DBusiness Daily Update: Ford Dealers and Ford Fund Invest $2M to Train Future Auto Techs, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies.
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Ford mechanic at work
Ford dealers and the Ford Fund are investing $2 million in scholarship funding in 10 U.S. regions to help students pursue careers as automotive technicians. // Photo by Ford

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.

Ford Dealers and Ford Fund Invest $2M to Train Future Auto Techs

Dealers of Ford Motor Co. and the Ford Fund, the Dearborn automaker’s philanthropic arm, are investing $2 million in scholarship funding in 10 regions to help students pursue careers as automotive technicians.

Spanning more than 20 states and 292 eligible schools, the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship will grant 400 need-based awards to current or future students enrolled in post-secondary auto programs.

The automotive industry continues to face an ongoing shortage of technicians, with more than 400,000 techs needed by 2027. Now in its second year, the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship creates opportunities for rewarding, well-paying careers as the industry moves toward electrification and software integration.

“As vehicles become more advanced, we need highly skilled technicians to maintain and service them,” says Elena Ford, chief dealer engagement officer at Ford. “Partnering with our dealers to invest in these students helps create job opportunities, shapes the future of our communities, and drives growth in our industry. “

The Ford Auto Tech Scholarship is open to individuals pursuing automotive technology degrees or certificates in the 10 selected regions, covering various costs associated with their education. The scholarship may be used for all attendance costs, including tuition, tools, living expenses and transportation. During the students’ educational journey and career transition, Ford dealers in each region will serve as a support system, offering advice, onsite training, and career guidance.

The Ford Auto Tech scholarships will be administered by TechForce Foundation, a national nonprofit organization committed to supporting students pursuing technical education and careers as professional technicians. Ford is proud to partner with TechForce to grant $5,000 per student in financial assistance for education and training in auto and auto/diesel at a wide range of accredited institutions.

Students eligible for the 2024 Ford Auto Tech Scholarship must be pursuing a degree in one of the following regions: the Greater Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Phoenix, Kansas City, Memphis, Miami, Seattle, and Cincinnati areas.

The application process is open through Aug. 31. Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis and applications reviewed as received. To learn more about the 2024 Ford Auto Tech Scholarship, visit the TechForce website.

Detroit Pistons Launch First Jewelry Line with Harper Ray Accessories in Southfield

The Detroit Pistons are launching a jewelry line in collaboration with Harper Ray Accessories, a Black, woman-owned fashion jewelry brand based in Southfield.

The collection will be sold exclusively at the Detroit Pistons’ team stores located in Little Caesars Arena and inside Plum Market at the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center beginning March 7.

The jewelry line consists of a unisex Detroit Pistons branded ring, necklace, bangle bracelet, and an adjustable bracelet, each available in gold or silver and various size options featuring the “simplistic and glamourous” Harper Ray look.

The ring and bangle feature the “Detroit Pistons” debossed wordmark on the front and back with Harper Ray wordmark engraved inside the items. The necklace showcases the Detroit Pistons secondary 313 logo on the front with Harper Ray on the back, and the adjustable bracelets come as a pair with red and blue stones representing the Pistons traditional colorway on silver or gold bracelets.

“Collaborating with Harper Ray on a Pistons’ jewelry line was a natural fit between two organizations looking to offer something fresh and unique to their fans,” says Marissa Rickman, director of brand and marketing strategy for the Pistons. “This unisex jewelry line combines fashion and fandom, providing our fans with stylish options to accessorize with their Pistons’ gear while showcasing their passion for their team in a distinct way.”

To learn more about the collection with Harper Ray Accessories, visit here.

Houston’s DXP Enterprises Acquires Pro-Seal in Pontiac

DXP Enterprises Inc. in Houston has completed the acquisition of Pro-Seal Inc.in Pontiac. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1987, Pro-Seal operates out of two locations servicing the Great Lakes Region of the U.S. and all of Alaska. It is a distributor of pumping systems, fluid sealing, and related seal support systems and other industrial pumping equipment and services and lubricants.

“With Pro-Seal, we continue to build on our strategy of providing a breadth of technical products and services on the regional and local level,” says David Little, chairman, and CEO of DXP.

Oak Park’s Bollinger Motors Names More Dealers for its Retail Network

Bollinger Motors Inc., an electric commercial vehicle manufacturer based in Oak Park, has named the next two dealership groups spanning seven states and 11 locations, as it rolls out its  commercial electric truck line, beginning with the Bollinger B4 Chassis Cab in the second half of 2024.

The dealership groups are:

  • Nacarato Truck Centers — 10 locations in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee, and Virginia
  • Nuss Truck & Equipment — one location in Minneapolis, Minn.

“We are building our national dealer network very strategically to ensure that they share Bollinger’s commitment to quality and customer service,” says Robert Bollinger, founder and CEO of Bollinger Motors. “These two dealership groups represent some of the busiest trucking hubs in the country and we welcome these new locations to the Bollinger family as we work to electrify fleets across the country.”

Carhartt Invests in America’s Diverse Workforce with Sales Donation and Grant

In recognition of International Women’s Day (March 8), Carhartt in Dearborn is donating proceeds from women’s apparel sales up to $250,000 on Carhartt.com, Reworked.Carhartt.com, and at any one of its 43 retail locations on March 8 and dedicating its spring 2024 “For the Love of Labor” grant to support Metallica’s Foundation, All Within My Hands, and its Metallica Scholars Initiative.

Created by the members and management of Metallica, All Within My Hands is a philanthropic organization dedicated to creating sustainable communities by connecting future workers with trade programs in their communities.

“Every woman opting for a rewarding career in the skilled workforce is not only contributing to the industries they serve, but also actively challenging outdated stereotypes that often hold back talented individuals from pursuing their passions,” says Todd Corley, senior vice president of inclusion, sustainability and community at Carhartt. “By combining efforts with All Within My Hands, we aim to help break down barriers for women in the trades, which include fewer job education programs tailored for women, limited childcare options and a general lack of resources that exacerbate the gender inequity within many industries, to cultivate the next generation of workers making their own history.”

Ann Arbor’s May Mobility Opens Submissions for Vehicle Wrap Contest

Autonomous vehicle developer May Mobility and the City of Detroit Office of Mobility Innovation are hosting a vehicle wrap contest to begin the Detroit Automated Driving Systems (ADS) pilot program.

The winning design will serve as the official wrap for all of the Toyota Sienna Autono-MaaS vehicles in the AV pilot program, slated to launch this summer.

Detroit residents eight years and older are invited to submit a wrap design. The public will be invited to vote on the final designs.

Submissions will remain open until March 15. At the end of the submission process, the city of Detroit and May Mobility will select three finalists (based on the outlined criteria) and open voting to the public to vote on their favorite design. The winner will be announced April 1.

Detroit residents can submit their design here. For more information and guidelines, visit here.

Farmington Hills, Visit Detroit to Host NFL Draft Event March 19

The city of Farmington Hills and Visit Detroit, in conjunction with the Detroit Sports Commission and local grass-roots partners, are hosting an “On The Clock Tour” neighborhood event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 at The Hawk (on 12 Mile Road east of Orchard Lake Road).

A series of community programs, the “On The Clock Tour” is intended to bring the fun and excitement of football to residents across southeast Michigan ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

The event at The Hawk will feature a variety of activities including interactive games, arts and crafts, inflatables, and other family-friendly football-themed stations, in addition to free pizza and pop.

All “On The Clock Tour” events will feature Visit Detroit’s mobile visitor center, the D-Rover. Temporarily rebranded as the Draft Rover, the multipurpose transit van will feature a 2024 NFL Draft design, as well as video and sound capabilities, including two 43-inch TV monitors and a plug-in mic for messaging, and a retractable awning.

Hundreds of thousands of football fans from NFL markets across the country are expected to descend upon the streets of downtown Detroit April 25-27 to take in the energy and pageantry of the NFL Draft in the area around Campus Martius Park and at Hart Plaza, which will serve as the site the NFL Draft Experience – the league’s free interactive football theme park.

Fans can get more information about the draft here and download the NFL One Pass app to gain access to Draft activities including the NFL Fan Experience at Hart Plaza during the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit.

All “On The Clock Tour” events are free and open to the public. Events are subject to change, with more tour stops to be announced across the region. Visit here for a list of up-to-date events.

Neway Creative Unveils the Neway Innovation Hub in Downtown Mount Clemens

Neway Creative, a coworking facility in downtown Mount Clemens, has moved to a 5,100-square-foot space at 75 N. Main Street, 3rd floor.

The move marks a significant milestone for the COVID-born flex space organization and positions its Neway Innovation Hub as support for Macomb County residents, including youth.

“The Neway Innovation Hub is a four-year work in progress,” says Shane Gianino, founder of Neway Creative. “When we first launched in June of 2020, the vision was to be an incubator and accelerator for startups like Velocity Center in Sterling Heights and TechTown in Detroit, not just shared office space. With this move, we are amplifying our impact and solidifying our position as one of the players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem and community development space.”

At the heart of the Neway Innovation Hub is its mission to empower youth, through the nonprofit arm, Neway Works Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization that provides youth enrichment and development services helping children identify their purpose.

With this collaboration, Neway Creative is proud to launch an art-therapy program in partnership with Neway Works supporting youth battling depression and anxiety. Events will also be organized, providing a platform for youth to showcase their artwork for sale in a gallery-type setting, fostering creativity and self-expression as a means of mental health therapy.

The Neway Innovation Hub also introduces a private therapy space tailored for counseling professionals, where adults and youth can receive services from licensed clinicians and psychologists. This initiative aims to remove barriers for clinical therapists and people from the community struggling with mental health challenges.  Scheduled appointments are required, and each private office is equipped with HIPAA-compliant filing systems to ensure utmost privacy for counseling sessions.

Key Bank’s Key4Women Hosts Free Webinar March 14

KeyBank’s Key4Women will present “It’s Up to Us: Pursuit of a Just and Inclusive Economy,” a free, one-hour virtual event on Thursday, March 14 at 1 p.m.

The webinar will feature Leslie Lynn Smith, founder of Themis Strategic Partners. Smith will have a conversation with KeyBank’s head of community banking and Key4Women National Director Rachael Sampson, celebrating the progress made by women in business while also addressing the ongoing challenges they face, and the work needed to achieve true equity and inclusion.

In this webinar participants will learn:

  • How to challenge historical notions of leadership, emphasizing the importance of

vulnerability.

  • How to lead by example by advocating for each other and using personal growth

and self-awareness in effecting organizational change.

  • How to foster innovation and sustainable growth within business.

For more information and to register, visit here.

Naked Burger in Clinton Township Celebrates 4th Anniversary with Interior, Menu Updates

Naked Burger in Clinton Township recently celebrated four years in business with updates to its dining room and menu.

“We’re incredibly proud of the success Naked Burger has seen since we opened right before the pandemic,” says Goran Dimic, owner and chef at Naked Burger. “While we’ve continued to stay true to our roots, this new look and feel better encapsulates the direction we’re heading — a sleek, modern, no frills approach to neighborhood dining with an emphasis on top notch ingredients.”

Goran and his partner, Brandon Gorgies, opened Naked Burger on Feb. 29, 2020, then purchased Berkley Common in 2022, and opened RH Social in Rochester in the summer of last year.

Naked Burger’s interior transformation includes new bar tops and counters, updated paint throughout the establishment, polished floors, and new tables and chairs. The new look is intended to be minimal yet approachable.

A series of grass-fed burgers still dominate the menu. Shareables, sandwiches, salads, and sides round out the menu. Goran added a few new additions, including:

  • Marrow Poutine — cheese curds, bone marrow gravy, and chives.
  • Elote Corn Ribs — chili lime crema, cotija cheese, cilantro, and lime.
  • Moroccan Burger — ground lamb, red pepper spread, tabouli, sumac onion, and toum aioli.
  • Birria Grilled Cheese — local sourdough, braised beef, pickled red onion, cilantro, and consommé.

Naked Burger is now open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Happy Hour food and drink specials are available from 4-6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

60th Annual Blessing of the Fleet to be Celebrated at Mariners’ Church of Detroit 

An age-old tradition that started centuries ago in Mediterranean fishing communities will be recreated in Detroit at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, when the annual “Blessing of the Fleet” is celebrated at Mariners’ Church of Detroit.

The Blessing of the Fleet traditionally attracts a number of captains, masters, and many other uniformed personnel as well as professional and recreational boaters who simply like to honor tradition receiving the blessing for themselves, their crews, their families and their boats. It also serves as an opportunity to remember those lost on the waterways over the years. This years’ service will be livestreamed here.

In addition to the service itself, and the inspirational music by Mariners’ professional choir and 4,100 pipe organ, the annual blessing includes the presentation of the Captain Lewis Ludington Award that commemorates the ongoing work of the International Ship Master’s Association. This year’s award winners are Capt. George T. Lisner and Capt. William J. Rabatsky.

Capt. Kathy McGraw will read the names of the 30 Great Lakes sailors and others who perished in Michigan waterways in 2023. During the reading, members of the Shipmasters will toll the Octorara Bell, a remnant of a ship of the same name, that now serves one purpose only: to honor fallen seamen. Octorara is an Iroquois word that means “long remembered.”

For more on Mariners’ and the Blessing of the Fleet service, visit here.

BasBlue in Detroit Celebrates Women’s History Month with Several Events

Detroit nonprofit BasBlue is celebrating Women’s History Month with several events aimed at bolstering and strengthening the Detroit and southeast Michigan communities.

Among the planned events are:

OmniProm Dress Drive: Basblue is partnering with Omniwomyn, a network of women supporting each other in the workplace, to host an OmniProm Dress Drive. As nonprofit organizations serving the metro Detroit the organization hopes to provide area youth in need of prom dresses the opportunity to enjoy this culturally significant event in life without financial barriers. Community members are encouraged to drop off gently used or new formal dresses they are willing to donate at BasBlue from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays and Fridays and 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout March. BasBlue and Omniwomyn are seeking volunteers to sort, label and bag dresses at BasBlue on Friday, March 29. To learn how to donate or sign up to volunteer, please visit BasBlue’s website.

Founders + Fund(Her)s Pitch Day: Founders + Fund(Her)s provides early-stage entrepreneurs from historically underrepresented and under-resourced communities with exposure, mentorship and the opportunity to win capital to grow their businesses. To date, 10 founders have participated in the program and they have received a collective $22,500 in funding to grow their businesses. Entrepreneurs across metro Detroit have applied for the program and on Tuesday, March 26 will pitch their businesses to a panel for a chance to win capital.

Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills to Remember Dr. Guy Stern March 10

The Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, in partnership with Temple Shir Shalom and Wayne State University, will remember the legacy of Dr. Guy Stern at 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 10.

Friends and colleagues will share reflections as they honor his life as a Holocaust survivor, decorated American war hero, and distinguished scholar.

Stern was born Günther Stern in Hildesheim, Germany in 1922 and was the only  member of his family to escape the Nazis. A pillar of resilience and determination, he traveled alone to America at age 15, later learning of the tragic fate of his parents and siblings in the Holocaust. He served as an intelligence officer for the U.S. during World War II, rising to the rank of master sergeant and earning a bronze star for his innovative interrogation techniques as one of “The Ritchie Boys.” His post-war career in education and scholarship further solidified his legacy as a beacon of knowledge and compassion.

Participants can attend in person or virtually. To register, visit here.