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.
Pie Collective by Achatz to Open in Livonia March 30
Pie Collective by Achatz, founded by Achatz Handmade Pie Co., will open its ninth metro Detroit location, its first in Wayne County, March 30 at 19734 Haggerty Road in Livonia.
The new store will offer the full menu of Achatz signature handmade fruit pies using sustainable and locally sourced ingredients, in addition to a variety of savory pot pies, cobblers, soups, cookies, and more.
To welcome customers to the new Pie Collective by Achatz in Livonia, there will be several exclusive promotions throughout April at the location. Customers can enter to win daily drawings for a free whole pie with a purchase, buy three get one free slice offer, as well as enjoy free samples every day.
Owners Wendy and Dave Achatz started Achatz Handmade Pie Co. in 1993, baking pies in their home and selling them at a local flea market. Several years later, the Achatz’s purchased a 10-acre apple orchard in Armada and converted the on-site pole barn into their first pie shop.
Since then, they have opened locations in Armada, Beverly Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Chesterfield Township, Madison Heights, Oxford, Shelby Township, Troy, and now Livonia while providing pies for several major grocery store chains.
Detroit’s Ford Piquette Plant ‘T Talk’ Zoom Program to Discuss Ford Model N
The Ford Piquette Plant Museum in Detroit is hosting a virtual “T Talk” program on a one-of-a-kind, six-cylinder Model N built by Henry Ford in 1909. The talk will be led by Steve Shotwell, museum trustee and president of the Piquette Ts.
Shotwell will be joined by Hugo Vermeulen, owner of the vehicle, and Rob Heyen, a member of the Early Ford Registry.
Shotwell will talk about the vehicle’s unique history, and how it differs from a standard Model N.
“T Talks” are one of many free benefits for museum members. Membership levels range from $55 to $100 and are available at fordpiquetteplant.org. Proceeds support museum operations.
Ann Arbor’s C3 Industries Launches Cannabis-Infused Gummies in Massachusetts
C3 Industries in Ann Arbor has launched its fast-acting cannabis-infused gummies by Galactic Cannabis in the Massachusetts market.
Building on the company’s previous cannabis product rollouts, including flower, pre-rolls, vapes and concentrates, C3 Industries’ Galactic Cannabis gummies offer consumers a “convenient way to embark on a cosmic journey.”
“We’re excited to offer our new edibles line to the consumers of Massachusetts,” says Scott Franco, vice president of marketing at C3 Industries. “Galactic’s Gummies offer not only delicious flavor but also fast-acting effects, providing a seamless and enjoyable cannabis experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and curious newcomers.”
Mobile App from BioVigil in Ann Arbor Lets Health Care Workers Track Hand Hygiene
BioVigil, the Ann Arbor-based provider of electronic hand hygiene technology solutions, is releasing a mobile app for users to see and monitor their own hand hygiene compliance.
BioVigil uses room beacons connected to individual user badges to monitor when health care workers enter and exit a patient room, and when they perform hand hygiene either with hand sanitizer or soap and water. The system collects many data points that are available to the individual user directly on the app.
The app makes important information accessible to those who cannot access it through the hospital’s network. For example, environmental services workers often are contracted through outside agencies and do not have hospital network privileges.
“Our system can be used by every health care worker, so we wanted the data available to every health care worker, too,” says Sanjay Gupta, president and CEO of BioVigil. “The mobile app eliminates barriers and makes useful, actionable data accessible to every user.”
On the mobile app, users will be able to check their seven-day and 30-day compliance rates, compliance per session, number of room entries and exits per session, and number of hand hygiene opportunities per session.
Pontiac School District to Deploy 40 New Electric School Buses
The Pontiac School District has received $15.65 million in EPA funding to deploy 40 new electric school buses, replacing the district’s entire fleet of diesel buses with a cleaner, quieter, and safer ride to school for thousands of students. Cincinnati-based First Student will supply the buses.
“The positive impact these buses will bring to the wellbeing of our students and our community as a whole is incredible,” says Kimberly Leverette, interim superintendent of the Pontiac School District. “We are ecstatic to have been selected to be part of this game-changing initiative. Thanks to an outstanding internal team and exceptional partners, I’m excited to say, we’re ready to bring 40 electric buses to Pontiac.”
First Student has committed to transition 30,000 of its diesel buses to electric by 2035 to improve the health and well-being of even more students and communities. The company will begin to deploy the new electric buses for the Pontiac School District during the 2024-25 school year.
“This is where the rubber meets the road in revolutionizing student transportation,” says Kevin Matthews, head of electrification at First Student. “These federal grants allow our school district partners, including the Pontiac School District, to see real, tangible results in creating heathier and safer communities.
“First Student is proud to deliver 40 electric buses to Pontiac. This is an investment in students’ future, ensuring they start the day ready to learn. We are excited to work with the Pontiac School District to modernize its fleet and achieve its electrification goals.”
The EPA’s Clean School Bus program is designed to help school districts to replace existing diesel school buses with zero-emission buses. Replacing just one diesel school bus with an electric school bus can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54,000 pounds annually.
First Student is the largest operator of electric school buses in North America. The company currently has more than 300 electric buses on the road, having already covered nearly three million miles of zero-emissions service.
Kansas Credit Union Launches Online, Mobile Banking App from Detroit’s Bankjoy
Emporia State Federal Credit Union in Kansas has launched its newly updated online and mobile banking app, powered by Detroit-based Bankjoy.
Upon going live in February 2024, more than 25 percent of the credit union’s members enrolled in the new digital banking platform within the first 48 hours.
With Bankjoy’s end-to-end digital banking platform, ESFCU offers a suite of online and mobile banking features for its members, including e-statements, along with other advanced functionalities, such as updated security features, integrated Bill Pay and Joy, Bankjoy’s conversational AI tool. Additionally, Bankjoy’s platform integrates directly with ESFCU’s core system, Fiserv CUnify, ensuring a frictionless banking experience across channels.
Women Founders Take Over Black Tech Saturdays this Week
Black Tech Saturdays will conduct a special Women’s History Month event, “Founders Take Over,” from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Newlab @ Michigan Central (2050 15th St.) in Detroit.
Discussion topics will include sourcing talent for startups, using data for product strategy, brand strategy, creating publicity plans, finding investors, and more. Participating founders represent diverse fields, each with their own unique background and experience. There will be breakout sessions hosted by a variety of industry experts.
Schoolcraft College in Livonia Bringing Back Multicultural Fair March 28
A longtime staple of Schoolcraft College in Livonia — the Multicultural Fair — is returning this month after a several-year hiatus.
The fair, returning in-person for the first time since 2019, will feature cultural displays from dozens of countries, as well as demonstrations, cuisine, and more.
“We’re so glad the Multicultural Fair is returning. We’ve missed the excitement it brings to the Vistatech Center every year,” says Anna Maheshwari, a member of the fair’s planning committee and chair of the College’s English Department. “This event is a great way to learn about a wide range of cultures from all over the globe — their foods, traditions, and customs.”
In addition to booths representing countries such as Albania, India, Peru, Turkey, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, several organizations will have tables with information, including the Arab American National Museum and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
Visitors will also be offered a “passport” that can be stamped as visitors make their way through fair visiting country tables.
Performances will include mariachi, Philippines dancers, and the Marcus Garvey Academy African Drum and Dance Ensemble, and others.
Several international food demonstrations also will take place in the school’s new Collaborative Learning Studio. Schoolcraft College’s decorated culinary arts student Sous Chefs will showcase foods from around the globe in the lab, including dishes from South America, Greece, Korea, and The Philippines.
The event is free and open to the public. It runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. March 28 in the DiPonio Room in the Vistatech Center. More information can be found here.
Henry Ford College to Hosts Spring Scholarship Event April 20
The Culinary Arts + Hospitality Management Department Henry Ford College (HFC) in Dearborn is inviting the community to its Spring Scholarship Event: Courses XXV Chef’s Dinner, a culinary event featuring “exquisite” dishes and entertainment. The dinner supports the HFC Hospitality Scholarship Fund.
The event will take place at Fifty-One O One, HFC’s student-run restaurant in the John McDonald Student and Culinary Arts Center (Building M on the main campus), on Saturday, April 20, at 6 p.m.
“The Spring Scholarship Event: Courses XXV Chef’s Dinner promises an unforgettable evening filled with gourmet delights and a celebration of culinary excellence,” says Lauren Wallace, culinary arts instructor at HFC and Fifty-One O One manager. “Attendees will enjoy a lively cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, accompanied by the captivating sounds of the HFC Quartet. The evening will continue with a five-course dinner, expertly crafted to reflect the flavors of the season.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.
