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’s Grand Trunk Pub Announces New Menu
Grand Trunk Pub in Detroit is announcing a refresh of its food menu in addition to expanded bar offerings, driven by Food and Beverage Director Petro Drakopoulos.
Among the changes include a re-emphasis on a new wine program, a Wine-Down Wednesdays promotion, half-off wine bottles available at specific times, and the addition of key wineries to the GTP menu — including House of Brown, Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery, which also has the distinction of being a women-led business.
A general reimagining of traditional dishes and a recommitment to more in-house food prep has seen additional and specific updates under Drakopoulos. Full in-house prep for items such as GTP’s house pastrami, expanded offerings, and the introduction of new menu items like curry poutine add to the menu, plus an entire brunch rollout — including the house-butchered, battered, and fried-to-order chicken and waffles.
Drakopoulos has previous experience as food and beverage manager for Marriott International, director of operations at the Detroit Shipping Co., executive chef and director of food and beverage with the Atheneum Suite Hotel, and as founder of Republica Gastro Pub in Berkley. He also has served as chairman of the Detroit Restaurant and Lodging Association for the past six years.
“We want to put the emphasis back on Grand Trunk Pub being a classic Detroit pub,” says Drakopoulous. “We’re showing that we are still the same great pub that people have come to expect, but we have new menu items and a new chef, and are looking to continue owning our identity.”
Michigan Jobless Rate Increases in September
Michigan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased by 2/10ths of a percentage point to 3.9 percent between August and September, according to data released today by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Total employment rose by 13,000 and unemployment advanced by 9,000 over the month. Michigan’s workforce rose by 23,000 during September.
“The uptick in Michigan’s unemployment rate reflected an increase in unemployment and a decrease in payroll jobs during September,” says Wayne Rourke, labor market information director for the Michigan Center for Data and Analytics. “The state’s labor force continues to expand and has grown for nine months in a row.”
The national jobless rate remained unchanged at 3.8 percent during September. Michigan’s rate was one-tenth of a percentage point larger than the U.S. rate. The national unemployment rate increased by three-tenths of a percentage point over the year. Michigan’s rate was reduced by four-tenths of a percentage point since September 2022.
The UAW labor dispute began Sept. 15. The information in this report covers labor market trends for the week of Sept. 10-16. Due to the persons on strike having worked for part of that week, they are counted as employed in this month’s estimates. As a result, the labor dispute had no substantial impact on September’s employment situation.
Labor force trends and highlights:
- Michigan’s unemployment total increased for the third consecutive month during September.
- The state’s employment level rose by 3.7 percent over the year, an increase two full percentage points larger than the employment gain seen nationally (1.7 percent).
- Michigan’s quarterly average jobless rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent between the second and third quarter of 2023.
- The September statewide labor force participation rate rose by three-tenths of a percentage point to 61.6 percent over the month, while Michigan’s employment-population ratio increased by 0.2 percentage points to 59.2 percent.
The Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted jobless rate increased by two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 3.4 percent. Employment in the region rose by 11,000 and unemployment advanced by 5,000, resulting in a workforce gain of 16,000 during September.
The Detroit MSA jobless rate was reduced by three-tenths of a percentage point over the year. Employment increased by 71,000 and unemployment fell by 3,000. The Detroit region’s labor force rose by 68,000 since September 2022.
According to the monthly survey of employers, Michigan seasonally adjusted payroll jobs receded by 10,000 between August and September, resulting in a job total of 4,433,000. The most pronounced over-the-month employment decrease occurred in the state’s leisure and hospitality sector (-8,000).
Industry employment trends and highlights:
- Employment in the state’s manufacturing industry receded for the second consecutive month, with jobs decreasing by 3,000 since July 2023.
- Jobs advanced in the state’s trade, transportation, and utilities sector for the third consecutive month during September.
- Michigan’s quarterly nonfarm employment total edged up by 3,000, or 0.1 percent, between the second and third quarter of 2023.
- Over the year, Michigan total nonfarm employment rose by 51,000, or 1.2 percent.
- The largest over-the-year numerical industry job gains occurred in the state’s government (+24,000) and education and health services (+16,000) industries.
- Average weekly hours in Michigan’s transportation equipment manufacturing sector fell by 2.6 percent over the month.
Detroit Institute of Arts Outlines Fall Programs
The Detroit Institute of Arts has announced its lineup of public programs for the month of November.
From art talks and family-friendly drawing sessions to thought-provoking film screenings and cultural celebrations, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
The programs for early November include:
- Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos, through Nov. 5
- Guests of Honor: Masterpieces of Early Italian Renaissance Bronze Statuettes from the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence, through March 3, 2024
- After Cubism: Modern Art in Paris, 1918–1948, through Jan. 7, 2024
- Art Talk: Native American Arts Collection with Preston Singletary: Eagle’s Journey with Raven, 6 p.m., Nov. 1, register here.
- Drawing in the Galleries: Rivera Court 6-8:30 p.m., Nov. 3
- Special Dance Event: Recognizing Women Project Workshop 6 p.m., Nov. 3.
- Detroit Film Theatre: The Delinquents, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Nov. 4
- Artist Talk: Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos, 2 p.m., Nov. 5
- Drawing in the Galleries: Ancient Cultures of the Americas, 6-8:30 p.m., Nov. 10
All programs are free with museum admission, which is free for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties unless otherwise noted. All listings that require registration can be found at dia.org/events.
Oakland County Public Transit Provides Update a Year After Voters Approved Millage
Public transit is making strides in Oakland County nearly a year after voters approved a public transportation millage, officials state.
Multi-year agreements were in place with SMART, Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA), North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA), the Older Persons’ Commission (OPC), and People’s Express weeks after the vote while route and service planning continues with input from communities, businesses, and residents.
“Easily accessible, reliable, and affordable transportation will help make Oakland County an even more attractive destination for residents, employers and visitors,” says Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “Countywide public transportation has always been a top priority for me and the progress that has been made since voters agreed to fund the expansion is truly remarkable.”
Oakland County and its transportation service providers state they are expanding and improving public transit as the planning process continues. Some highlights include:
- Ridership is up more than 20 percent for WOTA, NOTA, OPC and People’s Express this year.
- WOTA, NOTA, OPC, and People’s Express expanded their service areas and operation hours.
- The fees to ride WOTA, NOTA, OPC, and People’s Express are standardized at $2 per ride.
- Oakland County is eliminating the boundaries between communities and truly creating a countywide public transportation system.
- SMART has expanded fixed routes to Novi and Wixom.
- SMART has a fixed route stop at Woodward and Long Lake in Bloomfield Hills.
- SMART is using Farmington, Pontiac and Troy as Flex micro-transit demonstration routes, which began prior to the millage approval but will inform where and how to serve future riders.
- The Oakland County Transit Division is completely staffed with an experienced transit manager and two planners.
- Oakland County is helping transit providers with some of the funds they need to expand and diversify their fleets.
The Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan is facilitating a regional federal grant application for Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties and SMART to attract federal investment in transit, including for Woodward Bus Rapid Transit. This would not have been possible if Oakland County did not have county-wide public transportation.
Next year, SMART will extend fixed routes from Troy into Rochester and from Pontiac into Waterford and White Lake along M-59, among other improvements.
Oakland County’s transit goals include the growth of demand response through the county’s four local operators and SMART Flex for the public to schedule point-to-point rides.
County officials say their other goals are to coordinate services among the different transit providers, expand transit to unserved and underserved areas, develop a long-term countywide plan that considers all transit options and where they should be implemented, enable more seamless transit trips, make transit stops easier, safer and more comfortable, implement higher frequency, higher capacity transit including bus rapid transit, support the transition to low/zero-emission transit vehicles, and support transit-oriented development.
Additional information about transit services can be found on the Transit Division’s website.
South Korean Automation Provider Working with Zeeland’s Disher
South Korea’s Thira Robotics is working with Zeeland-based solution engineering innovator and system integrator Disher.
The agreement begins their joint effort to bring second-generation AMR to facilities with complex conditions that were previously considered unfit for automation.
Thira’s second-generation AMRs navigate imperfect floors, indoor/outdoor areas, chaotic spaces, elevators, and slopes.
“Continuing our long history of innovation, Disher is committed to training our engineers and expanding advanced automation skills that are in very short supply in the U.S.,” says Shawn O’Farrel, area lead, manufacturing technical services and automation at Disher. “Our collaboration with Thira will help us adopt and implement advanced Korean automation technologies in the U.S., positioning Disher ahead of the learning curve.”
Bulbs.com Announces Utility Rebate Partnership with Consumers Energy
Bulbs.com, the Boston-based online LED lighting retailer, has a new distributor partnership with Consumers Energy in Jackson. Eligible Consumers Energy commercial customers now can receive instant rebates on a large assortment of LED lamps and fixtures when purchasing from Bulbs.com.
Bulbs.com is the first e-commerce distributor approved for this program, helping to make LED purchases easier for Consumers Energy commercial customers.
Consumers Energy customers could spend as little as $0 per LED lamp and take advantage of significant discounts on LED fixtures with instant rebates, including on Energy Star and DLC approved linears (T8), ceiling panels, outdoor wall packs, exit signs, and many popular LED bulb styles.
Bulbs.com has been an approved distributor with DTE Energy in Michigan since 2021, and has assisted many commercial locations in updating their buildings to energy efficient lighting while taking advantage of the incentives available to DTE customers.
New York’s CS Hudson Integrates American Project and Repair in Brighton
CS Hudson, a New York-based interior services facilities maintenance firm and a subsidiary of Orion Group company, has successfully integrated American Project and Repair (AP&R), a Brighton-based building maintenance services company.
The relationship means that AP&R clients gain direct access to CS Hudson’s extensive industry expertise, diverse capabilities, and commitment to service excellence. The integration has resulted in significant growth and strengthened customer relationships, with more than 50 percent of AP&R’s clients having already enhanced their current service offerings through the partnership with CS Hudson.
“Incorporating AP&R’s robust customer base into our diverse portfolio underscores CS Hudson’s commitment to driving organic growth through forming intentional partnerships that deliver enhanced value from our best-in-class service offerings,” says Joseph Scaretta, co-CEO of CS Hudson. “CS Hudson is honored to carry forward AP&R’s guiding principle of ‘We expect more’ as we strive to deliver exceptional results and remain at the forefront of the facilities industry.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield Opens Applications for Advancing Maternal Health Equity Grant
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation are partnering to provide a second cycle of funding through the Advancing Maternal Health Equity initiative and are now accepting applications from six Michigan Regional Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (RPQC) and its partners.
Grants will support sustainable initiatives to advance health equity and reduce a birthing person’s risk of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity (health conditions complicating pregnancy or childbirth that negatively impact their well-being or functioning).
Selected grantees will be awarded up to $50,000 for 12 months.
Invited Michigan Regional Perinatal Quality Collaboratives (RPQC) members in regions 1 (Upper Peninsula), 3 (Northern Lower Peninsula), 4 (West Michigan), 6 (Thumb), 8 (Southwest Michigan), and 10 (Southeast Michigan) may apply for funding to support projects that advance maternal health equity by addressing disparity-related factors in maternal health.
Grant funding is reserved for initiatives that reduce risks and improve health before pregnancy, during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, and postpartum. Projects should address local challenges to maternal health equity that impact maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, or severe maternal morbidity and their upstream causes. Selected RPQC and its partners are invited to apply.
Eligible applicants must complete and submit an online application by Oct. 23 at 11:59 p.m. Awards will be announced in December 2023 and the program period begins January 2024.
For more information on the partnership’s grant programs, visit Blue Cross’ grants and contributions webpage.
Henry Ford College’s Culinary Arts + Hospitality Management Program Earns Accreditation
The American Culinary Federation Education Foundation (ACFEF) Accrediting Commission recently approved Henry Ford College’s (HFC) request for program accreditation for two associate degree programs in its Culinary Arts + Hospitality Management Program through June 30, 2030.
The ACFEF Accrediting Commission has given HFC a Grant of Accreditation for:
- Associate Degree in Hospitality Studies – Culinary Arts
- Associate Degree in Culinary Arts – Baking and Pastry
The ACFEF Accrediting Commission identified both of these associate degree programs as “exemplary,” the highest program designation possible. To qualify as an ACFEF Exemplary Program, a program must be confirmed in full compliance with ACFEF standards on two consecutive team reports. Those programs subsequently receive a grant of accreditation and exemplary status for seven years.
Salvation Army and Partners to Mobilize Medicaid Renewal Process
The Salvation Army Detroit Harbor Light is partnering with MedNet One, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Henry Ford Health, Authority Health, Molina Health Care, Priority Health, and Michigan Primary Care Association to help metro Detroiters in need renew their Medicaid benefits via The Salvation Army’s Bed and Bread Trucks.
After being paused during the COVID-19 pandemic, redetermination of Medicaid coverage resumed this year due to federal legislation. As Michigan reestablishes its redetermination process, one-third of Medicaid recipients could lose their coverage.
“Losing Medicaid coverage will leave already at-risk individuals even more vulnerable,” says Jamie Winkler, executive director of Harbor Light System. “The Salvation Army Harbor Light System is a champion for individuals and families who often don’t get the health care services they need. This week-long event is aimed at building awareness and offering practical assistance to ensure that eligible individuals continue to receive the vital health care benefits they deserve.”
The nonprofit and its partners will bring support directly to a vulnerable metro Detroit population every day from Oct. 23-27. Teams of partner navigators will be on-site to answer questions, provide guidance, and assist people in completing their renewal paperwork online.
While these efforts will help metro Detroiters with the steps of reapplying for health insurance coverage, it will not be able determine whether they qualify or get reapproved.
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s Bed & Bread program is unique in that it serves people via trucks that are mobile soup kitchens. Through this coordinated effort, this is the first time the program has expanded its services to include Medicaid renewal assistance.
For more information on the renewal process, visit Michigan.gov/MIBridges.
Hazel Park’s Eastern Palace Club Announces Details for PhantaSea Fest Oct. 24-29
Eastern Palace Club in Hazel Park has announced plans to stage its inaugural PhantaSea Fest multi-evening event this Oct. 24-29.
Mimicking Key West (Florida)’s iconic Fantasy Fest, run annually as a celebration of the area’s unique culture and laid-back party atmosphere, Eastern Palace Club looks to expand on its tropical ambiance with multiple themed evenings at the Hazel Park drinking establishment and event space.
The original Fantasy Fest was celebrated in 1979, aimed at increasing tourism to the area and producing a similar event to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras and Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival. Key West’s adult-oriented event is comprised of several, smaller events and parties spread throughout various establishments within the city. PhantaSea Fest 2023 will be celebrated within Eastern Palace Club, located at 21509 John R. Road in Hazel Park’s South End neighborhood.
Eastern Palace Club’s individual events for the week consist of:
- Tuesday, Oct. 24 – Tutu Tuesday
- Wednesday, Oct. 25 – Kinky Karaoke
- Thursday, Oct. 26 – Toga Party Time Warp Trivia
- Friday, Oct. 27 – Masquerade
- Saturday, Oct. 28 – Happy Endings Dance Party
- Sunday, Oct. 29 – Beachcomber’s Bazaar
During the week’s events, Eastern Palace Club will be open to the public from 4 p.m.-midnight, and 4 p.m.-2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.
