DBusiness Daily Update: NFL Draft Excitement Heats Up in Downtown Detroit, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies.
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NFL Draft in downtown Detroit
Visit Detroit and the Downtown Detroit Partnership are ramping up their plans for the NFL Draft coming to downtown Detroit April 25-27. // Photo courtesy of NFL

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.

NFL Draft Excitement Heats Up in Downtown Detroit

Visit Detroit and the Downtown Detroit Partnership are ramping up their plans for the NFL Draft coming to downtown Detroit April 25-27. Visit Detroit has released a Business Resource Kit to help local businesses prepare for the event and DDP is planning a three-day party across downtown’s parks and public spaces.

Visit Detroit’s Business Resource Kit includes information on how business owners can promote their business and make the most of the thousands of visitors expected to descend on the streets of downtown Detroit to take in the NFL Draft.

“The NFL Draft may be happening downtown, but its benefits will be felt throughout the entire metro Detroit region,” says Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit. “We’re excited to show football fans everything Detroit has to offer and want to be sure they don’t miss out on other opportunities just outside downtown.”

While the information in the Resource Guide is specific to the Draft, business owners are encouraged to keep the resource handy and apply it to all major events coming to the city — from big-name concerts and holiday celebrations to annual events like the Detroit Grand Prix, Movement Music Festival, and the Detroit Free Press Marathon.

Businesses owners can get more information about the 2024 NFL Draft here.

Meanwhile the Downtown Detroit Partnership announced Draft Day in the D, a three-day party across downtown Detroit’s parks and public spaces. The festivities will be located at Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Grand Circus Park, and on a closed-off portion of Woodward Avenue between State Street and Witherell Street. They are free to attend and open to fans and visitors of all ages.

Attendees won’t miss a second of the Draft, with 10 20-foot video walls spread throughout the downtown parks showing the live feed of the event all weekend long. Visitors will have a chance to enjoy live music performances, indulge in dishes from a variety of local food trucks, and discover treasures from Detroit-based vendors.

“Draft Day in the D offers the perfect backdrop for a weekend of football fun,” says David Cowan, chief public spaces officer for the DDP. “This family-friendly festival spans several downtown parks, all in walking distance from the Draft event site, and has something for everyone. Draft Day in the D is sure to offer an unforgettable atmosphere celebrating football and community in the heart of Detroit.”

For more information, visit here.

Bank of America Opens Rochester Hills Financial Center

Bank of America opened a new financial center in Rochester Hills that is part of the company’s plan to open more than 52 new financial centers in 2024 across 28 markets.

The new financial center at 3035 S. Rochester Road showcases the latest technology, private offices to assist clients one-on-one, and on-site financial specialists who provide personalized guidance to help clients achieve their unique financial priorities and goals.

“The opening of our new financial center in Rochester Hills underscores Bank of America’s commitment to serving local communities,” says Matt Elliott, president of Bank of America Detroit. “By offering retail banking, lending, and small business services alongside investment expertise from Merrill, we’re delivering comprehensive support to our clients. With a blend of high-tech capabilities and our high-touch personalized approach, the opening of this new financial center is helping our team forge connections and foster growth within our community.”

North American Bancard in Troy Announces Partnership with Visa

North American Bancard, a Troy-based fintech solutions provider, is partnering with Visa to integrate the processing and connector capabilities of Visa Platform Connect and the Visa Acceptance Platform with NAB’s merchant services.

Visa Platform Connect enables a rapid, secure connection into the Visa Acceptance Solutions ecosystem, helping payments leaders and tech providers access a comprehensive, global payments infrastructure.

For NAB, the partnership means an integration with NAB’s Electronic Payment Exchange (EPX) processing platform that will amplify its already flexible payment solutions with API-driven, value-added services and give merchants a more robust offering with the trusted Visa brand.

“NAB is pleased to partner with the Visa Acceptance Solutions team to help our key strategic partners and merchants gain access to the most innovative payment solutions in the marketplace,” says Preet Patel, senior vice president of Product Management at NAB. “Visa Platform Connect will help our partners streamline and facilitate payment processing, making it easier for businesses to securely accept payments from their customers.”

Sentinum in Dowagiac Mines 53 Bitcoin in March

 Ault Alliance Inc., a diversified holding company in Las Vegas, announced its wholly owned subsidiary, Sentinum Inc. in Dowagiac (southwest of Kalamazoo) mined approximately 53 Bitcoin in March 2024.

The remaining 52 Bitcoin of Sentium 105 Bitcoin mined in March were from machines hosted with Core Scientific Inc. The March mining operations represent a current Bitcoin mining operations annual run rate of approximately $82 million worth of Bitcoin. The run rate is based upon a current Bitcoin price of $65,000 per coin.

Gale’s Thorndike Press Introduces First Spanish-Language Youth Large-print Titles

Thorndike Press from Farmington Hills-based Gale has released its first collection of youth large-print books in Spanish. Designed based on feedback from librarians and educators, these new Spanish-language titles support emerging bilingual students in their language development journey to acquire English proficiency as well as improves accessibility, equity, and inclusivity for school districts.

According to a recent study conducted by Project Tomorrow, almost two-thirds of teachers reported that using large-print text led to faster English acquisition by their students. Additionally, 42% of teachers noticed improved decoding skills in ELL students who read large print.

“Reading books with relatable storylines and characters helps kids connect,” says Meg Medina, author of three titles in the new collection. “When books published in their home language are made available for use at school, students feel seen as part of the school community. They can stay connected to their own cultural background as they bond with their new classmates, regardless of language.”

Thorndike Press Spanish youth large-print books are specifically designed to help students develop their language skills.

Detroit Opera Youth Chorus to P ‘Odyssey’ April 20

 The choristers of the Detroit Opera Youth Chorus (DOYC) will perform “Odyssey,” a fully staged opera for young audiences, at the Detroit Opera House, April 20 at 2:30 p.m.

The one-hour opera by composer Ben Moore and librettist Kelley Rourke is based on Homer’s epic tale of a hero’s journey home. In their rendition, the stories of Odysseus and his faithful wife, Penelope, are woven together in a production that includes sailor songs, storms, a Siren song, a tango, a love duet, and more. The stage director for “Odyssey” will be Sarah Hawkins Rusk, who directed DOYC’s digital opera performance of Cary John Franklin and Michael Albano’s “The Very Last Green Thing” in 2020.

The conductor will be Preparatory Chorus Conductor Jane Panikkar. All roles in the opera are performed by DOYC singers; principal roles include Bard 1 (sung by Viraj Tathavadekar), Bard 2 (Lana Lanzanas), Odysseus (Harrison Hunger), and Penelope (Olivia Emanuele).

For more information, visit here.

Flint-based butter Cannabis Retailer Bringing 4/20 Spirit All Month

Flint-based cannabis retailer butter says it is celebrating 4/20 say the entire month of April with free weed, giveaways, and exclusive product drops.

Now through April 20, butter is dropping exclusive new products in retail stores each week. The selection will include new flower strains and a new spreadable edible to join its lineup of infused ghee and hazelnut spread.

Additionally, leading up to April 20, customers who buy any prepackaged eighths of butter flower or spreadable get a chance to win exclusive discounts and prizes.

For more information, visit butterworld.com.

Eclipse Won’t Stop Consumers Energy’s Solar Panels or Plans

For Jackson-based Consumers Energy’s solar power plants, next week’s much-ballyhooed eclipse is just another day at the office.

“A total solar eclipse is a big deal, but not for our solar arrays,” says Norm Kapala, vice president of generation operations at Consumers Energy’s. “On April 8, they’ll continue to generate electricity throughout the day. And while solar power is the centerpiece of our Clean Energy Plan, we also have other energy sources that are serving Michigan.”

Consumers Energy owns and operates three solar power plants, in Cadillac and at Grand Valley State and Western Michigan universities. All sit outside the “path of totality,” which in Michigan includes only communities like Luna Pier in the southeast part of the state.

Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores Offers Free Day, Four Summer Concerts

Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores is offering free admission of April 21 for Community Appreciation Day and has scheduled a series of four summer concerts.

On Sunday, April 21, Ford House invites its neighbors for a day of exploration, connection, and fun with free admission. It is the Ford House’s way of expressing gratitude to the individuals and families who make up the community.

During the event, visitors can explore the grounds of Ford House, take leisurely strolls through the picturesque gardens, and immerse themselves in the history of the estate. Guests can visit The Shop to discover gifts and explore the exhibitions in the Visitor Center, like The Ford Family Story and Making It Work, a celebration of the staff who cared for the family and the home.

“We are delighted to invite our neighbors to Ford House for Community Appreciation Day,” says Mark J. Heppner, president and CEO of Ford House. “One of our core values is love. Eleanor Ford truly loved Detroit and its people, and this event is our way to express our love for our community. It is a celebration of the remarkable people that exist here, and we look forward to welcoming our community for a day of exploration, connection, and camaraderie.”

For more information about Community Appreciation Day and to register, visit here.

Ford House also announced an outdoor summer concert lineup, starting at 7 p.m. June 28 with the Detroit-based Gabriel Brass Band. Known for its New Orleans energy and vibrant performances, the ensemble promises to get toes tapping and audiences grooving with up-tempo traditional jazz with funk and hip-hop.

On July 19, at 7 p.m. The Killer Flamingos, Detroit’s biggest and best party band, takes the stage.  The Killer Flamingos present a live show packed with outstanding musicianship and high energy.

The Dave Hamilton Band, a Motown tribute group, will perform at 7 p.m. on Aug. 9.

The series concludes on Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m. with the Michigan Philharmonic playing its “Car-Tunes!” repertoire, led by acclaimed conductor Nan Washburn.

For more information and tickets, visit here.

Chillbox Stores and Gleaners Partner to ‘Fuel’ the Community

New Haven-based Chillbox Stores has joined forces with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan to introduce the Chillbox Fueling the Community Program.

Starting in May, on the first Wednesday of every month, Chillbox will be donating 1 cent from each gallon of fuel sold at its 36 locations to Gleaners Food Bank, aiding in the provision of meals for countless families across southeast Michigan.