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.
Ford to Reveal New Mustang Sept. 14 at The Stampede at Hart Plaza
Mustang fans will get their first glimpse of the seventh-generation pony car during The Stampede on Sept. 14 at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, a celebration of the first six generations of Ford Motor Co.’s iconic nameplate leading up to the Detroit Auto Show.
One element of The Stampede is a parade of Mustangs driving from Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn to the debut event at Hart Plaza. Another part of the festivities is the Best Stang Decade contest where those attending are encouraged to wear attire inspired by their favorite period in Mustang history, from the 1960s through today.
A panel of Hour Detroit magazine editors and experts in fashion, arts, and entertainment will judge the attire and select 12 finalists (two from each decade), with the top three costumes earning the following prizes:
- First place: A two-year lease of an all-new Mustang GT
- Second place: An early drive of the all-new Mustang
- Third place: A hot lap in a new Mustang with a Ford Performance driver
Best Stang Decade entrants will need to be photographed at one of the photo booths at The Stampede between 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Sept. 14. Winners will be announced no later than Sept. 19. Terms and conditions apply.
Mustang owners can register to participate in The Stampede here.
Ford will broadcast The Stampede live on its social channels. The revealing main event will begins at 8 p.m.
Signature Associates Sells Industrial Building in Detroit
Signature Associates, a commercial real estate agency in Southfield, has sold the 238,334-square-foot industrial building located at 6501 Nevada in Detroit to Buligo Capital Partners of Israel. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The building is fully leased to long-term tenant, Lear Corp. The first-class property is located on 14 acres, is well-maintained and offers 14,000 square feet of office, two grade level doors, 15 truck wells, heavy industrial zoning, abundant power, more than 200 parking spaces.
Plante Moran Named to People’s 100 Companies that Care list
Plante Moran in Southfield has been named to People magazine’s list of 100 Companies that Care.
One of the nation’s largest accounting, tax, consulting, and wealth management firms, Plante Moran is known for its We Care culture, which puts people first and is centered around high-touch relationships, transparency, and trust.
“Our firm’s culture is rooted in what Elorion Plante and Frank Moran called their grand experiment — they wanted to create an organization focused on its people, knowing that, in turn, those people would provide great service to clients,” says Jim Proppe, managing partner at Plante Moran. “Elorion and Frank envisioned a place where the best practitioners couldn’t wait to get in the door and clients were lining up to receive unsurpassed service. And even today, at a firm that’s nearly 100 years old, we haven’t lost sight of that vision.”
At the core of Plante Moran’s culture is an understanding that the whole person comes to work. The firm recognizes staff members not only in their professional roles, but also as people who have family, personal, and community commitments that extend beyond work. The firm offers a variety of benefits and programs to help staff balance these roles.
To identify the 100 Companies that Care, People teamed up with Great Place to Work to produce the ranking using the research firm’s database and inside knowledge of outstanding workplaces around the globe. To view the full list, visit people.com.
Michigan Israel Business Accelerator Hosting Fundraiser Oct. 6
The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator is hosting its annual Taste of Two Nations recognition, fundraising and wine tasting event between 5:30-10 p.m. on Oct. 06 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham, MI
The evening will include wine tasting, a strolling dinner, a silent auction, and an awards ceremony to recognize the accelerator’s partners in innovation across the state of Michigan.
For more information and to register, visit here.
Macomb Community College to Offer Cybersecurity Bootcamp
Macomb Community College is offering a 12-week cybersecurity bootcamp designed to help individuals boost their information technology skills and advance into a career in cybersecurity.
Beginning Sept. 20, the instructor-led bootcamp will take place remotely with four-hour sessions every Tuesday and Thursday evenings, ending on Dec. 15. Those interested in the bootcamp must register by Sept. 12.
The bootcamp begins with computer and networking fundamentals and quickly moves into cybersecurity labs geared toward preparing the student for the CompTIA Security+ exam. CompTIA is an industry-recognized cybersecurity credential and is a good entry point for someone with basic IT and networking knowledge who wants to advance into a cybersecurity career.
Those who are unemployed or underemployed and meet certain criteria can receive funding to cover the cost of the program through Michigan Works!. Course fees cover all course materials and the CompTIA Security+ exam with one opportunity to retake the exam if necessary. For more information and to register before Sept. 12, visit here and click on Information Technology under the Professional Development tab.
Washtenaw Community College to Showcase Auto Cybersecurity Lab at Sept. 8 Open House
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor will host an open house and Computer Science and IT Expo from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 8 in its new Automotive Cybersecurity Lab. The new lab is located in the Business Education Building, Room 160.
Current and prospective students interested in learning about the college’s programs for in-demand cyber careers and other computer science and technology programs are invited.
This new lab features Umlaut workbenches that bring vehicle infotainment and other key systems from real production vehicles into the classroom. Here, attack surfaces are investigated with a focus on techniques to provide insight into creating secure automotive systems. Students complete hands-on exercises to test security related to automobile networks and related infrastructure.
To register for the Computer Science and IT Expo, visit here.
Amazon Donating $250K to Support Detroit Wellness Nonprofits
Amazon says it plans to donate $250,000 to Detroit wellness nonprofits, which include organizations that are community leaders in neighborhood growth, urban farming, historic preservation, and youth development.
Organizations receiving the wellness donation include:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Detroit
- Pure Heart Foundation
- Michigan Humane Society (Abraham Ranch)
- Detroit Sound Conservancy (Blue Bird Inn)
- Idlewild Lake County Merry Makers
- Peace Tree Parks
- Ossian H. Sweet House
The funds will go toward youth mental health programs, restoration of historic community sites, funding the construction of an urban greenhouse, and promotion of cultural and educational activities.
“At Amazon, we’re not only committed to being a good employer, but also a good neighbor,” says Ian Conyers, head of community engagement in Detroit for Amazon. “We are so excited to support these metro Detroit organizations that provide wellness and development while serving as meeting places for our neighbors. We are looking forward to fall programs that make an impact on the communities in which we live, work and play.”
Friendship Circle’s Walk4Friendship Event Raises $715K+ for Individuals with Special Needs
Friendship Circle, a West Bloomfield Township-based nonprofit that supports individuals with special needs, conducted its 17th annual Walk4Friendship on Aug. 28.
The event surpassed its original fundraising goal of $650,000 by more than $65,000, with donations totaling over $715,000. All the money raised at the walk will support Friendship Circle and allow the organization to continue providing support through recreational, social, educational, and vocational programming to more than 3,000 individuals and their families.
The theme for this year’s walk was “Built on Friendship,” which represented the foundation for everything Friendship Circle does. Friendship Circle is dedicated to creating a supportive community that provides friendship to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
“The funds we raise at Walk4Friendship are critical in supporting all our programming, which allows us to provide friendship to individuals who need it most,” says Bassie Shemtov, co-founder of Friendship Circle. “This was a record-breaking year, which wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible corporate sponsors, each and every donor and of course our amazing Friendship Circle families who never fail to support our mission.”
Donations to Friendship Circle still can be made by visiting here.
