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.
M1 Concourse Moves Cars Under the Stars Event to July 18
Originally scheduled for June 27, the fourth annual Cars Under the Stars fireworks event at M1 Concourse in Pontiac has been moved to July 18 due to threatening weather last month.
Approximately 3,000 people are expected to attend the event, for which gates open at 6 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m. Food trucks, craft beer, and live music also are part of the festivities.
Ticket prices for Pontiac residents are $5, $10 for nonresidents. Track parking is available for $20 and limited arena parking is available for $45.
Supporting sponsorship opportunities are available. Premium sponsorship, at $5,000, includes on-site display space opportunity, company name recognition and logo included on signage, inclusion in social media promotion, two arena parking passes, and 12 admission tickets.
Event sponsorship, $2,500, includes company name recognition and logo included on signage, inclusion in social media promotion, one arena parking pass, and six admission tickets.
Visit here for tickets.
Mister Dips Burger Shop Opens in Detroit’s Parker’s Alley
Mister Dips, a hamburger restaurant, has opened in Parker’s Alley in Detroit near the Shinola Hotel.
The new shop serves its signature griddle burgers, waffle fries, and a selection of playful and seasonal Dairy Dips (specialty soft serve ice cream cones).
MisterDips was born in 2016 as a retrofitted 1974 Airstream trailer, in The William Vale’s Vale Park, overlooking the Williamsburg, N.Y. waterfront. In 2021, Mister Dips opened a new brick and mortar location on Pier 17 at Manhattan’s Seaport District. The Detroit location marks the concept’s third outpost.
In addition to burgers and ice cream, customers can indulge in the Dipsy Doozy (“a thick-aaazz shake”) and the Boozy Doozy. The opening also marks the debut of Mister Dips’ July cone of the month, the Summer Patriot.
For more information, visit here.
Dan Wood Plumbing Expands into New Novi Headquarters
The Novi-based Dan Wood Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical has moved to a new facility at 40950 Grand River Ave. The relocation expanded both the office, warehouse, and training space.
The firm employs more than 40 people, deploys more than 25 vehicles, and provides a wide array of plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical services for both individuals and companies.
“My dad started the business out of the garage at his house,” says Al Wood, a second-generation owner of the company. “Today, we are thrilled to be able to expand and offer even greater service from our new facility.”
The company’s customer list includes both residential and commercial organizations. During the COVID pandemic the company closely followed all state health guidelines while continuing to serve its customers.
Ross Mortgage Expands During Pandemic
Ross Mortgage Corp. in Troy reports that it closed 6,454 mortgage loans and added 28 new team members during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The company, led by CEO Tim Ross, also expanded into the Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia markets, and performed 42 percent over the national average for loans closed last year.
Trinity Health Announces Employee COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
Trinity Health in Livonia announced that it will require all colleagues, clinical staff, contractors, and those conducting business in its health care facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
The requirement applies to Trinity Health’s more than 117,000 employees in 22 states nationwide in an effort to stop the spread of the virus and keep all patients, colleagues, and the broader communities safe.
To date, the health system estimates nearly 75 percent of its employees already have received at least one dose of the vaccine and it now looks to close the gap with this new requirement.
“Safety is one of our core values,” says Mike Slubowski, president and CEO of Trinity Health. “We feel it is important that we take every step available to us to stop the spread and protect those around us — especially the most vulnerable in our communities who cannot be vaccinated, including young children and the more than 10 million people who are immunocompromised.”
Employees at Trinity Health and its Health Ministries must meet a series of rolling deadlines, with most locations requiring they submit proof of vaccination by Sept. 21. It has not yet been determined if a COVID-19 vaccine booster will be required annually but, if so, employees also will need to submit proof of the booster as needed. Exemptions are available for religious or health reasons and must be formally requested, documented, and approved. Employees who do not meet criteria for exemption and fail to show proof of vaccination will face termination of employment.
Oakland County Michigan Works! Provides Robotics Technician Training
Oakland County Michigan Works!, Oakland Community College, and the Workforce Intelligence Network for Southeast Michigan are teaming up to offer a training program for programmable logic controllers (PLC) and robotics technicians, both of which are in high demand across southeast Michigan.
Since its launch in 2017, the program has graduated 129 people, with 80 percent now working full-time in the field. The next cohort starts on July 19.
“During this year’s Oakland County Economic Outlook presentation, economists from the University of Michigan noted that automation will continue to play a significant role in manufacturing operations,” says Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “This training program presents an ideal opportunity for people impacted by the pandemic to obtain new skills and pursue a new career path in our region.”
Federal and state grants cover the 14-week program’s $7,000 tuition for eligible participants, who must have a high school diploma or equivalent. In addition to classroom work, 70 percent of the instruction takes place in robotics labs at OCC.
“This is a very hands-on training program and those who complete it acquire the certifications needed to step right into a variety of jobs with robotics manufacturers and system integrators in our region,” says Jennifer Llewellyn, director of Oakland County Michigan Works! “Once hired, they often have the opportunity to continue their education and obtain advanced degrees, leading to additional career advancement.”
According to OCC Program Manager Kristen Charlton, many robotics-related positions in southeast Michigan are in automotive manufacturing, but she says demand for PLC and robotics technicians is expanding quickly into other industries, including the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, food preparation, and e-commerce fulfilment.
To schedule a virtual meeting, interested people can call 1-248-858-5520 and select the office nearest to them. The service centers are hosting several virtual workshops for job seekers. A schedule can be found here.
Pontiac Nonprofits Receive $117K in Grants from Pontiac Funders Collaborative
The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Pontiac Funders Collaborative announced 14 grants totaling nearly $117,000 to small and mid-sized nonprofits through the Capacity Building for Nonprofits grant program.
These grants will strengthen internal capacity and professional development while also encouraging collaboration among nonprofits in Pontiac.
The Pontiac Funders Collaborative is a group of funders managed by the Community Foundation working in close partnership with nonprofit organizations and local government in Pontiac. To date, the collaborative has granted more than $1.3 million to support economic growth and prosperity in the Pontiac community.
“Nonprofits in Pontiac have long been working for positive social and economic change in the community,” says Sonia Plata, co-chair of Pontiac Funders Collaborative Advisory Council and Flagstar Bank Foundation Director. “Now, with these capacity building grants, they will be better equipped with the staff skills to make the most of their resources and knowledge of community. It’s an investment in the future vitality of Pontiac.”
Among the grant recipients were: Accent Pontiac Inc., Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic, Center for Success Network, Bound Together, Center for Success Network, 2 As 1 Forever Inc., The Art Experience Inc., E-Community Outreach Services, Growing Pontiac, Centro Multicultural La Familia Inc., Micah 6 Community, Sheriff PAL Program, Friends of Pontiac Parks Association, and Pontiac Community Foundation Inc.
Holocaust Memorial Center Presents ‘My Name is Sara’
The Holocaust Memorial Center Zekelman Family Campus in Farmington Hills is presenting a screening of “My Name is Sara” and a discussion at 7 p.m. on July 18 via Zoom.
The movie follows 12-year-old Sara Guralnik after the Nazis murder her family and her fleeing to the Ukrainian countryside and assuming the identity of her Christian best friend. She lives by her wits as a farmhouse maid, where one slip of her tongue could mean her life. The award-winning film “My Name is Sara” tells the true story of her bravery, strength, and survival.
The online discussion will feature Sara’s son, the film’s executive producer Mickey Shapiro, director Steven Oritt, and Detroit Free Press columnist Nancy Kaffer. The movie will be available on demand from Thursday, July 15 through Sunday, July 18 at www.holocaustcenter.org.
To register for the Zoom discussion, visit here.
“For more than fifty years Sara hid this incredible true story from Mickey and her family, choosing to only reveal the secrets of her ordeal much later in life” says Rabbi Eli Mayerfeld, CEO of the Holocaust Memorial Center. “It is truly a privilege to have these distinguished individuals here to talk about an amazing woman who survived the Holocaust and lives on as an inspiration to her family and all those whose lives she touched.”
Shapiro is one of Michigan’s top financiers and developers with ownership positions in real estate entities throughout the U.S. He pursues numerous philanthropic endeavors, many in memory of his parents, Asa and Sara (Guralnik) Shapiro.
Community partner for this event is Congregation Beth Ahm. Program supporters are Robin & Leo Eisenberg and Lori & Alan Zekelman.
Stanley Black & Decker Hosting Job Fair in Chesterfield Township on July 10
Stanley Black & Decker is hosting a job fair on Saturday, July 10, at the STANLEY Engineered Fastening facility in Chesterfield Township. The company is looking to hire approximately 30 open hourly roles, including assemblers, general laborers, material handlers, die setters, shipping handlers, and packaging handlers.
Details are outlined below:
Who: Stanley Black & Decker is a $14.5 billion global diversified industrial with 53,000 employees in more than 60 countries. The company operates the world’s largest tools and storage business featuring such brands as DEWALT, STANLEY, BLACK+DECKER, and CRAFTSMAN; the world’s second largest commercial electronic security company; and is a global industrial leader of highly engineered solutions within its engineered fastening and infrastructure businesses.
What: On-site job fair. The company is looking to hire approximately 30 open hourly roles, including assemblers, general laborers, material handlers, die setters, shipping handlers, and packaging handlers. Interviews and offers will be made on-site.
Date/Time: Saturday, July 10 from 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Location: STANLEY Engineered Fastening facility
49201 Gratiot Ave., Chesterfield, MI 48051
