In the News

The Michigan Senate okays a Regional Transit Authority for Metro Detroit

mlive.com Thursday, November 29, 2012

Could it really be happening? Is Metro Detroit at the tipping point? Will we finally enter the 20th Century for mass transit (that wasn't a mistake btw). Well, there is still the House to pass. And the governor's desk. And the counties have to learn how to play nice together. And car-centric Metro Detroiters have to finally get on board. But our Magic 8 Ball says "Signs point to yes."

Excerpt:

"While the package may still face obstacles in the House, Sen. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, hailed today's vote as a step in the right direction for both the region and state.

"After decades of stalled attempts, characterized by bitter partisanship and territorial disputes, I am pleased to say we are closer than ever to achieving the goal of building a functional mass transit system, competing for federal transit dollars and bringing southeastern Michigan into the 21st Century," he said."

Read the rest here.

Asian grocery stores find a welcome market in Metro Detroit

Bloomberg Businessweek Thursday, November 29, 2012

Dearborn Heights not only has a huge Asian supermarket, it's competing with grocery stores like Whole Foods for customers.

Excerpt:

"Kenneth Dalto, a Farmington Hills-based retail analyst, said the supermarket could be the latest example of a trend in ethnic grocers going larger and more upscale to appeal to suburban shoppers with adventurous palates, particularly from the white and black non-Asian population, he said.

This breed of store will often compete with high-end grocers, such as Whole Foods Market, he said."

Read the rest here.

Troy breaks ground on new mass transit center

The Detroit Hub Thursday, November 29, 2012

Mass transit and high speed rail has been quite the political football in Troy but things seem to be settling down after the city council was able to find common ground and the recent recall of the transit center's most vocal critic Mayor Janice Daniels.

Excerpt:

"The center, located behind the shops at Coolidge and Maple roads near the Troy/Birmingham border, utilizes the existing rail line and is part of a comprehensive plan to bring “the fastest high speed rail outside of the northeast corridor” (in the words of Congressman Gary Peters) to a line that runs from Pontiac through Troy, Royal Oak, Detroit and all the way to Chicago. It also will connect with SMART (suburban bus) lines as well as taxis and automobiles."

Read the rest here.

Could a Bloomfield Hills entrepreneur corner the suspender market?

USA Today Thursday, November 29, 2012

Sometimes old timey is hip. The suspender business is booming for Sal Herman, who puts his money where his mouth is and wears the alternative to belts every day.

Excerpt:

"So intense is Herman's devotion to suspenders — and the 1% of the population he says wears suspenders — that he has turned them into an unlikely and thriving business. About 2,400 stores nationwide sell his suspenders.

And he's expecting a record-breaking season on his company's website."

Read the rest here.

Dearborn's Carharrt and Auburn Hills' Chrysler team up for "Imported From Detroit" work wear

Forbes Thursday, November 29, 2012

It's all about the merch. Detroit-inspired fashion is "in" (along with local pride) and companies with Motor City roots aren't missing that fact.

Excerpt:

"Both Chrysler and Carharrt share a history in the industrialization of Detroit, and the country, for that matter. Both companies, in recent years, have embraced their Detroit roots and the associations that come with the Motor City pedigree. It’s appropriate they’ve teamed up for “Imported From Detroit,” a limited edition line of sturdy work wear that goes on sale today on the Carharrt website and at Carhartt’s Sullivan Center Store in Chicago."

Read the rest here.

Metro Detroit makes list of cities best oriented toward job growth

The Atlantic Cities Thursday, November 15, 2012

The Atlantic Cities offers a fascinating perspective on which metro areas are best at creating and sustaining job growth and hints at why. Top of the list includes San Jose, Austin, and Bajersfield. Big surprise, however, was both Grand Rapids (7th) and Metro Detroit's (10th) inclusion.

Excerpt:

"A recent analysis of competitiveness and job growth across U.S. metros conducted by Economic Modeling Specialists could not be more timely. It provides a detailed assessment of the metros that have generated the most robust job growth based on "unique regional factors rather than national trends." To do so, it conducted a shift-share analysis of employment trends for the 100 largest U.S. metros for the period 2010 to 2012. "

Read the rest here.

Crain's picks coolest Metro Detroit Companies to work for

Crain's Detroit Business and mlive.com Thursday, November 15, 2012

So, the list was actually for all of Michigan and include 50 firms but the vast majority of the companies are located in Metro Detroit. Huzzah! Thinking of a job change? Maybe you should peruse Crain's list.

Excerpt:

"The companies offer perks like free pizza and frozen yogurt, flexible schedules, staff outings and wellness programs...

...Troy had the highest number of cool companies with 11, followed by Detroit with eight and Southfield with seven."

Read the rest here. Check out the list here.

Thrill to Detroit's film locations! Tour maps now available!

The Michigan Film Office Thursday, November 15, 2012

Transformners 3! Alex Cross! Detroit 1-8-7! The Giant Mechanical Man! The Michigan Film Office has put together a movie tour map of Detroit-area film locations. Get yours at the Convention and Visitor's Center.

Read all about it here.

Lawrence Tech plans to start shooting hoops again

Automation Alley Thursday, November 15, 2012

It's been almost 50 years since they last put a team on the court but Lawrence Tech has decided to bring back its men’s and women’s varsity basketball programs.

Excerpt:

"In the 1940s, LTU helped change the pace of collegiate basketball with a run-and-shoot offense that made Hankins the top scorer among major college players in 1947-48. Denning was a post player with a devastating hook shot with either hand who later played for the Harlem Globetrotters and was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets (today the Washington Wizards).

That tradition gives Head Coach Tom Kempf of the men’s team and Head Coach Mary Pinkowski of the women’s team something to aim for, but right now they have to concentrate on the challenges of molding brand new teams with mostly freshman players."

Read the rest here.

Royal Oak sneaker sellers to become stars of Eminem-produced YouTube series

CBS Detroit Thursday, November 08, 2012

The owners of Royal Oak's Burn Rubber aren't only getting their own Internet program, it's being supported by the Michigan Film Incentive and produced by Detroit native son, Marshall Mathers (aka Eminem).

Excerpt:

"Detroit Rubber will follow Rick Williams and Roland “Ro” Coit, owners of the Royal Oak sneaker shop Burn Rubber. In addition to opening a new boutique, called two/eighteen, the show will highlight these Michigan entrepreneurs as they balance family, a growing business and day to day struggles. The show will be released on the premium YouTube channel Loud."

Read the rest here.

Wouldn't you like to be a Kresge artist fellow too?

Kresge Foundation Thursday, November 08, 2012

Last week heralded the return of the Kresge Artist Fellowships. That means applications are now open for 18 artsy-fartsy types to receive $25,000 Fellowships in the literary and visual arts.

Learn more here.

Apply here.

Watch an awesome video about last year's fellows below.

Haleem Ar-Rasheed, 2010 Kresge Artist Fellow in the performing arts from Kresge Arts in Detroit on Vimeo.

A tree grows in Oakland & Wayne County

Alliance Of Rouge Communities Thursday, November 08, 2012

Or rather more trees.

Michigan Green Schools within the Rouge River Watershed were given native trees of their choice to plant and nurture, helping to further green their communities.

Excerpt:

"The tree species offered were all native to Michigan and included red bud, red oak, red maple and sugar maple. The trees were 1.5 inch caliper and depending on the variety, 5’-12’ in height. Wayne County offered trees to 83 recognized schools within the Wayne County portion of the Rouge watershed and Oakland County offered trees to 43 schools."

Read the rest here. And here.

Detroit Venture's Josh Linkner calls out Silicon Valley

Forbes Thursday, November 01, 2012

Former ePrize founder and CEO and local entrepreneurial guru takes a sharp needle to the Silicon Valley's over-inflated bubble and extolls the virtues of growing a company in Detroit.

Excerpt:

"Many people think the Valley is the best place to start a digital/tech company. While there have been no shortage of successful start-ups in Silicon Valley, I argue that many of those ventures succeeded in spite of their location. For me, this “best place” logic makes no sense. In the Bay Area, there is more competition for everything – talent, funding, office space, resources, etc. What kind of investment tip is “buy high, sell high?” As an entrepreneur, it’s difficult enough getting a company off the ground; why make your work any harder than it already is? Give yourself more leeway – pay fewer dollars for higher-grade intellect, make a splash in the media because you’re the big fish, and get the investment community to notice you and the traction you’re making. Why over-pay just to blend in? When you’re swimming in a vast ocean filled with other startups, you need herculean accomplishments to stand out any more than the next guy. Every single day. Good luck with that."

Read the rest here.

Sterling Heights and Troy singled out for their biz dev virtues

University Of Michigan, Dearborn Thursday, November 01, 2012

In an eCities study, eight Michigan communities were singled out by U-M Dearborn's iLab for their innovative approaches to business development. Sterling Heights and Troy made sure Metro Detroit was properly represented.

Excerpt:

"Eight communities across the state of Michigan are top performers at fostering entrepreneurial growth and economic development, according to the annual eCities study. The study, conducted by iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation and Research, identified Alpine Township, Grand Blanc, Grand Rapids, Imlay City, Meridian Township, Midland, Sterling Heights and Troy for their incentives, innovative programs and best practices geared toward business development."

Read the rest here.

WSJ says Detroit's Corktown is the place to be

The Wall Street Journal Thursday, November 01, 2012

The mainstream media has honed into the gradual right-siding of Detroit's status as a city worth taking note of... but usually misses where stuff is actually happening. This time the WSJ does a pretty good job.

Excerpt:

"Young entrepreneurs have homed in on Corktown's main drag, which is now dotted with small businesses: a nationally acclaimed barbecue joint, a burger bar, a craft-cocktail nightspot and a hip coffee shop. A few boutiques selling sports apparel and vinyl records have sprouted along blocks that were once largely shuttered.

"When the bike racks are full, you know things are humming," said Dave Steinke, owner of the new Mercury Burger Bar, who plans to open an Italian restaurant on Michigan Avenue next month. "When you see some strollers on the street, you know they'll be back again and again.""

Read the rest here.