Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
Interlochen Receives $5M Donation, Largest Non-estate Gift in its History
Glynn Williams and Charlene Moore have pledged $5 million to Interlochen Center for the Arts, located southwest of Traverse City, in the largest outright gift in the institution’s history. That act inspired gift commitments from two additional donors.
The three leadership gifts — all from parents of Interlochen Arts Camp and Arts Academy alumni — were inspired by Vision 2028, Interlochen’s strategic roadmap toward its centennial.
Vision 2028 details ambitious goals including vastly increasing need-based financial aid for Arts Camp and Academy students; retaining and recruiting the most sought-after faculty and guest artists; accelerating investments in distinctive artistic initiatives; and emerging as a leader in diversity and inclusion in arts education.
“We are awed by the unprecedented generosity and passion for Interlochen demonstrated by Glynn and Charlene, and our two other donors,” says Trey Devey, president of the Interlochen Center for the Arts. “Their gifts will accelerate our work to pave the way for Interlochen’s second century as the premier destination for young artists.”
Glynn Williams serves as the president and CEO of Williams & Moore Capital Corp.
The $5 million gift will support Interlochen’s endowment and provide need-based financial aid for Canadian students to attend Interlochen Arts Camp and Arts Academy; merit-based scholarships for music students, with preference to those studying jazz or saxophone; and programmatic enhancements in the jazz or saxophone areas, including participation in tours or competitions.
As part of Vision 2028, Interlochen plans to dramatically expand need- and merit-based financial aid to ensure that the Interlochen Arts Camp and Arts Academy experience is accessible to even more young artists. This academic year, 80 percent of Arts Academy students received need- and merit-based financial aid, totaling nearly $16 million, a level of financial aid that distinguishes the Arts Academy among other top private secondary schools. In addition, in a typical year, Interlochen awards more than $2.5 million in financial aid to Interlochen Arts Camp students.
Civil Rights Icon Andrew Young to Meet Detroit Students at Cornerstone Schools
Civil Rights leader and former United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young will be in Detroit Friday to meet with Detroit students and to celebrate the launch of the Cornerstone Center for the Complete Life at the Lincoln-King Adams-Young Academy.
Cornerstone students, alumni, and teachers will have an opportunity to meet and learn from Young, the last living civil rights icon of his generation. In addition to being recognized for his dedication to Cornerstone Schools, Young will speak about what it means to live the Complete Life and how students can adopt the Complete Life to become future leaders in Detroit and beyond.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian will also address the Cornerstone community and share details on why the company has chosen to make a multi-million contribution to Cornerstone Schools and invest in educational advancement in Detroit.
Others participating in the event, which will include the unveiling of Cornerstone namesake and Delta Airlines murals, are Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Councilman Roy McAlister, and Cornerstone Founder and CEO Clark Durant.
Ascension Michigan Breaks Ground for New $24M Health Center in Chesterfield Township
Ascension Michigan broke ground recently on the new, $24 million Ascension St. John Hospital Health Center located at I-94 and 26 Mile Road in Chesterfield Township.
Serving the growing populations of southern St. Clair and northern Macomb County, the 38,700-square-foot Ascension St. John Hospital Health Center will offer primary care, emergency care, and specialty and diagnostic services in a multi-level contemporary clinical space.
The new outpatient center, designed with patients in mind, will provide personalized care by offering convenient access to the following featured amenities and services:
- 24/7 emergency center
- Full range of imaging and diagnostic services
- Physical therapy
- Primary care practices
- Orthopedic practice
- Endoscopy services
- Medical specialty services
“This Chesterfield Township facility is conveniently located to complement our already strong presence of Ascension River District to the east and Ascension St. John Hospital Health Center in Macomb,” says Kenneth Berkovitz Sr. vice president of Ascension, and ministry market executive for Ascension Michigan. “This new outpatient center will offer exceptional care and ease of access. This is about providing the right care, at the right place, at the right time.”
The new center is designed by Hobbs & Black Architects, with construction partners DeMaria Builders and Medxcel. It is expected to be completed in 2023.
indie Semiconductor to Acquire Analog Devices’ Symeo Radar Division
California-based indie Semiconductor Inc., which has a design center in Detroit, has agreed to acquire Symeo GmbH, the German radar division of Analog Devices Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Symeo, based in Munich, has approximately 35 team members specializing in radar hardware and software development for emerging safety system applications. Its RF and sensor technology enables real-time position detection and distance measurement for high-precision radar solutions.
“Bringing Analog Devices’ Symeo radar division under the indie umbrella significantly expands our sensor modality capabilities and affirms our commitment to the radar market,” says Donald McClymont, co-founder and CEO of indie Semiconductor. “indie is effectively augmenting our highly skilled vision processing, perception, and LiDAR teams in a way designed to enable us to offer distinctive yet affordable solutions to help our customers achieve unprecedented levels of active sensing integration across nearly all classes of vehicles.
“With the addition of this world-class engineering organization, we are accelerating indie’s entry into the radar market and, as a result, we believe we are better positioned to capture billion-dollar strategic programs among global automotive customers.”
Automotive radar systems support functions such as navigation, surveillance, and traffic monitoring with solutions providing insights into a vehicle’s surroundings and identifying potential hazards for drivers.
Blue Cross Blue Shield, Detroit Lions Kick Off Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes
The #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes is now open for Michigan kids 12-18 for a chance to win an exclusive Thanksgiving Day experience courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Lions.
One child and their parents will have the opportunity to ride on the Blue Cross float down Woodward Avenue during America’s Thanksgiving Parade, and then deliver the commemorative game ball to Detroit Lions mascot, Roary, for the 82nd annual Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field.
The winner will be joined at the game by nine guests — allowing an entire family to enjoy one of Detroit’s premier Thanksgiving traditions together at Ford Field.
As part of the sweepstakes entry, parents are asked to share how their child will get active for 60 minutes on Thanksgiving Day. Eligible children and families can enter here through Nov. 12.
The #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes, in its seventh year, supports Blue Cross’ ongoing commitment to children’s health through its #MIKidsCan campaign and partnership with the Detroit Lions’ Play 60 program — initiatives focused on encouraging kids to adopt healthy habits and get active for at least 60 minutes every day.
“Blue Cross is celebrating our 10th year as presenting sponsor of the Detroit Lions Annual Thanksgiving Classic, and reaffirming with the Lions our shared commitment to improving children’s health and well-being in Michigan,” says Andrew Hetzel, vice president of corporate communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “Every positive experience a kid has to enjoy physical activity, or choose a healthy snack, builds healthy habits and confidence that they will make these important decisions later in life.
“We can’t think of a better experience for a kid to have than being the star of Thanksgiving Day — and that’s what the #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP sweepstakes is about. Thanks to our partners at the Detroit Lions for putting together an unforgettable Thanksgiving experience for one lucky Michigan kid and their family.”
The winner of the #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP Sweepstakes will be randomly selected and announced prior to the game. As part of their prize package, he or she will receive:
- Be part of the BCBSM parade float, carrying the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game ball.
- A custom jersey.
- A commemorative football.
- Special seating along the parade route for his or her guests in the BCBSM Blue Zone.
- Ten club-level seats at Ford Field to watch the Thanksgiving Day game.
- A complete Thanksgiving dinner for all 10 guests.
Eaton eMobility Introduces High-voltage Fuses for Electrified Vehicles
The eMobility business of Southfield-based power management company Eaton has introduced the EVK Series, a new line of Bussmann series fuses that meet the requirements for use in the latest high-powered electrified vehicles.
Eaton’s EVK series fuses, with ratings up to 1,000 volts of direct current (VDC) and 600 amps, are designed to manage and protect the charging systems of electric commercial, passenger and high-performance vehicles such as sports cars and large sport-utility vehicles. The fuses enable more advanced EV system architectures and support vehicle acceleration and range in an efficient package.
“The EVK fuse’s high-voltage rating provides full-range system protection in an economical package while meeting the needs of higher-voltage battery packs,” says Till Wagner, product manager for electric vehicle power switching and protection at Eaton eMobility. “We have many years of design and application experience with EVs. Our global production and research footprint allows Eaton to provide optimum solutions to global and local customers. Our Bussmann series fuses help ensure reliable protection of the circuit components. To provide optimal performance, we simulate driving and charging conditions unique to specific customers.”
The Bussmann series full line of fuses require up to 33 percent less space than traditional fuse solutions, offer weight reduction, and provide short-circuit protection for conductors. The series is designed with the future in mind as battery requirements increase and technologies, such as energy dense solid-state batteries, are introduced.
Bussmann series fuses are available in eight different frame sizes, ranging from 15 amps for auxiliary components up to 600 amps for battery protection when the full application current is flowing. The fuses are designed to distribute heat away from weak spots, a key benefit for any fuse rating and especially critical for high-power fuses.
STEP to Host a Grand Opening for Its Newest Thrift Store and Donation Center Nov. 12
Services To Enhance Potential (STEP) will host a grand opening event for its newest STEP Thrift Store and Donation Center and Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC) in Southgate at 10 a.m. on Nov. 12.
Located at 13705 and 13721 Eureka Road in the Southgate Shopping Center, this location replaces the Dix-Toledo Road Southgate location.
“With our nearly 50 years in business, not only have we grown tremendously, but so have the demands of our consumers and of our communities,” says Brent Mikulski, president and CEO of STEP. “We will continue to meet those demands.”
After the ribbon cutting, officials will give tours and demonstrations and Santa Claus is expected to visit. The first 25 people in the door after the ribbon cutting will receive STEP thermo tumblers.
Between 3-7 p.m., there are many other festivities and events planned including a 50 percent off apparel and accessories sale.
Official State Christmas Tree Coming to Capitol in Lansing Oct. 30
The official state Christmas tree — at 63-foot spruce being donated by Gayle and Carla Fletcher of Marenisco in the western Upper Peninsula — will be delivered to the capitol in Lansing at 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 30.
The Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget (DTMB) will coordinate the harvest of the tree at 9:45 a.m. CDT and its delivery to the capitol grounds on Saturday. The tree will be harvested by the Michigan Association of Timberman, the Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, and DTMB. At the capitol, Boy Scout troops 109 and 125 will be on hand to untie the tree. The HI-Ball Co. of Lansing is supplying a crane and crew to set the tree at the intersection of Capitol and East Michigan avenues.
