their top line revenues.
Centrepolis staff has developed a comprehensive funding program is able to leverage the investment to match with other loan and equity funding partners to bring additional capital to our clients. Centrepolis will provide up to $10,000 zero equity, noninterest loans to support business and technical milestones of select underserved micro maker businesses. Micro Makers Evolution Lab is open to qualified startups, established small businesses, inventors, and product developers. To apply, click here.
VIO Med Spa in West Bloomfield Township to Host Grand Opening Sept. 15
VIO Med Spa will host a grand opening celebration from 4-8 p.m. Sept. 15, at its recently opened West Bloomfield Township location with a ribbon cutting ceremony, party, and of offers for locals to get acquainted with the latest treatment technologies and therapies available in the wellness and aesthetics industry.
Located at 6629 Orchard Lake Rd. in The Shops at Old Orchard, the West Bloomfield med spa will host a ribbon cutting and invites new and returning guests to stay and celebrate with drinks, snacks and prizes – including a chemical peel, one year of Botox, lip-filler treatments, and a variety of skin care baskets!
“We’re ecstatic to show locals and visitors the difference that VIO Med Spa can make in their lives in a fun and festive atmosphere that this grand opening celebration will bring,” says Ryan Rose, CEO of VIO Med Spa. “The response to our entrance into the Detroit-area has been fantastic and we hope to make even more people aware of how we help our guests look great and feel amazing all the time!”
Newcomers to VIO Med Spa will have the opportunity to try out services like EmSculpt NEO and Oxygeneo and receive discounts on membership offers for ongoing treatments. Other specials will include $4 off each unit of Botox, discounts of at least 10 percent on fillers, 50 percent off facials for first-time guests, various add-on perks for HydraFacial packages and up to 35 percent off on body shaping and contouring packages.
West Bloomfield is the first of 10 planned VIO Med Spa locations in the Detroit area, with Rochester Hills scheduled to open later this fall.
“It’s awesome to be back home in Michigan, providing a service that is helping people physically and mentally,” says Patrick Tomina, the local franchisee. “I have no doubt that everyone that attends our grand opening party will be blown away by what VIO Med Spa offers and the service our staff provides.”
Kidney Foundation Named Fiduciary of $14M in Federal Funding
The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM) has been named a fiduciary of $14 million in federal a portion of Michigan’s American Rescue Plan allotment to the for the fight against kidney disease.
Michigan House Bill 5523 appropriated $14 million to establish the Morris Hood III CKD and COVID-19 Complications Prevention Initiative and named the NKFM to manage the funds.
Michigan has more than 1 million people with chronic kidney disease, a common, serious, costly and often preventable. One in seven Michigan adults have the disease but most do not know it, as there are few symptoms in its early stages. Michigan Medicaid alone spends more than $1 billion annually on CKD.
With this funding, the NKFM will work with partners from health care and community-based organizations to meet the multi-year initiative’s goals. It is a comprehensive and collaborative strategy focused on kidney disease and COVID-19 complications in communities and populations at greatest risk for health disparities. The Morris Hood initiative’s objectives are designed to transform kidney care by focusing on earlier identification and treatment of CKD. Additionally, addressing social determinants of health by working with hospitals, labs, insurers and physician offices will be key to reaching people where they are.
A major partner in this initiative is HHS Technology Group, a software and solutions company that will be responsible for data organization and evaluation. The initiative will ultimately provide an opportunity to help individuals with CKD or CKD risk factors, including past COVID-19 infection, to live healthier lives and avoid serious complications. With the help of HHS technology’s “Discover Your Data” platform, it can help doctors and health plans identify the patients needing CKD screening and management. This will provide a transformative opportunity to help prevent and manage CKD and COVID-19 complications.
For more information, visit here.
Ready to Work Program to Connect 50K Job Seekers with Employers Looking to Hire Now
Indeed, a leading global hiring platform, announced its new Ready to Work program, a series of free virtual and in-person events for job seekers in several cities across the U.S. from Sept. 12-Oct. 8.
Through Ready to Work, Indeed aims to connect 50,000 job seekers with employers looking to hire talent right now, supporting the company’s goal of helping 100 million people get jobs globally by 2030, including 30 million facing barriers.
Ready to Work brings Indeed’s full suite of resources directly to job seekers with virtual and in- person support, tools, and tips to build the skills they need on their journey to better work. In addition to helping secure interviews for job seekers, the series of events will provide thousands of people with resources and guidance for a successful job search. This includes assistance with hiring, training, and coaching to help make the job search simpler and faster.
Job seekers can visit indeed.com/readytowork for more details on the program and events in their area.
Indeed, along with Glassdoor, Lyft, Goodwill, Dunkin’, Rework America Alliance, Care.com, and NBA teams, Detroit Pistons and Chicago Bulls will roll out a series of activations throughout the weeks’ programming in Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Dallas-Fort Worth.
Each coalition member has committed to offer resources as they relate to their business, for example, Lyft and Indeed will provide $100,000 in ride credits for job seekers who need transportation to the in-person Ready to Work events.
Great Lakes Tourism Experience the Focus of New Binational Partnership
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Trans Canada Trail, and Waterfront Regeneration Trust (WRT) in Ontario have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop a binational Great Lakes tourism destination opportunity by 2024.
Coinciding with the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, this destination opportunity will pave the way for cross-border trail tourism experiences promoting the use and enjoyment of the greenways, waterways, and communities of Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, the border cities on the Detroit River considered the heart of the Great Lakes, and a gateway to each country.
The binational partnership builds on greenway systems started first in Windsor in the 1960s and ‘70s, and in southeast Michigan in the ‘90s, in response to increasing public demand for access to the waterfront and active modes of transportation.
Comerica Bank, Detroit Lions Uplifting Community Through First Down Program
For the sixth consecutive year, Comerica Bank and the Detroit Lions are supporting philanthropic partners and assisting community impact initiatives throughout southeast Michigan by ensuring that first downs at Ford Field stretch well beyond 10 yards.
During every home game, a community partner will benefit from the 2022 Comerica Bank Lions First Down program by receiving $100 for each Lions first down gained at Ford Field. This year’s program began during the preseason and includes all nine Lions regular season home games resulting in a record total of 10 philanthropic organizations that will receive funding support as a result of this initiative throughout the season.
This year’s program not only benefits more community organizations than ever before, but the program is set to surpass a major milestone.
One first down this year will not only move the chains and the Lions forward down the field, but it also will drive the Comerica Bank Lions First Down Program contributions overall total to $100,000 and represent the 1,000th first down that has benefited the community since the inception of the partnership.
“Our community partners provide extensive services and care in their ongoing efforts to reach those in need, and we appreciate the contributions they make every day to uplift our neighborhoods and communities,” says Linda Nosegbe, national community impact manager at Comerica Bank. “Our goal in this collaboration focuses on delivering critical resources while also elevating, highlighting, and celebrating their missions, programs and outreach services. For the past six years, the Lions have been outstanding partners in the First Down Program, and we look forward to the opportunity to help make this year the most successful and impactful to date.”
By seasons end, the Comerica Bank Lions First Down Program will support more than 25 community partners throughout its six season supporting community partners. This marks the third season Comerica Bank and the Lions have selected different organizations for each game.
Davis + Davis Designs Mission Veterinary Partners’ and Butzel’s New Facilities
Davis + Davis Interior Design of Farmington Hills recently put the finishing touches on the transformation of two metro Detroit businesses.
It transformed the former American Cancer Society building in Southfield into a new headquarters for Mission Veterinary Partners (MVP), including a new animal hospital training center.
MVP’s mission is more than a business model, it represents a work culture and mindset revolving around the health and well-being of its team members, becoming the employer of choice in veterinary medicine, and supporting employees in providing the best care possible for clients and patients.
The Oakland County office of Butzel recently moved into a new space in the Columbia Center in Troy. This workplace was conceived by members of the firm’s management team and designed by Phil Melcher of Woodbury Design Group in coordination with from Jamie Jordan of Davis + Davis Interior Design.
Starting this project in 2017, Butzel says it knew it had to develop a concept for flexible, adaptable, and “spaceable” areas to withstand the on-going changes in the practice of law over the next 20 to 30 years.
Pure Michigan Travel Guide Available for Fall and Winter Travel Ideas
The release of the Pure Michigan Fall and Winter Travel Guide is a sign that the weather is starting to cool, spectacular fall colors are near, and snow-laden playgrounds are right around the corner.
For those looking to start planning their fall and winter getaways, the free 2022 Pure Michigan Fall/Winter Travel Guide is available in print and a digital and universally accessible format, allowing travelers to access the guide from their desktop and mobile devices while on the go. Hard copies of the guide can also be found at the 14 Michigan Department of Transportation Welcome Centers across the state.
The guide highlights sights to see, places to go, and activities to experience for visitors and travelers alike.
“The fall and winter seasons offer exceptional opportunities for travelers to experience Michigan’s vibrant outdoors, quaint communities, dynamic urban centers, and spectacular hidden gems across Michigan,” says David Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. “The year’s Pure Michigan Fall and Winter Travel Guide will give you insights on vacation destination options and seasonal activities, as well as introduce you to some of the vitally important small businesses that dot our state.”
This year’s travel guides were printed at Walsworth, in St. Joseph on the state’s west side.
Washtenaw Community College to Host Cybersecurity, Health Care Bootcamps
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor will host two workforce training bootcamps this fall to fill critical talent needs in the areas of IT-cybersecurity and health care.
The college is partnering with Michigan Works! Southeast and a number of employers to offer the IT Cybersecurity Bootcamp and the Foundation of C.A.R.E. Bootcamp.
The IT Cybersecurity Bootcamp will include in-depth training and certifications within four important and high-demand areas of information technology, including customer service, A+, Network+ and Security+.
The program can enroll 17 students, preparing graduates to quickly fill in-demand jobs in the fast-changing and fast-growing tech industry. More than 8,000 open cybersecurity positions exist in the state of Michigan, according to ZDNet.
Computer support specialists and information security professional can earn starting salaries up to $58,000 and $102,000 respectively, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The IT Cybersecurity Bootcamp will kick off with an orientation Sept. 24. Classes will run from Sept. 26-Nov. 18.
The Foundation of C.A.R.E. (Caring for the Aging Responsibly through Education) Bootcamp will offer a unique and customized hands-on experience to teach skills needed for direct patient care, a field that has experienced mass worker shortages within the last few years.
The program will prepare up to 24 students to work in an industry projected to have more than three million openings nationwide by 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Foundation of C.A.R.E. training will kick off with orientation Oct. 15. Classes will run between Oct. 17-28, with the final exam taking place Oct. 31.
The bootcamps will take place at the Harriet Street Center in Ypsilanti (Cybersecurity) and on the WCC campus (C.A.R.E.).
Contact workforcedevelopment@wccnet.edu or call 734-973-3681 for additional details.
Autism Alliance to Host 8th Annual Hero Walk at Detroit Zoo Sept. 17
The Autism Alliance of Michigan’s (AAoM) annual Autism Hero Walk presented by DTE Foundation returns to the Detroit Zoo from 7 a.m.-noon on Sept. 17 with more than 5,000 families who are living with autism and their allies expected for a one mile walk around the zoo.
Teams of heroes raise funds in advance of the walk, with a goal of raising $250,000 in support of AAoM’s mission. Families and individuals can start their own teams or join an existing team. Teams that raise the most are designated as super walkers.”
“At AAoM, we know that heroes are not limited to movie screens,” says Colleen Allen, president and CEO of AAoM. “Heroes walk among us every day and the annual Autism Hero Walk gives us a chance to walk with them. Whether it’s a breakthrough moment at school or a new job opportunity, individuals with autism strive and succeed every single day. The Autism Alliance is here to support them and their families and to celebrate achievements – large and small – with a community that is strong, supportive, and truly heroic.”
A minimum donation of $10 per person (ages two and up) gets admission to the event and all-day access to the Zoo. The funds raised from the walk support the full mission of the Autism Alliance of Michigan, which allows it to continue to provide free services to thousands of Michigan families affected by autism.
All who attend will have access to the following:
- Parking and admission to the Detroit Zoo for the entire day
- Complimentary Autism Hero Walk backpack
- Autism Resource Fair with more than 50 vendors
- Meet & Greet with Superheroes
- Arts and crafts
- Entertainment and games
Over the years, the annual Hero Walk has raised more than $1.5 million for AAoM. The Autism Hero Walk has grown to become Michigan’s largest gathering of the autism community.
For more information, visit here.
