
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 Pro Marks 10th Anniversary of Transit Van with Upgrades to E-Transit
Ford Transit is celebrating a decade in the U.S. market and its 10th year of U.S. production with enhancements to E-Transit range, new charging options, and upgrades to software and integrated solutions, helping to ease commercial customers’ transition to electric.
“We’ve assembled more than 1.2 million Transit vans in the last 10 years, and 99 percent of Transits are still on the road, working hard for customers today,” says Tim Baughman, general manager of Ford Pro, the commercial vehicle business of Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn. “It’s America’s bestselling commercial van because it’s Built Ford Tough, and businesses on every streetcorner rely on Transit to keep the country moving — from plumbing to carpentry and yes, delivery, too.”
For says E-Transit has become the electric van of choice in America, Canada, and Europe. E-Transit has saved customers more than 3 million gallons of gas and over 25 million kg of CO2 output since joining the Transit family in 2022. According to the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, that’s the same as planting 413,377 tree seedlings and letting them grow for 10 years.
New for the 2024 model year, Ford Pro enhances range capability on E-Transit, offering an overall estimated range of 159 miles on low-roof cargo van models with 89 kWh of usable energy, which supports work covering longer distances and provides more capability to unlock electric solutions for new use cases, like refrigerated delivery. The additional range over the previous model is an increase of 26 percent on low-roof and a 32 percent increase on high-roof models.
New dual onboard chargers enable the E-Transit battery to charge faster than ever, the automaker says. The 2024 E-Transit can charge at a peak power of 176 kilowatts (kW). Fifteen minutes on a DC fast charger (180-plus kW) is estimated to add 67 miles of range on a 2024 E-Transit cargo van low-roof configuration —a 49 percent increase over the prior battery. And the 2024 E-Transit will charge from zero to 100 percent in just six hours and 11 minutes when using the now-available Ford Pro Series 2 80A charging station — 22 percent faster than the prior battery — providing a full charge overnight.
Ford Pro offers a complete range of charging solutions, including public, home, hybrid, and depot charging, with 927 commercial charging depots under management. Ford Pro’s software helps manage charging across multi-make fleets and depot, home, and public charging to maximize uptime and minimize charging costs. These smart charging solutions include:
- Fast Charging Adapter
- Series 2 80A Charger
- Series 2 48A Charger
- Ford Pro Home Charging
- BlueOval Charge Network
- Mobile Service Maximizes Convenience and Uptime
- Ford Pro Intelligence
- Ford Pro FinSimple Financing
Consumers Energy Approved to Bury 10 Miles of Electric Lines in Six Michigan Counties
Consumers Energy in Jackson announced Monday a targeted undergrounding pilot program has been approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. An $3.7 million investment will enable the company to bury 10 miles of overhead power lines in the next year.
The pilot program will kick-start Consumers Energy’s long-term plans to move more power lines underground, bolstering the company’s efforts to improve electric service for nearly 2 million Michigan homes and businesses. Buried power lines are better protected from common outage causes, including lightning, high winds, tornadoes, heavy snow, ice and falling tree limbs.
“We can’t control mother nature, but we can control how we prepare for more extreme weather,” says Chris Laird, vice president of electric operations at Consumers Energy. “Burying power lines is just one tool we can use in our growing toolbox to prevent outages from impacting our customers. We are committed to delivering more reliable energy for all customers.”
Greg Salisbury, vice president of electric distribution engineering at Consumers Energy, says: “Burying power lines will help make the grid stronger and more reliable. This pilot will help us learn even more about cost-effective ways to bury lines, allowing us to expand undergrounding projects in the future.”
The pilot program will target circuits in Genesee, Livingston, Allegan, Ottawa, Montcalm, and Iosco counties, which have frequent, lengthy outages and are in areas with dense trees, which are often responsible for the outages.
Underground lines currently make up about 15 percent of all Consumers Energy electric lines, most being in subdivisions and areas with high population density. In the future, the energy provider aims to bury over 1,000 miles of line in the next 5 years, subject to regulatory approval.
LIFT Signs Lease on New Advanced Manufacturing Facility in Puerto Rico
LIFT, the Detroit-based Department of Defense national manufacturing innovation institute, has signed the lease on a 28,000-square-foot facility located at the Lincoln Plaza in Caguas, Puerto Rico as a satellite of its Detroit headquarters.
Similar to its work in Detroit over the last 10 years, LIFT will convene leading technology partners to conduct development activities in advanced materials and manufacturing processes as well as advanced manufacturing workforce training. Under the five-year lease, the institute will occupy the top floor of the Lincoln Plaza to conduct its activities.
Manufacturing accounts for nearly half of the gross domestic product of Puerto Rico and the Island has a long history of manufacturing and a diverse manufacturing economy, including biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, agroecology, aerospace, electronics, computing, engineering, construction, and apparel.
The institute, a nonprofit public-private partnership between industry, academia, and government, recently announced a $1 million grant from the Department of Defense, through the Office of Naval Research, to support its activities on the island. That followed an initial $1.9 million in funding from the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program, overseen by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering announced in 2022.
Hub International in Chicago Acquires Two Firms in Michigan
Hub International Ltd. in Chicago, a global insurance brokerage and financial services firm, has acquired Arbury Insurance Agency and the assets of Michigan Insurance Associates, both in Midland. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
Arbury Insurance Agency and Michigan Insurance Associates are independent insurance agencies providing commercial and personal insurance, and employee benefits services to the Midland region. The move continues Hub’s growth in the state after the addition of Project Motown last year.
“Adding Arbury Insurance Agency and Michigan Insurance Associates aligns with our focus on growing and bringing in high-performing talent, and strengthening our expertise that will be invaluable to clients as they navigate the current economic market and beyond,” says Caroly Hofstee, president of Hub Midwest East.
Black Woman-owned Frisky Whiskey Launching This Month at Select Meijer Locations
Frisky Whiskey, a South Carolina-based premium flavored whiskey infused with pure caramel and all-natural vanilla, now is available at select Meijer locations in Michigan.
The nine locations are located in Detroit and nearby suburbs, including two Detroit proper locations, two in Warren, one in Sterling Heights, and one in Roseville.
Frisky Whiskey is the only flavored whiskey to ever score 95 points for taste in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
“I’m thrilled to launch in the state of Michigan with such a major and respected retailer as Meijer,” says Nicole Young, co-founder and CEO of Frisky Whiskey. “Having our product available at Meijer marks a major milestone for the brand and is an extension of Meijer’s promise to add more DEI brands to its portfolio in 2024.”
Frisky Whiskey will be distributed in Michigan by Livonia’s Imperial Beverage.
ACG Detroit to Host March Madness Watch Party March 21
ACG Detroit will host a panel March Madness watch party on Thursday, March 21 from 3:30-8 p.m. at The Dow in Birmingham. Attendees may enjoy food and receive two premium drink tickets plus the opportunity to participate in a friendly bracket competition for a chance to win awesome prizes.
Ticket prices are as follows — members: $50, non-members: $75. For more information and to register, visit here.
Beyond Basics Hosting Literacy Crisis Luncheon in Washington, D.C. March 11
Beyond Basics, the nonprofit dedicated to improving literacy, is hosting a luncheon in Washington, D.C., from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Rayburn House Office Building (Room 2045) March 11 to gather support for a bipartisan U.S. House resolution to amplify literacy discussions nationwide.
Among the participants will be Pamela Good, co-founder and president of Beyond Basics; Joique Bell, former Detroit Lions running back and co-founder of U Charge Up; Willie Burton, former NBA player and founder of ExcelU; and retired teacher Patricia Casenia Wells.
To attend, email Valentina Ivezaj at ivezaj@beyondbasics.org.
Hollywood Casino at Greektown Collaborates Detroit vs. Everybody Brand
Hollywood Casino at Greektown is celebrating this year’s 313 Day (March 13) through a partnership with the Detroit vs Everybody brand to create a complimentary, limited- edition T-shirt available exclusively to PENN Play members.
In addition, players have the opportunity to meet Tommey Walker, founder of Detroit vs Everybody from 1-4 p.m. near the Sportsbook.
Campaign to Establish Home for Washtenaw County African American Museum Gets Boost
The Song Foundation’s Board of Trustees has approved a grant of $150,000 for the planning and restoration of an historic farmhouse property in Ann Arbor to become the new permanent headquarters, event space, and exhibition facility for the African American Historical and Cultural Museum of Washtenaw County (AACHM).
Matched with a personal contribution of $150,000 from the foundation’s co-founders Linh and Dug Song, the funding will help the museum complete Phase I of planned renovations for the property.
While major financial support from both the Song family and Song Foundation has advanced the AACHM’s progress, the museum’s leadership continues to seek donations to cover a funding gap of about $200,000 required to meet its goal of full occupancy by August 2024.
The 190-year-old property, including the land and all existing buildings at 3261 Lohr Road, was recently purchased by the AACHM, and has been designated a historic district in Pittsfield Township. The long-term plan for the site includes designing the adaptive reuse of the historic farmhouse and barn for public museum use, including improvements to structural capacity, life safety, climate control and barrier-free access.
To learn more about contributing to the AACHM, visit here, email at aachmuseum@att.net, or call 734-761-1717.
Robotic Precision Therapy Clinic Offers Veterans Free Therapy March 22
Robotic Precision Therapy Clinic (3250 W. Big Beaver Road, Ste. 426) in Troy, a robotic physical therapy clinic specializing in pain management and sports performance therapy, is offering a free hour of Robotic Therapy to veterans within the metro Detroit community from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 22.
Veterans who would like to take part in this event must sign up and schedule a time here or call 855-629-2805. Robotic Precision Therapy is an advanced form of muscular therapy that non-surgically elongates shortened muscle tissue. The shortened muscle can create imbalances and compression by pulling the body out of proper alignment. Lengthening the muscles takes tension off the bone structure and increases mobility while simultaneously decreasing aches and nerve pain.
Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund to Present Dinner + Auction April 19
The Fallen and Wounded Soldiers Fund is presenting its 19th annual Dinner + Auction benefitting Michigan veterans and their families starting at 5:30 p.m. April 19 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.
The evening’s special guest speaker is Brian Eisch, a 20-year Army vetneran.
FWSF is an all-volutneer organization so 97 cents of every dollar raised goes to veterans in need. Last year it helped more than 420 veterans and distributed more than $800,000.
For ticket and sponsorship information, visit here.
Gesher Human Services Offers Webinar on Building Credit March 15
Gesher Human Services is Southfield will be offering a free webinar on Building Credit for Maximum Results at noon on March 15.
Michiganders can register right up to the time of event at the events page at geshermi.org.
- The program will discuss:
- The history of credit reports
- How to understand your credit report
- The impact of your credit score
- Industry laws and compliance
- How to improve a consumer’s profile.
“Many people don’t understand the impact of credit scores on their financial well-being, but your credit report is actually your financial power,” says Laltsha Cunningham, education manager at Gesher. “Your score determines how much you pay for everything, for example it can affect the rates you pay for home and car insurance. And your score can even determine whether you get a job in some places as many employers do a credit check.”