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.
Mount Bohemia Ski Resort in the UP to Open Wednesday
Mount Bohemia Ski Resort in Lac La Belle in the Upper Peninsula will welcome extreme skiers and snowboarders to its slopes beginning Wednesday.
The resort invites downhill skiers and snowboarders to take on Mount Bohemia then find relaxation at the bottom of the hill in the Nordic Spa. It’s home to upper Michigan’s largest outdoor hot tub and includes a cold plunge pool with a waterfall and warm swimming pool. Te resort has three saunas, including two new saunas, and the steam room for an ultimate hot-cold experience.
Trails include Mount Bohemia, Haunted Valley, Middle Earth, and Little Boho. Mount Bohemia has cabins, yurts, and other lodging available for guests on site. It also offers wood fired pizza.
For more information, visit here.
Detroit City Distillery’s Pączki Day Vodka Makes a Comeback on Jan. 26
Detroit City Distillery (DCD) announced its Pączki Day Vodka will go on sale on at 8 a.m. on Jan. 26 at detroitcitydistillery.com/shop.
DCD also will increase supply of Pączki Day Vodka available for direct-to-consumer shipping in select states nationwide via its new partner, Seelbach’s, an online distributor of craft spirits.
Once again, this year’s release will be made with fresh raspberry pączki from Hamtramck’s New Palace Bakery. Bottles are $35 each. Customers can pick up their online orders directly on Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. at DCD’s Tasting Room at 2462 Riopelle St. in Detroit’s Eastern Market.
Michigan Legacy Credit Union Announces Annual Patronage Dividends
Carma Peters, president and CEO of Michigan Legacy Credit Union in Wyandotte, a not-for-profit financial cooperative serving members throughout Michigan via local branches and online-virtual banking platforms, announces the credit union’s Patronage 365 dividend totals for 2023.
Patronage dividends, also known as patronage refunds, are refunded payments to credit union and other financial cooperative members. According to Peters, Michigan Legacy opts to distribute its patronage dividends back to its members every day of the year in fee waivers, based on the members’ participation with the credit union. The dividend increases as members increase their financial transaction activity.
“I tell members that the more you use your credit union, the less you pay in fees,” Peters says. “In 2023, Michigan Legacy waived a total of $385,833.97 in fees to members via patronage dividends — a number equal to 45 percent of Michigan Legacy Credit Union’s 2023 income.”
Michigan Legacy Credit Union Board President Bruce Crossman said the patronage dividend percentage reflects the organization’s mission.
“The board is unanimous in our mission to give as much back to our members as possible, thus fulfilling the role of a true financial cooperative,” says, Bruce Crossman, president of the credit union’s board.
Peters explains patronage fee waivers include monthly maintenance fees and check cashing fees, among others. Members accrue points each month, which result in automatic fee waivers after a designated threshold. Michigan Legacy currently is working with core processor CU*Answers, a credit union service organization, to enhance its members’ ability to track the incurred and waived fees on their statements and mobile/app-based banking, making the information more transparent.
In addition to the Patronage 365 fee waivers, Michigan Legacy donated $38,955 in 2023 to community organizations through direct donations and sponsorships. The credit union also participated in raising funds for 1,500 Thanksgiving dinners to be distributed throughout Metro Detroit and volunteered time to the Pontiac Library Reading program, Crime Stoppers of SE Michigan and the American Lung Association.
“It’s an honor for me to represent the more than 20,000 generous Michigan Legacy Credit Union members who are also always willing to give of their funds to help the less fortunate in our communities,” Peters says. “I also commend our 73 employees who gave their time, talents and resources over the past year to support the communities our credit union serves.”
Michigan Science Center in Running for Nation’s Top Science Museum
After ranking second in 2022 and third in 2023 in USA TODAY’s annual 10Best Competition for top science museum, the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is once again vying to win.
This year, Mi-Sci is one of 20 museums nominated, chosen by a panel of editors from both USA TODAY and 10Best.com, plus relevant expert contributors and others.
The top 10 science museums will be determined by the public. Polls are open and will continue until Feb. 12 at 11:59 a.m. Voters must be 18 and up and can vote once a day until the contest closes.
“It’s an honor to be recognized once again in USA Today’s prestigious 10Best Competition,” says Christian Greer, president and CEO of MiSci. “Being consistently ranked among the top science museums nationally reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence in STEM engagement.
“This is our fourth consecutive nomination, and we are eager to demonstrate what sets us apart. Our popularity has continued to grow, not just due to our interactive exhibits and dynamic programs but also because of our amazing team. This year, we’re counting on support from our local community and our fans across the country to help us reach the number one spot in 2024.”
To vote, visit here.
New State Program to Back Pro-housing Policy Changes by Local Governments
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) announced the new Housing Readiness Incentive Grant Program, with $5 million in funds to support cities, villages, and townships in adopting or eliminating rules and regulations to encourage building more housing and making housing more affordable.
“We are moving quickly to solve problems that our local and regional partners have identified, and this new program will put state funding directly into addressing local barriers to new and affordable housing solutions,” says Amy Hovey, MSHDA executive director. “In our regional listening sessions around the Statewide Housing Plan, we heard repeatedly about the importance of streamlining local rules to help build more housing, add density, rehabilitate existing stock, and across the board address affordability.”
Cities, villages, and townships that apply for the program may receive a maximum grant of $50,000 to cover costs associated with adopting land use policies, master plan updates, zoning text amendments and similar activities that increase housing supply and affordability. The work may be performed by existing and/or contracted employees and/or third-party consultants.
“The Housing Readiness Incentive Program will align state investment directly with the local governments that need help most,” Hovey says. “These problems didn’t crop up overnight, but we’re going to act decisively as we continue to identify new, innovative solutions to confront the housing crisis.”
Funds will be made available to cities, villages and townships depending on whether they have an Engaged, Essentials, or Certified designation from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.’s Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) program — an initiative for communities to develop best practices in planning, zoning and economic development with the goal of supporting community driven development.
Municipalities will be placed into one of two categories based on RRC designation status. Of the total $5 million allocated to the program, $3 million will be set aside for applicants that do not have an RRC designation. The remaining $2 million will be available to applicants that have a designation.
The online application portal will open today and will remain open until funding has been fully committed. Applications will be reviewed by MSHDA and awarded as they are received.
For details and access to the application portal when live, visit the Housing Readiness Incentive Grant Program page on MSHDA’s website.
