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.
Great Lakes Design and Construction EXPO 2024 Takes Place Feb. 14 in Novi
The Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) and Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan (HBA) are joining forces to present Michigan’s largest construction industry event, the Great Lakes Design and Construction EXPO 2024, Feb. 14 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
The EXPO is a one-day statewide event bringing together residential and commercial designers, contractors, suppliers, and service providers, offering networking opportunities, educational workshops, and special events to support the continued success of Michigan’s building industry.
Both commercial and residential industry professionals are expected to attend to learn about innovations in technology, products, supplies, and services from more than 150 exhibitors. Industry-specific educational workshops and safety training will be offered.
“We are pleased to join with HBA for the fifth consecutive year to present the Great Lakes Design and Construction EXPO,” says Kevin Koehler, president of CAM. “This event provides exceptional business resources, networking, and educational opportunities to benefit both commercial and residential professionals,”
The expo also will host an Economic Forecast Breakfast at 7:30 a.m., before the Exhibit Floor opens, featuring keynote speaker Daniil Manaenkov, an economist at the University of Michigan. During the EXPO, CAM will conduct its 138th Annual Meeting.
The Economic Forecast Breakfast and CAM Annual Meeting are the only EXPO events that require a purchased ticket. Visiting the Exhibit Floor and all seminars and workshops are offered at no charge to individuals involved in commercial or residential construction.
The Exhibit Floor will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration and additional information is available at miconstructionexpo.com or by calling Ron Riegel at CAM at 248-972-1110 or Brian Starrs at HBA at 248-202-7300.
Detroit People Mover Continues Upgrades in 2024
The Detroit Transportation Corp. has released a schedule for its next round of station upgrades. Beginning Jan. 15, two stations at a time will be closed to the public each week for five-day installations of new surveillance cameras and PA equipment. The project will continue through March 1.
The schedule is as follows:
- 15-19 — West Riverfront and Grand Circus Park
- 22-26 — Huntington Place and Millender Center
- 29-Feb. 2 — Michigan and Bricktown
- 5-9 — Cadillac and Times Square
- 12-18 — Greektown and Financial District
- 19-23 — Broadway & East Side Substation
- 26- Mar. 1 — Fort/Cass & Renaissance Center
People Mover trains will by-pass the closed stations. Patrons are asked to temporarily use the nearest and next available People Mover station to complete their trips. For a map of station stops, please visit thepeoplemover.com.
“This round of upgrades will improve our ability to provide a safe transportation experience and to communicate more effectively with our riders,” says Robert Cramer, general manager of DTC.
The camera and PA installations follow the announcement of free fare this year as well as the station lighting improvements and rail noise reduction work completed in 2023.
Grosse Pointe’s Brieden Consulting Group Joins Oswald Cos. in Bloomfield Hills
Brieden Consulting Group (BCG), an employee benefits agency in Grosse Pointe, has joined Cleveland-based Oswald Companies, one of the country’s largest independent insurance brokerage and risk management firms. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The addition of Brieden strengthens Oswald’s existing Michigan presence, which is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills.
“We’ve been looking for a partner that understood how to keep the client first, and to inspire the connection between the employer investment and the employee benefits,” says Hand Brieden, president of BCG. “Oswald is the perfect fit.”
The Brieden Grosse Pointe location and the firm’s team will continue to serve existing clientele in its current building, adding another office for Oswald. In addition to its downtown Cleveland headquarters and its Michigan presence, the 130-year-old firm has offices in Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Medina, Toledo, and Pittsburgh.
Little Caesars Brings Back Slices-N-Sticks with Bacon and Jalapeño Topping Options
Detroit-based Little Caesars has announced nationwide value pricing on its Slices-N-Stix, available with two topping options for the breadsticks: bacon or jalapeños.
Slice-N-Sticks featuring bacon or jalapeños breadsticks are available nationwide for just $7.99. Little Caesars also is offering Slices-N-Stix featuring breadsticks topped with cheese and seasonings for $6.99 nationwide.
“We’re thrilled to offer this incredible deal on Slices-N-Stix and the unique topping options to satisfy everyone’s cravings,” says Greg Hamilton, chief marketing officer at Little Caesars. “We know our customers love this product and appreciate the exciting flavor variety it offers at such a great price.”
Slices-N-Stix features four slices of Little Caesars pepperoni pizza complemented by eight cheese breadsticks. Now, with the addition of bacon and jalapeño topping options for the breadsticks, pizza lovers can customize their Slices-N-Stix experience to match their cravings.
The Slices-N-Stix deal is available for a limited time at participating Little Caesars restaurants nationwide.
StradVision to Provide SVNet Utilizing the Next-gen 3D Perception Network for Scalable ADAS
StradVision, a South Korea-based AI vision processing technology company for autonomous vehicles and advanced driver assistance systems with North American headquarters in Sterling Heights, is introducing its next-gen 3D Perception Network.
This technology is designed to be integrated into StradVision’s SVNet, providing a scalable advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) product line across all levels of autonomy. SVNet utilzes the power of Texas Instruments’ automotive processors to drive innovation and scalability in ADAS.
The collaboration targets the first production use of the next-gen 3D Perception Network in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Net Lease Office Properties Sells Office Properties in Dearborn, Plymouth Township
New York-based Net Lease Office Properties has sold two metro Detroit properties for a total of $16 million.
A 58,722-square-foot property in Dearborn, home to Carhartt Inc., sold for $9.8 million. In Plymouth Township, the 70,000-square-foot home of AVL Michigan Holding Corp. sold for $6.2 million.
Southfield’s Guarantee Co. of North America Changes Name of E&S Builders Risk Segment
The Guarantee Co. of North America USA in Southfield is changing the name of its E&S builders risk segment to Striior Insurance Solutions.
Previously operating as Highland Insurance Solutions, this change reflects the foundation the business was built upon, the expertise of the team, and the ambitious goals of the group.
Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions, which owns Guarantee Co. on North America, also announced the appointment of Kaileigh Bowe as president of Striior Insurance Solutions.
Jan. 16 is Deadline to Purchase Plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace
Jan. 16 is the deadline to purchase a health plan on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
The open enrollment deadline is generally Jan. 15 but, because Martin Luther King Jr. Day falls on Jan. 15, the federal government has extended the 2024 open enrollment deadline to Jan. 16, with coverage beginning on Feb. 1. This gives consumers an extra day to select from the 169 available plans by visiting the Health Insurance Marketplace or by calling 800-318-2596. Free local enrollment help is available by visiting LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.
According to the most recent enrollment data provided by the federal government, more than 394,000 Michiganders have already enrolled during this year’s Marketplace open enrollment period, an increase of almost 25 percent over this time last year. For 2023, more than 85 percent of enrollees qualified for savings, with many consumers able to get health insurance for less than $10 per month.
Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores Presents a Valentine’s Day Dinner, Concert
The Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores is hosting a Valentine’s Day Dinner and Concert on from 6-9 p.m. on Feb. 14.
Guests will be treated to an evening at the Lake Shore Room within the Visitor Center, transformed into a “haven of romance and elegance.” The main residence will remain closed for the evening.
The highlight will be a four-course dinner crafted by the Ford House’s culinary team. Each course designed to tantalize taste buds, paired with champagne and a custom specialty drink.
Adding to the atmosphere, Ann Arbor-based string quartet White Pines will serenade guests.
“We wanted to create an intimate yet enchanting experience for our guests to celebrate love in a truly special way,” says Tommy Karr, director of communications and engagement at the Ford House. “Whether it’s a cherished someone, a beloved friend, or a gathering of kindred spirits, this evening promises to be an ode to love and togetherness. We hope that, like Edsel and Eleanor Ford, our guests will treasure expressing their love here at this historic estate.”
Tickets for the event. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets early at fordhouse.org.
Seating is sold by table with options for two or four guests at each. A table for two is $250 (Friends of Ford House pay $200), and a table for four is $500 (Friends of Ford House pay $400).
