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.
State Launches New Online Ordering System for Liquor Licensees
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission has launched its new Online Liquor Ordering system for the state’s 14,000 liquor licensees.
The new, modernized OLO system expands functionality for licensees and offers many new online capabilities. Most notably, licensees now can:
- View and search orders placed on the new system, and search for liquor products.
- Copy previous orders (beneficial if licensees order the same items each time).
- Search by an “old” liquor code and if it’s been replaced, the system will bring up the new code.
- Add multiple users; the previous system only allowed one user, per licensee.
- Add products by liquor code and quantity.
“These enhanced capabilities certainly bring our liquor ordering system into the 21st century for our licensees and will better meet their business needs,” says Pat Gagliardi, chair of the MLCC Chair. “Also, with OLO, we now have a platform to build on that will give us the ability to add other functions that will serve us well into the future.”
Prior to the launch in February, the MLCC conducted testing and training on the OLO system with MLCC staff, liquor licensees, and the state’s authorized distribution agents’ technical and customer service teams, using multiple devices. The MLCC provided licensees with advance notification and registration instructions prior to new system going live — which it says was key to the seamless transition to the modernized system.
Retailers are encouraged to contact the MLCC if they have questions, comments, or suggestions on any changes that they think could improve the system. The MLCC is already working on enhancements based on licensee recommendations that are anticipated to launch within the next few weeks.
Governor Signs Pay Extension for Direct Care Workers
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed a measure passed last week by the state Legislature to boost by $2.25 the hourly wage of direct care workers serving Michigan citizens with developmental disabilities or mental illness through Sept. 30. The supplemental is retroactive to Mar. 1.
Residential and vocational direct care workers provide personal care, training, emotional support, and respite to these vulnerable people and their families.
“We continue to see the services our state’s direct care workers provide being honored and recognized by state lawmakers during these difficult times,” says Colleen Allen, president and CEO of the Autism Alliance of Michigan. “We look forward to continuing our conversations and ensuring that this temporary wage supplemental becomes permanent.”
Nearly a million Michigan residents rely directly or indirectly on the services direct care workers provide. Previously, a $2 per hour wage supplemental expired on Feb. 28.
Design Contest Challenges Students to Sketch Electrified Jeep of Future
The Jeep brand of Auburn Hills’ Stellantis is challenging high school students across the country to sketch an electrified Jeep vehicle of the future.
Entries for the 2021 Drive for Design contest, its ninth annual edition, are due by May 14. Three students will be named winners from all valid entries received.
Three sketches will be selected and the winning artists will receive a virtual day of design with leading designers at the Stellantis Design Studios, Wacom, and Apple products and a scholarship to attend a four-week summer program at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit. The CCS summer program curriculum includes the fundamentals of gestural sketching, drawing automotive concepts in perspective and how to translate designs into 3-D models.
“Since the contest began nine years ago, we’ve been able to connect and help many young artists establish a career path in automotive design,” says Mark Trostle, head of Ram Truck and Mopar design at Stellantis, who won an earlier version of the contest when he was in school. “In fact, we’ve had previous contestants as summer interns and recently we hired a former winner who is now working in one of the design studios. Regardless of where these students ultimately land, it’s rewarding to our team to be able make an impact on someone’s career.”
The contest kicks off today at 5 p.m. during a Facebook Live “Ask Me Anything” session featuring Trostle and Stellantis Design Chief Ralph Gilles.
For detailed contest rules and information on how to submit sketches, visit here.
NatGeo Aretha Franklin Special to Premiere at the Monroe Street Drive-In
National Geographic’s “Genius: Aretha” will premiere in Detroit at the Monroe Street Drive-In Powered by Emagine with a private screening on March 11 and a free public screening on March 13.
The Detroit premiere coincides with a multi-city launch, including the Springs Drive-In in Atlanta, the Skyline Theater in New York, and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. These multi-city premiere screenings take place ahead of the broadcast premiere of the program on the National Geographic channel on March 21. It will be available the next day on Hulu.
“Aretha Franklin is a not only a local legend but a global one, and we are very proud to use our platform at the Monroe Street Drive-In to help celebrate the continuation of her reign as the Queen of Soul,” says Ivy Greaner, COO of Bedrock.
Gates will open for the March 13 free public screening at 6 pm and admission will be granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Spots are expected to fill quickly, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early. No advanced tickets will be available.
Hillsdale College to Host Inaugural Olympic Development Camps for Shooters
Hillsdale College in Hillsdale (southwest of Jackson), in partnership with USA Shooting, will host two USA Shooting Junior Olympic Development Camps in June.
The skeet camp will run from June 13-17, and the bunker trap camp will run from June 20-24.
“Hillsdale is proud to work with USA Shooting to provide young people across our country with the opportunity to pursue a path to Olympic-level shooting,” says Rich Péwé, chief administrative officer at Hillsdale College. “We look forward to similar future endeavors with USA Shooting.”
Campers between the ages of 12 and 20 will receive instruction from several current and former USA Shooting Olympians and National Team members, including World Cup Gold Medalist Aeriel Skinner and U.S. National Champion Frank Thompson, both members of the U.S. Olympic Shotgun Team.
The camp is an all-inclusive experience for novice- through high-level shotgun competitors with shooting experience living anywhere in the United States. The $1,995-cost covers:
- Transportation to and from Detroit Metro Airport.
- Housing on Hillsdale’s campus.
- All meals (Sunday afternoon through Thursday morning).
- Local transportation between the main campus and the Halter Center.
- Small-group coaching.
- All clay targets and ammunition.
- Evening activities on Hillsdale College’s campus, including instruction on the Constitution and second amendment from David Raney, Hillsdale College history professor.
Registration is available here and ends May 21.
