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.
FlavorSum Expansion Doubles Kalamazoo Facility and Enhances Capabilities
FlavorSum has begun construction on a $10-million expansion project that will add 35,000 square feet to its Kalamazoo facility. With the increased footprint, FlavorSum will build out more technical resources and capacity to meet the needs of small, mid-sized, and emerging food and beverage companies.
“Response to our solutions model and the growth of SME food and beverage brands led us to expand our capabilities in Kalamazoo,” says Brian Briggs, president and CEO of FlavorSum. “FlavorSum’s mission is to deliver the flexibility of a small supplier with the resources of a major flavor company. The additional space allows us to continue fulfilling our promise.”
The revamped facility and deepening technical expertise reflect FlavorSum’s resolve to maintain industry leading growth rates, according to the company. Pilot plant and lab space within the new facility will support initiatives such as MicroThermics equipment, improved shipping and receiving processes, and increased product storage.
The expansion is projected to be operating at full capacity in August.
Ascend Opens New Outlet Dispensary in Grand Rapids
Ascend Wellness Holdings Inc., a New York-based cannabis company, has opened a 2,88-square-foot Ascend Century adult-use cannabis outlet dispensary in Grand Rapids. The dispensary is Ascend’s eighth in the state of Michigan, and fourth outlet dispensary across its entire business, which consists of 26 dispensaries throughout the Midwest and East Coast.
Ascend Century is the third Ascend retail location within Grand Rapids and will give Michigan consumers and patients increased access to Ascend’s catalog of brands including a full menu of premium flower, edibles, vapes, and concentrates products.
Notably, the retail location is an outlet dispensary, offering low pricing. The store will offer a range of affordable, yet high-quality products.
Pensole Lewis College and Logitech Collaborate on Next Generation of Design
Pensole Lewis College (PLC) in Detroit and Logitech International, headquartered in Switzerland and California, have announced a multifaceted long-term partnership aimed at revolutionizing the next generation of design through technology and education.
Through this partnership, Logitech will donate a variety of advanced technology tools to further design creatives at PLC, including mice, keyboards, headsets, streaming cameras, and more, as well as assist in co-creating spaces for students to ideate and collaborate.
As PLC continues to grow, the partnership with Logitech will be essential to the success of future curriculum and programming using technology. In addition to providing hardware and training to help students bring their design ideas to life, PLC will collaborate with Logitech to develop a joint design curriculum aimed at giving students the opportunity to enhance their skills and creativity, while improving and honing their current design skills. The courses will also connect students with a network of Logitech design professionals that will serve as mentors and resources, with potential internship opportunities at the company in the future.
Logitech’s donated equipment has enabled the launch of the school’s official podcast, Blacklights, a platform created for design students at PLC, and the entire HBCU community, that will discuss a variety of industry topics with leading diverse creative professionals from the industry’s top brands featured in each episode.
The podcast will air its first episode on March 28 with guest Portia Blunt, vice president of apparel at Reebok.
“Logitech is an innovative company that powers the globe with inventive products to help us reach our creative best,” says D’Wayne Edwards, founder of PLC. “Our partnership with Logitech is a major step forward as we build PLC into the industry’s college, beginning with the industry’s best brand. We will do this together as we share the same mission to diversify the industry by introducing diverse thoughts. This will lead to the innovation needed to inspire the next generation.”
Nearly 200 Employers Looking to Hire at Macomb Community College Spring Job Fair
Macomb Community College will conduct its annual Spring Job Fair from 4-7 p.m. April 13 at the college’s Sports and Expo Center on Macomb’s South Campus in Warren.
Co-sponsored by the City of Warren, the job fair offers community members the opportunity to connect with approximately 200 employers looking to hire for both full- and part-time positions. The Spring Job Fair is free and open to the public with no registration required.
Employers participating in the job fair include Cintas Corp., Eckhart Inc., Judson Center, Lear Corp., Macomb County, Magna International, Michigan State Police, Waltonen Engineering, and Wayne County. For a full list of employers participating in the job fair, visit here.
“The job fair has been an effective networking opportunity that often leads to sustainable employment for job seekers and a stronger workforce for the employer,” says Robert Penkala, director of career services at MCC. “I would advise those attending the job fair to dress in business attire, bring plenty of resumes, and be prepared for on-the-spot interviews.”
Additional resources also will be available on-site, including Macomb’s Office of Veteran and Military Service, Michigan Works!, and several of Macomb’s partner universities with more information on the programs they offer.
