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.
Oakland University, OU Credit Union Agree to 10-year, $5M Naming Rights Deal
Oakland University Athletics and Oakland University Credit Union have agreed to a 10-year, $5 million naming rights partnership for the newly dubbed OU Credit Union O’rena, effective July 1.
“Thank you to the Oakland University Credit Union for this transformational naming rights partnership,” says Steve Waterfield, athletic director at OU. “OU Credit Union is a longstanding partner with Oakland University and the Athletics Department, and this significant O’rena naming rights agreement elevates this partnership to another level, benefiting each of our sports programs and current and future Golden Grizzly student-athletes for years to come.”
The O’rena opened in 1999 as the university transitioned to NCAA Division I, hosting Golden Grizzlies men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and volleyball teams.
“As a longtime partner with Oakland University, OU Credit Union is pleased to expand our partnership with Oakland University Athletics with the naming of the O’rena,” says April Clobes, president and CEO of MSU Federal Credit Union. “Through this sponsorship, we are looking forward to expanding our programming with OU Athletics, engaging our members and the campus with events and community programs.”
OUCU also will receive signage and graphic displays throughout the facility. The company already greets visitors to the Oakland University Athletics website through various sponsorships in coverage of Golden Grizzly student-athletes. OUCU has been the official credit union of Oakland University since 2013.
Blue Cross Accepting Clinic Applications for Strengthening the Safety Net Program
Health care clinics across the state are invited to apply for grants through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s Strengthening the Safety Net program.
Since 2005, Blue Cross has invested more than $18 million in safety net grants to increase access to affordable health care and improve health equity. Each year, these grants help 50 clinics across Michigan provide free or low-cost care for uninsured and underinsured residents.
Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Strengthening the Safety Net program helps fund clinical comprehensive services such as primary care and behavioral health (e.g., psychiatry), in addition to specialized care like women’s health, lab/imaging services and dental care. Some clinics also offer patient navigation services, which includes helping patients enroll in emergency prescription assistance programs and Medicaid or the health insurance marketplace.
“Ensuring quality and affordable health care to Michigan’s vulnerable populations is the core to Blue Cross’ social mission,” says Ken Hayward, vice president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and special assistant to the president for community relations. “The dedication of care from participating clinics brings us one step closer to better health outcomes for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. Blue Cross is proud to partner with Michigan safety net clinics to provide care to those marginalized in our state.”
Applicants may apply for a grant to support clinic operations or services as a medical or dental home. All materials must be submitted via the online application form, which is accessible here. Any questions can be directed to safetynet@bcbsm.com.
Michigan Tech, LIFT Partner to Design Future 3-D Printing Materials, Processes
LIFT, the Detroit-based Department of Defense manufacturing innovation institute has partnered with Michigan Technological University in Houghton to develop custom powdered-metal alloys and road mapping the use of current 3-D printing alloys for hypersonics applications.
The first project, which took place in 2022, was funded through LIFT’s U-LIFT program. Four undergraduate teams made up of four students each designed a powder metal atomization chamber, melting, atomization, and collection systems.
“The results of their work will enable the creation of new alloy metal powders for additive manufacturing research, design, and prototyping,” says Paul Sanders, Patrick Horvath Endowed Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Michigan Tech.
The students’ design, a modular 10-foot-tall chamber, pours molten metal into a funnel and then atomizes it into the chamber though a high-pressure, gas nozzle, thereby creating the powdered metal which is collected at the bottom.
While atomization is a standard technique for producing powders for metallic additive processes, there is limited production capability for custom alloys. This new chamber, as designed, has the ability to atomize about 88 pounds of metal, including ferrous metals, nickel-based alloys, and aluminum-based alloys.
“This atomization capability is needed because current powders for metal additive development projects are expensive and have long lead-times,” Sanders says. “This chamber, if built and deployed, will provide for improved powder additive alloy design faster and at less cost across industry.”
Noel Mack, chief technology officer at LIFT, says: “Currently, the available quantities for custom powder alloys are either too small for us to do much with, or too large. The possibility of creating create customer powders in specific amounts could speed up our innovation processes of future applications, such as materials for hypersonics, and therefore speed up the adoption by industry.”
Michigan Tech is also working with LIFT on its ongoing Hypersonics Thermal Management and Material Acceleration programs, both funded through the Department of Defense, to develop roadmaps for alloy and process development for commercial off-the-shelf materials intended to be additively manufactured for use in a hypersonic environment.
Oxford Commercial Finance Marks First Year of Expanded Working Capital Solutions for SMBs
Oxford Commercial Finance (OCF), a subsidiary of Oxford Bank, is announcing an expanded line of flexible working capital solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, increased customer base, and new website with helpful resources for business owners.
Backed by more than 100 years of combined commercial financing experience, OCF assists SMBs — from promising startups to mature companies — to overcome obstacles, improve cash flow, drive growth, and comfortably scale through creative financing options, which now also include:
- Accounts Receivable Funding to generate immediate cash flow from accounts receivable.
- Asset Based Lending to unlock cash tied up in accounts receivable, inventory and equipment.
- Leasing to finance critical equipment.
- Term Loans to access flexible funding options to enable business growth.
“It has been an incredible year of expansion and progress for OCF, thanks to our team’s unrelenting focus on our customers,” says Mick Goik, president of OCF. “With a relationship-first approach and a commitment to fast and transparent processing, we understand the needs of businesses to quickly secure financing to overcome challenges today and position for success tomorrow. Our entire OCF leadership team has long-term relationships and extensive experience in commercial finance solutions across industries, which allows us to provide tailored solutions to our clients’ unique needs.”
For more information, visit here.
CADIA Announces Theme and Agenda for May 18 Rev Up 2030
The Livonia-based Center for Automotive Diversity, Inclusion and Advancement (CADIA), a mission-driven organization focused on advancing talent in the automotive, transportation, and defense industries in a diverse and inclusive way, will host its sixth 6th Annual Rev Up 2030 event from 8:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. May 18, 2023 at Wayne State University in Detroit.
Built around the theme “DEI Reimagined,” the agenda will include a workshop, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
“Rev Up 2030 gets its name directly from our mission: to double the number of diverse leaders in automotive by the year 2030,” says Cheryl Thompson, founder and CEO of CADIA. “This is a chance for us to come together and discuss the current state of DEI in our industries, as well as learn best practices and share ideas. We’re excited to host the event at Wayne State and are looking forward to a day of collaboration and open conversation.”
The keynote address for Rev Up 2030 will be given by Lottie Holland, vice president of diversity, inclusion, engagement and EEO compliance at Stellantis.
To see the full Rev Up 2030 agenda and to register, visit automotivediversity.org or contact info@automotivediversity.org. For information about sponsoring the event, please contact Jennifer Harding at jennifer@automotivediversity.org.
Report: Recycling in Michigan at All-time High
Recycling in the Great Lakes State is at an all-time high, announced leaders with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) during a virtual “Recycling State of the State” press conference that coincides with start of Earth Week 2023 (April 17-22).
The total amount of residential recycled materials being reported for fiscal year 2022 was 620,494 tons, more than 66,000 tons more than the previous new record set the year prior.
Materials Michiganders recycled last year would fill the football stadiums at Ford Field, Michigan State University’s Spartan Stadium, and the Big House at the University of Michigan. Michiganders recycled more than 339,000 tons of paper and paper products during 2022, more than 154,000 tons of metals, over 71,000 tons of glass, and more than 45,000 tons of plastics and plastic products.
“We can all be proud that Michiganders are recycling now more than ever before,” says Regina Strong, environmental justice public advocate at EGLE. “This equates to every person in Michigan recycling 124 pounds each year of cardboard boxes, milk cartons, soup cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, food waste, and other recyclable materials.”
EGLE data show more Michiganders than ever — 75 percent of the state’s population — have access to recycling services. Since 2021, EGLE in collaboration with national nonprofit The Recycling Partnership have rolled out 48,468 new curbside recycling carts to communities around the state.
The expanded access is helping Michigan to steadily increase its recycling rate from what was historically the lowest in the Great Lakes region. The rate has risen from 14.25 percent prior to 2019, to 19.3 percent last year and now exceeds 21 percent, based on EGLE’s new 2023 analysis.
Recycling infrastructure projects EGLE touted during the press conference include:
- The new, state-of-the-art $35 million recycling processing facility WM (formerly known as Waste Management) is planning in Detroit. Once opened, WM’s next steps will be to activate existing transload facilities in places like Traverse City, Kalamazoo, Tawas, Saginaw, and Lansing.
- The city of Flint is receiving a $1 million EGLE grant that Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley says will go toward providing all 34,000 households in the city with a free 96-gallon recycling cart.
- The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) $350 million future Sustainable Business Park in Kent and Allegan County.
- Kent County DPW was awarded a $406,000 EGLE grant to help buy new robotic sorting equipment to automate line sorting at its Recycling and Education Center.
- Alpena County has received a new $2.7 million federal grant supported by EGLE to help fund its proposed new $5.4 million regional dual-stream material recovery facility (MRF).
- Detroit-based VMX International is the recipient of a $100,000 small business development grant from EGLE. VMX is an environmental firm headquartered in Detroit that works with businesses across the nation to properly recycle and dispose of items ranging from office paper to batteries.
Bradford White Water Heaters Highlights Quality, Innovation at 2023 MCEE Show
Pennsylvania-based Bradford White Water Heaters, which has manufacturing facilities in Michigan, will showcase its range of innovative, high-performing, and efficient products at the MCEE (Mécanex/Climatex/Expolectriq/Éclairage) Show in Montreal April 19-20.
“The MCEE Show is one of Canada’s premier events for building professionals,” says Mark Williamson, general manager and sales director for Bradford White Canada. “We’re looking forward to connecting with attendees and sharing first-hand demonstrations of our reliable, high-quality solutions. As our industry evolves, we’re committed to delivering proven solutions that allow distributors and contractors to elevate their service in order to thrive and succeed.”
For more information, visit here.
Viridis Labs Showcases Leadership in Cannabis Testing at Scientific Conferences
This week Viridis Laboratories, which has facilities in Lansing and Bay City, will be sharing its expertise with colleagues in the forensic science and toxicology fields at the AOAC Southern Section International Conference in Atlanta and the Midwestern Association for Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (MATT) annual meeting in Columbus, Ohio.
AOAC is an international leader in analytical excellence and brings together government, industry, and academia to establish standard methods of analysis that ensure the safety and integrity of foods and other products that impact public health around the world.
MATT works to advance science, research, clinical services and education for its membership which is made up of clinical and forensic toxicologists, medical technologists, pharmacologists, pathologists, physicians and clinical chemists.
Viridis has the highest accreditation awarded to cannabis testing laboratories from the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation as well as Patient Focused Certification through Americans for Safe Access.
Founded by retired Michigan State Police veterans with a combined 75 years of experience in forensic science and toxicology, Viridis is on track to conduct half a million analytical cannabis tests by the end of 2023.
In Related News: STIIIZY, a Pontiac-based cannabis company, is partnering with Releaf Michigan in its efforts to enhance Michigan communities by providing protection and restoration of urban and rural tree canopies across the state. Tree canopies improve air quality, provide shade to communities, protect the integrity of our ecosystems, and create sustainable spaces for businesses and families to grow and flourish.
On April 20, consumers can support these efforts by visiting any one of the more than 600 stores that carry STIIIZY products in Michigan and purchase available STIIIZY products. All sales generated on 4/20 will directly support STIIIZYxReleaf Michigan’s efforts to plant full-size trees across the state. In the first 45 days of this sponsorship, proceeds raised will support the installation of 120 mature trees across Frankenmuth, Troy, Tecumseh, Gaylord, and Dearborn Heights.
To get involved, visit here.
In Related News: C3 Industries, a cannabis company in Ann Arbor, unveiled a new mural project at its High Profile dispensary in Grant. The mural project was created in partnership with Lions and Rabbits, a local nonprofit organization creating prosperous opportunities for artists through partnerships, advocacy, professional development, and placemaking. Through Lions & Rabbits, High Profile commissioned local artist Elliot Chaltry to design and paint a mural on the store’s outer wall, which has been completed for 4/20. High Profile Grant will feature in-store promotions, events, and brand activations in celebration of the “high” holiday.
International Sustainability Competition Highlights Ideas from Students Worldwide
For a world reeling from hunger, climate impacts, food waste, and inequity, five student teams have stepped forward with expert-reviewed, innovative solutions to global challenges as part of Wege Prize 2023.
These ideas are nurtured by Wege Prize, established in 2013 and organized by Kendall College of Art and Design’s Wege Center for Sustainable Design in Grand Rapids with support from the Wege Foundation. The annual competition ignites game-changing solutions for the future by inspiring college/university students worldwide to collaborate across institutional, disciplinary, and cultural boundaries to redesign how economies work. This year’s 60-plus team entries hail from five continents.
The five final competitors, vying for $65,000 in total cash prizes, present their ideas to a public audience in Grand Rapids at 10 a.m. May 19, at Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) and streaming live online at WegePrize.org, including:
- Agri ThinkTank: Hailing from Rwanda, students from three institutions devise a tech solution to boost collection of agricultural waste for community composting.
- Banana Leather: A way to make plant-based leather from mainly banana crop waste results from teamwork in Yale University’s business and environmental management programs.
- Cellucoat: Students from four countries at University of Calgary innovate with a biodegradable, antimicrobial replacement for plastic packaging—and pollution.
- Green Poultry Farm: Addressing environmental impacts of poultry farming, students from Mozambique—in four unique majors—use anaerobic digestion to create usable waste streams.
- UnwasteWater: From four U.S. and European universities, this team tasks microbes to convert wastewater into raw materials for use in industrial and commercial products, closing the circle between the production and disposal of pharmaceutical chemicals.
Michigan’s 529 College Savings Plans to Host Free drop-in Informational Session
Area families will have an opportunity to learn about saving for college during a free community informational session hosted by the Michigan Department of Treasury’s Section 529 college savings plans from 3-7 p.m. April 19 at Dearborn’s Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave. The event will be conducted in Room 15 on the third floor.
Representatives from the Michigan Education Trust (MET) and Michigan Education Savings Program (MESP) will be on hand to discuss the features and benefits of each plan and offer general tips to educate parents, grandparents, and others on saving for college.
Walmart Associates to Assemble, Donate 100 Bikes on Wednesday
More than 60 Walmart associates from 18 Detroit area Walmart stores will gather at the Livonia Supercenter April 19 for the retailer’s Spark Good Day of Service. The associates will assemble 100 bikes that will be donated to second grade students at Charles L. Spain Elementary School in Detroit.
In partnership with Wish for Wheels, a nonprofit organization that gives brand new bikes and helmets to second graders in low-income communities, the bike donation was made possible through $20,000 in community grants provided by each of the Detroit area Walmart stores and support from the Walmart Foundation.
Nonprofit organizations interested in participating in the Spark Good initiative can visit here.
