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.
The Henry Ford Receives $3M Gift from Harris Foundation to Build Fitness Center
The Henry Ford in Dearborn today announced it has received a $3 million gift from the Mort and Brigitte Harris Foundation to build a gymnasium and fitness center for students at Henry Ford Academy.
“We are so honored and humbled by the Harris Foundation’s generosity,” says Patricia Mooradian, president and CEO of The Henry Ford. “This gift will help provide the resources needed to create a long-awaited gymnasium and fitness center for our Henry Ford Academy students. The late Mort Harris was a wonderful friend and longtime supporter of The Henry Ford and during his lifetime, he made a great impact on businesses and institutions across southeast Michigan. He was a change agent in every sense and believed so deeply in the power of community and education.”
Harris, a native Detroiter, was a World War II veteran who enlisted in the United States Army Air Force. He became an officer and a highly decorated pilot, accomplishing 33 successful missions flying a B-17 Flying Fortress. He earned three U.S. Distinguished Flying Crosses, six Air Medals, a Presidential Citation, the Polish Medal of Honor, and the French Legion of Honor medal, all recognizing heroism and outstanding leadership.
Harris went on to become a successful entrepreneur and businessman. Among the many companies he helped to create was the auto supply giant American Axle and Manufacturing.
In addition to the Mort Harris Health and Wellness Center, The Henry Ford also will recognize Mort Harris and the foundation’s generosity by naming the central gallery space within the Heroes of the Sky exhibition — The Mort Harris Aviation Gallery.
Rocket Mortgage Classic Tickets on Sale Now
Daily grounds tickets and shared hospitality passes for the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic, Detroit’s annual PGA Tour event, are on sale now.
Tickets can be purchased for the event, slated to be played at the Detroit Golf Club July 26-31, at RocketMortgageClassic.com.
“We are excited to get ticket sales underway for the 2022 tournament,” says Jason Langwell, executive director of the event. “As we enter our fourth year here in Detroit, the Rocket Mortgage Classic has established itself as a favorite summer tradition for residents of the city and beyond.
“Whether you’re looking to come out and watch the PGA Tour’s best golfers up close and personal or you’re just a fan of exciting community events and summer fun, there’s something for everyone. When you add in the positive impact that the Rocket Mortgage Classic makes every year through our Changing the Course initiative to end the digital divide, it’s an event that’s truly meaningful to our Detroit communities.”
All Rocket Mortgage Classic tickets are digital and day-specific, and fans are encouraged to buy tickets early for the best prices.
Grounds passes start at $60 for the first round (Thursday, July 28), $70 for the second round (Friday, July 29), and $80 per day for the final two rounds (Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31).
Shared hospitality options include the LendingTree Lounge starting at $100 per day and the Michelob Ultra Athletic Club beginning at $250 per day. Both venues offer upgraded viewing experiences featuring tented and outdoor seating, upgraded food and beverage for purchase, and private restrooms. The LendingTree Lounge overlooks the 16th green, with views of the 16th fairway 17th tee, and 13th green.
The Michelob Ultra Athletic Club brings fans into the heart of AREA 313, with up-close views of the entire par-3 15th hole as well as the 14th green, and 16th tee.
Kids 15 and under receive a complimentary grounds ticket when accompanied by a ticketed adult (up to four kids per adult) Thursday-Sunday. Thanks to Detroit Community Days presented by DTE Energy, all local fans will receive complimentary admission and parking on Tuesday, July 26 for the AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble and the Youth Golf Clinic presented by The Children’s Foundation, as well as on Wednesday, July 27 for the Delta Dental Pro-Am at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Parking for Thursday-Sunday competition rounds can be purchased starting at $20 per day. All public parking Thursday-Sunday will be at Wayne State University, with shuttle service to and from Detroit Golf Club. During Detroit Community Days presented by DTE Energy on Tuesday and Wednesday, complimentary public parking will be offered at University of Detroit Mercy – McNichols Campus, with shuttle service to and from Detroit Golf Club.
To inquire about hospitality or sponsorship opportunities, email sponsorship@rocketmortgageclassic.com.
Air Lift Co. Releases New Kits for 2021-22 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ford Maverick AWD
Lansing-based aftermarket air suspension manufacturer Air Lift Co. has released new lift kits for the 2021-22 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and the new 2022 Ford Maverick AWD.
By working with the Jeep Grand Cherokee L’s and Ford Maverick AWD’s existing suspensions, Air Lift 1000 helps eliminate frequent problems when towing or hauling by properly supporting the load. Vehicle squat, poor headlight aim, unresponsive steering, trailer sway, body roll, and bottoming out are eliminated and the vehicle is returned to a level and stable state, allowing users to tow or haul with safety and comfort.
Installation requires minor drilling and special tools in the case of the Jeep and no drilling or special tools in the case of the Maverick. Both include easy-to- follow, fully illustrated instruction manuals for an DIY friendly installation.
All Air Lift air springs are backed by an industry-exclusive Limited Lifetime Warranty, which covers the entire contents of the air spring kit. The company also ensures satisfaction with a 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee on load support air spring kits and on-board compressor systems.
Henry Ford Stroke Centers Earn Advanced Stroke Certifications
Henry Ford Medical Center – Brownstown has earned an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital advanced stroke certification from The Joint Commission, making it the first freestanding emergency room in the state of Michigan to do so, and Henry Ford Macomb Hospital has earned recertification as a Primary Stroke Center. The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization that accredits and certifies more than 22,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.
“Our stroke team is committed to treating our patients with the most advanced, evidence-based interventions available today,” says Dr. Alex Chebl, director of the Division of Vascular Neurology for Henry Ford Health. “These advanced stroke certifications recognizing Henry Ford Medical Center – Brownstown and Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, as well as the advanced stroke certifications at our other hospitals throughout Henry Ford Health, are a reflection of our team’s dedication to providing fast and effective treatment, which can help save lives and reduce the lasting effects of stroke.”
To earn recertification as a Primary Stroke Center, Henry Ford Macomb Hospital demonstrated continuous compliance with stringent performance standards. Primary Stroke Center certification recognizes the hospital’s commitment to providing clinical programs across the continuum of care for stroke. The certification evaluates how hospitals use clinical outcomes and performance measures to identify opportunities to improve care, as well as to educate and prepare patients and their caregivers for discharge. Henry Ford Macomb Hospital is also on a journey to seek Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center certification from The Joint Commission.
To earn the Acute Stroke Ready certification, Henry Ford Medical Center – Brownstown has a dedicated stroke-focused program with staff who can perform rapid diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing to facilitate the administration of IV thrombolytics, “clot-busting” drugs that help break up the blockage and restore blood flow to the brain, in eligible patients. As part of this certification, Henry Ford Medical Center – Brownstown has transfer agreements with facilities that have earned other advanced certifications from The Joint Commission, including the Comprehensive Stroke Center at Henry Ford Hospital and the Primary Stroke Center at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital.
For more information, visit here.
Fresh Coast Climate Solutions Launches with Actions to Address Climate Change
Fresh Coast Climate Solutions, is a new climate and sustainability consulting company in Ann Arbor, formed to guide clients in taking direct and bold actions to address climate change.
Founded by Joshua Brugeman and Jenny Oorbeck, Fresh Coast Climate Solutions will lead clients in their decarbonization, environmental social governance (ESG), electrification, and carbon equity efforts. The firm’s expertise is focused on organizations that want to lead with action and mitigate carbon emissions, no matter their size.
“We don’t have the luxury of waiting for others to act or making incremental changes anymore,” says Brugeman. “While some companies are making climate progress, many need assistance with deploying transformative actions at scale.”
Solutions include:
- Impactful net-zero decarbonization strategies.
- Sustainability and ESG programs with aggressive goals, solutions that overhaul the status quo, and actions that align with the client’s needs.
- Proliferation of cleantech solutions that push net-zero carbon emissions and emphasize carbon equity.
- Leading by innovating, accelerating, and implementing at scale.
The new firm says it can serve clients across diverse industries, including cleantech, automotive, food, agriculture, consumer products, apparel, manufacturing, retail, utility, and transportation.
Brugeman and Oorbeck bring more than four decades of experience and a track record of success working with start-ups, global corporations, nonprofits, governmental agencies, and foundations to design and implement climate solutions.
“The need to act is urgent,” says Oorbeck. “We must develop immediate plans to aid people, especially in marginalized communities, and be resilient with the changes that are already upon us and yet to come.”
Huntington Bank Touts Small Business Loan Program
Huntington Bank is recognizing Small Business Week (May 1-7) by highlighting its Huntington Lift Local Business program, a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan for women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses that also offers free education to business owners throughout the business life cycle.
The bank looks to the case of the Detroit Popcorn Co. as an example. In 2020, the 100-year-old business was shrouded in scandal after the previous owner made racist remarks around the death of George Floyd.
Ken Harris took ownership in late 2020 and began Huntington’s Lift Local Business lending process to purchase additional equipment and working capital for the business. Harris says he is looking forward to creating new relationships in the African American community by partnering with the Detroit Public Schools Foundation and local sororities and fraternities. He also hopes to build a space that will allow for school visits and has pledged to donate a portion of profits to the Detroit Schools Foundation.
Detroit Parks & Rec to Host Hiring Fairs at Kemeny and Heilmann Recreation Centers
City of Detroit Parks & Recreation is hosting a hiring fair today from 1-4 p.m. at Kemeny Recreation Center (2260 S. Fort St.) and on Friday from 1-4 p.m. at Heilmann Recreation Center (19601 Crusade).
In all, Parks & Rec is planning to hire more than 100 positions including:
Recreation Program Coordinators: Full-time, entry-level professional position. ($15.95-$18.45 per hour).
Park Ambassadors: Educating the public about and enforces the park rules and regulations. ($15 per hour).
Play Leaders: Seasonal workers who organize and direct the recreational activities at a recreation center or a city park. ($11.59 per hour, $15 per hour after July 1).
Swimming Instructors: Full-time professional swim instructor position responsible the daily program and operations of a community swimming pool. Must have Water Safety Instructor Certification (WSI) and Lifeguard Instructor Certified (LGI). ($15.98 to $18.45 per hour).
Lifeguards: Monitors water-related recreational activities at the municipal swimming pool. Applicants must pass swim test and city will train, pay, and certify. ($13.02 per hour, then $15 per hour after July 1).
Junior Lifeguards: Age 16+, monitor water-related recreational activities at the municipal swimming pool. Applicants must pass swim test and city will train, pay, and certify. ($13.02 per hour, then $15 per hour after July 1).
Locker Room Facility Attendants: Monitor water-related activities at recreation center swimming pools. ($9.87 per hour, then $15 per hour after July 1).
To apply, visit here.
Detroit’s First Gallery Dedicated to Artists with Disabilities to Open May 6 Near Eastern Market
The first Detroit gallery dedicated to artists with disabilities will make its debut near Eastern Market on May 6.
The opening exhibit is titled Liberty Realm. Over the next five months artwork from artists with developmental disabilities and mental health needs will be featured in a special gallery taking over the storefront conference center of The Vella Group through a unique philanthropic partnership.
The artists are part of Services to Enhance Potential (STEP), a major provider of supports and services in Wayne County to those with developmental disabilities and mental health needs. The Vella Group is collaborating with STEP’s Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC), a program that helps disabled artists advance independent artistic practices and build individual career paths in the art and design fields. PASC supports over 100 artists through three studios in Detroit, Southgate, and Westland.
“Since being introduced to PASC, I have witnessed amazing work come to life and the incredible joy it brings to the artists, especially when it is shared with the public,” says James Benjamin Franklin, a Detroit artist who curated the first exhibit. “This program has such a positive impact on the community because it shows the magic we unlock when people are shown a path to express themselves creatively.”
STEP and PASC are working with The Vella Group, which provides strategic and communications services to nonprofits, to bring new art to a broader audience.
The PASC pop-up gallery in Detroit will run four different exhibits, each with a different curator or curatorial team, through Sept. 30. The grand opening celebration will take place at 5 p.m., May 6, at The Vella Group, 1410 Gratiot Ave. Proceeds from art sales are shared between the artists and PASC.
The opening exhibit will feature the work of 13 artists. This exhibition series has been partially funded by a grant from Michigan Arts and Cultural Council.
Washtenaw Community College May 25 Women’s Event to Benefit Student Emergency Fund
The Washtenaw Community College (WCC) Foundation in Ann Arbor is hosting a virtual Women’s Council Celebration from 5-6 p.m. on May 25 to honor the achievements of women throughout the community and raise money for the college’s Student Emergency Fund to help students overcome barriers and stay in school.
Nora Martin, emeritus professor at Eastern Michigan University, will deliver the keynote address. Cleopatra Caldwell, Yodit Mesfin Johnson, and Daicia Price will be recognized as “Sheroes” for their service to the WCC community and beyond.
Additionally, in commemoration of the WCC Foundation Women’s Council 25th anniversary, the inaugural Women’s Council Lifetime Service to Students Award will be presented to WCC Board of Trustees member Diana McKnight-Morton. This award honors individuals who have worked to ensure the success of WCC students.
Other speakers at the Women’s Council Celebration include WCC President Rose B. Bellanca, Women’s Council Chair Meredith Miller, and WCC alumna Carlie Wilson.
Participation levels are as follows: Presidential, $5,000; Celebration, $2,500; Ambassador, $1,000; Friend, $75.
Click here to register.
Traverse City Great Wolf Lodge to Host Job Fair, Brand to Hire 2,000 Nationally
Great Wolf Lodge Traverse City is hosting an in-person job fair from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 10 at its resort located at 3575 N. U.S. 31 in Traverse City.
Commemorating the brand’s own National Hiring Day, the fair is taking place at 18 locations nation-wide with the goal of hiring more than 2,000 people in total.
Great Wolf Lodge will be hiring for all positions, with lifeguard, housekeeping, and food and beverage roles being the greatest need. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, retirement 401K with match, paid time off and discounts at lodges nationwide. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be scheduled by texting the phrase “GWLTC” to 25000.
