Blog

Apr 19, 2023

DBusiness Daily Update: Report: 70% of Detroit Homes Now Digitally Included, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as

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.

Report: 70% of Detroit Homes Now Digitally Included

Connect 313, a partnership between the Rocket Community Fund, the city of Detroit, the

Rocket Mortgage Classic, and the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) has released its 2022 Impact Report, which highlighted that 70 percent of Detroit households are now considered "digitally included," up from 40 percent when the effort started in 2020.

By definition, digitally included means that a household has access to broadband internet, a technological device and at least one person in the home with the knowledge to use it. The report was released in conjunction with Media Day for the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic, which

Helped formally launch Connect 313 in 2020 through its Changing the Course initiative.

In the last three years, Detroit's first – and only – PGA Tour event has helped raise more than $3.8 million for digital inclusion efforts in Detroit with Connect 313 as the primary beneficiary. In total, the Rocket Mortgage Classic has raised $6.8 million for Detroit-based charitable organizations since its inception in 2019.

"Through the philanthropic impact of the Rocket Mortgage Classic and an incredible spirit of collaboration among many partners, Detroit has gone from being one of the least-connected major cities in America to the model for how to bridge the digital divide," says Laura Grannemann, chair of the Connect 313 Board and executive director of the Rocket Community Fund, the philanthropic arm of Rocket Companies.

"The work of Connect 313 is ensuring that Detroiters are no longer being left behind and have access to education, job training, telemedicine, and other opportunities that critically rely on digital access."

The report also highlighted that more than 75,000 technological devices have been distributed to Detroiters to date and that Connect 313 successfully expanded its network of neighborhood technology hubs from five to 22.

These neighborhood technology hubs – which are located in every Detroit City Council District and provide free access to computers, reliable internet service, and digital literacy training opportunities – served more than 5,000 Detroiters last year. The report estimates that more than 10,000 Detroiters will utilize the neighborhood technology hubs by the end of this year.

Connect 313's most significant success in 2022, according to the report, was helping more than 100,000 Detroit households enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program providing discounted internet access and a one-time, $100 subsidy toward a technological device. Detroit's enrollment rate of more than 59 percent is the highest in the country for cities with more than 150,000 eligible households.

Additionally, Human-I-T, a nonprofit that refurbishes and resells used technology at subsidized prices, will be opening a new brick-and-mortar retail store at Seven Mile and Livernois, thanks to funding from the Rocket Community Fund and support from Connect 313. The first of its kind, Human-I-T's retail store will provide Detroiters with not only access to digital devices, but also information on how to take advantage of low-cost internet, digital literacy training, and tech support. The store will open to the public on June 16.

To read the full report, visit here.

Sparrow Health System to Become University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, April 1, 2024

Sparrow Health System in Lansing will become University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, effective April 1, 2024, as part of Sparrow joining the Michigan Medicine clinical network, according to health system officials.

According to Sparrow leaders, they selected the new name to leverage the strength of the University of Michigan worldwide brand with the historical significance of the Sparrow brand.

"University of Michigan Health-Sparrow reflects a partnership going forward, building on the equity of both brands," says James Dover, president and CEO of Sparrow. "Sparrow has an unmatched reputation in Mid-Michigan while U-M Health is the preeminent health system in Michigan. The new name highlights a continued commitment to bringing patients the right care at the right time at the right place, closer to home."

Sparrow joined University of Michigan Health in April 2023, contributing to what is now a $7.8-billion organization, the second largest health system in the state.

Sparrow will continue to be known as Sparrow Health System in internal and external communications until April 1, 2024, when the new name becomes official.

313 Presents Names OU Credit Union as ‘Proud Partner of Meadow Brook Amphitheatre’

313 Presents in Detroit has entered into a multi-year corporate partnership agreement with Oakland University Credit Union (OU Credit Union) as the exclusive Proud Partner of Meadow Brook Amphitheatre on the campus of Oakland University. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We are excited to welcome Oakland University Credit Union as the exclusive Proud Partner of Meadow Brook Amphitheatre," says Howard Handler, president of 313 Presents. "313 Presents and Oakland University Credit Union have both been longtime partners to Oakland University, so you couldn't ask for a better fit. Together, we look forward to providing the best in live entertainment and service to our guests."

Susi Elkins, chief community impact officer at OU Credit Union, says: "As part of our core value of giving back to the community, OU Credit Union is thrilled to be the exclusive Proud Partner of Meadow Brook Amphitheatre. Located on Oakland University's campus, the Amphitheatre is a unique space where our members and the community can come together to enjoy live music and entertainment. This partnership is just one of the ways we are working together to create a vibrant community for all."

Fenix Parts Completes Acquisition of Belleville's Fox Auto Parts

Texas-based Fenix Parent, operating as Fenix Parts, a recycler and reseller of original equipment manufacturer automotive parts, has completed its acquisition of the assets of Fox Auto Parts in Belleville and Sterling Heights. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Fox is a full-service and self-service automotive recycler and auto repair facility servicing the Detroit, Ann Arbor, and northern Ohio markets. This is Fenix Parts’ fifth acquisition in the Midwest and brings Fenix's location count to 23 full-service and five self-service locations.

Bill Fox has been named vice president of purchasing and Bob Fox will take on the role of Midwest regional vice president of Fenix Parts.

"The Fox family is proud to join the Stellex-sponsored Fenix organization," Bill and Bob Fox said in a joint statement. "We decided to partner with Fenix because we wanted to ensure that our employees would continue to work for an industry leader.

"As a top-tier recycler and reseller of OEM automotive products, Fenix has invested significant capital in its employees, infrastructure, logistics and information technology and our partnership will ensure continued career opportunities for our employees. Our team will look to leverage these investments as they grow with one of the most efficient operators in the industry."

Grand Rapids’ Blackford Capital Acquires Industrial Automation Company

Blackford Capital in Grand Rapids has acquired PACIV, a Puerto Rico-based company that specializes in industrial automation solutions.

PACIV is a leading full-service provider of industrial process automation and systems integration primarily for manufacturers in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. The company was founded in 1997, and operates offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Indianapolis, and in Cork, Ireland. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The PACIV management team, led by President Rick Straw and Chief Financial Officer Mácar Garrote, will remain with the company following the acquisition.

"We’re thrilled to be working with Rick, Mácar, and the rest of the PACIV team to launch this new platform in the fast-growing manufacturing automation sector," says Martin Stein, founder and managing director of Blackford Capital. "With the rising demand for industrial automation expertise across a variety of industries, we believe PACIV will provide a solid foundation for our new Industrial Automation platform, and that we will have many opportunities to expand within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and other industries demanding process automation services."

GLWA, City of Highland Park Reach Interim Collections Agreement

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and the city of Highland Park have reached an interim agreement related to staying the pending collections cases, including enforcement of the $24 million judgment owed to GLWA by Highland Park for unpaid water and wastewater services in the 2014 case. Moving forward all parties involved agreed to work in good faith toward a comprehensive solution.

Key elements of the agreement include:

GLWA and Highland Park understand the state of Michigan intends to file a position statement with the court in the 2014 case stating its support of the stay of the proceedings and explaining why the State is involved and intends to participate in efforts to resolve this matter and reach a final, comprehensive solution to all issues.

Construction and Builders Associations Provide 2023 Mid-year Economic Forecast

Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) and the Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan (HBA) have partnered to present the 13th annual Mid-Year Economic Forecast and State of the Industry Breakfast from 7:30-10:30 a.m. on June 20 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

The event provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of current and projected economic factors on construction industry. It will feature keynote speaker Elliot Eisenberg, chief economist of Graphs and Laughs, an economist and public speaker specializing in making the arcana and minutia of economics fun, relevant, and educational.

The morning begins with a tradeshow and opportunity for guests to meet the keynote speaker from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., including networking and tabletop displays. This will be followed by a full family-style breakfast and the program from 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Registration fees for the event are $80 per person. Register online by June 7 here.

Blue Cross Blue Shield to Offer New Plan Benefits for 2024 ACA Open Enrollment

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network in Detroit are adding new benefits and streamlining plan offerings for people selecting individual health plans during the upcoming 2024 ACA Marketplace open enrollment period.

New benefits for 2024 open enrollment include adding Virtual Primary Care to all individual Blue Cross PPO plans and adding a menopause benefit to the Maven Maternity and Family program for all individual Blue Cross PPO and BCN HMO plans.

Recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services set a limit on the number of non-standardized plan options that issuers of qualified health plans can offer through Marketplaces on the Federal platform.

These restrictions help simplify the health care shopping experience for consumers to more easily compare options and choose the plan best-suited for their health care needs. Under these guidelines, Blue Cross and BCN will maintain a variety of coverage options with 43 plan offerings for 2024 enrollment – four Gold, 18 Silver, 18 Bronze, and three Catastrophic level offerings.

"We understand that choosing the right health plan can be an overwhelming and confusing process, especially when consumers are faced with more options to sort through each year," says Rick Notter, vice president of Individual Business for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. "We’re confident our added benefits and CMS’ changes will help provide members and consumers with more comprehensive plan options to fit their individual needs and less uncertainty around enrollment."

Members in closing plans will be moved to a new, similar plan within the same metal level and network, where possible. Two new off-Marketplace Bronze HSA plans will be added for BCN members enrolling without a premium subsidy who wish to retain an HSA option on the Local HMO and Metro Detroit HMO networks at a lower premium price. Blue Cross remains the only insurer in the state to offer a PPO plan on the exchange and provide coverage in each of Michigan's 83 counties, as well as the sole carrier in the Upper Peninsula.

$3.1M NIH Grant to Help U-M Research Post-stroke Mobility Treatment

Supported by a $3.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, researchers at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor will focus on how stroke affects the two fundamental properties of the ankle joint during human walking — and how a common medication may, or may not, help.

"Joint stiffness is a key factor in energy storage and forward movement, while joint viscosity describes resistance during gait," says Elliott Rouse, professor of robotics and co-principal investigator of the project. "Unfortunately, these essential parameters are currently unaccounted for or misjudged in clinical settings."

In addition to quantifying how these two properties affect how well people walk after experiencing a stroke, the team will develop a tool so that medical practitioners can easily measure them as well.

"Through this research, and by establishing a new tool to measure ankle properties in the clinic, we can advance our understanding, improve treatments and ultimately empower stroke survivors to regain mobility. This could enhance overall quality of life for millions of stroke survivors," Rouse says.

Contrary to previous beliefs that ankle joint stiffness and viscosity both increase following a stroke, recent studies have revealed that these parameters remain unchanged or can even decrease compared to the unaffected side of the body. This misconception shows the need to investigate and understand the mechanics involved in order to develop more effective treatments.

One treatment in use now is botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections, which are used to reduce joint stiffness. The team will study how they affect the properties of the ankle—and the implications for mobility.

"Studying these mechanics is especially crucial because BoNT injections may further reduce ankle joint stiffness and viscosity, potentially hindering mobility," says Chandramouli Krishnan, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, and co-principal investigator.

"Our grant will not only investigate how ankle properties change after a stroke, but also assess the effects of BoNT injections and determine their impact on patient outcomes," he says.

Medical Weight Loss Clinic Enhances Prescribed Medications for Patients

Medical Weight Loss Clinic (MWLC), a Southfield-based provider of physician-supervised weight loss programs in Michigan and Ohio, announced that it is enhancing its prescription medication offerings as part of their comprehensive weight loss programs.

MWLC now offers weight loss medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, at lower prices with no fulfillment issues due to a recent partnership with nationally certified compounding pharmacy ACA Pharmacy, based in Nashville. These medications will be prescribed on a case-by-case basis and will be closely monitored by the clinic's medical professionals.

The medications now being offered comes after careful consideration and consultation with its medical staff, the clinic says. MWLC says it believes that prescription medication, when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise, can be a useful tool in helping individuals achieve their weight loss goals.

"We are thrilled to be improving our prescription medication program for our patients," says Dr. David Rabens, medical director of MWLC. "Prescription medication can be especially beneficial for patients who have struggled to lose weight through traditional diet and exercise methods."

In addition to prescription medication, MWLC offers a variety of weight loss programs tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient. These programs include meal planning, exercise guidance, and behavior modification techniques.

For more information, visit here.

DTE Energy Shares Importance of ‘Right Tree, Right Place’ for Gardening Season

DTE Energy in Detroit says it wants to share some helpful planting and gardening information to help keep its customers’ power on and their yard safe and green.

Fallen trees are responsible for nearly 70 percent of the time our customers spend without power. Before people think about planting new trees or vegetation, they should look up from where they intend to plant, and see if any power lines are overhead or nearby. Then, consider what that tree will look like several years from now.

Trees can grow into power lines, creating hazardous conditions and causing power outages. Prior to doing any gardening or landscaping, customers should take a few minutes to review DTE's "Right Tree, Right Place Guide" to make sure the tree(s) being planted will add beauty to property, while promoting electric safety and reliability for their family and neighbors.

DTE's tree planting recommendations are:

The public should always stay at least 25 feet from all DTE equipment, especially downed power lines and anything they may be in contact with.

If you’re preparing for any digging projects like planting, laying a patio, installing a mailbox, and more, it's legally required to call MISS DIG at 811 at least 3 business days before digging.

MGM Grand Detroit to Host Career Fair June 7

MGM Grand Detroit will host a job fair to fill multiple full- and part-time positions from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. June 7 at the casino's Staffing Center (located near West Entrance-Motorcoach Lobby)

(1777 Third St.).

Those interested in participating should come dressed for success and have multiple copies of their resume on hand. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak directly and interview with hiring managers, including the possibility of receiving an offer on site.

Available positions include:

Employee Benefits include:

Visit here to learn more. Job seekers must be a minimum age of 18 years old. Self-parking is available near the west entrance.

Michigan Science Center, Detroit Public Library to Host Event June 24

The Michigan Science Center (MiSci) in Detroit and the Detroit Public Library are partnering to promote playful learning for children through a public event from 1-4 p.m. June 24 at the Detroit Public Library Main Library on Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit.

Playful learning is championed by the LEGO Group through its Playful Learning Museum Network in which museums are supported in providing quality learning through play opportunities to children and their families in partnership with community-based organizations.

"The Michigan Science Center has been a participant in the LEGO Playful Learning Museum Network for two years," says Christian Greer, president and CEO of the Michigan Science Center. "As part of our continuation in the network, we are excited to pilot programs with the Detroit Public Library as part of their summer reading initiative in the hopes of bringing this partnership to more libraries across the state of Michigan in the coming year."

The event will include LEGO "Build the Change" challenges facilitated by Mi-Sci educators, a table to sign up for Detroit Public Library's summer reading program, and interactive pop-up displays by Detroit Hives, Gro-town, and Detroit Dirt. There also will be a range of activities and games, including face painting, a giant chess set, Connect Four, inflatable obstacle courses, a photobooth, and an ice cream truck to keep everyone cool and satisfied.

Later this summer, Detroit Public Library branches will host its own events to encourage summer reading.

This event is free and open to residents of the city of Detroit. For more information, visit the Michigan Science Center's website.