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.
Grosse Pointe Educational Group to Host Spring Event June 1
The Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education (GPFPE) will host its annual spring benefit starting at 6 p.m. June 1 at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.
This year’s theme is Experience the Impact, highlighting the direct impact the GPFPE and its supporters have had on the Grosse Pointe Public School System (GPPSS) since its inception in 2006, with more than $4.1 million donated to the schools and counting.
The event is the GPFPE’s largest annual fundraiser, allowing the organization to support its biannual and SEED (Social Emotional Encouragement and Development) grants. The evening will include cocktails, a sit-down dinner, and a live auction.
The live auction will feature a northern Michigan tour featuring some of the area’s best resorts, a private wine tasting party, an immersive learn to sail experience on Lake St. Clair, and more. There also will be a wine pull and a paddle raise, with all of the funds going toward the GPFPE’s mission of providing extraordinary opportunities for the GPPSS community.
For a complete list of sponsors, to become a sponsor, to join the host committee, or to purchase tickets, visit gpfpe.org.
Texas Company Acquires Stylecraft Printing in Clinton Township
Texas-based Ennis Inc. has acquired the real estate and operating assets of Stylecraft Printing Co. in Canton Township. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Stylecraft is a trade-only printer since 1967 specializing in business forms, integrated products, and commercial printing.
“We are thrilled to bring Stylecraft and its experienced employees into the Ennis family of companies,” says Keith Walters, chairman, president , and CEO of Ennis. “The addition of Stylecraft expands our product lines and geographical footprint, as well as adds a well-known brand that has been serving the distributor channel for more than 50 years. The acquisition of Stylecraft continues our strategy of adding quality companies to serve our customers and create return for our shareholders.”
Upon closing, Stylecraft Printing will continue its normal operations at its current locations in Canton Township.
Poll: Michigan Voters Mistrust Institutions, Lack DEI Awareness
The Detroit Regional Chamber today released findings from a new statewide poll of registered Michigan voters, the latest in the chamber’s ongoing efforts to understand Michiganders’ perceptions of timely economic and societal issues that affect business.
New to this poll are sections on institutional trust, optimism about the future, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. It also builds on findings from earlier this year on the perceived importance (or lack thereof) of higher education and continues monitoring voters’ sentiment on the state’s direction, economic conditions, and government leadership.
The Glengariff Group Inc. completed this poll of 600 registered Michigan voters between May 7-10.
“Whether it be questions on the economy or questions about trust, one common finding is that when the politics of the moment are removed from the equation, voters are both optimistic and can see some common ground,” says Richard Czuba, president of The Glengariff Group.
Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the chamber, says, “This Detroit Regional Chamber statewide poll, coupled with our February poll, highlights key challenges and opportunities faced by policymakers. While Michigan voters are sour on the value of college, they are very open to two years of postsecondary education for themselves. Similarly, voters are strongly optimistic about the state’s and their own futures yet are skeptical of the future technology of electric vehicles. These disparities provide both challenge and opportunity as policymakers chart Michigan’s future.”
Key findings include:
- Michigan CEOs rank lowest in trust among respondents, at 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the most trustworthy. CEOs also appear among the lowest-ranking categories (below 5.0) across all political affiliations. Elected officials, media, and both Republican and Democratic voters also ranked below 6.
- The majority of Michigan voters are optimistic about the state’s (65 percent) and their own (72 percent) personal future
- 17 percent of Michigan voters would consider leaving Michigan.
- Michigan voters with a high school diploma (63 percent) are open to two years of additional training (e.g., skilled trade, associate degree) for a better paying job (22 percent salary increase).
- 80 percent of Michigan voters support state financial aid for two additional years of education or training after high school.
BitNile Has Deployed and Energized 19,000 Miners at its Michigan Data Center
BitNile Inc. has deployed and energized approximately 9,000 of its Bitcoin miners at its Michigan data center and completed its full deployment and energization of 10,000 Bitcoin miners that are being hosted through its strategic collaboration with Core Scientific Inc.
“I’m thrilled to announce the successful deployment of nearly the entirety of our existing Bitcoin mining machines across our Michigan facility as well as those managed by Core Scientific,” says Milton “Todd” Ault III, founder and executive chairman of Ault Alliance, which owns BitNile. “This achievement underscores our commitment to our stockholders and strategic partners. Our enhanced partnership with Core Scientific allows our ongoing expansion in the Bitcoin mining sector.”
Blue Cross Blue Shield Helps Connect Members to Tailored Behavioral Care Options
Starting July 1, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will offer a new behavioral health care navigation solution to help members find the provider best suited for their mental health or substance use needs more quickly and easily.
This virtual care navigation solution will be available at no additional cost to in-state, fully insured commercial and Medicare Advantage members ages 18 or older through a partnership with Quartet Health, a leading behavioral health care technology and services company.
Members can join the Quartet platform by registering and submitting a self-referral or they can be referred by a Blue Cross or Blue Care Network care manager. Following the referral, Quartet will conduct an individual assessment to match the member with an appropriate outpatient provider based on their clinical needs and preferences including the provider’s specialty, location, and availability – both in-person and virtually.
For more information, visit here.
Nominations Open for 2023 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame
Michigan Women Forward is accepting nominations for 2023 inductees to the Women’s Hall of Fame. The 2023 inductees will join 344 other Hall of Famers since its inception 40 years ago.
Now through July 15 those interested in nominating an exceptional Michigan woman can submit an electronic nomination form. A paper copy may be submitted upon request.
Nominations may be made by individuals or by representatives of organizations or groups. A candidate also may nominate herself. Nominations may be made in either of two categories — historical (deceased candidates) or contemporary (living candidates) — and must follow MWF’s nomination criteria.
“This is the time to tell HERstory and shine a light on all Michigan’s incredible women,” says Carolyn Cassin, president and CEO of the MWF. “By nominating a noteworthy female to be inducted to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, you’re joining our organization’s mission by celebrating and honoring the accomplishments of those who are trailblazers in their field.”
The Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame and Historical Center, also known as HERstory, was established in 1983 to tell the stories of women’s contributions to Michigan’s history, and to inspire the women and girls of tomorrow.
Those interested in judging the 2023 Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame nominations can email Natalie Hall, chief development and program officer for MWF, at nhall@miwf.org.
Comerica, Kalamazoo Growlers Partner to Host Food Drive
Comerica Bank and the Kalamazoo Growlers are partnering to host a summer-long food drive benefitting South Michigan Food Bank from June 2 through July 27.
As a donation incentive, individuals who drop-off nonperishable food items at any Comerica banking center in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek will earn ticket vouchers redeemable for Kalamazoo Growlers baseball game tickets.
Those who donate will receive one ticket voucher per five cans of nonperishable food. Additionally, donations of 20 items or more will receive a Growlers themed prize.
“This community is incredibly compassionate and generous in helping our neighbors and communities, and we witnessed that firsthand through our first food drive last year supporting the South Michigan Food Bank,” says Debra Van Hevele, senior vice president and regional retail director at Comerica Bank. “The success of this partnership is also made possible due to the passion and pride generated by the Kalamazoo Growlers. We hope that, together, we can replenish critical food resources that are still vital to those in need.”
To donate funds or learn more about South Michigan Food Bank, visit smfoodbank.org.
Lawrence Tech Finishes Third at Formula Electric Race
The Formula Electric motorsports team at Lawrence Technological University earned a third-place finish in national competition earlier this month at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon.
A total of 17 teams from the United States and Canada participated in the event for half-scale Indy-style race cars powered by electric motors. LTU beat teams from schools such as Dartmouth, MIT, Princeton, and Yale, to take third. It’s the same finish the team earned last year.
The Formula Hybrid competition consists of a variety of dynamic and static challenges. Throughout these events, students assume the role of a design team engaged to create a prototype vehicle. Teams demonstrate their creativity and project management skills, as well as their vehicle’s performance and durability. The challenge is to create a vehicle that is road-worthy and prevail over other designs.
Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit Receives $12K Grant from Wilson Legacy Funds
Royal Oak-based Gilda’s Club Metro Detroit (GCMD) has received $12,000 from The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Funds at The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan to expand caregiving programs for individuals and families affected by cancer in under-resourced communities of Detroit.
“Caregivers and care partners are integral and woven into every diagnosis,” says Laura Varon Brown, executive director and CEO of Gilda’s Club. “A support arena begins at home and for us to extend that to Gilda’s Club is extraordinary and we are so grateful for the funding that allows this programming.”
The $12,000 grant from the Caregivers Fund supports ongoing efforts to provide emotional and social support to caregivers supporting loved ones through a cancer diagnosis, with a dedicated focus on reaching individuals and families in Detroit who may not have access to those resources otherwise. Specifically, the grant will fund support groups, activities, and educational presentations focused on caregiving-related topics such as stress management, coping strategies, and navigating the health care system.
Detroit’s Neighborhood Service Organization Secures Investment
The Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO) in Detroit has secured unspecified outcomes-based investments to launch Detroit’s “most comprehensive medical respite program” focused on improving the health of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Partners from multiple sectors — Molina Healthcare of Michigan, Quantified Ventures, Rocket Community Fund, and The Kresge Foundation — worked with NSO to structure funding to open this best-in-class program and align each organization’s incentives around better health outcomes.
Medical respite, also called recuperative care, is an evidence-based care program designed to help people experiencing homelessness break the cycle of hospitalization, shelter visits, and return to the streets — thus enabling better long-term health and housing outcomes.
The NSO medical respite program will be located in the recently completed Detroit Healthy Housing Center on the city’s east side, which pairs emergency shelter with wraparound health care and support services. The NSO program is scheduled to open its doors to clients later this year and plans to serve 165 individuals annually, with an anticipated average length of stay of 30 days to provide services and support to clients on their path to stable housing.
This high-impact approach to engage people experiencing homelessness is projected to produce $1.2 million in health care savings annually through stable housing and reduced avoidable hospital visits.
Shaarey Zedek to Host Free Program on Art and Wellness in Bipolar Disorder June 6
The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Program at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor and Gesher Human Services in Southfield are joining together for a free evening presentation and panel discussion about arts enrichment and its impact on wellness when living with bipolar disorder.
The event will take place at 7 p.m. June 6 at Congregation Shaarey Zedek (27375 Bell Road) in Southfield.
Bipolar disorder is a chronic disease presenting with unstable and unpredictable moods and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It affects around 5.7 million adult Americans or approximately 2.6 percent of people aged over 18, with median onset of the disorder at 25 years.
The program will provide information on how those living with bipolar disorder and their families can live well and thrive.
Pontiac Launches Home Repair Program
The city of Pontiac has launched a new Home Repair Program for Pontiac residents during its first town hall meeting at City Hall. The city’s objective for this program is to help homeowners complete home repair projects that will improve the quality and safety of their housing.
The program is expected to grant up to $25,000 per household in home repairs to at least 44 homes during the first of three phases starting June 21. This will cover a variety of items including plumbing, HVAC, roof repair, and waterproofing.
Applications for the Home Repair Program will be accepted between June 21-Aug. 18.
This is the first program of its kind for Pontiac that serves as a platform fit to support homeowners’ needs.
Interested parties are encouraged to pick up an application for the program at Pontiac City Hall, Centro Multicultural La Familia, or the Pontiac Public Library. Applicants also can access the application here.
A virtual town hall meeting is scheduled for May 25, 12:30-2 p.m. In person meetings are slated for May 31, 6 -7:30 p.m. at the Robert Bowens Senior Center (52 Bagley St.) and June 2, 2-3:30 p.m. at the Ruth Peterson Senior Center (990 Joslyn Ave.).
