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.
Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund to Honor Parade Co.’s Tony Michaels Oct. 21
The Old Newsboys’ Goodfellow Fund of Detroit will honor Tony Michaels, president and CEO of The Parade Co., with the Edward H. McNamara Goodfellow of the Year Award at its 32nd annual Tribute Breakfast at 8 a.m. Oct. 21 at Huntington Place.
WJR, a major sponsor of the event, will broadcast live from the breakfast with Paul W. Smith, a past Goodfellow of the Year honoree, serving as emcee.
The Edward H. McNamara Award is presented to distinguished and noteworthy individuals who have significantly contributed to the community.
“Leading significant Detroit events, Tony Michaels produces smiles, love, and good memories while also creating a positive economic impact for the city and community,” says Beth Conley, president, Detroit Goodfellows. “He is all about making the city better and kids happy. We are delighted to have him as this year’s honoree.”
The event, created by former Wayne County Executive Edward H. McNamara, draws support from prominent Detroit and Michigan business and political leaders to raise funds to help Detroit Goodfellows in its mission to ensure “no kiddie without a Christmas.”
Tickets for the 32nd annual Tribute Breakfast are $150 or $1,500 for a table of 10. Additionally, multiple contribution levels are available to help Detroit Goodfellows honor its 108-year-old pledge and include: Tribute Breakfast Sponsorship – $10,000, Santa Circle – $5000, Vice Chair – $1500, and general donations of any amount.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit here or contact Detroit Goodfellows Executive Director Sari Klok-Schneider at 586-775-6139 or sarigoodfellows@gmail.com.
Revenue raised will go toward the Detroit Goodfellows’ 2022 fundraising goal of $1.2 million, which will help provide 30,000 holiday gift packages containing clothing, books, candy, and toys for needy children in Detroit, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge, Hamtramck, and Ecorse. It also will provide a dental program for children through University of Detroit Mercy Dental School, scholarships through Wayne State University, a free shoe program, and summer camperships.
Woodside Health Sells Medical Office Building in Novi
Woodside Health has sold the Novi Wellness Center, a 23,328-square-foot office building located at 39500 W. 10 Mile Road in Novi, to private equity firm Excelsior Capital. The property, which is 97 percent occupied, will retain its tenants, some of which include Beaumont Health, Smile Doctors, and ThriveWorks.
Detroit-based commercial real estate company JLL represented Woodside Health. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
Renovated in 2020, the Novi Wellness Center features an updated common area and several high-end office buildouts. Sitting on four acres, the space is located near several top medical providers, including the Henry Ford Medical Center, Detroit Medical Center, Ascension Michigan, and Beaumont Hospital.
“We are excited to expand our presence in the greater Detroit market with the acquisition of the Novi Wellness Center,” says William George, vice president for investments, asset management, and investor relations at Excelsior Capital. “This is a high-quality building with strong medical tenancy, and it’s located in a healthy submarket that we believe is a bit undervalued. We are happy to be a part of the growth in this area and look forward to building relationships with our tenants and the community moving forward.”
For more information, visit jll.com/detroit.
Tourism and Hospitality Small Business Owners Encouraged to Apply for Comcast RISE
Visit Detroit and Comcast are encouraging eligible small business owners in southeast Michigan’s tourism and hospitality industry to apply for free marketing, creative, media, and technology services through Comcast RISE.
Comcast RISE is a multi-faceted program created to strengthen and empower small businesses hard hit by COVID-19. The deadline for small businesses to apply is Oct. 16.
Employers related to tourism and hospitality contribute nearly 464,000 jobs to the metro Detroit economy according to Visit Detroit, which promotes metro Detroit as a convention, business meeting and tourism destination. Tourism and hospitality jobs are diverse with workers in fields such as retail, fine dining, air travel, theater, and the arts, hotels, event planning, casinos, parks, and recreation.
“As demands on the travel and hospitality industries in metro Detroit have increased to pre-pandemic levels, these businesses continue to feel the impact of the pandemic,” says Chris Moyer, communications director for Visit Detroit. “With fewer workers and lingering supply chain issues, running a business is challenging. Comcast RISE provides valuable added support for small businesses in marketing and technology, allowing owners to focus on other key areas of their operations.”
The marketing services and technology makeover grants from Comcast RISE include:
Marketing Services Grant: The following services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, and its creative agency, Mnemonic, are designed to help recipients with their marketing and media campaigns, including:
- Media: A linear TV media campaign to run over a 90-day period.
- Creative Production: Turnkey 30-second TV commercial production, plus a media strategy consultation and a 90-day linear TV media campaign.
- Consult: Digital audits by Ureeka in the form of Website Repair Reports and SEO Keyword reports to target website mechanics, and effective organic marketing.
- Technology Makeover Grants: The state-of-the-art equipment and technology upgrade from Comcast Business includes computer equipment as well as internet, voice and cybersecurity services for up to a 12-month period. (Taxes and other fees may still apply for tech makeover services.)
ASE announces the 2022 Michigan HR Executives of the Year
ASE in Troy has announced the recipients of its Michigan Human Resources Executives of the Year for 2022 who will be honored at the ASE Annual Summit Nov. 3 at the Detroit Athletic Club.
The 2022 winners are:
- Sandy Patel, head of HR, Americas at Altimetrik Corp. — For-profit Organization – Large Employer.
- Jacqueline Hernandez, vice president of human resources at Superior Electric Great Lakes — Company For-profit Organization – Small Employer.
- Susan D. Murphy, chief people officer at Greenpath Financial Wellness — Health & Human Services Organization – Large Employer.
- Jody Connally, HR director at Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network — Health & Human Services Organization – Small Employer.
“This year’s honorees have demonstrated a sincere dedication to the HR profession and the organizations they serve,” says Mary E. Corrado, president and CEO of ASE. “We are very excited to celebrate them and honor their accomplishments. This award is very well deserved for each honoree.”
ASE’s Annual Summit is open to both ASE members and non-members. Tickets are $99 per person, $539 for groups of six, and $639 for groups of eight. The evening includes networking, cocktails, small plates, and dessert. To purchase tickets or for sponsorship information, visit here.
U-M Survey: Uncertainty Clouds Consumers’ Outlook on Economy
Consumer sentiment was essentially unchanged in September, 0.4 index points above August, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers.
The one-year economic outlook continued lifting from the extremely low readings earlier in the summer, but these gains were largely offset by modest declines in the long-run outlook, says U-M economist Joanne Hsu, director of the surveys.
Personal finance components of the index and buying conditions for durables remained at similar, relatively low levels from last month. Following the notable improvement in August, sentiment remained low by historic standards as consumers continued to voice concerns about inflation.
“Consumers welcomed the slowdown in inflation last month, but they show signs of uncertainty over the trajectory of the economy,” Hsu says. “Developments overseas generate downside risks. The continued war in Ukraine, the prospect of higher energy costs in Europe and climate disasters all have the potential to exacerbate inflation in the U.S., and consumers will quickly notice any pass-through to rising prices.”
The tentative slowdown in inflation last month has not, as of yet, translated to sustained improvements in how consumers feel about their financial situations, Hsu says. About 42 percent of consumers cited high prices eroding their living standards, down from a peak of 49 percent in July but more than double the 18 percent reading from a year ago.
Consumers expect this erosion to continue; while most consumers expect their incomes to rise over the next year, the median expected increase fell from 2.3 percent last month to 1.7 percent this month. At the same time, consumers expect continued strength in labor markets, with little change in expectations for the unemployment rate.
With continued declines in energy prices, consumers’ outlook for inflation has continued to improve. It is unclear if these improvements will persist, as consumers continued to exhibit substantial uncertainty over the future trajectory of prices, likely due to conflicting signals in the economy, Hsu says. While gas prices fell over the last several months, food prices and core inflation have not substantively improved.
At the same time, while buying conditions for durables remained near its all-time low from June, concerns about the high prices of durable goods have started to ease. Still, 57 percent of consumers blamed high prices for worsening buying conditions for vehicles.
As conflicting information about prices continues to fuel consumers’ uncertainty, consumer attitudes toward the economy are likely to remain relatively unstable in the months ahead, Hsu said.
The Consumer Sentiment Index rose to 58.6 in the September 2022 survey, up from 58.2 in August and below last September’s 72.8. The Current Index rose to 59.7, up from 58.6 in August and below last September’s 80.1. The Expectations Index rose to 58, unchanged from August and below last September’s 68.1.
700+ Students Participating in Oakland County Manufacturing Day Oct. 7
Oakland County Manufacturing Day is returning to an in-person format Oct. 7 with more than 700 students from 17 school districts and four technical campuses touring 31 advanced manufacturing facilities around the county.
“Oakland County is the epicenter of advanced manufacturing and we’re excited to connect our employers and students for these tours,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “Events like Manufacturing Day inspire students to begin their journeys toward successful careers and allow employers to meet with the workforce of the future.”
The Oakland County Department of Economic Development, Oakland County Michigan Works!, Oakland Schools, and Oakland Community College partnered to organize the event. Oakland County Manufacturing Day connects students with future employers and enables them to see firsthand how skills they learn each day at the technical campuses are directly transferable to careers.
“Students return to campus with so much excitement and enthusiasm because they are able to explore a wide range of high wage, high skill and high demand career opportunities found right here in Michigan,” says Paul Galbenski, dean of the Oakland Schools Technical Campus Northeast in Pontiac.
During their three-hour visit, students and teachers receive tours of design labs, testing centers, and assembly operations; participate in hands-on activities; and engage with employees to learn about career paths, skills, and entry-level job opportunities.
This year’s tour hosts include 3-Dimensional Services Group; AAM Auburn Hills; AAM Metal Forming – Royal Oak; ABB; Ascent Aerospace; Atlas Copco; Automation & Modular Components; BorgWarner; Brose North America; Ferndale Pharma Group, Inc.; FATA Automation; General Motors, Performance and Racing Center; GHI Electronics; Gonzalez Production Systems; Heller Machine Tools; HIROTEC AMERICA; Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering; Humanetics; JR Automation, Kawasaki Robotics (USA) Inc.; MacLean-Fogg; MEC – Mayville Engineering Company; Star Cutter Company; STEC USA; Three M Tool & Machine; Visioneering, Inc.; Webasto Roof Systems, WENZEL America; Williams International; and Witzenmann USA.
In Related News: The Oakland County Workforce Development Board (WDB) was the recipient of the 2022 Board of Excellence Award by the Michigan Works! Association at its annual conference earlier this month.
“Workforce development is a critical component to Oakland County’s long-term success,” says Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “We’re so fortunate to have a fantastic workforce development board made up of a diverse group of education, business, labor and community leaders from across Oakland County. They work well together and produce results.”
Each year, the Michigan Works! Association honors a workforce development board for exemplary work to support Michigan job seekers and employers. Association CEO Ryan Hundt says Oakland County’s WDB is innovative, collaborative, and forward-thinking.
“The Michigan Works! Association is proud to present this year’s Board of Excellence Award to the Oakland County Workforce Development Board,” Hundt says. “Time and again, Oakland County has proven itself as a national leader in delivering workforce services that will have a broad, positive impact on businesses and residents throughout the county.”
The Oakland County WDB has achieved several notable initiatives over the past five years, including restructuring Oakland County Michigan Works! to improve accessibility for employers and job seekers, supporting Oakland County in creating its economic development strategic plan, and supporting Coulter’s Oakland80 goal of county residents attaining post-secondary degrees or certificates.
The Oakland County WDB also has taken the lead in development of continued “innovative, customer-focused workforce development programming,” administered through the six Oakland County Michigan Works! centers across the region.
For more information, visit here.
$45M Renew Detroit Program Kicks Off Phase 1 Home Repairs
The city of Detroit has begun Phase 1 of the $45 million Renew Detroit program that will pay for major home repairs for 2,000 low-income senior citizens and disabled Detroiters to help them continue to live in their homes for the long term. The first 200 roofs are expected to be completed this fall.
Originally envisioned to provide major repairs to 1,500 homes, the Renew Detroit program was announced in September 2021, funded by $30 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The program was recently expanded to $45 million thanks to an additional $15 million from the state of Michigan. With the additional funding, the program now has the capacity to reach 2,000 homes and will see Phase 2 expanded to allow for window replacements.
Homeowners conditionally selected for Phase 1 had their homes inspected this summer in preparation for construction. The Detroit City Council approved $2.9 million in roof replacement contracts in July for the first 200 homes, and the contractors began replacing roofs last week. The city will continue Phase 1 roof replacements throughout 2023 and 2024, with Phase 2 repairs following in 2024-26.
“One of my most urgent priorities is keeping longtime Detroiters, who could have left the city but didn’t, to remain in their homes,” says Mayor Mike Duggan. “Many of them are senior citizens who simply can’t afford the cost of a new roof or all new windows to make their home safe for them.”
Applications for the Phase 2 of Renew Detroit is now open through Oct. 31. Those who apply will have their application outcome communicated by spring 2023, with repairs expected to begin in spring 2024.
Full details and applications are available at www.detroitmi.gov/RenewDetroit. Applications can be filled out online or completed over the phone by calling 313-244-0274 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturdays in October. Additionally, Renew Detroit staff will be out in the community helping residents apply.
To be eligible, homeowners must meet the following criteria:
- Be a senior homeowner, age 62 or older, or be a disabled homeowner of any age.
- Be approved for a 2022 property tax exemption through the Homeowner Property Exemption (HOPE) program, which provides property tax relief to eligible lower-income homeowner occupants. For eligibility requirements and to apply, Detroiters can go to detroitmi .gov/HOPE. Please note, homeowners must apply each year for the HOPE program.
- Must not have received a home repair grant from the city of $10,000 or more in past 10 years.
For those Detroit residents who need home repairs but do not meet age/disability, income or no-prior grant requirements, the city offers the Detroit 0% Interest Home Repair Loan Program. This program provides loans to Detroit homeowners of $5,000 to $25,000 to complete home repairs and resolve health and safety issues. Homeowners have 10 years to pay back the loans, which are provided at 0% interest – meaning homeowners pay back only what they borrow.
The program is a city-led partnership with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) launched in 2015. This public-private commitment is between LISC, the City’s Housing & Revitalization Department, Bank of America and the Rocket Community Fund. To apply, go to www.detroithomeloans.org.
Detroit Zoo Renames Events Pavilion for Sponsor Consumers Energy
The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak recently opened the newly renamed Consumers Energy Events Pavilion, one of the zoo’s most-sought-after venues for weddings, corporate outings, family gatherings, and more.
“Consumers Energy is one of the Zoo’s most loyal and generous supporters,” says Dr. Hayley Murphy, executive director and CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). “We are thrilled to celebrate and recognize their most recent contribution with the naming of the Consumers Energy Events Pavilion.”
Consumers Energy and its foundation have been partners in presenting DZS events such as Dinosauria and Sunset at the zoo, but also have made major contributions to some of the zoo’s most popular attractions, including the Polk Penguin Conservation Center and the Arctic Ring of Life.
“We’re excited to put our name to the Consumers Energy Events Pavilion,” says Roger Curtis, vice president of public affairs at Consumer’s Energy. “Our hometown service commitment throughout Michigan is to create opportunities for community members to connect, grow, thrive, and have fun. This pavilion is part of our effort to help the Detroit Zoo — one of Michigan’s crown jewels — shine even more brightly.”
Detroit Barber Wins Best Stang Decade Contest at Detroit Auto Show
Kenny Moore, a 37-year-old barber from Detroit, won the Best Stang Decade period dress contest Sept. 14 at Hart Plaza, conducted in conjunction with the unveiling of the new Ford Mustang prior to the Detroit Auto Show.
Moore will receive a two-year lease of an all-new Mustang GT. The contest was judged by Hour Media.
Moore’s attire was inspired by the 1980s “Fox Body” third-generation Mustang.
“We decided to enter the contest because we love to dress up and we really wanted that car,” Moore says. “I am a huge mustang fan I’ve been a fan since I was a kid growing up helping my next-door neighbor build his. Plus, my first car was a 1991 Mustang notch back LX 5.0.”
To see a photo of Moore and his family in their 1980s attire, visit here.
Detroit Pistons Announce 2022–23 TV and Radio Broadcast Schedules
The Detroit Pistons their 2022-23 television broadcast schedule in conjunction with Bally Sports Detroit, which includes 81 regular-season games.
Regular season coverage begins Oct. 19 with the season opener at Little Caesars Arena. A special one-hour Pistons Live Pregame Show starts at 6 p.m. before the Pistons tipoff at 7 p.m. against the Orlando Magic.
George Blaha (play-by-play) and Greg Kelser (analyst) continue as the network’s broadcast team. Pistons Live will be anchored by Mickey York alongside Tim McCormick and Grant Long. Johnny Kane and Natalie Kerwin will serve as reporters.
Radio broadcasts for Pistons games will be heard on 97.1 FM The Ticket or WWJ 950 AM with select games on WDZH 98.7 FM. The longtime tandem of Mark Champion (play-by-play) and Rick Mahorn (analyst) will handle broadcast duties.
COTS Announces Official Name Change
COTS, formerly an acronym for the Coalition On Temporary Shelter, now is the official name of the organization, a change made to reflect the evolution of the organization across its 40 years and its current direction more accurately.
“A lot has changed since our inception,” says Cheryl P. Johnson, CEO of COTS. “COTS is no longer a coalition but an independent nonprofit organization, and our focus has shifted from providing temporary solutions for homelessness to making long-term impacts to overcome generational poverty.
“We’ve transitioned from providing hope, help and housing alone to making intentional connections with a focus on partnership, mentorship and relationships.”
COTS was founded in 1982 as a coalition of partner organizations that came together to create a Coalition On Temporary Shelter, offering support to Detroiters in need of shelter and addressing homelessness in Detroit. In the beginning, residents often were single men and single-parent families. Over the years, the individuals COTS services have diversified, and the organization has evolved to meet the changing needs of its residents, expanding support for families and creating opportunities for them to succeed.
COTS now is its own autonomous nonprofit organization offering “innovative, permanent, and long-term solutions that afford families stability and the skills to thrive in metro Detroit.”
One of the newest programs that has led to the organization’s changes is the Passport to Self-Sufficiency, a holistic approach to assisting families in reaching their housing, economic, health, education, and career goals through coaching, mentorship, and support as they strive to overcome homelessness and break the cycle of poverty for the next generation and beyond.
Through partnerships with donors, volunteers, corporations, organizations, and the broader community at large, COTS opens doors to opportunities by providing coaching and mentorship to families. They then work together to build intentional and genuine relationships to explore the root causes of homelessness, increase social capital, discover strengths, and support the establishment of goals that move families toward stability.
Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac Unveils 54th Renovated Home
Five men who have overcome addiction and turned their lives around through the help of nonprofit Grace Centers of Hope (GCH) are getting a new start in life and moved into an historic home the nonprofit has purchased and renovated at 51 Fairgrove in Pontiac.
This is the 54th home renovated by the faith-based Pontiac nonprofit in its growing Little Grace Village community.
For more than a decade, GCH has been working to turn Pontiac neighborhoods once known for crime and drugs into family friendly areas that are home to a faith-based community. Many of the homes have been sold directly to GCH graduates, as part of its Homelessness to Home Ownership program. In this instance, the men will pay rent at the home.
The renovations at 51 Fairgrove — more than a century-old home on the National Historic Registry, built between 1904 and 1908 with five bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and 2,350 square feet of space — took nearly a year to complete and it’s one of GCH’s biggest projects yet, having undergone $250,000 in renovations.
Work completed on the home included:
- Relocating the kitchen and bathroom on the first floor.
- Installing a new rear porch, refurbishing front wraparound porch.
- Replacing most windows.
- Refabricating rear staircase and trim throughout the house.
- Plumbing and electrical upgrades.
- Resanding and refinishing all the home’s 110-year-old flooring.
- Stripping and installing all-new siding, replacing all gutters.
- Installing new HVAC system and water heater.
- Repouring the driveway.
Tickets for Holidays at Meadow Brook Go on Sale Oct. 3
Tickets for Meadow Brook Hall’s two holiday events — Holiday Walk and Winter Wonder Lights — go on sale Oct. 3.
By day, the annual Holiday Walk transports visitors through the historic mansion decked in shimmering splendor, while Winter Wonder Lights transforms the estate at night into a light show featuring music, concessions, and magic.
The holiday season at the mansion, on the campus of Oakland University, runs from Nov. 25-Dec. 30. Tickets must be booked for a specific date and time and are available online only at meadowbrookholidays.com.
“There is no more wonderful place to spend the season than the Holidays at Meadow Brook,” says Shannon O’Berski, external relations director of Meadow Brook Hall. “Our two shows will bring inside sights and outdoor lights and spark your holiday spirit. Meadow Brook is the most dazzling place to be this holiday season, whether you are looking for family fun, an evening with friends or a great date night.”
Holiday Walk is a self-guided indoor tour of three floors of historic Meadow Brook Hall, filled with holiday sights and decorations. Guests will experience the more than 50 trees — including a 10-foot-tall Poinsettia tree created by 150 live plants, hundreds of feet of garland, and thousands of twinkling lights.
Meadow Brook will host a series of enchanting holiday events, including: the Starlight Stroll, a Holiday Tea, and Santa Saturdays, which features a visit with Santa and live reindeer on select Saturdays. Holiday Walk will run from Nov. 25-Dec. 23. Adult tickets are $20 and youth tickets are $7.50.
Winter Wonder Lights is a self-guided outdoor event featuring light displays across the grounds. It will be an evening of lights, music, and magic where visitors can explore the National Historic Landmark at its most festive. Concessions include glow-in-the-dark cotton candy and hot meals in the outdoor café. There will be seasonal and specialty drinks, selfie stations, bonfires, and more. Winter Wonder Lights will run from Nov. 25-Dec. 30. Adult tickets are $22 and youth tickets are $12.
