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.
Michigan Central to Host First Youth Drone Demo Day Saturday
Dozens of drones will take to the skies, piloted by more than 200 Detroit youth, at Michigan Central in Detroit on Saturday for the first Youth Drone Demo Day, a hands-on workshop that will introduce teens to the world of drones and inspire them to pursue careers in aerial mobility, technology, and coding.
The free event is hosted by Newlab at Michigan Central and the Detroit-based nonprofit CODE313, which is dedicated to providing equitable access to STEAM education, providing workforce development and career readiness to the city’s youth. Festivities lift off at 10 a.m. in front of the Newlab @ Michigan Central Building, 2050 15th St. The event wraps at 1 p.m.
“Michigan Central believes that drones will play an increasingly important role in our daily lives,” says Clarinda Barnett-Harrison, director of skills at Michigan Central. “By introducing Detroiters to drones at a young age, we’re not only helping to demystify this emerging technology but opening doors of opportunity and inspiring them to pursue future careers in aerial mobility. Skills-development is a key piece of Michigan Central’s mission, as we look to create not only a world-leading mobility ecosystem, but a more prosperous future filled with opportunities for our community.”
Detroiters ages 7 to 17 will experience drone technology through mapping missions, a flight obstacle course and photogrammetry, and the use of drones for video and photos. Before taking flight, the youth will learn drone safety and learn how drones are assembled and repaired.
“CODE313 is about inspiring the next generation of Detroit’s great minds by using drones to get them interested in science and technology,” says Bartel Welch, founder and executive director of CODE313. “We want the younger generation to understand the unlimited potential and freedom that drones present and help them see the opportunities available to them.”
To register for Saturday’s event, visit here. A parent or guardian must accompany youth in order for them to participate.
Detroit Auto Show Announces Mobility Global Forum Speaker Lineup
The Detroit Auto Show has announced the roster of speakers for the inaugural Mobility Global Forum to take place from noon-7 p.m. on the main floor show stage and the AutoMobili-D Stage at Huntington Place during Media and Technology Days, Sept. 13-14.
The Forum will feature perspectives from more than 30 thought leaders in mobility, design, and technology, including New York Times best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell.
Other participating notables from the transportation and mobility world include AIR CEO Rani Plaut; Jim Dukhovny, CEO of Alef Aeronautics; IndyCar owner Chip Ganassi; and many others.
For a full list of participants and event schedules, visit here.
Technology Days tickets enable daily access to the Mobility Global Forum and are available for purchase at $75/person, per day. Technology Day tickets on Sept. 14 allow access to the Gladwell presentation. To purchase tickets, visit here.
Key Detroit Auto Show Dates
Media Day, Wednesday, Sept. 13
Technology Days and AutoMobili-D, Wednesday, Sept. 13 and Thursday, Sept. 14
Mobility Global Forum, Wednesday, Sept. 13 and Thursday, Sept. 14
Charity Preview, Friday, Sept. 15
Public Show, Saturday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 24
In Related News: Flash, the world’s first end-to-end cloud-based parking, reservations, and EV Charging platform, announced a partnership with Mavi.io to bring parking payment capabilities to the dashboards of connected vehicles. The new connected car solution, which was jointly developed to simplify parking transactions, will be available via Mavi’s OnMyWay Commerce platform.
Flash and Mavi.io will showcase the experience during the Detroit Auto Show Industry Technology Days on Sept. 13-14, in the Plug and Play demo area (spaces 126-134) in Hall D of Huntington Place. Demos also will be available by appointment at 686 Brush St., an outdoor Flash lot near the Detroit Auto Show.
With this feature, drivers who enter a Flash parking garage will be automatically presented with parking payment options within their vehicle dashboard. Additionally, connected car drivers can find Flash parking through the in-dash OnMyWay Commerce platform and review parking costs based on their estimated parking duration. When a driver is ready to park, they simply tap their screen to confirm the purchase. Flash and Mavi.io will showcase the feature in a 2024 Jeep Grand Wagoneer during the Detroit Auto Show, but the integration can be adapted for any make or model of connected vehicle.
In Related News: AISIN Corp. in Northville will showcase a series of technologies for electrification and a zero-emissions automotive future at the 2023 Detroit Auto Show, Sept. 13-15, at Huntington Place in Detroit.
For the 2023 show, the AISIN booth, located in the concourse near the iconic Joe Louis bronze statue, will be expanded to include AISIN’s Connected and Sharing Solutions division, which will display technologies designed to enhance vehicle navigation, safety and V2V connectivity. Of note: AISIN’s Road Maintenance Solutions technology — designed to detect road abnormalities (e.g. potholes) from data and images collected by in-vehicle cameras while driving, and formulate road repair plans to assist municipalities in road management.
Additional technologies on display in Detroit will include AISIN’s comprehensive EV systems, power management solutions, energy management innovations and state-of-the-art aerodynamic systems.
For more information, visit aisinworld.com.
Ford Fast Tracks Pay Increases for 8,000 UAW Employees
Nearly 8,000 UAW-represented Ford Motor Co. employees received a substantial raise this Labor Day. On average, these employees now earn $4.33 more per hour, or $9,000 more a year. The increase could top $10,000 a year with overtime. The pay hikes were negotiated by Ford and the UAW in 2019 to shorten the time it takes workers to reach the average top wage rate of $32 an hour.
“These pay raises are an example of Ford’s commitment to improving the lives of our hourly workforce,” says Bryce Currie, vice president of manufacturing for the Dearborn-based automaker. “The negotiating teams nicknamed this deal ‘23 Jump Street’ because in 2023 a significant number of UAW-Ford team members would see a jump in pay. And we are offering further improvements in the next contract.”
Normally, growing into the top wage rate takes eight years, but with this agreement, 8,000 employees reached the top wage rates with as little as four years on the job.
The top wage rate differs by the specific type of job an employee does. On average, it is $32 per hour. With this move, 80 percent of all Ford’s UAW-represented hourly employees are now at the top wage rate. Those at the top wage rate are earning higher wages than 90 percent of all hourly employees in the U.S. auto industry, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Permanent hourly manufacturing employees were eligible for the pay increase if they were hired prior to the 2019 contract effective date and were earning at least $24.40 per hour as of Sept. 1, 2023.
Employees will see the pay increase in their next paystubs.
In Related News: 1863 Ventures, an independent, Black-led national business development nonprofit and venture capital accelerator and the Ford Motor Co. Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn, announce the HI-HERImpact Pitch Competition, a “Shark Tank”-style social entrepreneurship pitch competition, is headed back to its roots in Detroit for its fifth Anniversary on Sept. 28.
The competition has awarded grants totaling more than $300,000 to various women-led social enterprises based in Detroit, Miami, Washington, D.C., and Kansas City since its inception in 2018. Past winners have been invited to compete again, commemorating the last five years of growth and support for women entrepreneurs who are making an effort to solve issues within their community.
Among the 24 past winners, five finalists were selected to pitch their business in the HI-HERImpact anniversary competition for a chance to win a grand prize of $50,000.
Winners will be determined by a panel of judges who will award prizes of $50,000 for first place, $25,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place. This year’s competition also will include an audience choice winner that will be determined by both in-person attendees and those tuning in via the 1863 Ventures live stream on YouTube. This winner will receive a $5,000 grant toward their business needs.
To register for the HI-HERImpact Pitch Competition event visit here. For more information on 1863 Ventures visit 1963ventures.net.
Comerica Bank Names Honey Bee La Colmena Market Feet on the Street Winner
Comerica Bank has named Honey Bee La Colmena Market in southwest Detroit as its “Feet on the Street” winner for the southeast Michigan market. A congratulatory luncheon took place Thursday at the bank’s Fort-14th Banking Center.
Honey Bee Market was founded in 1956 by Tammy Alfaro-Koehler’s grandparents. Alfaro-Koehler’s grew up working at the family business and met her husband, Ken, at work. In 1996 Ken and Tammy purchased the business from her mother.
Honey Bee Market is a full-service market that specializes in fresh produce, fresh cut meat counter, groceries, and house prepared foods along with daily specials. They have a large selection of Hispanic ingredients and products.
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s Detroit Harvest Fest Returns Oct. 7-8
The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s Detroit Harvest Fest & Food Truck Rally should have something for everyone this fall, including trick or treating and bounce houses for the kids, five stages of music featuring local artists, and more than 50 food trucks from throughout metro Detroit and beyond.
The family-friendly event takes place from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 7-8 along the Dequindre Cut Greenway in Detroit.
Additionally, Detroit Harvest Fest will feature a pick and take free pumpkin patch, inflatable bounce houses, a petting zoo, and hands-on activities for the kids, as well as the Cirque de Freight Yard for adults.
Admission to the event is $5 per person. Children younger than 3 years of age, seniors (65+), active-duty military, and veterans are admitted free. The Dequindre Cut is located between Orleans Street and St. Aubin Street and runs from Mack Avenue to Atwater Street. The event footprint runs from Woodbridge Street to Wilkins Street on the Dequindre Cut. Entrances to the Cut are located at Mack, Wilkins, Gratiot, Lafayette, Woodbridge, Franklin, and Atwater.
A complete list of food trucks and musical acts will be announced in the upcoming weeks and be listed online.
DTE Energy Foundation Provides Economic Progress Grants to Seven Michigan Nonprofits
DTE Energy Foundation has recently elected to support a number of Michigan nonprofit organizations committed to driving economic progress. The $575,000 in grants will help the organizations advance a variety of economic development efforts in their region and throughout our state.
The grantees include:
- Detroit Economic Development Association ($175,000)
- Ann Arbor SPARK Foundation ($100,000)
- Detroit Economic Club ($65,000)
- Michigan Economic Development Foundation ($50,000)
- The Right Place Foundation ($50,000)
- Venture North Funding ($50,000)
- Northern Lakes Economic Development ($35,000)
MRLA Drives ‘Cracking the Code of Food Safety’ Initiative
National Food Safety Month (NFSM) is underway this September, as the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) in Lansing and ServSafe invite food industry professionals — from frontline food handlers to executives — to explore the science and reasons behind common food safety practices.
This year’s NFSM theme, “Cracking the Code on Food Safety,” aims to create a culture of food safety by breaking down the “why” behind the rules.
During the month of September, ServSafe experts will curate a wealth of free content, including checklists, white papers, posters, and webinars, all centered around essential skills at every level of the food industry. The weekly highlights include:
(Sept. 4-10) — Cracking the Code on Personal Hygiene
- Infographic: “Cracking the Code – Why We Wash Our Hands”
- Blog: Cracking the Code on Personal Hygiene and Food Safety
(Sept. 11-17) — Cracking the Code on Health Inspections
- Infographic: “Common Health Code Violations and How to Prevent Them”
- eBook: “Cracking the Code — Health Inspections and Violations”
- Blog: Frequently Asked Questions about Health Inspections
(Sept. 18-24) — Understanding Your Food Safety Regulation: The Why and How
- eBook: “How and Why Food Safety Regulations are Made”
- Blog: What’s Changed – Regulations in Review
(Sept. 25-Oct. 2) — Building a Culture of Food Safety
- eBook: “The Secrets to Building a Strong Food Safety Culture”
- Blog: National Food Safety Month 2023 Wrap Up
“The annual tradition of National Food Safety Month strengthens our entire industry. We are committed to helping educate and provide essential free resources and information to ensure the health and safety of operators, employees, and guests beyond the standard and improve current food safety procedures overall,” says Amanda Smith, executive vice president of the MRLA.
To access resources and updates, visit michiganfoodsafety.com.
The MRLA offers ServSafe Food Manager, Responsible Alcohol, Food Handler, and Allergen training to the entire hospitality industry and at a 20 percent discount to MRLA members year- round. More information on training can be found here.
Detroit-based Resist Spirits Recognized for Award-winning Vodka and Bourbon
Detroit-based Resist Spirits earned two silver medals for the brand’s vodka and bourbon expressions that were entered into the 2023 USA Spirits Ratings national competition.
The USA Spirits Ratings Score is a combination of taste, value, and packaging.
FKNG (For Kings Not Gods) Vodka received a silver medal and was rated 87 out of 100. FKNG Vodka is 5x distilled, unfiltered, corn based, gluten free, and “unapologetically made with American grit.”
“By not filtering our vodka, we keep more of the natural body and character notes,” says Greg Martinez, founder and president and of Resist Spirits. “Our vodka flavor does not leave an industrial or medicinal wash. We love our unique finish, and our growing loyal customer fan base does too.”
The FKNG Bourbon also won a silver medal at this year’s 2023 competition, scoring 88 out of 100. The bourbon five-year small batch launched in Michigan at the beginning of summer 2023 and features proprietary variables that elevate the nose, taste, and finish.
“Over the past several months bourbon and whiskey connoisseurs have been raving about the high quality and wonderful attributes of our bourbon,” says Martinez. “Bourbon and whiskey fans are very bold so many of them connect with our edgy brand. More importantly, we know our magic is in the bottle.”
For more information, visit resistspirits.com.
Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield Township Rebrands as ‘The J’
The former Jewish Community Center (JCC) of Metropolitan Detroit (6600 W. Maple Road) in West Bloomfield Township is launching its rebranding campaign as The J, with new taglines, social media campaign, and messaging to focus on the programs it offers the Jewish and wider community, both within and outside its building.
“Find your Jewish center” and “No need to join because you already belong” are the new taglines for The J in a soon-to-be-launched marketing campaign, encouraging the community to find its programming in the space that works for them, whether it is online, in a park, a coffee shop, synagogue, at home, or at The J’s building.
On Sept. 10 a community-wide email will be distributed announcing the rebranding, alongside information about an upcoming new website and a link to a new video explaining the rebranding. In addition, The J has signed a lease for a new building in Berkley, which will offer a new community facility for adults and families located in that part of the metro Detroit area to further bolster The J’s messages and outreach.
The new rebranding video can be seen here.
“The J has a long and impressive history in our community, and we are no longer solely dependent on our building for providing the important programming and services which keep the community strong, vibrant and connected,” says Brian Siegel, CEO of The J.
Siegel says The J supplies the “lion’s share” of community engagement programming in metro Detroit.
“Over 50 percent of the Jewish community has some level of engagement with our programs, which is a figure many times more than the engagement of the community with any other organization in the area,” he adds. “We see these numbers as only growing in the future as we offer the community a greater platform for connection, meeting them physically or online where they need us to be.”
The creation of a new center in Berkley, which is expected to open in the next 15 months, is part of the mission to meet families where they are living.
“With the new Berkley location, and summer 2024’s Maccabi Games, which is the largest event that the Jewish community holds with 1,300 visiting athletes, and 600 coaches and volunteers, there are many exciting times ahead for The J and the community we serve,” says Siegel.
He also stresses that The J has no Jewish denomination and offered no judgement in a person’s orientation.
“We remain a resource for them in the Jewish journey they are taking.”
18th Annual Mutt Strutt Planned for Sept. 23 in Dearborn
Friends for Animals of Metro Detroit’s 18th annual Mutt Strut dog festival and street fair returns from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sept. 23 at the organization’s Adoption and Education Center located at 16121 Reckinger Road in Dearborn.
In celebration of the five-year anniversary of the grand opening of its new facility, Mutt Strut 2023 will be hosted at the MaryAnn Wright Animal Adoption and Education Center and will feature food trucks, local exhibitors, a drawing for the Mutt Strut Raffle, and more activities for the whole family.
More than 800 pet lovers join in for this community-wide celebration every year. This pledge-driven day is one of the many amazing ways to support the 2,500 animals Friends for Animals cares for annually.
“Very much like our organization, Mutt Strut this year is evolving,” says Cory Keller, president and CEO of FAMD. “It’s becoming bigger and better than ever before. We wanted to create an event that was community-centric at its core. That embraced our communities we served by highlighting the support we have for one another.
“This event not only showcases this but will be so much more. We are adding more exhibitors, more sponsors, and more activities. There will be games and activities for kids, a VIP lounge for adults, face painting, a dunk tank, and so many other ways to help nearly 2,500 animals we care for every year. The Mutt Strut is truly become a festival for the community while celebrating the human-animal bond.”
For more information and to register for Mutt Strut, visit here.
