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.
Diversified Members CU is New Zamboni Partner for Rink at Campus Martius Park
The Downtown Detroit Partnership announced that Diversified Members Credit Union in Detroit has signed a three-year commitment as the Zamboni partner of The Rink at Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit.
The rink, which welcomes nearly 100,000 people annually, is open daily through March 3, 2024.
“This collaboration symbolizes our commitment to enhancing the vibrant spirit of the city we call home,” says Sati Smith, president and CEO of Diversified Members Credit Union. “We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Downtown Detroit Partnership for their tireless efforts in making downtown Detroit an even better place to live, work and play.”
Soula Burns, director of corporate partnerships for Downtown Detroit Partnership, says, “Our mission to continue connecting people, places and parks is strengthened by an incredible network of diverse partnerships, and we are grateful to include Diversified Members Credit Union as one of those valued partners.”
The Rink at Campus Martius Park is now in its 20th season.
Cargo Traffic on Great Lakes Consistent with Last Year Through November
Shipping activity for the US Great Lakes in 2023 remained consistent with the previous year through the end of November, with approximately 32.6 million metric tons of commodity traffic traveling the seaway system for the year to date.
The total represents an increase of approximately 422,000 tons of cargo over the amount transported during the same period last year.
While there has been year-to-year variation in the traffic of specific commodities, concrete and steel slabs continue to be stand outs with respect to increased year-over-year traffic. More than 1.8 million tons of cement transited the corridor, representing an increase of approximately 192,000 tons, and more than 354,000 tons of steel slabs tonnage has been moved for the year to date, representing an increase of 93,000 tons.
“The amount of cargo traffic on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway this year demonstrates the importance of the seaway as a trade conduit,” says Bruce Burrows, president and CEO of the Chamber of Marine Commerce. “It also speaks to the professionalism and reliability of those who work on the Seaway, and their partners in marine shipping organizations that use the infrastructure to move what matters in North America.
“As chamber members like the Port of Duluth-Superior are showing, the marine shipping industry is more than ready to adapt to unforeseen developments and expand to meet the needs of the business community, and that is why our industry will continue driving economic growth throughout North America for years to come.”
Warner Norcross + Judd Begins Quarterly Webinar Series Jan. 30
Warner Norcross + Judd’s Labor and Employment Practice Group is offering a specialized complimentary webinar series tailored for both HR novices and seasoned professionals seeking a comprehensive refresher starting Jan. 30.
The first, which covers “FLSA +Wage and Hour,” dives into the intricacies of the Fair Labor Standards Act and wage and hour regulations with Warner attorneys Daniel Brookins and Jarrod Trombley. They are expected to offer insights into wage and hour issues.
To register, visit here.
Other quarterly webinars will focus on Fair Labor Standards Act, Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation issues, and civil rights and Title VII.
Opus IVS in Dexter Unveils Advanced ADAS System Support
Opus IVS, the Dexter-based provider of diagnostics, ADAS calibration, programming, and on-demand remote expert support, has launched Giotto software’s latest iteration — release 22.0, integrated into the DriveSafe and DrivePro products.
The newly enhanced Giotto release offers what the company calls first-to-market comprehensive support for MY24 vehicles, along with strides forward in advanced system coverage across nearly every North American make.
The latest content update brings the entire 2024 model year range of VW/Audi within reach, complemented by additional ADAS support for GM vehicles. Furthermore, Opus IVS introduces enhanced EV coverage for GM trucks.
“This is our biggest content release to date,” says Jay Horak, chief technology officer of Opus IVS. “Our customers need 2024 coverage for the vehicles they are servicing today, and our platforms are now the first to have full 2024 MY coverage.
“On our DriveSafe collision diagnostic platform, this cutting-edge content is seamlessly integrated with CCC One, maximizing efficiency in the collision repair environment. You have the freedom to choose the scanning method that best suits your repair needs, whether it’s OEM scanning or leveraging our exceptional multi-brand capabilities.”
Karmanos Cancer Institute Receives 2024 Women’s Choice Awards
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit has been named one of America’s 2024 Best Hospitals for Cancer Care and one of the country’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience by the Women’s Choice Award.
“A woman’s influence on where she chooses to receive health care is powerful, and we are once again honored to be recognized as an awardee of the 2024 Women’s Choice Award,” says Brian Gamble, president of the Karmanos Cancer Hospital and Network. “Every single staff member at Karmanos is dedicated to providing the best cancer care and experience for every patient, and this designation shows we’re on the right track.”
Karmanos, part of McLaren Health Care, was ranked among the top 4 percent of nearly 5,000 hospitals offering cancer care services in the U.S. The Women’s Choice Award measures hospitals on the presence of specific cancer-related services offered onsite, infection rates, and patient recommendation ratings on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey. The award is unique in that criteria also include primary research about women’s health care preferences.
Delia Passi, founder and CEO of the Women’s Choice Award and a breast cancer survivor, emphasized that Karmanos and all 2024 Best Hospitals for Cancer Care deliver the most important care to women.
The 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Experience award evaluates:
- Effective communication with nurses and doctors.
- Responsiveness to requests for help.
- Providing patient recovery information.
- Explanation about medications before being administered.
- Bathroom and room cleanliness.
- Peacefulness of room at night.
- Patient recommendation rating.
“Our mission at Karmanos is to provide the best cancer care along the entire continuum of care,” Gamble says. “We strive every day to demonstrate to our patients that we care about them and their families. We are honored that patients have chosen us to treat their disease and they inspire us to provide the best cancer care anywhere.”
PuroClean in Canton Township Offers Michigan Winter Preparedness Tips
As the holiday season approaches and the brisk winter weather settles in, Daron Underwood, franchise owner of PuroClean in Canton Township, offers tips to safeguard homes and families during the cold Michigan winter months.
Insulate Windows and Doors:
- Cover windows with plastic from the inside.
- Install storm windows, caulk, and weather-strip doors to keep extreme cold air out.
Heating Equipment and Fuel:
- Have alternative heating solutions, such as a gas fireplace, wood fireplace, or wood-burning stove, stocked and ready.
- Exercise caution when using wood or gas-burning appliances.
- Ensure proper ventilation and equip the room with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Stock up on sufficient heating fuel.
Prepare Pipes:
- Cover pipes with insulation to prevent freezing.
- Alternatively, wrap pipes in layers of newspapers and cover them with plastic to keep out moisture.
- Allow a trickle of water to run from faucets to prevent freezing.
- Know the location of the main water valve and how to shut it off in case pipes burst.
“Recognizing the distinctive challenges that winter poses to homes, we are committed to aiding the community in preparing for a secure and comfortable winter season,” says Underwood. “With our team’s commitment to reliability, we take pride in being your trusted partner for all your restoration and remediation needs, providing you peace of mind as you embrace the joy of the season.”
For more information, visit here or call 734-238-3200. For more information about franchising opportunities, visit purocleanfranchise.com.
Detroit Institute of Arts Outlines January Programming
The Detroit Institute of Arts has announced its lineup of public programs for January 2024.
Among the attractions, the last chance to see works from Matisse, Picasso, Chagall, and others in “After Cubism: Modern Art in Paris, 1918–1948,” and to admire the creativity and energy of dozens of local artists in the DIA’s Community Group Art Exhibition, both closing in early January.
The DIA will be closed Jan. 1 and will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Jan. 15, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The lineup of early January programs at the DIA include:
- “After Cubism: Modern Art in Paris, 1918–1948” on view through Jan. 7.
- Community Group Art Exhibition on view through Jan. 14.
- “Guests of Honor: Masterpieces of Early Italian Renaissance Bronze Statuettes from the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, Florence” on view through March 3.
- Free Family Fun, Drawing in the Galleries: Ancient Greek and Rome 6-8:30 p.m., Jan. 5.
- Friday Night Live! CRUX 5-7 p.m., Jan. 5.
- Free Family Fun! Drop-in Workshop: Drawing with Scissors noon-4 p.m., Jan. 6-7.
- Free Family Fun! Drop-In Workshop: Doodle Art 6-8 p.m., Jan 12.
- Artmaking Studio, Jan 12.
- Drawing in the Galleries: Rivera Court 6-8:30 p.m., Jan. 12.
Visit dia.org/ for more details and a complete list of programs for January at the DIA.
Lawrence Tech in Southfield Hires New Football Coach
Lawrence Technological University in Southfield has hired Scott Merchant as its new football coach.
Merchant was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022 after 30 years as a high school and college coach.
A Detroit-area native, Merchant began his coaching career at Albion College, where he was an assistant from 1993 to 1997, a period that included Albion’s Division III national football championship in 1994.
He then served as head football coach at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School from 1998 to 2006, an assistant coach at Brother Rice High School in 2007 and 2008, and head coach at Chippewa Valley High School from 2009 until this year.
Merchant was named Regional Coach of the Year six times by the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association and the Division 1 Coach of the Year in 2018.
“Our mission as a program will be to recruit, retain, develop, and graduate high quality student athletes, who will make a positive contribution to our campus and community, on and off the field,” Merchant says. “Through hard work, determination, theory, and practice, our players will learn essential life skills and develop relationships that they will take with them and use well after graduation.”
