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.
Home Builder’s Association Presents 2022 Awards for Design, Leadership
The Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan, based in Bingham Farms, presented its annual awards for 2022 at a recent event at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. The organization presented honors for sales and design achievement, and industry leadership.
“We are proud to honor these companies who have shown excellence in their field,” said Forrest M. Wall, CEO of HBA.
New construction design awards went to Templeton Building Co. in Birmingham (Gold) and
TK Design and Associates in South Lyon with Cambridge Homes (Silver) in the New Single-Family Home Architectural Design Project of The Year competition. TR Design Group in Bloomfield Hills with Main Street Homes and Vitale Real Estate and New Homes in Shelby Township with R P Design Studio tied for the Bronze.
New Single-Family Home Interior Design Project of The Year winners were KSI Kitchen and Bath in Birmingham, Sandra Daubenmeyer with Moceri Homes (Gold), Sapphire Homes in Bloomfield Hills with Harvard Design (Silver), and KSI Kitchen & Bath in Birmingham, Jeanine Yancy with Stone Hollow Properties, and Robertson Homes in Bloomfield Hills (Bronze).
Other winners included:
- Templeton Building in Birmingham — Remodeled Specialty Room Project of The Year – Clubhouse or Community Space.
- KSI Kitchen & Bath in Birmingham, Tori Olijar and Martin Vecchio — Remodeled Kitchen Project of The Year.
The Industry Leadership Award honorees included:
- Ben Templeton, Templeton Building in Birmingham, HBA-resident 2021-22 — Membership Growth Service Award.
- Michael C. Stoskopf, retired CEO of HBA — Hall of Fame.
- Scott Schwanke, M/I Homes of Michigan in Bloomfield Hills — Bert L. Smokler Builder of the Year.
- Anthony G. Bosco, Bosco Building Inc. in West Bloomfield Township — Young Builder of the Year.
Full bios of these and all of the other honorees can be found here.
Blue River Advises Jon-Don on Acquisition of CRT Industrial Equipment
Blue River Financial Group in Bloomfield Township has advised Chicago-based Jon-Don, a national equipment and consumables supplier and a portfolio company of Incline Equity Partners, on the recent acquisition of CRT Industrial Equipment in Texas.
“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside the Jon-Don/Incline Equity team in supporting Jon-Don’s acquisitive growth,” says Sara Clevenger, principal of Blue River. “Jon-Don brings an outstanding value proposition to owners considering an equity partnership. We love to be a part of win-win outcomes such as these, and look forward to supporting the team’s continued success.”
The CRT acquisition adds to Jon-Don’s extensive knowledge and product selection within the restoration, concrete surface, and industrial cleaning supply markets.
Established in 1978, Jon-Don now has multiple distribution centers located throughout the United States. The group serves industries ranging from water and fire restoration, concrete surface prep and polishing, building service/janitorial, carpet cleaning, and more. Jon-Don gives specialty contractors and in-house service providers across multiple industries everything they need to keep things clean, safe, and looking their best.
CRT Industrial Equipment, located in Houston, Texas, services industrial cleaning equipment needs in Houston and surrounding areas. CRT specializes in new and used equipment sales, rental machines, and experienced service on all brands of sweepers and scrubbers.
“CRT and Jon-Don were excellent strategic and cultural fits that will really drive exponential growth in the Houston area for both organizations,” says Christopher Caron, managing director at Blue River.
Lawrence Tech’s Centrepolis Accelerator Receives $125K Grant
Lawrence Technological University’s Centrepolis Accelerator in Southfield has received a $125,000 grant from the Kirkland, Washington-based Breakthrough Energy Foundation for general operating support.
The Centrepolis Accelerator is unusual among business accelerators in that it concentrates on companies manufacturing physical products, rather than services or software. It works with both startups and established small businesses. Several of its efforts focus on growing so-called “C3” businesses — cleantech, climatech, and circular-economy businesses — companies that produce products that encourage energy and emissions reduction as well as recycling and sustainable materials use.
Breakthrough Energy is the umbrella name of several organizations, founded by Bill Gates in 2015, that aim to accelerate innovation in sustainable energy and in other technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This includes the foundation, a venture capital arm, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, and an early stage technology development program, Breakthrough Energy Fellows.
“We are happy and proud to accept the support of Breakthrough Energy Foundation, an organization that is at the forefront of the energy technologies of the future, technologies that will help us achieve a carbon-neutral economy,” says Dan Radomski, CEO of the Centrepolis Accelerator.
Troy Chamber to Present Business Excellence Awards March 2
The Troy Chamber of Commerce will host its TC Business Excellence Awards, presented by Horizon Bank, on March 2, at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy.
The TC Business Excellence Awards give the Troy business community the opportunity to nominate an individual or company that they feel has made a notable impact on the business community in 2022. A wide variety of categories are featured to recognize achievements in every facet of the workplace.
Nominated individuals or businesses must be a Troy Chamber member, but anyone can vote.
The Troy Chamber’s 2023 Business Excellence Awards are as follows:
- Leadership Award
- Chamber Advocate Award
- Woman in Action Award, sponsored by Trion Solutions
- Young Professional Award
- Creative Disruptor Award
- Nonprofit Excellence Award
- Innovation Award, sponsored by Chief Financial Credit Union
- Resiliency Award
- Customer Service Excellence Award
- Diversity Champion Award
- Community Impact Award
- Inspiring Tomorrow Award
- Excellence in Tech Award
Nominations will be accepted through midnight on Jan. 9. The nomination submission form is available here.
For more information, including inquiring about sponsorship opportunities, contact Sydney Dych at sydney@troychamber.com.
ACG Detroit to Host 2023 Economic Update Jan. 24 at Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores
Join ACG Detroit will be presenting its Economic Update on Jan. 24 at the Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore Rd., in Grosse Pointe Shores.
J.P. Morgan Executive Director John Caldwell will break down the various disruptions in the economy and the potential impacts that can be expected throughout 2023.
To register, visit here.
Shield’s Restaurants to Give Away Free Pizza if Lions Make Playoffs
Shield’s Restaurant and Pizzerias in Troy, Southfield, and Detroit will be giving away one free small pizza with one topping from 5-8 p.m. on Jan. 10, if the Detroit Lions make the NFL Playoffs.
One or two patrons together will receive one small pizza and groups of three or more patrons will receive one large pizza with one topping. Beverages not included, dine-in only, does not apply to reservations previously made. Tipping should be based on the original cost of the pizza.
“The team is really clicking in the second half of the season and we’re confident they’ll pick up a wild card spot,” says Paul Andoni co-owner of Shield’s. “We’re glad to show our loyalty by giving away free pizza to celebrate their season. Maybe this is the start of a new trend for the team.”
Participating locations include Troy, 1476 W. Maple Rd.; Southfield, 25101 Telegraph Rd.; and Detroit, 5057 Woodward Ave.
JARS Cannabis Planning to Gift $1M+ During Holiday Survival Campaign
Troy-based JARS Cannabis will conduct its “Holiday Survival Guide” campaign, Dec. 21-Jan. 1 to help customers navigate the holiday season.
The cannabis retailer will offering more than $1 million in giveaways and will be raffling off a variety of luxury prizes over the course of 12 days to shoppers, including cash, gift cards, gaming console bundles, a full spectrum of Apple devices, high-tech smart home and cannabis gadgets, a DIY trip package, a Rolex, and a new 2022 Chevy Malibu LS.
In addition to giving away an abundance of luxury prizes this holiday season, JARS Michigan is partnering with premium cannabis vendors such as Kiva’s Lost Farms, Dixie, Church, HYPE, 1906, Wyld, Wynk, Fatty’s Pre-Rolls, Breeze Canna, MKX, Element Extractions, Choice, and Glorious Cannabis Co. to offer free product and 50 percent off brand promotions for customers to enjoy as well.
“JARS Cannabis is here to help you survive the holidays — without breaking the bank,” says Raymond Abro, COO of JARS Cannabis. “From $1 million in giveaways to 50 percent off premium brands, we’re making it easy for customers to stay in high spirits all season long.”
For more information and a complete list of giveaways and prizes, visit here.
Santa to Magically Depart from Somerset Collections Rooftop on Friday
Somerset Collection in Troy is sending Santa Claus off in style with a sing-along, gifts for kids, and a magical departure from the rooftop starting at 6 p.m. on Friday.
After hearing the holiday wishes from more than 20,000 children since arriving to his new castle on Nov. 19, Santa will join guests in a sing-along with Kevin Devine, along with the snow princesses and the Royal Reindeer Herdsmen. He will then disappear in a poof of smoke and reappear on Somerset Collection rooftop overlooking the North Grand Court to wave a final goodbye.
For more information, visit thesomersetcollection.com.
