DBusiness Daily Update: Southwest Detroit Lights Up the Holidays with Three Dec. 9 Festivals, 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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Corktown decorations
Corktown Aglow is one of three southwest Detroit holiday festivals taking place Saturday. // Photo courtesy of Corktown Business Association

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.

Southwest Detroit Lights Up the Holidays with Three Saturday Festivals

Southwest Detroit will be home to three festivals — the eighth annual Corktown Aglow, the ninth annual Southwest Holiday Fest in Mexicantown, and the inaugural Let it Snow Festival in North Corktown — Dec. 9.

Corktown Aglow takes place between 2-11 p.m. and includes Christmas ornament decorating, an inflatable slide, a s’mores and hot chocolate station, and a snowman making contest. The event includes a DJ playing a mix of classic Christmas carols and modern yuletide hits, and an artisan market with merchandise from local artisans, crafters, and independent makers. Event organizers will offer attendees the chance to participate in a 50/50 raffle and the opportunity to visit with Santa Claus. A pub crawl with an ugly Christmas sweater contest will kick off at 5:30 p.m., taking participants to several Corktown bars, pubs, and restaurants.

The Southwest Detroit Holiday Fest is on from 3-8 p.m. along the Bagley Street and W. Vernor Highway corridor between 16th and 24th streets. Activities include an ensemble performance by Living Arts, and an interactive experience with Matrix Theatre Co.’s Playback Theatre Performances, and Un Theatre Performance. A special “posada” procession, a traditional Mexican Christmas celebration that reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking lodging before the birth of Jesus, will lead participants on a tour throughout Mexicantown.

The inaugural Let It Snow Festival will bring together the spirit of the season and the warmth of the North Corktown community, which is nestled just north of the Corktown neighborhood. The family-friendly festival takes place from 2-6 p.m. at the Pink Flamingo, an outdoor pop-up dining spot located at 2746 Vermont St.

The event promises a festive atmosphere with live music and food and beverages. Children can participate in a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, as well as have the opportunity to take photos in a holiday photo booth.

A complimentary shuttle service is available from 2-8 p.m., providing attendees convenient access to all three festivals.

The Macomb Group Grows Footprint in North Carolina with New Branch in Raleigh

Sterling Heights-based wholesale distributor of pipe, valves and fittings The Macomb Group has expanded into North Carolina with a 57,000-square-foot building in Garner, a suburb of Raleigh.

The latest location in The Macomb Group’s growing footprint throughout the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast, will serve the Raleigh-Durham area and surrounding markets. The facility is located in a new industrial business park that is still under construction and is expected to open late spring 2024.

The new branch is in addition to the established Charlotte and Greensboro locations in North Carolina and the Richburg location in South Carolina, making four locations throughout the Carolinas.

“We’ve been serving the Raleigh-Durham markets for years,” says Scott Henegar, COO of The Macomb Group. “The new branch will reinforce our presence in the region, grow our relationships with customers and expand our company’s reach to new customers.”

As construction is being finalized, The Macomb Group already has a team in place working from the Charlotte and Greensboro branches, who are sourcing new customers for the Raleigh operations. Additional support staff will be added later this spring.

The Carolinas are headed by Regional Manager David Sommardahl, who has 30 years of wholesale distribution experience. Sommardahl says, “Having worked in the Carolinas for over 10 years, it’s exciting to be adding our newest branch to the market to better serve our existing and new customers. We’ve got a great team and look forward to growing the business.”

The branch will include offices, a will-call customer sales counter, and a warehouse.

Stellantis and Partners Open Hydrogen Fuel Cell Gigafactory in France

Symbio, an equally owned joint venture between Forvia, Michelin, and Stellantis, has opened SymphonHy, its first gigafactory, a center of technological and industrial excellence in Saint-Fons, France.

SymphonHy is the largest integrated fuel cell production site in Europe, confirming Symbio’s role as a technological and industrial leader. The site houses the group’s headquarters, a production plant, an innovation hub of unparalleled dimension, and the Symbio Hydrogen Academy.

With its state-of-the-art technology, SymphonHy has a high level of automation and robotics supporting large-scale industrial production at a more competitive cost. These developments are key to accelerate the roll-out of competitive, high-performance hydrogen-powered transport, and contribute to the energy transition and the ambitions of Europe to move towards net zero.

SymphonHy by the numbers:

  • A current production capacity of 16,000, to reach 50,000 by 2026.
  • An existing surface area of 26,000 square meters, 40,000 square meters by 2026.
  • 7,000 square meters of space dedicated to innovation.
  • 8,000 square meters of ISO 8-certified cleanrooms.
  • More than 450 engineers, including 100 dedicated to innovation.
  • 20 PhDs covering a wide range of disciplines (electrochemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, etc.).

“Symbio is the proof that three French-rooted and leading companies in their respective fields can join forces and expertise to be at the forefront,” says Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. “Today’s inauguration marks an important step as hydrogen is part of the mix of technologies we are bringing forward for commercial vehicle customers.

“This technology is a building block of the powerful electrification ecosystem we are developing to support our bold goal to reach, by 2030, 100 percent electric sales in Europe and 50 percent in the U.S. As Stellantis’ purpose is to ‘lead the way the world moves,’ hydrogen will contribute to reaching our ambitious carbon net zero by 2038 target, ahead of the competition in our fight against climate change.”

Kalamazoo’s Kalsec Opens New Facility in Singapore

With the opening of Kalsec Inc.’s Finishing and Distribution Centre in Singapore, the company continues to expand its international footprint to better serve food and beverage brands and manufacturers.

Kalsec is a natural ingredient solutions provider with global headquarters in Kalamazoo and regional headquarters in the UK and Singapore.

The new Kalsec Singapore Finishing and Distribution Centre is located at JTC Food Hub @ Senoko, a shared facility fostering an ecosystem of players in the food industry.

“It is gratifying to see the accomplishment of this milestone after intense planning and great cross-functional teamwork,” says Kathleen Koh, vice president and managing director of Kalsec Asia. “The new facility will have a positive impact for our customers, including faster response times and order fulfillment, especially with products in high demand in the region.”

Kalsec’s CEO Robert Wheeler says: “The modernized facility in Senoko is a testimony of our dedication to bring products and services closer to our customers. It is also part of Kalsec’s plan to diversify our production locations, enabling us to further strengthen our production and customer reach capabilities.”

Chevrolet Trax Joins Corvette on Car and Driver’s 10Best Lists for 2024

The all-new 2024 Chevrolet Trax secured one of 10 spots on Car and Driver’s 2024 10Best Trucks and SUVs list, which honors trucks and SUVs for delivering value and a great driving experience. In addition, Car and Driver also named the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and E-Ray to its 10Best Cars list.

“We are honored to see the 2024 Chevrolet Trax recognized with this award,” says Brad Franz, director of car and crossover marketing at Chevrolet. “The 2024 Trax is a tech-forward choice for customers seeking the practicality of a compact car and the utility of an SUV, with a suite of standard features at an affordable price point. This award is a great vote of confidence that we are offering a winning package for customers.”

Since launching earlier this year, the Trax has become one of the hottest vehicles in the industry. When paired with the Chevrolet Trailblazer, they lead their segment in retail share, according to Chevrolet.

“America’s sportscar is proud to defend its place with this award with Stingray and our recently introduced E-Ray,” continued Franz. “The eighth-generation Corvette took the world by storm when it debuted, and it continues to get better. The E-Ray is not only the quickest Corvette ever, but also the first-ever Corvette with an electrified powertrain and all-wheel drive, propelling this storied vehicle into a new age.”

In Related News: The all-new Chevrolet Colorado won the “Golden Calipers” as MotorTrend’s 2024 Truck of the Year. This latest award marks the third time Colorado came out on top in the publication’s Truck of the Year competition following the mid-size truck’s win in 2015 and 2016. MotorTrend credited the Colorado’s modern interior, versatile bed and strong feature content, on top of incredible off-road capability across the lineup, as part of its winning package.

Detroit’s Human8 Unveils Global What Matters Report

Human8, the Detroit-based global human-driven consultancy, together with Space Doctors, its strategic, cultural, and creative specialist team, released its annual Global What Matters Report, offering insights into consumer attitudes towards environmental sustainability and regenerative sustainability.

The U.S.-specific data underscores a pressing call for action, with 70 percent of respondents declaring that “sustaining” is no longer sufficient, urging a move towards regenerative sustainability. Furthermore, a resounding 78 percent emphasize the pivotal role brands play in securing the planet’s future.

The Global What Matters report is based on a four-part global study deploying a mix of cultural and human insight methodologies, culminated in a global insight community across 10 markets and a quantification with 13,028 consumers across 17 markets.

“In the pages of the report, a collective concern emerges as 72 percent of U.S. respondents express worry about the state of the planet for future generations,” says Katherine Ephlin, managing director of North America of Human8. “An even more striking 67 percent advocate for drastic lifestyle changes, emphasizing a shared recognition that the time for complacency has passed.

“Woven throughout the narratives is a common thread, 70 percent of respondents believe that creating a better world is not something they can accomplish on their own. They express a collective yearning for visionary leaders, be they individuals, organizations, or brands, to take the lead and drive meaningful change.”

Furthermore, the report highlights an evolution from traditional sustainability to regenerative sustainability. Where traditional sustainability focuses primarily on maintaining the current state of the environment, regenerative sustainability or ‘regeneration’ broadens the scope. It’s not only about the planet. And it’s not only about doing less harm. It’s about thinking in regenerative ways, restoring, and reimagining everything, including how businesses are run to reshaping human norms and ecological systems.

For more information, methodology details, and to access the full report, visit here.

Easterseals MORC to Host Annual Cheers Gala at M1 Concourse

Easterseals MORC is set to host its eighth annual Cheers Gala, presented by Recaro Automotive N.A., at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac from 7-10 p.m. on Friday.

While the Cheers Gala celebrates the nonprofit’s accomplishments over the past year, it also raises funds to support its ongoing mission of providing a full continuum of care and life-changing programs for Michiganders with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or special needs. With more than 150 years of combined service, Easterseals MORC continues to expand programs to meet the demands of the 23,500 individuals it serves annually.

At the event, Easterseals MORC will honor Ben Mondloch, president of Cherry Lake Pubishing and Sleeping Bear Press, for publishing the “Understanding Disability” and “Itty Bitty Bio” book series. The multi-book series brings young readers inclusive stories that explore disabilities in a comprehensive, honest, and age-appropriate way. The book series was launched in partnership with Easterseals National.

General admission tickets to the Cheers Gala are $100. All proceeds will go to Easterseals MORC.  Attendees will enjoy a spirits tasting, a strolling dinner, casino games, silent auction, and more. To learn more about this event and purchase tickets, visit here.

Meridian in Michigan, Centene Foundation Make $1.1M Commitment to Alternatives for Girls

 Meridian in Michigan, a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corp., and the Centene Foundation announced a $1.1 million funding commitment to social services agency Alternatives For Girls (AFG).

The commitment will address the unique needs of girls and young women experiencing homelessness in Detroit through the development and furnishing of a 3,400-square-foot early childhood education center that will open as part of the Dr. Maya Angelou Village (DMAV) in summer 2024.

The center will provide affordable, high-quality early education to children from birth to three years of age. Operated by AFG, the center also will be accessible to the public. AFG is focused on providing homeless, high-risk girls and young women with support, resources, and the opportunities necessary to maintain stable housing and become economically independent. To support working parents, services will be offered during both standard and non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends.

Labatt to Host Free 21+ Skate Night in the Heart of Downtown Detroit

The Michigan-based Labatt team will host a free skate night for beer fans dubbed “Labatt on Ice” from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 14.

In partnership with the Downtown Detroit Partnership, Labatt bought out The Rink at Campus Martius Park and invites people who are 21 years or older to join in for an evening of free skating, holiday cheer, and ice-cold Labatt.

Labatt will pay for the first 300 skaters, to thank local beers drinkers for making Michigan a top market for Labatt.

“Many people here in Detroit and throughout Michigan have really embraced Labatt, making it one of our top markets in the U.S.,” says Jason Folaron, brand director for Labatt. “To say thank you during the holiday season, we encourage our 21+ fans to round up their crew and enjoy a night on the ice, on Labatt. Don’t forget your I.D.”

Kids Can Become a Detroit Piston for a Day

Michigan kids ages 7-12 can enter the fifth annual #MIKidsCan Detroit Pistons Kids Day Sweepstakes and win an opportunity to go behind the scenes of a Pistons game day.

The sweepstakes, hosted by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit Pistons, offers kids an opportunity to get an in-depth look into various front office roles and responsibilities, and experience working with a staff member for the day. Twenty-five Michigan kids will be selected for Kids Day at the Jan. 20, 2024 Pistons game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Parents can enter their children in the #MIKidsCan Pistons Kids Day Sweepstakes through Jan. 5, 2024 here. Each winner will receive a co-branded Kids Day t-shirt, participate in a pre-game event at Little Caesars Arena with lunch and a Hooper mascot meet-and-greet, and receive four complimentary game tickets for their family. Various kids’ activities and giveaways will take place throughout the day and during the game.

Financial Education Event on Dec. 14 Aims to Assist Macomb House Hunters

Gesher Human Services in Southfield is partnering with The Huntington National Bank for an event called Home for the Holidays from 5.30-8.30 p.m. at New St. Paul Missionary Church in Warren on Dec. 14.

The event will provide financial education for families hoping to purchase a new home in 2024. Home for the Holidays is designed to help the residents of Warren and the wider Macomb County area with financial education and housing resources.

The event also will introduce a new housing program from Gesher Human Services powered by The Huntington National Bank to help qualifying first time homebuyers with down payment assistance, including the opportunity to receive a $5,000 grant to help them buy a home. Registration for the free event, which is sponsored by the bank, is limited to 75; dinner and activities for children will be provided. To register, visit here.

The event also will include other agencies such as Advancing Macomb, which will provide information about other nonprofits that can offer resources. There also will be representatives from the City of Warren Assessor’s Office to speak about taxes and assessments. Gesher Human Services will offer information on budgeting, credit, and savings for a fresh financial start to 2024. In addition, a real estate agent and a representative from energy sustainability company the Walker-Miller Agency will be on site.

Feonix – Mobility Rising Joins Ford Fund’s $5M Initiative to Bridge Transportation Gaps

Nebraska-based Feonix – Mobility Rising and Ford Motor Co. Fund are part of a $5 million investment aimed at addressing transportation insecurity in Detroit and Stanton, Tenn.

In partnership with Ford Fund, Feonix – Mobility Rising in Detroit will offer two programs: Grocery Express and Access to Care. The Grocery Express shuttle service will provide older adults and families from low-income households with transportation to and from a variety of supermarkets and local stores in the region.

The Access to Care program will provide mothers and infants with no-cost transportation to prenatal healthcare and wrap-around supportive resources.

In Stanton, Feonix will be working alongside community leaders to understand the current residents’ mobility needs and to establish an action plan for the deployment of a local transportation assistance hub.

“Feonix is honored to have the support of Ford Fund and the opportunity to work alongside community partners in expanding access to health care, healthy affordable food options, and employment,” says Valerie Lefler, founder and executive director of Feonix.

In addition to supporting Feonix – Mobility Rising, Ford Fund is also partnering with more than a dozen nonprofit organizations to provide transportation-limited communities with access to resources and services, including health care and fresh food.

“Access to safe and reliable transportation is key for people to move out of poverty,” says Alex Buznego, senior manager of mobility programs at the Ford Fund. “Our investments in mobility solutions are focused on grassroots collaborations designed to bridge the gaps in access for underserved and under-resourced communities. We know that connecting people to transportation can unlock incredible opportunities for them — from healthcare and fresh food to employment and education.”