DBusiness Daily Update: Sites in Northville, Ann Arbor, Niles Receive Federal Historic Preservation Grants, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.
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The Henry A. Chapin House in Niles will get a new roof with a $70,000 Historic Preservation Fund grant. // Courtesy of State of Michigan
The Henry A. Chapin House in Niles will get a new roof with a $70,000 Historic Preservation Fund grant. // Courtesy of State of Michigan

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies, including updates about the COVID-19 pandemic. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

Sites in Northville, Ann Arbor, Niles Receive Federal Historic Preservation Grants

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has awarded $170,000 in grants to three Michigan communities — Ann Arbor, Northville, and Niles.

The grants represent awards from the federal Historic Preservation Fund’s Certified Local Government program, which is administered by the SHPO and will benefit local preservation and community planning goals.

“Historic preservation is about finding ways to celebrate, protect, and invest in the irreplaceable heritage assets that make our communities special,” says Martha MacFarlane-Faes, the state’s deputy historic preservation officer. “The CLG program is an important tool through which SHPO and the National Park Service support local communities in their ongoing preservation efforts. We are pleased to present this year’s grant recipients and look forward to working alongside them in the successful completion of their projects.”

The city of Northville is receiving a $48,000 grant to hire a federally qualified historic preservation consultant to update the city’s historic preservation design guidelines. The updated guidelines will incorporate preservation best practices and new technologies that have evolved since the original design guidelines were published in 1999 and better equip the local historic district commission and property owners to make informed decisions about designated properties in the community.

The city of Ann Arbor is receiving a $45,000 grant to hire a federally qualified historic preservation consultant to complete a survey update for the Old Fourth Ward Historic District, which was established in 1982. The survey will include updated documentation and analysis of the more than 300 properties in the district and will better enable the city and historic district commission to oversee its responsibilities related to the district. Updated documentation will also assist property owners in understanding how they may qualify for historic preservation incentives such as the recently released state historic tax credit.

The city of Niles is receiving a $70,000 grant to hire a contractor to rehabilitate the roof of the Henry A. Chapin House, which is operated as part of the Niles History Center, a division of the City of Niles Community Development Department. The project will help ensure that the building, constructed in 1884 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1981, remains a viable community asset.

For more information on the CLG program and funding opportunities, visit here.

Chicago Jet’s Pizza Store is Franchise’s 400th Location

Sterling Heights-based Jet’s Pizza opened its 400th location, in the Jefferson Park neighborhood of Chicago. The store is owned by Bryan Gilbert and Dan O’Donohue.

“It’s incredible to think we just opened our 400th location when it feels like just yesterday that I was sitting on milk crates with my brother, Eugene, outside our first location, dreaming of this,” says John Jetts, president and CEO of Jet’s America Inc. “We’re so proud of the product we put out there and the family of franchisees we’ve formed who have all made this dream possible.”

As announced earlier this year, Jet’s Pizza says it plans to open 30 new locations in 2022, including locations in Utah, Kansas, New Mexico, Washington, and Nevada.

For more information, visit jetspizza.com.

Bloomfield Hills Financial Announces Winners in ‘Stock to Scholarship’ Challenge

Four high school students in southeast Michigan have won the 11th Annual Bloomfield Hills Financial “Stock to Scholarship” Challenge, out of hundreds of registered participants.

First place went to International Academy Bloomfield Hills Junior Mohammad Mughal, who received a $5,000 scholarship. Second place went to Eisenhower High School Senior Samuel Hughes, who received a $2,000 scholarship, and third place went to Troy High School Freshman Jessica Haerens, who received a $1,000 scholarship. The InvestWrite Essay winner is International Academy West Senior Hector Benitez, who received a $500 scholarship.

“This is the 11th year for our program, and it was once again extremely successful,” says Kevin VanDyke, founder and CEO of Bloomfield Hills Financial. “We’re so proud of all our scholarship winners along with all the local students who choose to participate.

“Educating students about the various factors that can impact investments is key, and it gets them on the right track to better understand the market. Especially with what we’re seeing lately with regards to high inflation, ongoing supply chain disruptions, rising interest rates, Covid-induced lockdowns in China, and the war in Ukraine.”

The Stock to Scholarship Challenge was created by VanDyke to help high school students understand the basics of investing in the stock market by participating in a risk-free environment with the goal to win scholarship money.

Each participating student was provided access to an online investment account pre-funded with $100,000 in “play money,” which they used to purchase various stocks and mutual funds. Participants placed trades in their portfolios at will with the goal to amass more “money” in their account than any other participant. The challenge was inspired by Van Dyke’s own experience with investing during his college years.

Rhonda Walker Foundation to Host Give and Get Fit 5K/10K Run on Detroit Riverfront

The Rhonda Walker Foundation (RWF) will host its 12th annual Give & Get Fit health and fitness event at Cullen Plaza in Detroit starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday.

The event features a 5k and 10k chip timed race, 5k walk and health fair with a dozen exhibitors from local health care institutions, fitness studios, and small businesses with a health and wellness focus.  Proceeds from the event will support the Rhonda Walker Foundation’s Girls Into Women program, now in its 19th year of empowering teen girls in Detroit.

The Give & Get Fit event attracts more than 500 health-conscious metro Detroiters of all ages and each participant will receive a performance t-shirt, finisher’s medal, and have access to free health screenings and more.

Additionally, race medals will be awarded to the overall male and female winners along with medals presented to winners of every age group from 1-100 years of age. Foundation founder WDIV Local 4 morning anchor Rhonda Walker will host, greet guests, and present the race medals and premium raffle prizes.

“I love seeing the runners and walkers of all ages and cultures all in one place inspiring and cheering each other on,” Walker says. “It’s such a fun, inspiring morning to promote the vital importance of health and wellness in our community. With the generous support of our sponsors and exhibitors, we’re able to give metro Detroiters a fun, educational experience that encourages them to focus on fitness while give back to Detroit youth.”

For more information, visit here.