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.
Four 2024 Ford Vehicles Earn Kelly Blue Book Awards
Four 2024 vehicles from Ford Motor co. in Dearborn have earned Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards — Maverick, F-150, F-150 Lightning, and Expedition.
Maverick won for best compact-size truck, F-150 for best full-size truck, F-150 Lightning for best electric truck, and Expedition for best full-size SUV.
Kelley Blue Book writes that the Ford F-150 — available in gas and hybrid models, in addition to the electric F-150 Lightning — “continues to exceed buyers’ expectations.” It’s the 10th straight year F-150 has earned Best Full-Size Truck Buy.
KBB.com also notes that Maverick, available in gas and hybrid models, “provides light-duty pickup goodness in an attractive package with multiple personalities,” and that Expedition, “boasts … things you would not expect from a full-size SUV,” and that F-150 Lightning “takes convenience to new heights by providing in-bed (Pro Power Onboard), allowing you to cook on the go with a powered-up crockpot en route to your in-laws.”
The annual Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Awards are based on the analysis of vehicle-related data that includes pricing, consumer reviews and ratings, five-year cost-to-own information including depreciation, insurance, maintenance, financing, fuel, fees, and taxes for new cars, plus consumer reviews and ratings and vehicle sales information.
Wixom’s General RV Center Set to Add Supercenter in Central Florida
General RV Center in Wixom, the nation’s largest family-owned RV dealer, is expanding its footprint with addition of a Winter Garden, Fla., location.
Located less than 20 miles west of Orlando, this will be General RV’s sixth Supercenter in the state and 20th location nationwide. The new Supercenter, to be purchased from family-owned Independence RV, further cements General RV as Florida’s largest family-owned dealership.
General RV currently operates four other Florida Supercenters located in Orange Park (near Jacksonville), Dover (near Tampa), Ocala, and Fort Pierce (near Port St. Lucie). The company also announced a new Florida Supercenter located in Fort Myers, slated to open in the first quarter of 2024.
“As demonstrated by the excellent reputation and relationship Independence RV has built with its customers, in addition to the dedication of its team, we are fortunate to be the stewards moving forward of the quality, family-owned business built here,” says Loren Baidas, president of General RV.
Existing employees will remain with the store as General RV explores opportunities to grow the business.
Air Burners Launches BioCharger in Collaboration with Rolls-Royce and Volvo Construction
Air Burners, a Florida manufacturer of air curtain burner systems, is collaborating with Rolls-Royce (whose power systems division is in Novi) and Volvo Construction Equipment to develop and test the BioCharger, a portable machine that turns biomass waste into energy.
The BioCharger is the first machine of its kind, combining three steps to provide off-grid power from vegetative waste management. First, it eliminates vegetative waste using air curtain technology to minimize the harmful particulate matter entering the atmosphere. Then, it converts the residual heat energy into electric energy and stores it in a connected Battery Storage Module. Finally, with the accompanying charging mechanism, the BioCharger allows for off-grid electric vehicle and machinery charging.
Air Burners consulted with Rolls-Royce in developing the battery storage module within the BioCharger, a 450 kWh charging station that can recharge multiple battery-electric machines and tools, from chainsaws to excavators. The BioCharger creates and stores enough energy daily to recharge three to six battery-powered machines. In addition, the BioCharger retains enough energy to start itself and continue the cycle the next day.
“The BioCharger is a unique application for our mtu EnergyPack battery energy storage system that I think shows just how versatile energy storage can be,” says Kevin McKinney, sales director at Rolls-Royce Solutions America. “The BioCharger’s ability to reduce emissions and generate energy through responsible handling of vegetative waste perfectly aligns with our targets to support our customers with innovative solutions for the transition to clean power generation.”
For more information, visit here.
Reimagined Woodhouse Spa Detroit Reopens
Woodhouse Spa Detroit has reopened its doors following renovations, marking a new era for downtown Detroit’s “premier wellness destination.”
With more than 70 rejuvenating spa treatments, the spa says it sets the standard for approachable luxury, embodying Detroit’s epitome of indulgent day spa experiences.
The 5,525-square-foot spa has a new design and an expanded array of services catering to the evolving needs of its clientele.
“We are committed to evolving alongside the vibrant community we proudly serve,” says Cheryl Hudson, owner of Woodhouse Spa Detroit. “As enduring pillars of downtown Detroit’s retail landscape, we understand the significance of growth in tandem with the city’s resurgence. Expansion is not just a business strategy; it’s our commitment to the enduring spirit of Detroit.”
The renovations represent phase one of the spa’s comprehensive rebranding, with additional decor upgrades slated for completion by summer 2024. The revitalized oasis is designed to offer relaxation and wellness, featuring new services such as a new facial studio and waxing center along with new treatment rooms.
“As the first African American owners of Woodhouse Spa franchise, we take immense pride in our role within the wellness spa industry,” Hudson says. “Our spa stands tall, not just as a sanctuary of tranquility, but as a testament to endurance, nestled along the storied Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit within the enchanting Merchants Row. Here, we weave history with rejuvenation, creating an oasis where heritage and luxury gracefully converge.”
Woodhouse Spa Detroit is open Tuesday through Sunday, with detailed hours available here.
Detroit’s Gun Violence Reduction Program Members Receive Training
Interplay Learning in Texas, a provider of immersive skilled trades training, has formed a partnership with CHOICES (Choosing Honorable Options Increasing Chances to Establish Success), a community-based violence intervention program dedicated to reducing gun violence in Detroit.
Part of Mayor Mike Duggan’s Detroit at Work program, CHOICES is using Interplay Learning’s virtual reality and simulation-based training to empower at-risk youth and individuals affected by gun violence. Interplay’s training is designed to equip them with valuable skills that open doors to a brighter future through sustainable employment in high-demand fields like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, multifamily maintenance, and facilities maintenance.
“(Interplay) complements our in-person learning well, and their team is great to work with,” says Stephanie Nixon, chief program officer at Detroit at Work. “Our program participants are totally engaged; they’re having fun while learning, they’re competing with one another to complete courses, and all the while, it’s changing the trajectory of their lives.”
A critical feature of the training platform is the administrator reporting tools that enable program coordinators to identify participants who need help and provide timely support and intervention to those individuals. This proactive approach ensures participants stay on course with their training paths, bringing them closer to their ultimate goal of gaining employment and contributing positively to their communities.
Meijer Surprises 10K+ Customers with 12 Days of Meijer Pickup Event
To thank customers for choosing Meijer, the Grand Rapids-based retailer is randomly surprising more than 10,000 pickup customers this holiday season. The 12 Days of Meijer Pickup event will continue to take place at all Meijer supercenters and Meijer Grocery stores throughout the retailer’s six-state footprint until Dec. 12.
“Our customers have truly embraced our pickup program because of its ease and convenience,” says Justin Sessink, director of digital shopping for Meijer. “The holidays are a perfect time to show how much we appreciate them, and this event allows our stores to have fun while doing it.”
Throughout the event, each Meijer supercenter and Meijer Grocery store will surprise multiple random pickup customers each day with a coupon valued at $50, $100, $250, or $500, or a gift box that includes several holiday-themed items.
SpartanNash Unveils Immersive Grocery Experience for High School Students
Food solutions company SpartanNash in Grand Rapids is partnering with Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes (JAMGL) to support JA Finance Park, the organization’s capstone program for financial planning and career exploration.
“Financial independence and career exploration are two of the most important skills we can teach young people – and grocery is an essential industry with many admirable career paths across supply chain, retail, transportation, and corporate job functions,” says Tony Sarsam, CEO of SpartanNash. “Our new partnership with JA of the Michigan Great Lakes aligns with SpartanNash’s mission to deliver the ingredients for a better life, including the careers that make a better life possible.”
At the Family Fare activation, students will have an immersive, real-life experience and choose from a wide range of careers, including cashier, supply chain forklift operator, corporate Associate and more. They will learn how to create a monthly budget based on their career and family scenario, then plan their grocery purchases in accordance with that budget. The activation also features an interactive 136-inch TV display for students to visualize different career paths, plus the opportunity to take a selfie that places them on the SpartanNash private label Our Family brand of Wheat Flakes cereal.
SpartanNash’s five-year commitment to JAMGL will include ongoing financial support and Associate volunteer opportunities. This summer, the Company raised over $150,000 for JA through its back-to-school in-store fundraiser.
MI Nonprofit Relief Fund Grants Help 1,373 Nonprofits
The Michigan Nonprofit Association and Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity have announced that 1,373 grantees have received funds from the $35 million MI Nonprofit Relief Fund, a lifeline for Michigan’s charitable organizations grappling with the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A total of $50 million in funding was awarded to support nonprofits that have been negatively impacted due to the pandemic. The funding was distributed through two programs, MI Nonprofit Relief Fund and the MI Impact Grant, and nonprofits were eligible to receive funding from either program but not both.
The MI Nonprofit Relief Fund awarded one-time grant funds ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to nonprofits in areas most affected by COVID-19, especially those underserved and underrepresented populations. To be eligible, nonprofits had to be Michigan-based, 501(c)(3)s with annual revenues of less than $1 million, demonstrating necessary expenditures and losses incurred after March 3, 2021, due to the pandemic.
Hudson-Webber Foundation Awards $2.3M in Grants to Eight Detroit Nonprofits
The Board of Trustees of the Hudson-Webber Foundation (HWF) in Detroit awarded new grants totaling $2.3 million to eight organizations responsible for driving positive change and leading empowering programs and initiatives that directly impact residents throughout metro Detroit.
Organizations receiving funding are Black Leaders Detroit ($100,000), Center for Michigan ($100,000), Citizens Research Council ($200,000), Detroit Institute of Arts ($500,000), Detroit Justice Center ($450,000), Detroit Parks Coalition ($200,000), Detroit Riverfront Conservancy ($600,000), and the Michigan League for Public Policy ($200,000). The funding enables new and ongoing projects to address the evolving needs of Detroit communities, while also enhancing the impact of the Foundation’s traditional funding strategies.
“The Foundation is honored to support these exceptional partners who are at the forefront of impactful projects that directly benefit our community,” says Jennifer Hudson Parke, board chair of the Hudson-Webber Foundation. “These grants not only support the innovative projects addressing the evolving needs of Detroit communities, but they also reinforce our commitment to our foundational key mission areas: arts and culture, built environment, community and economic development, and safe and just communities.”
Sterling Heights’ Velocity Selected by State as Regional Grantee
Sterling Heights-based Velocity, the Macomb County SmartZone, has been chosen as one of the regional grantees to receive unspecified grant funding from the state of Michigan’s Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), announced the selection of 27 organizations across the state, with Velocity being recognized as a pivotal entrepreneurial hub.
“I’m thrilled to see Velocity receive this recognition and funding from the state of Michigan,” says Mark Hackel, Macomb County executive. “Velocity plays an important role in our community supporting and educating entrepreneurs and small businesses. It is essential that Macomb County continues to have this space to nurture and grow these individuals and entities so we can ensure a bright and prosperous economic future – one where our County remains an epicenter for innovation and opportunity.”
The SBSH program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, aims to provide comprehensive resources and support to small businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. The highly competitive selection process saw Velocity securing a grant, demonstrating its commitment to driving economic growth, creating jobs, and fostering a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship within Macomb County.
For more information, visit MiVelocity.com.
Meridian Health Will Turn All $20 Donations to The Salvation Army to $100 on Dec. 9
The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit is conducting the Meridian $20 Challenge, a one-day matching donation opportunity up to $15,000 from midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9.
The Meridian $20 Challenge is funded by Meridian Health’s $15,000 matching donation. When individuals donate $20 online or to a physical red kettle, Meridian will match and quadruple the donation to become $100. Donations to the $20 Challenge will help the nonprofit’s 13 corps community centers continue to provide vital programs and services to those in need throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
Salvation Army supporters can join in the Meridian $20 Challenge by making a $20 donation in the following methods:
- Texting GIFT to 24365
- Donating money via an online kettle, Paypal, Venmo or physical red kettle
- Visiting SAmetrodetroit.org
- Calling 877-SAL-MICH
For more information about The Salvation Army of Metro Detroit’s programs and services, visit SAmetrodetroit.org.
Saint John’s Resort Hosting Holiday Happenings
Saint John’s Resort in Plymouth Township has added two additional events to its roster of holiday events — Christmas Meals To-Go and Wine Countdown to New Year’s Eve Party.
Leave the cooking to Saint John’s and enjoy a feast full of prime rib and other protein options, sides, and desserts with Christmas Meals To-Go. Orders must be placed by Dec. 20 for Christmas Eve pickup.
Wine Down to Countdown New Year’s Eve Party will feature an open bar, a DJ, and strolling food options. Tickets start at $125 per person. It takes place in the resort’s new Wine Grotto.
Other holiday events include the Grace West and Friends Christmas Concert at 5 p.m. on Dec. 10. And Brunch with The Michigan Philharmonic String Quartet at noon on Dec. 17. Tickets are priced at $75.
For more information, visit here.
Oxford Bank Launches Money Masters Financial Education Program
Oxford Bank Corp., the holding company for Oxford Bank, kicked off an education program designed to drive financial success at every stage of a consumer’s monetary life.
The Money Masters financial education program is designed to guide consumers throughout the spectrum of saving, earning, and spending for kids, teens, students, young adults, working adults, and those nearing retirement.
The interactive Oxford Bank Money Masters program provides free live educational programs and easy access to tools to educate and coach consumers in six financial life stages according to Oxford Bank including:
- Smart Starters for kids in elementary and middle school
- Savvy Savers for teens in high school
- Goal Getters for college students and young adults launching careers
- Budget Bosses for working adults, families, and entrepreneurs
- Wealth Wizards for adults nearing retirement
- Business Builders for business owners
The Oxford Bank Money Masters program will include seminars, free tools for download, job fairs, and FDIC Reality events throughout the year. Oxford Bank is also partnering with Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, GreenPath Financial Wellness, and FDIC Money Smart Alliance to enrich its online library of resources and take the program to elementary, middle and high schools throughout Michigan.
For more information on the Oxford Bank Money Masters program, click here.
