DBusiness Daily Update: Digital Advertising Coming to EV Charging Stations, and More

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.
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GSTV is coming to an EV charging station near you through a partnership between several companies. // Courtesy of Destination Media
GSTV is coming to an EV charging station near you through a partnership between several companies. // Courtesy of Destination Media

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.

Companies Partner to Bring Digital Advertising to EV Charging Stations

Destination Media, owner and operator of GSTV, Ara Labs, and ChargePoint are partnering to deploy digital advertising experiences at select ChargePoint electric vehicle (EV) charging locations in the U.S.

Deployments at select AC and DC fast-charging locations within the ChargePoint network at high-traffic retail locations will be designed to offer an enhanced driver experience with content on high-resolution, large-format networked screen hardware.

They will give retailers new revenue streams and provide opportunities to engage and inform customers while they shop. The partnership should help expand the ChargePoint network with digital video advertising that offers retailers another opportunity to bring cost-effective charging to the locations that align with consumers’ daily journeys and where needs are the greatest.

For advertisers, the deployments will offer separate screens and networked charging, providing flexibility for screen placement that will maximize media value and efficacy at each retail location.

Destination Media, which currently operates GSTV (Gas Station TV), the largest national digital video network across U.S. fuel and convenience retailers and reaching 40 percent of U.S. adults each month, will provide content, manage distribution, and develop all media sales and marketing activity. Meanwhile, Ara Labs, which operates the largest U.S. rideshare and taxi-top digital video display network, will own and operate the digital displays.

The new displays will launch with the initial rollout of 1,000 units in the first 12 months at sites in the top 10 key designated market areas (DMAs) before expanding to additional sites. EV drivers will experience advertising on select AC and DC fast charging stations by the end of 2022.

“As the number of EV cars on the road increases and consumer adoption grows, ad-supported business models will play a key role in driving the evolution of consumer transportation,” says Sean McCaffrey, president and CEO of Destination Media. “Brands now have the unique opportunity to appear on a platform that is growing to follow consumer behavior, reaching a high volume of consumers at a key moment in their day as they charge and shop. The deal opens an entirely new avenue of opportunities for marketers.”

To learn more, visit GSTV.com/amplify.

Carhartt Provides Pipeline to Skilled Trades with New Grant Program

Carhartt, the Dearborn-based premium workwear manufacturer, launched its inaugural For the Love of Labor grant program, marking the next chapter in the brand’s history of serving America’s workforce.

A first-of-its-kind program for Carhartt, For the Love of Labor grants now are available to support like-minded community based nonprofit organizations nationwide that are dedicated to educating, training, and placing workers into meaningful skilled trade jobs that are critically needed.

“As a company that started by serving railroad workers in 1889, we’ve upheld the belief that careers in the skilled trades not only provide rewarding and inclusive job opportunities, but are also crucial in building stronger individuals, families, and communities,” says Todd Corley, senior vice president of inclusion, sustainability, and community at Carhartt. “With the For the Love of Labor grant program, we strive to champion those who work with their hands and are helping build a better world, community by community, during a time when we need them most.”

Awarded throughout the year, Carhartt designed its grant program to reduce as many hurdles as possible, empowering community based skilled trades organizations to apply and support their efforts. This includes considerations such as accepting grants on a rolling basis, selecting applicants with programs that provide career pathways toward family-sustaining wages in high-demand positions and determining grant amounts based on organizations’ specific needs.

Carhartt awarded its first round of grants totaling $175,000 to four organizations in its own backyard, each of which are committed to serving women and further diversifying the skilled trade workforce, including:

Women Who Weld, Emerging Industries Training Institute, and Workforce Development Institute – Access for All in Detroit, and Women in Skilled Trades in Lansing.

To help fund the For The Love Of Labor grant program, Carhartt is committing all online sales on www.carhartt.com on Sept. 5 from midnight until 11:59 p.m. EDT toward future grant recipients. This marks the third year in a row that Carhartt has donated sales on Labor Day toward building and educating the next generation of workers.

Eligible organizations must be a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) designated organization in recognized apprenticeship industry that has established programs serving at least 100 individuals annually. To learn more about the new For the Love of Labor grant program, visit www.carhartt.com.

100+ Detroiters Earn Deeds through Detroit Land Bank Authority’s Buy Back Program  

More than 100 Detroiters are now homeowners, securing stable housing for their family through the Detroit Land Bank Authority’s Buy Back program. Participants received their deeds at the DLBA’s final exit event this summer on Aug. 31 at the Guardian Building.

The Buy Back program offers people occupying DLBA-owned houses an opportunity to purchase the property for just $1,000 if they successfully complete a year of homebuyer counseling and save up enough money to pay their first summer tax bill.

Since 2016, a thousand people have purchased houses through Buy Back, and so far, more than 900 have successfully exited the program and received their deed.

The goal is to provide a pathway to homeownership, specifically for families and individuals who lost their homes to foreclosure but never left, were victims of real estate or landlord fraud, or have another significant connection to the house.

“Our Buy Back program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity in the city of Detroit to help those in precarious housing situations find not just stability, but actually become homeowners,” says Tammy Daniels, CEO of the Detroit Land Bank Authority. “For some, this may be their first

time owning their own home and for others, this program allows them to regain ownership of a home that used to belong to their family. Either way it’s a major accomplishment and the land bank is proud to be a part of it.”

To qualify for the Buy Back program, individuals must currently live in a DLBA-owned house and have a connection to the property that meets at least one of the following conditions:

  • They are the most recent owner of record before the property was acquired by a public entity.
  • They are a former renter in the property.
  • A family member was a former owner of the property.
  • They have paid for utilities at the property for at least 12 consecutive months.
  • They are the victims of real estate or rental fraud at the property.
  • They have received current and prior year state or federal documents at the property related to
  • income, benefits, or services.

The Buy Back program’s approach is designed to support participants throughout the process,

helping them to build the skills they need to be successful homeowners and retain ownership of the property in the future. The DLBA partners with local non-profits to provide counseling and one-on-one assistance for each buyer.

Program requirements include:

  • Providing documentation of their eligibility for the program.
  • Allowing a DLBA inspector to come to their house to make sure the house is safe to inhabit.
  • Attending a Home Preservation Course with one of our seven non-profit partners.
  • Completing a one-on-one financial assessment with a non-profit housing counselor.

Throughout their year in the program, participants must stay current on their water bills, keep the property free from blight, and stay in consistent communication with their nonprofit housing counselor and the DLBA.

Right now, there are 90 households in the Buy Back pipeline being vetted for the program, and the DLBA always is accepting new applicants. Occupants currently living in DLBA-owned houses are encouraged to come forward and contact the organization directly by emailing buyback@detroitlandbank.org or by calling 313-974-6869. More information about how to participate is available at buildingdetroit.org/buyback.

Fall Bucks Promotion Rewards Downtown Birmingham Shoppers

The Birmingham Shopping District is rewarding those who shop and dine in downtown Birmingham with the Fall Bucks promotion in which visitors can earn up to $100 in free Birmingham Bucks e-Gift cards.

A $10 Birmingham Bucks e-gift card will be awarded to shoppers for every $100 spent at Birmingham Shopping District retailers and restaurants Sept. 15-25. Birmingham Bucks e-gift cards can be redeemed at more than 70 retail, restaurant, and service businesses downtown.

“The Birmingham Shopping District is excited to offer this promotion to kick off the fall season,” says Jana Ecker, interim executive director of the Birmingham Shopping District. “Offering these programs throughout the year allows us to show our appreciation and support to both shoppers and businesses in downtown Birmingham.”

To participate, shop and dine at Birmingham Shopping District businesses during the promotional period, save receipts, and submit them online by Oct. 3. For details, visit here.

Troy Chamber, Troy Historic Village to Host Fire & Flannel Festival

The Troy Chamber of Commerce and the Troy Historic Village will host the inaugural Fire & Flannel, presented by HAP on Sept. 15.

This new event will include live entertainment with folk band Hot Ugly, networking, bourbon tastings, a beverage tent (two drink tickets included) with beer from Granite City, a s’mores station, food from Olga’s Fresh Grille, Troy Escape, and City BBQ; cornhole and yard games, flannel contests, and a blacksmith station where you can saw and brand your own coasters.

It will take place at the Troy Historic Village (60 W. Wattles Road) from 4-6:30 p.m. In addition to HAP, sponsors include Trion Solutions, Genisys Credit Union, Chief Financial Credit Union, and Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union (MSGCU).

“We are very excited to be joining with the Troy Historic Village to bring this event to life,” says Tara Tomcsik-Husak, president and CEO of the Troy Chamber. “It’s the perfect blend of business networking with fun activities for every attendee.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact Tara Tomcsik-Husak for more information on sponsoring at tara@troychamber.com.

Advance tickets are $20 and $30 at the gate. Tickets can be purchased here.

A.A. Van Elslander Foundation Accepting Grant Inquiries Sept. 1-30

The A.A. Van Elslander Foundation invites Michigan’s nonprofits to inquire about potential grant support during the month of September, with special emphasis on addiction-related charities.

Inquiries are accepted annually each September. This year, there is a concerted effort to connect to charities helping with addiction recovery. The foundation expects this to be the only window for grant requests in the coming year.

Art Van Elslander was founder of Art Van Furniture and one of Michigan’s most generous philanthropists. He spent his entire life in Michigan, and was deeply committed to supporting its communities. Since its inception, the A.A. Van Elslander Foundation has awarded grants in excess of $20 million to benefit Michigan’s residents.

A vocal advocate for people struggling with addiction, Van Elslander had a desire to remove stigmas related to addiction. He was open about his journey of recovery from alcoholism, with the hope it would encourage others to seek help.

Core values of the A.A. Van Elslander Foundation include support for people suffering with substance addiction, as well as those with impaired eyesight and developmental disabilities, favoring organizations which are entrepreneurial-minded and seek to be self-sustaining.

“Our father recognized the need to remove the stigma surrounding addiction, to allow people to seek treatment without judgment,” says Ken Van Elslander, a board member and son of Van Elslander. “This is an important area for Dad’s foundation to support, and we want to get the word out to non-profits doing great work in this area.”

To qualify for consideration, nonprofits must be Michigan-based and registered as a 501(c)(3) charity. Visit here to learn more. All inquiries must be submitted via the foundation’s website and received no later than Sept. 30.

Tigers Announce 2023 Spring Training Schedule

The Detroit Tigers have unveiled their Spring Training Grapefruit League schedule for 2023 in Lakeland, Fla., the team’s 87th season at TigerTown and its 58th season of playing pre-season games at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

Detroit begins its Grapefruit League schedule with a pair of home games, hosting the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, Feb. 25 and the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday, Feb. 26.

The home schedule features visits from the New York Yankees (March 10 and March 17), Boston Red Sox (March 14), Toronto Blue Jays (March 4 and March 20), St. Louis Cardinals (March 7) and Atlanta Braves (March 22). In addition to the Yankees and Blue Jays, the Philadelphia Phillies (Feb. 25 and March 16), Baltimore Orioles (Feb. 26 and March 2) and Pittsburgh Pirates (March 1 and March 24) will all make two visits to Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium.

The Tigers are now accepting deposits towards the purchase of new season tickets for the upcoming 2023 Spring Training season in Lakeland. Fans can secure their spot with a $100 per seat deposit by visiting tigers.com/spring or by calling 863-686-8075.

Fans interested in securing their seat at Comerica Park for the 2023 season can do so by placing their season membership deposit today. Season Ticket Members receive guaranteed access to Detroit’s Opening Day presented by Rocket Mortgage on Thursday, April 6 vs. Boston, discounts on concessions and merchandise, and exclusive member events with alumni and current players. To get in on the action, visit tigers.com/membership.

Murray Percival Co. in Auburn Hills Representing IAC Workstations and Workbenches

The Murray Percival Co., the Auburn Hills-based electronics industry supplier, now is the local provider of IAC Industries industrial workbenches, workstations, lab benches, seating, and shelving systems to many industries including automotive, assembly, material handling, biomedical, aerospace, R&D labs, and others.

IAC products are designed to offer the advantages of ergonomics, modularity, adjustability, and durability not typically duplicated in standard office furniture.

“We are mainly focused in the electronics industry, but we are bringing on more and more brands that not only fit our customers’ profiles but many others in the industrial and technical industries,” says Mark Percival Jr., MARCOM manager for Murray Percival Co. “We have built a technical sales force that is so strong and knowledgeable, branching out into these other industries is seamless. We approach these customer projects with a process improvement mindset rather than just a distributor or manufacturer’s rep mindset. We really want to do what’s best for our customers, improve their processes, create value and support them even after the project is complete.”

The workbenches in the IAC Quick Ship program, for example, include a large variety of configurations including four-leg workbenches, packaging stations, adjustable height workbenches, multitask benches, and more. Some of these benches have a two- to three-week lead times or less.

In addition to the Quick Ship benches, IAC offers customized solutions for any application. IAC’s engineers work with customers to design, manufacture, and ship custom workbenches/workstations in a timely manner.

For more information, visit www.iac.com.

Chaldean Community Foundation to Host Career Fair for New Americans

The Chaldean Community Foundation is hosting its first multi-employer, multi-industry Career Fair with more than 30 organizations seeking to fill hundreds of open positions with a focus on new Americans, and also open to the general public.

It will take place from 3-6 p.m. on Sept. 7 at the Chaldean Community Foundation in Sterling Heights (3601 15 Mile Road).

Jobs include entry-level and more experienced positions across industries including health care, banking, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing. Attendees can participate in on-the-spot interviews and network with other businesses and organizations at this free event.

Interested employers can register to participate with a $150 fee.

For more information, visit www.chaldeanfoundation.org.