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.
LEGO Towers of Tomorrow Exhibit Coming to Michigan Science Center
On Sept. 16, the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) in Detroit will open an all-new LEGO exhibition, Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks, presented by the Ford Motor Co. Fund.
The exhibition features 20 LEGO skyscrapers from North America, Asia, and Australia constructed in architectural detail. Visitors can create their own ‘towers of tomorrow’ with more than 200,000 loose LEGO bricks available in hands-on construction areas.
“We have a unique opportunity to explore the vertical dimension of the built environment with this amazing exhibition,” says Christian Greer, president and CEO of Mi-Sci. “An incredible amount of design, engineering, and artistry goes into constructing new living and working spaces that rise above street level to pierce the clouds.
“Towers of Tomorrow provides the perfect STEAM experience to put our guests at the center of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math –– allowing them to become architects expressing the hopes and dreams of civilization through LEGO bricks.”
Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks is included in Mi-Sci’s general admission tickets, available at mi-sci.org.
Priority Health Launches Statewide Initiative to Support Student Mental Health
Priority Health in Southfield has developed a statewide program with Canines for Change, called Priority Pups, to help reduce anxiety and encourage learning for students.
Priority Health will invest in five highly trained working facility dogs over the next several months to place in select Michigan school districts with the potential to scale the program.
Research shows there are social-emotional benefits for children who interact with support animals during the school day.
Benefits include a growth in confidence levels, improvement in reading and problem-solving skills, and a reduction in stress levels.
For more information about Priority Pup, visit here.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Takes Steps to Improve Prior Authorization Process
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is further reforming its process to relax approximately 20 percent of prior authorization requirements. This is part of Blue Cross’ ongoing effort to improve health care quality, experience, access, and affordability for members, while also reducing administrative tasks for clinicians.
Prior authorization is important to validate medical necessity and the appropriateness of services and prescriptions. Blue Cross’ prior authorization program promotes quality and patient safety for members and provides assurance that the member gets effective care at the appropriate time.
“We are focused on partnering with the physician community to ensure that our members are getting timely care they need without roadblocks,” says Dr. James D. Grant, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. “We are developing front line clinician-led pathways and systems to ensure the highest levels of safety and quality.
“Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is known in the Michigan’s clinical community for streamlining our prior authorization process through technology and an extensive gold-carding program. As part of our commitment to promoting optimal health and affordability of care for members and employers, we’re moving forward with changes to further improve the experience for both our members and clinical colleagues.”
To accelerate access to the highest quality care without undue delay, Blue Cross also will be expanding its “gold carding” program. “Gold carding” streamlines prior authorization for physicians who have a proven track record of making appropriate evidence-based decisions by exempting them from third-party prior authorization approval processes.
WOW! Will Bring High-speed, All-fiber Network to Several Michigan Communities
Colorado-based WOW! Internet, TV & Phone has begun construction in Michigan to bring its all-IP fiber network to consumers in Livingston, Genesee, and Oakland counties in the coming months.
The company expects to add more than 80,000 new homes in Michigan, increasing the number of targeted homes passed as part of the Greenfield expansion initiative to 260,000, toward its goal of passing more than 400,000 new homes by 2027.
Preliminary work has begun in these new Michigan areas to bring WOW!’s services and customer service to residents and businesses seeking more flexible and reliable broadband access. The first communities to benefit from WOW!’s all-fiber network expansion include Brighton, Milford, Commerce Township, Wixom, and Hartland Township.
For more information, visit wowway.com.
DTE Natural Gas Customers Must Allow Access for Inspections to Avoid Disconnects
Every year, DTE Energy conducts more than 100,000 natural gas meter inspections with one goal in mind — keeping customers safe. When it’s time for an inspection of an indoor natural gas meter, DTE notifies customers, and they must respond to schedule an inspection. In fact, without this required safety check, DTE Gas must stop service.
DTE is sending letters to those customers who haven’t responded to multiple requests for access, letting them know that service will be shut off if an inspection can’t be performed in two weeks. For customers, here are important points to understand who receive this final notice:
- The inspection is for your safety and required by state and federal regulations.
- If your gas meter is located inside your home, DTE needs permission to come into your home every three years to perform a safety inspection.
- Please refer to the letter, text, postcard, email, or door hanger you have received and call the number provided to schedule your inspection as soon as possible.
- This 15-minute natural gas meter safety inspection is free.
- Inspections will be performed either by a DTE employee, or a representative of DTE’s approved vendor, RECONN.
- An adult (age 18 or older) must be present to provide access to the gas meter and point of entry for the service pipe.
- If you do not respond to your final letter requesting access for the inspection, DTE will be forced to shut off your natural gas service.
- Once natural gas service is shut off, restoration can cost up to $6,000 due to the complex processes and equipment required to safely re-establish a connection to your property.
- You can avoid this cost, and the inconvenience of being without natural gas, by responding to your inspection notice immediately to set up an inspection.
You can schedule your inspection by calling 877.853.9434 or emailing GFO-MeterAssemblyCheck@dteenergy.com.
Additionally, DTE encourages customers to consider these safety tips to avoid potential scammers:
- Inspectors always have a DTE badge or a RECONN badge that indicates they’re an official DTE vendor. If they can’t present their badge to you, please don’t let them into your home, as they could be an imposter.
- Additionally, we will never ask for payment because these safety inspections are free.
If you are unsure if the person is from DTE or RECONN, please ask the representative to wait while you call 877-853-9434 to verify.
For more information, visit DTE’s website.
The Wall Street Journal Ranks Five Michigan Universities in Nation’s Top 100
The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse has ranked five Michigan universities among its Top 100 schools in the nation — the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor (28th), University of Detroit Mercy (52nd), Michigan State University in East Lansing (57th), Michigan Technological University in Houghton (63rd), and Albion College (68th).
These following Michigan universities also were featured in the ranking:
- Kalamazoo College at No. 141
- Oakland University at No. 189
- Grand Valley State University at No. 294
- Central Michigan University at No. 313
- Western Michigan University at No. 341
- Wayne State University at No. 347
- Eastern Michigan University at No. 358
- Andrews University at No. 382
Detroit’s Vehya Achieves GDPR Compliance, Ensuring Data Privacy in Global Markets
Vehya, the Detroit-based marketplace dedicated to driving the transition toward electrification, announces its successful attainment of GDPR compliance in Europe. This accomplishment underlines Vehya’s commitment to data privacy, transparency, and global expansion.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a law established within the European Union (EU) with the aim of safeguarding individuals’ data rights and imposing stringent data protection criteria on entities. Even though GDPR originates in the EU, it applies to non-EU organizations handling the personal data of EU citizens. Whether email addresses in marketing lists or IP addresses of website visitors, collecting EU personal data mandates GDPR compliance, enforced through international cooperation and mutual assistance treaties.
Ensuring GDPR compliance is crucial for Vehya due to its array of electric vehicle charging solutions, where it recognizes the implications for data privacy and security within the EV sector.
“As a technology company, it is important we have the highest levels of privacy for our customers, and GDPR has some of the highest standards in the world,” says William McCoy, CEO of Vehya. “We are excited about achieving GDPR compliance and the opportunities for Vehya in Europe.”
Dearborn and Jackson School Districts Sign Electric Bus Contracts
Dearborn Public Schools and Jackson Public Schools have signed contracts with Highland Electric Fleets in Massachusetts to begin electrification of their bus fleet.
Dearborn Public Schools will deploy up to nine standard capacity Type D electric buses and up to nine lift-equipped, special-needs Type D buses. The buses will be provided by local Michigan Blue Bird bus dealer, Holland Bus Co. Over the course of a multi-year contract, 10 dual-port 60 kW chargers will be installed as part of this initiative to support fleet electrification.
Highland will provide Jackson Public Schools 21 Type C Blue Bird electric school buses and 11 chargers for the district’s transportation operations.
Both districts’ electrification programs are backed by multi-million-dollar grants from EPA’s Clean School Bus Rebate Program.
Meijer Pharmacists Prepared for Customers’ Fall Vaccination Needs
Grand Rapids-based Meijer pharmacies are prepared for customers’ fall vaccination needs with a full inventory of flu shots ahead of flu season and the first ever FDA-approved Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccine for adults 60 and older.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. While most people recover in a week or two, RSV can be serious in infants and older adults who are more likely to develop severe symptoms and need hospitalization. Earlier this year, the FDA approved the first RSV vaccine for older adults. Meijer has ample inventory of it and more than 15 other available vaccinations.
All Meijer pharmacies across the Midwest will also offer the annual COVID-19 vaccine later this fall, following approval from the FDA, as well as vaccines for shingles, pneumonia, whooping cough, meningitis, and tetanus all year long.
To schedule a vaccine appointment, text VACCINE to 75049, visit Clinic.Meijer.com, or call your local Meijer pharmacy. Walk-in appointments also are welcome.
U.S. Army’s M10 Booker Program in Production with Allison Transmission
Allison Transmission in Indianapolis, which has an engineering center in Auburn Hills, has been awarded a contract worth approximately $13 million for the second phase of the U.S. Army’s Low-Rate Initial Production contract for the newly named M10 Booker Combat Vehicle, formerly known as Mobile Protected Firepower.
Designed to increase the combat power of the Army’s Infantry Brigade Combat Teams, the M10 Booker is one of the U.S. Army’s leading modernization initiatives.
The U.S. Army is expected to purchase more than 500 MPF vehicles through 2035 representing approximately $250 million in revenue for Allison’s Defense end market.
Southfield’s Eaton Introduces Stamped Battery Terminals
The power connections business of Eaton, the Southfield-based intelligent power management company, is now manufacturing stamped battery terminals for electric and internal combustion engine vehicles, as well as for on- and off-highway commercial vehicles.
Eaton says the stamped battery terminals offer many advantages, including higher alternating energy performance compared to die-cast and forged terminals, and weight savings that vary by application.
“Each of our battery terminals surpass industry standards and can be uniquely customized to customer specifications,” says John Romain, product management director of power connections in Eaton’s Mobility Group. “Our Power Connections technologies leverage decades of experience designing innovative electrical components for the mobility industry.”
The stamped battery terminals are customizable and compatible to SAE, DIN, IEC, and JIS battery post configurations. Additionally, Eaton’s tools have the flexibility to adapt to the changing needs of customer routing requirements.
Folktellers Add Gold Medal to Award-winning Guidebook Series
Folktellers Studios and Scribe Publishing have been honored with a Mom’s Choice Gold Medal for Excellence in Young Adult Fantasy Fiction.
The Mom’s Choice Awards ranks the new “Excerpts from an Unknown Guidebook Series” among the Best in family-friendly storytelling and entertainment. The fourth book in the series, “The Great American Fairy Hoax,” which will be released Oct. 31, has earned the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award.
Having been evaluated by a panel of MCA evaluators, this fantasy series was deemed to be among the best transmedia entertainment properties for families across the globe.
The MCA evaluation process uses a propriety methodology in which entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal, and cost.
“We are thrilled to earn the Golden Seal of Approval from the Mom’s Choice Awards,” says Stephen Sadler, executive producer and co-creator of Folktellers Studios. “This is the fourth gold medal for the series and our seventh award overall, proving that kids and families are really engaged and excited about this wonderful franchise. Recognition like this motivates our entire team, as we continue to share more of our entertainment universe with fans of all ages.”
Jennifer Baum, CEO of Scribe Publishing notes, “It’s so rewarding to bring quality literature to children, and this series represents the best fantasy storytelling we have to offer.”
Bankjoy Selected to Demo its Digital Banking Platform at FinovateFall 2023
Bankjoy, a Detroit digital banking provider, has been selected to demo its digital banking platform with its newest neobank client at FinovateFall 2023 this week at the Marriott Marquis Time Square in New York City.
The demo will showcase how Bankjoy’s modern suite of digital banking services empower neobanks to offer more value for their customers.
“For over a decade, FinovateFall has built a reputation as the world’s premier fintech showcase and neobanks are among the latest industry disruptors to emerge in the market,” says Greg Palmer, vice president of strategy at Finovate. “We are pleased to have Bankjoy onstage at Finovate again this year, this time with a neobank as their co-presenter. We look forward to seeing an exciting demo from two forward-thinking organizations.”
Hollywood Casino at Greektown Announces Entertainment for Rest of 2023
Hollywood Casino at Greektown, the 100,000-square-foot gaming, entertainment, lodging, and dining destination in Detroit, has announced its entertainment line-up for the remainder of 2023.
These shows will take place at Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, a historical venue in downtown Detroit. Events include:
- Air Supply – Oct. 7 at 8 p.m., with tickets starting at $45.
- WAR – Oct. 14 at 8 p.m., with tickets starting at $25.
- George Lopez – Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. with tickets starting at $86.
- Average White Band – Nov. 3 at 8 p.m., with tickets starting at $30.
- Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance – Nov. 9 at 8 p.m., with tickets starting at $59.
- Keith Sweat – Nov. 11 at 8 p.m., with tickets starting at $84.50.
- Celtic Woman Christmas Symphony Tour – Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. with tickets starting at $59.50.
- Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour – Dec. 7 at 8 p.m., with tickets starting at $45.
Tickets for all shows are on sale now and available here. Parking and shuttles to and from the Music Hall are free at the Casino for any patron with a PENN Play card.
2023 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic Breaks Attendance Record
The 2023 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic (XPKC), the annual start of the high school football season at Tom Adams Field on the campus of Wayne State University in Detroit from Aug. 24-26, set a new total attendance record of 14,767.
The previous record was 14,504 in 2015 for six games over three days.
Founded and organized annually by the Detroit Sports Commission (DSC), XPKC is the season-opening high school football showcase in Michigan. Since 2005, the event has focused on providing a “bowl game” atmosphere for participating teams, school bands, and cheer squads from across the Midwest.
Since the event’s inception, DSC has focused on an inclusive approach to team and match-up selection by inviting more than 90 schools from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to play in the event.
“Over the last 18 years, the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic has attracted some of the top teams and players from across the state of Michigan and beyond,” says Marty Dobek, deputy director of the Detroit Sports Commission. “Thanks to valued partners like our title sponsor Xenith, this has become the premier event for high school football in Michigan, drawing thousands of fans to Midtown Detroit each year.”
The 2023 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic marked 11 years of playing the event at Wayne State University’s Tom Adams Field in Midtown Detroit, following the event’s early years at Eastern Michigan University’s Rynearson Stadium.
This year’s event featured 11 high school teams from southeast Michigan including Walled Lake Western, Waterford Mott, Chippewa Valley, West Bloomfield, Allen Park, Taylor, Belleville, River Rouge, Detroit Cass Tech, Southfield, and Detroit King, as well as St. Xavier from Cincinnati.
