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.
Traverse City Uncorked Kicks Off Michigan Wine Month
A celebration of Michigan wine starts today with the beginning of Traverse City Uncorked. The month-long event centers around a free mobile passport that opens discounts, prizes, invitations to special events, and a chance to win a wine-themed weekend in Traverse City to participants.
The passport is a self-guided wine tour of the Traverse City region and sponsored by Traverse City Tourism. It allows check-ins at dozens of wineries and hard cider tasting rooms along both the Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas.
Most locations offer specials that include free wine tastings or discounts. Those who check into five wineries during the month qualify to claim a free Traverse City Uncorked t-shirt at the Traverse City Tourism welcome center. Those who book a stay at an area hotel can enter to win a wine-themed vacation in Traverse City. The winner of the vacation prize will be announced in early June.
“The Traverse Wine Coast is an amazing experience with award-winning wines and spectacular views from the tasting rooms,” says Trevor Tkach, president of Traverse City Tourism. “There is no better month than May to enjoy the wine scene. Drive the scenic roads with millions of cherry blossoms on full display and sip the fine craftsmanship of the wines. It’s a memorable experience.”
For more information, visit here.
Michigan UIA Getting Modern Computer System with Deloitte Contract
A totally new user experience is on the way for workers and employers as the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). The organization signed a contract with Deloitte to design and install a computer system that meets UIA’s future needs and replaces its current decade-old technology.
The Deloitte program is designed to be easy to use, speed claims processing, and build on the agency’s current aggressive anti-fraud practices.
The modern system, called UFACTS (for Unemployment Framework for Automated Claim and Tax Services), is expected to be fully operational in two years and cost an estimated $78 million over the life of a 10-year contract. It prioritizes ease of access for users and provides UIA with significant programming flexibility for system updates in response to quickly changing economic conditions and unemployment rates.
“This is an exciting time at UIA with new equity initiatives and modernization efforts throughout the agency, but particularly with the official kickoff to install our new computer system,” says Julia Dale director of UIA. “It will be a significant improvement for Michigan workers and employers — as well as our staff — compared to the software we have been using for years.”
UFACTS will replace the current Michigan Integrated Data Automated System (MiDAS) and Michigan Web Account Manager (MiWAM), first launched in 2013.
Vanguard Community Development to Break Ground on E. Grand Boulevard Streetscape
Vanguard Community Development Corp. in Detroit will break ground Tuesday for the $1.5 million East Grand Boulevard Streetscape Project.
The project will transform the area into a pedestrian-friendly corridor by enhancing its aesthetics and fostering equitable and sustainable growth, while preserving its history and culture.
Inclusive of sidewalk repairs, new trees, expanded median flower beds, planters, traditional and solar powered benches, bike racks, artistic median murals, and crosswalks, the initiative is made possible by an investment from the Knight Foundation.
The groundbreaking ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. May 2 at the Vanguard Community Campus (2795 E. Grand Blvd.).
Shoulder Innovations in Grand Rapids Receives InSet System Patent
Shoulder Innovations Inc. (SI), a Grand Rapids medical device development company, has received a first notice of allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for the InSet Reverse System.
SI is a privately held medical device company with a broad team of successful innovators in the shoulder space. SI has developed and commercialized various components for the integrated InSet system, which includes the successful InSet Glenoid, Humeral Short Stem, Reverse, and Stemless components. A platform of several technologies, the InSet Reverse System includes this first notice of allowance that has issued from USPTO for an elegant and enhanced solution to optimize potential for fixation and for intraoperative glenosphere insertion and assembly.
“The Shoulder Innovations team has created solutions for patients in the shoulder arthroplasty market for decades,” says Rob Ball. CEO of SI. “SI released its InSet Reverse system almost two years ago, and the company has enjoyed a positive response from the marketplace. There is a significant amount of technology packaged into this system and this patent represents an important component of that technology platform.
“The uniqueness and value of the combination of a central bone fixation screw stabilized by a compression nut, which is in turn supported by a glenoid locking bolt, is validated by this Notice of Allowance by the USPTO.”
Auburn Hills’ Quantron Fuels Mobility Revolution with Hydrogen
Auburn Hills-based Quantron U.S. will be at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo in Anaheim, Calif. May 2-4 to showcase its two-step solution for operators to easily transition to carbon-free hydrogen fleets.
The company will show its hydrogen fuel-cell electric (FCEV) semi-truck, as well as expand on plans for Quantron-as-a-Service — a 360-degree turnkey service that gives fleet owners access to everything required to transition to hydrogen.
“While these forces mount, fleet operators are left wondering how to make the transition,” says Rick Haas, president and CEO of Quantron U.S. “Technological, social, and public policy forces are dictating that carbon-free mobility is the future.
“Electric vehicles only go so far for commercial industries that are transporting large amounts of goods over long distances. Weight, range, recharging times, and sufficient charging infrastructure are all hurdles that fleet operators need to account for. Our hydrogen solution overcomes all of it to unlock the future.”
Quantron U.S. is building Class 8 hydrogen fuel-cell trucks in Auburn Hills. The hydrogen fuel-cell trucks eliminate range anxiety so that fleet owners can have the confidence to travel long-distance routes. When complete, Quantron expects its trucks to offer a range of about 750-850 miles.
Stellantis Announces Winners of 11th Annual Drive for Design Contest
Stallantis in Auburn Hills has announced the winners of its 11th annual Drive for Design competition.
The Grand-prize winner was Rocco Morales, a 12th grader from Northville, whose winning design was a fully capable off-road machine that could easily transform into a relaxing place to hang out with stadium seating and a deployable canopy.
Morales’ grand prize includes a summer design internship at the Ram Truck Exterior Design Studio and a Wacom MobileStudio Pro 16 tablet.
“Rocco is clearly a passionate designer with a bright future ahead of him,” says Mark Trostle, head of Ram Truck and Mopar exterior design for Stellantis. “It will be great having someone eager to learn and experience a professional design studio.”
This year’s contest challenged students in grades 10-12 to sketch the next-generation Ram EV truck. The creative submissions revealed brand-new concepts and a glimpse into the minds of up-and-coming designers.
Rohan Seiber, a 10th grader from Portola Valley, Calif., and Benjamin Miller, an 11th grader from Birmingham, rounded out the top-three finishers in this year’s contest.
Seiber’s Ram Rex truck “reimagines the TRX to be the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything full-size electric pickup truck,” including a configurable bed platform and unique exterior lighting and external rail system. Miller’s Ram Ultima is built around a modular design that would allow the owner to add more power and traction as needed.
To see the top submissions in this year’s contest, visit here.
Shinola Launches Once-in-a-decade Customer Appreciation Event In May
Ten years ago, Shinola Detroit opened its doors and began selling hand-built products meant to be lived in, worn out, and well loved. A decade later, the brand is celebrating the people who have supported it along the way by launching the first of its kind Customer Appreciation Event.
This unprecedented Shinola Detroit event offers a 25 percent price reduction on most Shinola products during one of the year’s key gifting moments. Shinola Detroit’s Customer Appreciation Event will take place May 1-14 at Shinola’s nearly two dozen retail locations, shinola.com, and select locations where Shinola products are sold.
“Our customers — both new and seasoned — matter to us,” says Awenate Cobbina, CEO of Shinola. “We’re celebrating Shinola’s decade in business with a Customer Appreciation Event that underscores this milestone’s importance and extends our appreciation to those who have supported us along the way.”
Comerica Bank Empowers Small Businesses with its Comerica CoWorkSpaces Program
Comerica Bank is repurposing idle real estate at select banking centers throughout North Texas to create Comerica CoWorkSpaces, a new concept that offers complimentary office space exclusively to its small business customers.
Through a $3 million investment, nearly 10,000 square feet of existing banking center space across nine Comerica Bank locations will be transformed into unique resource centers where Comerica customers can conduct business. Each CoWorkSpaces site will be equipped with features like Wi-Fi, AV presentation equipment, reservable meeting rooms, hospitality stations, and more.
“Our research told us that many small business customers struggle to find space to conduct meetings or work remotely,” says Jim Weber, chief experience officer for Comerica. “At the same time, the recent increase in work-at-home arrangements among many employees and executives has created a need for affordable and appropriate work locations. We’ve listened to our customers, and CoWorkSpaces directly addresses these needs and delivers a value-added experience that truly raises their expectations of what a bank can be.”
Meijer Contributes Extra $1M to its Simply Give Food Pantry Partners
Meijer in Grand Rapids announced that it donated an extra $1 million to midwest food pantries that participate in the retailer’s Simply Give hunger relief program. Overall, the retailer’s Simply Give program has generated more than $80 million for food pantry partners since its 2008 inception.
“One in eight Americans face food insecurity nationwide,” explains Rick Keyes, president and CEO of Meijer. “That is a troubling statistic that reinforces why we’re so committed to addressing hunger in the communities we serve. We are extremely proud the Simply Give program, with the support of our customers, is successfully reducing hunger throughout the midwest, making a true difference in our communities.”
The $1 million donation was divided equally among the retailer’s 468 midwest food pantry partners that participated in the 2022 Simply Give program.
The donation equates to 4 million meals. The meal calculation is based on the approximate average cost of a meal from select food pantry partners across the Meijer footprint.
Detroit Zoological Society Planning Sunset at the Zoo Fundraiser June 23
Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) and event chairs Kelly and Clifford Houseman will host a 21-and-older fundraising gala — Sunset at the Zoo: Leap into Conservation — from 7-11 p.m. June 23 at the Detroit Zoo.
Sunset, presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions, will provide guests with an evening that includes cuisine, drinks, live entertainment, and auctions featuring one-of-a-kind prizes.
Guests will also enjoy exclusive nighttime access to many of the Detroit Zoo’s expansive animal habitats.
This year, the DZS is shining a light on its conservation programs and how public support helps it make an impact far beyond the zoo’s borders.
“Leap into Conservation” to learn how the zoo’s programs bring animals — from red pandas in Nepal to piping plovers along the Great Lakes — back from the brink of extinction, protect rainforests in Peru, and promote biodiversity and habitat restoration in metro Detroit.
Funds raised at Sunset will support the daily work that propels this mission: supporting biodiversity through species-specific programs, partnering with communities worldwide to preserve important habitats, speaking up for legislation that protects threatened species and, ultimately, protecting endangered species from extinction.
To purchase tickets or make a donation, visit here.
