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.
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs Planning June 6 Fundraiser in Warren
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs is planning its 10th Annual Celebrate Michigan’s Military Event, which will take place June 6 at Andiamo’s Banquet Center in Warren.
This occasion is dedicated to honoring and supporting the men and women who have served our nation.
The evening will feature a cocktail reception, followed by a dinner buffet, and raffle opportunities to win prizes. Guests, including veterans and their service dogs who will share their stories of strength, resilience, and the positive impact, will be in attendance.
Sponsorship opportunities for corporations and businesses looking to support the cause are available. For more information, contact Sylee Gibson at sylee@medicalservicedogs.org.
To donate to the cause and to buy tickets, visit here.
Money Matters for Youth, IKEA Unveil Secure the Bag HBCU Tour
Detroit’s Money Matters for Youth (MMFY), known for its dedication to children’s financial literacy, announces the Secure the Bag HBCU Tour, sponsored by IKEA.
Set to begin Feb. 19, this journey, helmed by MMFY’s founder, Gail Perry-Mason, will guide 21 ambitious young investors through a series of HBCUs, blending educational excellence with financial acumen.
“The Secure the Bag HBCU Tour, in collaboration with IKEA, is a beacon of opportunity and knowledge for our young investors,” says Perry-Mason. “This expedition transcends the conventional, marrying financial education with tangible life skills. Our aim is not merely to educate about money but to instill a sense of its value in shaping futures and communities.”
IKEA’s involvement in this initiative brings home the importance of practical skills alongside financial expertise, according to MMFY. IKEA’s sponsorship extends beyond financial support, offering practical advice on college life essentials, such as choosing the right dorm furniture, in alignment with their commitment to improve everyday lives.
“This partnership with MMFY is a reflection of IKEA’s dedication to positively shaping young lives,” says Kevin Mathews, country area marketing manager at IKEA. “The Secure the Bag HBCU Tour is a perfect embodiment of our belief in empowering young minds, not just in their living spaces but in life skills that will accompany them through college and beyond. Our involvement goes beyond meals; it’s about equipping these future leaders with tools for a smarter, more prepared living.”
Embarking from IKEA in Canton Township, the tour is designed to be a fusion of learning and real-world application, focusing on pivotal financial concepts such as economic circulation, asset management, and fiscal responsibility.
In recognition of Black History Month, the students will learn about the history of HBCUs and Black Wall Street. More than just a series of lectures, the tour is an interactive experience designed to arm the youth with not only knowledge but also the confidence and connections to apply it, thanks to engagement with MMFY alumni at each HBCU.
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken Opens in Wayne
Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has opened its newest restaurant in southeast Michigan, at 34250 E. Michigan Ave. in Wayne and on Feb. 15 is hosting a grand opening celebration from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
To start the day, the first 100 guests will enjoy a free 2two-piece breast strip meal, giveaways, and more. One guest will have a chance to win free Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken for a year.
The Wayne location is the first Lee’s restaurant to sport the company’s new branding that was unveiled in 2023. The new location will offer both dine-in and drive-through options, making it convenient for all customers. In addition, the restaurant will feature mobile ordering to enhance the customer experience. The menu includes a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes, along with the brand’s signature house-brewed tea.
“We are delighted to bring the renowned flavors of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken to more communities in southeast Michigan,” says Noman Aiyash, franchisee of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken. “Our first location in Livonia has been warmly received, and we are committed to delivering the same high-quality, fresh, never frozen chicken and classic favorites to our new customers at our upcoming locations.”
Originally, Aiyash signed on for 12 Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken locations, and due to the success of the first restaurant in Livonia, the team decided to expand their commitment to 16 locations, all of which will be strategically located in southeast Michigan. This is the largest market development agreement in history for Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken.
“We are thrilled to partner with Noman Aiyash and NLM Enterprises on this exciting journey,” says Ryan Weaver, CEO of Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken. “Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken has a rich history and a strong commitment to providing delicious, high-quality food to our customers. We are confident that our brand will continue to thrive in southeast Michigan under their leadership.”
For more information, visit LeesFamousRecipe.com.
Report: West Michigan Economy Continues to Slow
While national and international economies are showing encouraging signs of resiliency and growth, the west Michigan economy has hit a soft spot, according to a Grand Valley State University researcher.
Brian Long, director of supply management research at GVSU’s Seidman College of Business, says his monthly survey of manufacturers and businesses indicates a local economy that is slowing, although not in a recession.
Two key statistics fell in January’s survey. The new orders index, which tracks business improvement, dropped significantly last month and the production index, a measure of business output, slid to a 30-month low. Long attributed the decline to softening conditions among automotive parts suppliers and office furniture firms.
“The problem is that after months of strength, business conditions for our automotive parts suppliers have softened,” Long says. “Some got tied up supporting these new fully electric vehicles that aren’t selling like the manufacturers promised, but others have simply run into some new competition, which is typical of many businesses.
“Now, the office furniture firms have also softened. This is because there’s a glut of excess office space in some major markets, and higher interest rates have resulted in some new office projects being scrapped or, even worse, thrown into bankruptcy.”
Yet, despite the data, Long says confidence remains high among consumers and industries at the local and national levels. Studies from the University of Michigan and The Conference Board showed upticks in consumer sentiment, Long says.
“One of the bright spots in this month’s survey is that confidence seems to be building at both the consumer and industrial level,” Long says. “I suppose some of the new confidence comes from the widespread belief that there is no longer the possibility of us immediately sliding into a recession.”
As for the possibilities of a recession in 2024, those appear to be fading, Long says.
“For about the past two years, we’ve been living with the prediction of an impending recession from some otherwise fairly reputable economic organizations,” Long saya. “But as we enter 2024, most of the new forecasts are trending in the direction of a slower economy for 2024, but no official recession. However, of course, increasing turmoil in the geopolitical situation leaves the door open for an unexpected event that could upset any forecast.”
MSU joins Consumers Energy Renewable Energy Program
Michigan State University in East Lansing is taking another step toward advancing its goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent by 2030 from 2010 baseline measurements by joining Consumers Energy Renewable Energy Program.
Through the agreement, the university will have support in eliminating 292,934 metric tons of carbon dioxide and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
“This is another major milestone in pursuit of MSU’s commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050,” says Laura Young, sustainability manager at MSU. “Every approach must be considered to reduce our carbon footprint — from the technology we use to leveraging our cutting-edge research and robust partnerships for greater impact. Opportunities like those presented by the Consumers Energy Renewable Energy Program only build on that momentum.”
As part of the Consumers Energy Renewable Energy Program, 15,000 MWh, or mega-watt hours, per year of the electricity MSU purchases will be generated from renewable energy sources like solar and wind power beginning in 2027. That represents about 30% of the current annual electricity purchases made from the T.B. Simon Power Plant. Greenhouse emissions are classified by scopes. Scope 1 greenhouse emissions are direct emissions from campus, such as from the central power plant and fleet vehicles. Scope 2 are indirect emissions that come from the generation of purchased electricity.
“Reducing the greenhouse gas footprint of electricity that MSU purchases reduces scope 2 emissions and is an important part of meeting the university’s sustainability goals,” said Sherri Jett, director of power and water with MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities. “This commitment to purchase renewable energy from Consumers Energy will effectively double the amount of renewable energy consumed on campus.”
Butzel to Hosts Feb. 21 Webinar focused on Challenges, Opportunities of SECURE 2.0
The Butzel law firm in Detroit is hosting a free webinar from noon-1 p.m. Feb. 21 designed to help employee benefits plan administrators understand options rolling out SECURE 2.0 in the next two years, and why organizations may or may not want to make some of the new optional plan changes.
During the briefing, attorneys from Butzel’s Employee Benefits team will discuss the practical steps HR personnel and retirement plan decisionmakers should be taking to assess the impact of SECURE 2.0 in 2024 on their benefit plans. Butzel attorneys also will be available to answer questions.
Featured speakers include:
- Nicholas Nahat, who concentrates his practice on employee benefits and traditional labor law. For more than 30 years, he has counseled clients in a variety of industries on employment litigation, dispute resolution, and traditional labor law matters.
- Mark Jane, who practices in the areas of employee benefits and executive compensation, with a focus on complex issues arising from the sponsorship of group health and welfare plans.
Gesher Human Services to Conduct Seminar on AI in Job Hunting
Gesher Human Services in Southfield is hosting a free program on Feb. 26 from 1-2:30 p.m. at its headquarters (29699 Southfield Rd., Southfield, MI 48076) on how to use artificial intelligence to give their job applications the best chance of success.
The program will be an interactive demonstration designed to introduce beginners to the world of AI, specifically Chat GPT, to show how it works and how it can be applied easily for job hunting. No registration is required.
“Many companies are using AI in the form of an Applicant Tracking System to initially review an applicant’s suitability for a position,” says Dave Rotter, computer training supervisor at Gesher. “If you use AI in your application process, for your resume and cover letter, you can ensure you are providing enough ‘match’ words for the position so that it tracks positively and you get that first interview. It can make a huge difference for landing a job.”
Also on Feb. 26, for job seekers who have limited computer skills, Gesher will be starting a new computer training program, Office and Computer Essentials: Microsoft Word and Excel. The program will run on Mondays and Wednesdays, from Feb. 26 to Apr. 3, 1-3:30 p.m. The fee for the computer program is $499 but full and partial scholarships are available.
Course prerequisites include basic keyboarding, email, and internet access, and access to a computer for practice. The program includes instruction on creating and editing Word and Excel files, formatting text in Word, creating basic Excel worksheets and using simple formulas, creating PDF files, and moving files to a flash drive.
To download an enrollment application form for the computer training click here and email it to drotter@geshermi.org; or call Dave Rotter at 248.233.4243.
Kresge Innovative Projects: Detroit Plus Preparing to Give $1.3M in Grants
At least $1.3 million in implementation grants will be available in 2024 from the Kresge Foundation’s Kresge Innovating Projects: Detroit Plus (KIP:D+) for resident-led community organizations to launch transformative projects supporting the vision and creativity of residents in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park to improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods or activate something new.
Applications for KIP:D+ grants will open on March 4 for sums of up to $150,000 for organizations that are ready to receive the resources needed to complete a project within the 24-month grant period. By August 2024, the KIP:D+ team estimates awarding approximately 10-20 total Planning & Implementation and Implementation grants at a range of grant sizes. These resources will support two project stages:
- Implementation: Ideal for organizations who have a complete project plan and need funds to launch.
- Planning & Implementation: Ideal for organizations who are still finalizing their project plans and will need funds to launch once complete.
Applicants can access Michigan Community Resources (MCR) for 1-on-1 support with any application-related questions.
Actions organizations can take before applications open in March:
- Create an account on Submittable, the grant application and reporting software.
- Use the email address of the organization’s key contact who will manage all grant applications and related inquiries.
- Anyone experiencing any technical difficulties with an application can contact support@submittable.com.
- Start thinking about the project budget. Applicants can request up to $150,000.
- Budget template for physical projects.
- Budget template for non-physical projects.
- Sign up for Co.act Detroit’s newsletter to be notified when applications open.
- Start brainstorming about how to talk about the organization’s history of serving the community, clear goals for the project, and how it will impact those being served.
KIP:D+ looks for applicants that have a history working within, and are reflective of, the communities they serve. Projects that have clear and distinct goals, collaborative engagement processes that prioritize the vision of residents, and will provide a meaningful impact on the quality of life for Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park residents are the most competitive.
For more information, visit here.
Kettering University Climbs 22 Spots in 2024 U.S. News’ Online Master’s List
Kettering University in Flint jumped 22 spots to No. 61 (tied) in U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Online Master’s in Engineering Programs rankings. Kettering was No. 83 last year.
The honor wasn’t the only one for Kettering University Online (KUO) programs. U.S. News evaluated schools in Online Master’s programs based on a variety of factors, such as student engagement, faculty credentials, and services and technologies.
The 2024 report also recognized Kettering in several other categories.
- Online MBA Programs for Veterans No. 86 (tied)
- Online Graduate Business Programs (excluding MBA) No. 96
- Online MBA No. 126 (tied)
“We are thrilled to see Kettering University Online’s remarkable ascent in the 2024 U.S. News rankings,” says Christine Wallace, vice president for KUO. “It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence in online education. As we celebrate this achievement, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide a world-class online education, unlocking boundless opportunities for our students. Kettering University is not just climbing the rankings; we are shaping the future of online learning.”
