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.
Hudson Hornet, Chrysler Turbine Are Subjects of New Hagerty Documentaries
The Traverse City-based Hagerty Drivers Foundation, an arm of the automotive specialty insurance and lifestyle company, is releasing documentaries about two iconic vehicles.
One tells the story of the Chrysler Turbine and its futuristic jet-engine, and the other explains the unexpected role the Hudson Hornet played in the stock car racing craze of post-war America.
The two films portray pivotal moments in the country’s automotive history, and feature commentary from mechanics, engineers, historians, racers, and well-known enthusiasts such as Jay Leno.
The Hudson Hornet film will premiere July 14 at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation.
“The Chrysler Turbine Car: Engineering a Revolution,” already has debuted. It details Chrysler’s groundbreaking effort to disrupt the automotive industry with its multimillion-dollar turbine research program.
Chronicling back to the 1950s, the film is told from the point of view of the engineers and mechanics who were responsible for the futuristic jet-engine automotive program and historians that have spent decades researching this incredible aspect of American car history.
Surf Internet Acquires MiSignal in Howell to Expand Fiber-optic Broadband Network
Surf Internet in Byron Center (south of Grand Rapids) has acquired the fiber-optic network assets of Howell-based MiSignal.
Surf has made several investments in Livingston County and with the purchase of MiSignal’s fiber-optic broadband network, will significantly expand those efforts. The company says it plans to invest an additional $20 million in Livingston County over the next three years to grow its fiber-optic network, reaching over 18,000 rural households.
“We have worked closely with Surf Internet for many years, and it became obvious that both teams have the same core values,” says Josh Rowe, CEO of MiSignal. “We are each passionate about delivering an outstanding customer experience and have a strong desire to bring affordable fiber-optic broadband to our communities.”
MiSignal internet service and residential voice customers will continue to receive the same pricing, products, and customer support they have been accustomed to. In addition, Surf Internet will continue to operate and maintain MiSignal’s East Michigan office in Howell. Customers will have access to new products and improved network management capabilities, as well as Surf’s expanded customer service capabilities.
Strength Capital Partners Company Acquires Ecological Consultancy
Western States Reclamation in Colorado, a portfolio company of Strength Capital Partners in Birmingham, has acquired Ecological Resource Consultants Inc. (ERC), also in Colorado.
ERC is a specialized engineering and ecological science firm that focuses on water resource-related projects in the western United States and mining projects across the globe. ERC serves both public and private clients, providing services ranging from upfront feasibility studies, and project engineering to full design/build and construction management services. ERC also provides its clients with consulting on environmental regulations and water rights planning/administration.
Georgia Company Buys Walled Lake’s Form Tech Concrete Forms
White Cap L.P., a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors in Atlanta, has acquired Form Tech Concrete Forms Inc. in Walled Lake.
Form Tech is a provider of concrete forming and shoring rental equipment and related consumable products serving contractors through seven locations across the Southeast, Midwest, and mid-Atlantic regions.
Form Tech is now part of the White Cap suite of brands, branches, and value-added services.
“Both Form Tech and White Cap are committed to providing exceptional customer service while maintaining the highest levels of safety and quality,” says Frank Smiser, vice president of sales at Form Tech.
Established in 1976, Form Tech has specialized in supplying concrete formwork and accessories to contractors for more than 47 years. Upon its inception, Form Tech became one of the first independent formwork suppliers in the U.S., focused primarily on the Symons Steel-Ply Forming System. Form Tech maintains and distributes one of the largest working fleets of Steel-Ply as well as a diversified fleet of modular clamp systems and shoring systems to service its many diverse markets and customers.
“We are excited to expand our forming and shoring capabilities across multiple markets thanks to the strong talents of the Form Tech team,” says John Stegeman, CEO of White Cap. “By combining our knowledgeable teams, we are able to strengthen our ability to deliver an unparalleled depth and breadth of products and services to our customers.”
Ohio-based Watson’s Home Products Retailer Opens Five Metro Detroit Locations
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Watson’s, one of the nation’s largest retailers of home recreation products and home furnishings, has opened five new locations in metro Detroit.
Formerly known as Allstate Home Leisure, the new stores are in:
Ann Arbor (3336 Washtenaw Ave.)
Novi (26159 Novi Road)
Livonia (30650 Plymouth Road)
Rochester (828 North Main St.)
Sterling Heights (44605 Schoenherr Road)
In operation for more than 50 years and family-owned and operated, Watson’s is one of the largest retailers of home recreation products and home furnishings in the nation, featuring outdoor furniture, spas, above ground pools, and home recreation products.
Watson’s acquisition of Allstate Home Leisure was announced last May. In addition to the five greater Detroit retail locations, the acquisition also added one distribution center to the company’s current corporate and franchise footprint of 29 full-line and accessory locations.
“Whether it’s making memories with family or having fun with friends, we promise to help all our new customers in Detroit make home entertaining more enjoyable,” says Erik Mueller, CEO of Watson’s. “We will continue to invest in our stores and in our amazing employees along with every aspect of our customer experience.”
Oakland County Seeks Public’s Input for Countywide Disaster Plan
Oakland County officials are asking citizens to participate in an Oakland County’s Hazard Mitigation survey that will help the county and local communities create strategies and implement actions to reduce future risk of death, injuries, and property damage from hazards.
In addition to the survey, the public also may provide input at the Hazard Mitigation Plan Public Meeting from 6-7 p.m. on July 19 at Waterford Oaks Activity Center in Waterford Township (800 Watkins Lake Road).
“The Hazard Mitigation Plan is one of our largest collaborative community efforts,” says Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “We appreciate the opportunity to team up with our partners to update this important plan.”
To take the survey, visit here.
City of Pontiac Selected for Lowes Hometowns Community Impact Project
The city of Pontiac announced that it has one of the 100 community projects to be completed this year as part of Lowe’s Hometowns Community Impact Projects.
This initiative will support facility renovations for the Ruth Peterson Senior Center in Pontiac. The project is Lowe’s largest community impact program.
Pontiac will utilize these the unspecified funds to renovate and provide commercial-grade cooking equipment to the kitchen area at the Ruth Peterson Senior Center. Additional upgrades include new refrigerators, food forming stations, ovens, stoves, salad bar station, and floor replacement.
“The city of Pontiac is extremely grateful for the support and partnership from organizations like the Lowe’s Foundation,” says Khalfani Stephens, deputy mayor of Pontiac. “Their generous grant will allow us to improve the kitchen at the Ruth Peterson Senior Center, which will help sustain quality food service for the elderly.
“This gift moves us one step closer to fulfilling our goal of making Pontiac a community of first choice. As the Heart of Oakland County, we want to ensure that our seniors have access to the amenities and resources they need to live healthy and productive lives.”
KeyBank Launches Neighbors First Credit to Spur Home Ownership
KeyBank has launched its third Special Purpose Credit Program — KeyBank Neighbors First Credit — which provides up to $5,000 to homebuyers for the purchase of eligible properties.
The KeyBank Neighbors First Credit is designed to help homebuyers in underserved communities by providing credits up to $5,000 to be used for closing costs and to prepay costs that may come with a new home. This includes mortgage, flood and hazard insurance, escrow deposit, real estate taxes, and per diem interest.
Detroit Rapper Phat Kat Partners with Distinctively Detroit Tours
Distinctively Detroit Tours (DDT) will launch a new Celebrity Experience Tour of Detroit this month, led by Phat Kat, one of Detroit’s top-10 rappers.
Ron Watts, also known as Phat Kat, has lived in Detroit his entire life. His career began in the mid-‘90s as part of 1st Down, with Phat Kat on vocals. While the group was short lived, he continued to create music starting with an appearance on the “Fat Cat Song” and its remix from Slum Village’s Fan-Tast-Tic (Vol. 1).
He also collaborated on Jay Dee’s Welcome 2 Detroit song “Featuring Phat Kat.” His first full-length album, The Undeniable was released on June 22, 2004 and it featured appearances from Slum Village, Dwele, Big Tone of 87 Wasted Youth, and Obie Trice.
The first public Celebrity Experience Tour of Detroit is set for 1 p.m. on July 22. Details are available at distinctivelydetroit.com.
Girl Scouts Receive Historic First-time Funding from State of Michigan
Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) has announced plans to bring the Girl Scouts L.E.A.D Institute to metro Detroit using the $1 million in historic funding it has received from the state’s budget.
GSSEM, through the L.E.A.D Institute, intends to bring the benefits of Girl Scout programming to southeast Michigan’s youth by providing an education and experience destination where they can learn, experience adventure, and discover (L.E.A.D.)
“The significant investment by the state of Michigan proves that young women matter and we are committed to investing in them as future leaders of our state,” says Monica Woodson, CEO of GSSEM. “We are grateful to Gov. Whitmer, Speaker Joe Tate, Sens. Sarah Anthony and Winnie Brinks, Rep. Angela Witwer, and the Detroit legislative delegation for putting the issues of girls and women first and supporting our vision throughout the budget process. With their support, GSSEM will continue our mission of bringing life-changing programs and experiences to help young people prepare for bright futures and make positive contributions to their communities.”
Powered by Girl Scouts but available to all youth in the community, L.E.A.D Institute is an education and experience program meant to bridge the gap in educational and recreational opportunities for youth that have otherwise been limited or cut in their communities. Girl Scouts program pillars of Entrepreneurship, Outdoor Education, STEM and STEAM and Life Skills will be the foundation of all L.E.A.D Institute offerings and experiences. Examples of possible programs could include financial literacy, game design and programming, healthy relationship building environmental conservation, coding, nutrition and more.
Planning for the Girl Scout L.E.A.D Institute is a multi-step, diversified process that will focus on private and public support. Phase one of the campaign will use state funding to support research and data around the project while phase two will surround the solicitation of annual capital support to grow the long-term funds needed to support programming and education in perpetuity.
“It’s crucial we work with partners in the community to provide these kinds of enriching opportunities for our youth,” Woodson continues. “We are proud to lead the charge in empowering and supporting young girls in this generation and the next.”
Fifth Annual Swim Across America Motor City Mile Today on Belle Isle
Swimmers and volunteers made waves this morning during the fifth annual Swim Across America Motor City Mile open water swim event at Belle Isle Beach House on Riverbank Drive in Detroit.
Hundreds of recreational and amateur swimmers all the way to master swimmers and even Olympic swimmers participated to fight cancer.
Special guests included this Olympic swimmers Eric Wunderlich (1996), Craig Beardlsey (1980), and Chris Thompson (2000).
The event benefitted the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center in Ann Arbor.
Rochester Planning 57th Art & Apples Festival Sept. 8-10
Dedicated to promoting creativity and artistic excellence by offering a full range of cultural and educational programs throughout the year, Paint Creek Center for the Arts (PCCA) announces the return of its annual Art & Apples Festival presented by Genisys Credit Union Sept. 8-10 at Rochester Municipal Park.
This annual three-day jubilee of fine art will bring together a juried group of 250 skilled artists and artisans as an anticipated 70,000 attendees.
Taking center stage will be unique artwork, handmade keepsakes, and distinctive home goods available to purchase, sprinkled with live stage entertainment from community music and dance groups; food trucks, tents and restaurant pop-ups offering a wide array of tasty options; the Meijer Kids Art Zone offering children’s art activities; and the Creation Station featuring live art-making demonstrations.
A variety of sponsorship packages are available. For more information, call PCCA at 248-651-4110 or email Shaun Hayes at Shaun@PCCArt.
