GLBM October 2019

OCTOBER 2019

FARMS OF THE FUTURE A technological boom is helping feed America IN THIS ISSUE • Michigan becomes the home of the nation’s largest industrial hemp farm.

• How restaurants can make the mark during food inspections.

• CMIC is on a mission to bring internet to rural Michigan.

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OCTOBER 2019 ON THE COVER Michigan becomes the home of the nation’s largest industrial hemp farm......................................................... 30 How restaurants can make the mark during food inspections....................................................... 6 CMIC is on a mission to bring internet to rural Michigan.............................................................. 14

OCTOBER 2019

16 NEWS The Bumpy Ride of Uber....................................................................................................................... 8 What’s your Sign?..................................................................................................................................... 10 Allen Neighborhood Center Awarded Grant for Cleanup and Expansion.................. 12

FEATURES The Internet of Things Goes Industrial......................................................................................... 24 The Circle Game: The Ups and Downs of HyperConnectivity.......................................... 26

FARMS OF THE FUTURE

Behind the Scenes.................................................................................................................................... 28

A technological boom is helping feed America

Not sure where to start with HR tools?......................................................................................... 31

IN THIS ISSUE • Michigan becomes the home of the nation’s largest industrial hemp farm.

• How restaurants can make the mark during food inspections.

• CMIC is on a mission to bring internet to rural Michigan.

Visual Breakdown..................................................................................................................................... 34 Business Calendar.................................................................................................................................... 36 Notable News............................................................................................................................................. 38

Cover photography by Mary Gajda

Greater Lansing Business Monthly | Volume 32, Issue 10 Greater Lansing Business Monthly is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan USPO. USPS number 020w807.

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Postmaster: Send address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Send additional subscription requests and address changes to The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc., 221 West Saginaw Street, Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright © 2016 The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved.

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G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2019

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COMMENTARY

Publisher: Tiffany Dowling, tiffany@m3group.biz Sales Manager: Jennifer Hodges, jhodges@m3group.biz Editor: Kelly Mazurkiewicz, kelly@m3group.biz Asst. Editor: Mary Gajda, mary@m3group.biz Media Specialist: Carey Jarvis Account Managers:

EMBRACING THE NEXT NORMAL Time marches on. As does technology.

Megan Fleming Liz Reno-Hayes Zack Krieger Art Director: Mark Warner Publication Designer: Cody Fell Graphic Designers: Jeanette Wummel Matthew McDaniel Chelsey Freedman Communications Specialists: Alicia Finch Christopher Nagy Rich Adams Adam Lansdell Photographer: Mary Gajda Videographer: Michael Cagney GLBM Editorial Board: April Clobes — President and CEO, MSU Federal Credit Union Calvin Jones — Government Relations Director, Lansing Board of Water & Light Lisa Parker — Director of Alumni Career and Business Services, Michigan State University Alumni Association Deb Muchmore Consulting — Owner, Deb Muchmore Consulting Tom Ruis — Vice President, Fifth Third Bank Doug Klein — Executive Director, Mason Area Chamber of Commerce Mark Hooper — Partner, Andrews Hooper Pavlik

That should be an addendum to the idiom about death and taxes being the only things that can be said are certainties in life. Time always advances – and with it so does the world and its technological achievements.

Technology can be a scary proposition. We are all hardwired to be comfortable with patterns and routines. And we all have an innate behavior to resist – or at the very least be wary – of change. However, when given the chance, change simply becomes a new routine. Consider these relics: desktop calculators, camcorders, compasses, flashlights, alarm clocks, stereo systems, phone books, rotary telephones – not to mention party lines and telephone booths – voice recorders, dictionaries and encyclopedias.

Certainly, all of those items are still around; however, a large part of their original forms have been regulated to the dustbin of history and they all fit nicely into our pocket on our smartphones. They have adapted, changed and evolved with time and technology.

It’s true that some aspects of technological advancement bring about more effective and efficient ways to cause one another harm. However, the greater good technology provides the human condition vastly outweighs drawbacks. It helps us remain healthier, improves our working conditions and job efficiencies, keeps us safer and helps us better understand one another.

We are dedicating this month’s issue of Greater Lansing Business Monthly to technology and celebrating what it can do to improve and enhance our lives and experiences. This issue explores how technology is redefining the agriculture industry by improving farm management through everything from collecting data on fields to milking cows, how the Industrial Internet of Things is allowing manufacturers to conduct predictive maintenance and how providing highspeed broadband internet access is no longer a want but a need for many.

One interesting aspect addressed in one of this month’s articles is how the technology has saved time for individuals, allowing an improved work-life balance. In that respect, it can be said that technology has allowed us to grow closer – regardless of the notion that everyone today has eyes glued to glowing screens.

As technology advances, it’s up to us to adapt. That may mean learning a new skill set to find our place in it. However, that’s not a new concept. It’s been that way throughout history. As things changed, we also have changed. Despite all of our flaws and shortcomings as the human species, we’ve always been able to step up and embrace the next normal.

Diontrae Hayes — Supervisor, Charter Township of Lansing Tiffany Dowling | Publisher

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT Vail oversees restaurant inspections at Ingham County Health Department

BY CHRISTOPHER NAGY

Linda Vail has no qualms about dining out.

She’ll happily frequent a restaurant or local pub to enjoy the atmosphere and ambience in the company of friends or family. Just don’t ask her to leave her job at the door.

As health officer for the Ingham County Health Department, a good part of Vail’s occupation is protecting the public’s wellbeing by overseeing restaurant inspections to ensure there is complete compliance with food handling, preparation and safety.

That’s something that doesn’t end at 5 p.m. If she’s on personal time and spots a health violation, you’re darn right she’s going to do something about it.

“I’m just trying to live my life outside of work.

But I am the county health officer. I will speak to a manager, then out comes the business card, then I’m calling one of my environmental health officers, then I’m waiting for them to get there. I don’t encounter these things all the time – but if I do encounter something, I can’t not say something,” Vail said. She detailed several rather humorous anecdotes about being out on the town or running late to a meeting when duty stopped her in her tracks.

While her stories exposed a more whimsical side to her work, Vail is quick to point out the immense public safety value in the work her team performs.

“It’s work that goes unseen. Our work is the work that keeps things from happening.

People are unaware just how much work goes into what we do,” Vail said. “People (in the food service industry) are going to try and do their best, but some are going to cut corners sometimes. People can get sick. That’s where a lot of people can get sick. People can die.”

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NEWS

The fact that the work of restaurant inspections goes largely unnoticed by the public because instances of food poisoning or outbreaks of something such as norovirus are so few and far between is what Vail called “the real unseen victory” in her job. Happy patrons mean a healthy food environment.

During any given year, there are approximately 950 fixed food licenses in operation at brickand-mortar establishments in Ingham County and 120 temporary licenses handed out for festivals and events. On top of those, there are typically 30-35 special transitory food unit licenses being issued for things such as food trucks. All of the above receive a minimum of two inspections annually – or more if additional inspections are required for follow-up compliance – which are conducted by a seven-member team of sanitarians (the actual inspectors and investigators) on Vail’s environmental health unit. That herculean task is slightly offset with some assistance: the Linda Vail Michigan Department

of Agriculture and Rural Development conducts the inspections for sites such as grocery stores and fast-food establishments linked to a gas station. Plus, Michigan State University is contracted to conduct inspections of its facilities like the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center and Breslin Student Events Center, with the Ingham County Health Department spot auditing the university’s reports.

While the relationship between restaurant inspectors and restaurant owners may seem like it would be an adversarial one, Vail sad that isn’t the case. She said there has been a general culture shift from a standpoint of governmental regulatory compliance to one more like a partnership. Inspectors want to be seen as there to help and to collaborate with restaurant owners on bringing everything in line with code. The onus of creating that cooperative atmosphere falls squarely on the county, Vail said.

health officer, Vail can’t recall a single time she had to pursue the permanent closure of an establishment. In fact, the vast majority of the citations issued by inspectors are for minor issues that can be fixed on the spot such as a lack of labeling and dating products or temperature regulation for food holding.

In the event of a more extreme incident, such as where a sickness outbreak is linked back to an eatery, Vail said the collaborative relationship typically comes back into play and the business owner is willing to temporarily shutter the doors to correct any issue.

“We try to work with the restaurant.

Usually they’ll voluntarily close,” Vail said. “I can’t think of a time where I’ve ever had to order a restaurant to close.”

Christopher Nagy is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and has more than 20 years of experience in journalism. He rarely misses a Motor City Comic Con or Michigan Renaissance Festival.

“I believe it’s an attitude we have to embrace,” she said. “Our enforcement should take on a more service approach. Let’s help them figure out how to say ‘yes.’ Let’s offer them a pathway to go that is positive.”

She’s found that most restaurant owners not only want the help but appreciate it. That’s evident in the fact that over her 12 years as a

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THE BUMPY RIDE OF UBER Rail-hailing company reports losses since IPO

BY CHRISTOPHER NAGY

With the first two quarterly reports of 2019 detailing massive losses, those who invested in Uber since the ride-hailing service became a publicly traded company this year have likely experienced a bumpier ride than initially anticipated.

However, the company, as well as some names in the investment world, remain steadfast in the opinion that Uber will soon enough hit smoother pavement and ride into the sunset with the top down and music blaring.

The first-quarter report from Uber, released the same month the company went public, indicated a net loss of roughly $1 billion, yet shares for the company still rose 2.6% following a conference call with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who cited business improvements and 2019 being an investment year for the report’s findings.

In a conference call Aug. 8, second-quarter results from Uber indicated a massive $5.2 billion loss, much of which was attributed to stock compensation from its initial public offering. Still, the news rattled Wall Street, where

Uber’s stock plunged 9% at the start of the following day’s trading and closed down 6.8%.

“Our platform strategy continues to deliver strong results, with trips up 35% and gross bookings up 37% in constant currency, compared to the second quarter of last year,” Khosrowshahi said in a statement released after the Aug. 8 conference call. “In July, the Uber platform reached over 100 million monthly active platform consumers for the first time, as we become a more and more integral part of everyday life in cities around the world.”

In an interview on CNBC, Khosrowshahi called the Q2 report a once-in-a-lifetime hit and that Uber is steering toward revenue growth on the back nine of 2019, with the tide of losses anticipated to subside in 2020 and 2021.

While some investors maintain a bullish approach to Uber stock because of a robust long-term outlook, other are becoming more wary of sinking too much hope into the organization.

In an article in Forbes, professional investor Stephen McBride, editor of RiskHedge Report, warned that market speculators might want to steer clear of Uber in 2019.

Noting that Uber is already among America’s 100 largest companies, McBride wrote, “Uber’s IPO is no ground-floor opportunity. Uber is

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a giant, overvalued, money-losing enterprise that early investors have already milked dry.”

Uber is certainly present in the Greater Lansing region, but Maria Fernanda Resendiz, a member of the communications team for Uber, said the company doesn’t share regional or state-level data. However, she noted there were 3.9 million active Uber drivers globally in 2018. On average, around half of all drivers in the United States drive fewer than 10 hours a week, and Uber drivers have earned over $78.2 billion on the platform since 2016 as well as $1.2 billion in tips since in-app tipping was introduced in 2017.

“Our aim is to become a one-stop shop for all your transportation and delivery needs, so that your phone can replace your personal car,” Resendiz said. “Having a greater variety of transportation modes at your fingertips makes it increasingly easy to live life without a car. Plus, it opens up spaces in which Uber and public transit agencies can work together so that it’s not just cheaper to take the train or the bike or the shared trip instead of taking your own car – it’s far more convenient as well.”

Despite this year’s reported losses, the Uber brand remains one of the most widely recognized in the world. Whether that will eventually translate into it being a sound investment remains to be seen.

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WHAT’S YOUR SIGN?

BY LAURA MICHELS

Imagine you’re a small-business owner. You’ve got a great new location and you can’t wait to tell everyone about what you bring the community.

A key piece to getting the word out may be a sign near your business storefront that spells out what your company is all about.

Diane Krantz is the manager of Everybody Reads, 2019 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing.

Though the store posts on social media and puts notices in a local newspaper, its signs, which include one that perpendicularly juts out from the top of the building bearing the business name, gives pedestrians a reason to pop inside, she said.

“We still have a lot of people coming in all the time and they are like, ‘I didn’t know you were here,’” said Krantz. “They just happened to be on the block, and you know then the sign is what’s bringing them in.”

Kranz noted that as more revitalization takes place near her store, tangible signs, which let people know books and comics await them, may create more store traffic. “There’s a lot going on, on this block and parking is at a premium often,” she said. “So, people are walking around after they parked and maybe have a little time to kill. So, just a basic sign brings them in at that point.“ But when it comes to signage, business owners need to be careful not to violate their city’s zoning code lest they face potential trouble, including fines.

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Brian McGrain, the director of economic development and planning for the city of Lansing, said it’s important to let your city know what kind of sign you are planning to put up to avoid potential zoning issues.

“Anything at all. If you think there might be some city interaction, the best thing to do is give our office a call right off the bat,” he said.

McGrain said the city’s role in enforcing the zoning code isn’t to be punitive but rather to ensure what happens on one property isn’t infringing on the rights of others.

“We are very cautious to sort of walk that path of allowing people to advertise but also make sure we are not detracting from property values,” he said.

Code enforcement also protects the look of an area, McGrain added.

“You have too many signs, and they aren’t doing anybody any good,” he said “You can look back at pictures of commercial stretches from the ’70s and you know they are just out of control with signage.”

East Lansing’s Planning and Zoning Administrator David Haywood said a business’ sign could play a vital role in its success. This, he said, may be especially true when advertising budgets are limited.

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“It’s very important,” he said. “It can make or break a business.”

For its part, East Lansing has adopted a flexible commercial sign code as compared to other areas, Haywood said “Some sign codes for example, commercial properties, they only allow one sign, like one wall sign. Where ours, you have an allotment of sign area,” Haywood said.

East Lansing also makes an effort to give businesses extra leeway when construction projects may deter customers, according to Haywood.

“If we have a street that is closed or partially closed and there are fencing barricades, we’ll al-low additional signage,” he said.

In the vein of working with business owners, Haywood said the city’s zoning code includes a handful of amendments taken directly from public opinion.

“The success of the business is the success of our city, and we want to try to support that,” he said.

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ALLEN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER AWARDED GRANT FOR CLEANUP AND EXPANSION Improvements include housing, accelerator kitchen and grocery store

BY RICH ADAMS

The Allen Neighborhood Center has been awarded an $850,000 brownfield redevelopment grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

The grant will be used to clean up a contaminated property on East Kalamazoo Street and convert the building, which will be called Allen Place, into apartments, an accelerator kitchen, a bodega-style grocery 12

store, commercial space and a high school culinary program, said Joan Nelson, director at the center.

The Allen Neighborhood Center is a placebased organization that serves as a nonprofit hub for neighborhood revitalization. Co-sponsor of the project is the nonprofit Cinnaire Solutions, Nelson explained.

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“Our Allen Place project envisions converting the Kircher Complex at the 1600 block of East Kalamazoo Street … to a comprehensive community space that provides 29 units of mixed-income housing along with commercial space, integrative services and programming,” Nelson said.

She said the apartments – consisting of four studio units, 15 one-bedroom apartments and 10 two-bedroom units – will be targeted at all age groups to attract families, seniors and young professionals.

“However, we anticipate that many of ANC’s neighbors over the age of 55 will be interested in living in our ‘age-friendly’ development – where design will facilitate social interaction and build on ANC’s extensive social programming,” she said.

The accelerator kitchen will serve as the “next step” for four food entrepreneurs and graduates of the center’s 5-year-old incubator kitchen program, Nelson explained. The accelerator kitchen will offer 24/7 access to a licensed, shared-use kitchen that will also provide a small work and storage area for wholesale production and limited retail.

“Of the 36 businesses that have used our incubator kitchen, 75% have been womenowned and 30% have been owned by people of color – populations which often experience barriers to entrepreneurism,” Nelson said. “The accelerator kitchen is a key next step in creating a pipeline of small-scale food processing opportunities for entrepreneurs – incubator to accelerator to sole proprietorship – and connecting those opportunities to a range of ANC’s synergistic, food-related activities, such as the Exchange Food Hub and Allen Farmers Market.”

Nelson said the center is in discussion with two entities to operate the grocery store. The overall project will help in development of the Allen neighborhood community.

“This opportunity-rich environment will maximize success for these small food enterprises,” she noted. “It will also help to grow the emerging, neighborhood-scale, urban food innovation district serving this low- to moderate-income community.”

Nelson said planners hope to begin cleaning up the site in the fall, with a target of the end of 2020 or first quarter of 2021 for completion.

Rich Adams is a communications specialist at M3 Group and was a print and broadcast journalist for more than four decades. When he is not watching his beloved Chicago Cubs, he is counting the days until spring training begins.

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INTERNET ACCESS FOR UNDERSERVED AREAS IN MICHIGAN

BY TEECE ARONIN

Many of Michigan’s rural communities lack access to high-speed broadband internet service, but a grant program, Connecting Michigan Communities, aims to knock back the disparity with grants available to internet service provider (ISP) applicants representing impacted areas.

Announced in a July 2 news release by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, the program offers $20 million in grants. Providers interested in applying had until Aug. 30 to do so, and grant awards are expected to be announced in April 2020. All projects should be completed by Sept. 30, 2023.

“Access to high-speed internet is a must to compete in today’s society,” said Whitmer.

“Connecting all Michigan communities with broadband service is about leveling the playing field for every child and small business in the state. Everyone should be able to fully explore their passions and talents, no matter where they live, and not be held back by a lack of infrastructure.”

The news release noted that ISPs could apply for up to $5 million per grant and for multiple projects, and that scoring criteria included “community and economic development; readiness to build, operate and maintain the project; and the long-term viability of the project.”

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Applications were submitted to the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, but since grant funds had yet to be awarded when this issue went to press, it was impossible to provide specifics regarding businesses that will benefit. It is anticipated, however, that the value will be better in 2020 when the grants are to be announced.

“Michigan’s leaders are making a significant commitment that will positively impact communities across the state for years to come,” Ferree said. “The projects that are funded through this program will ultimately improve the quality of life for families and individuals by expanding access to the internet and the resources and opportunities it provides.”

“Information is opportunity. In order to make Michigan a center for innovation, imagination and entrepreneurship, everyone in our state needs and deserves the ability to participate in the global economy that is only accessible with high-speed internet,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist. “This grant will help close the gap that some Michiganders experience today.”

Connected Nation is the parent organization of Connect Michigan. The Michigan Public Service Commission also is partnering with Connect Michigan.

According to the news release from Whitmer’s office, “Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate collaboration to achieve community investment and economic development goals in the areas impacted. Applicants must also show they have the managerial, financial and technical abilities to build, operate and manage a broadband network.”

Tom Ferree, chairman and CEO of Connected Nation in Washington, D.C., said expanding access to high-speed broadband would improve life in underserved areas.

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According to the Connected Nation website, geographic information systems (GIS) can play a role in determining where underserved and unserved areas are. As the website puts it: “CN uses GIS to enable more efficient broadband data processing, aggregation and analysis, creating data visualization solutions that inform and empower a variety of stakeholders to resolve broadband issues in order to fulfill the great need and demand for quality broadband across the nation.”

At the July 2019 ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) User Conference, where the theme was “Seeing What Others Can’t,” Senior GIS Analyst Brian Dudek said, “‘Seeing What Others Can’t’ is exactly what GIS and geospatial professionals have done to shed

light on the broadband data issues that exist at the federal level. More people have become aware of the issue. They have studied it and used GIS to better understand all the variables in order to respond to the problem effectively.”

GIS is used to convert data into practical approaches for “leveling the playing field,” as Whitmer described it, for communities that historically have not had sufficient access to broadband internet use.

How it all turns out will not be fully revealed until projects are completed in 2023.

Teece Aronin is a blogger and columnist. Aronin writes a humor/ health and wellness column for the Oakland Press and is the featured writer for October at TrueHumor. com. Her artwork is available at the Redbubble.com store, phylliswalter, and Aronin seriously considers any request for workshops, coaching, and speaking engagements. Read her blog at ChippedDemitasse.BlogSpot.com, contact her at paronin1@gmail.com and follow her on Twitter @ taronin.

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TECHNOLOGY GROWS ON FARMERS, PRODUCERS Everything from drones to GPS tracking are making a huge impact on the ag industry

BY RICH ADAMS L

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COVER

Jeff Sandborn has embraced a new way of growing soybeans, corn and wheat on his Portland, Michigan, farm.

Across the nation and beyond, Sandborn and his fellow farmers and producers who feed America are undergoing a technological boom – and from the sound of things, this is just the beginning.

Sandborn has been interested in farming technology since the 1990s, and today his cropland is a testing ground for the use of drones and the incorporation of technology in his machinery.

Students from Michigan State University often can be found in his fields flying drones and collecting data under the supervision of MSU professor Bruno Basso, who specializes in crop modeling and land use sustainability.

“MSU is using drone technology and remote imaging to better understand the dynamics of a field,” said Sandborn, who also is District 4 director for the Michigan Farm

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Bureau and a member of the National Corn Growers Association. “MSU picks one corn field each year, and students are out there counting individual plants and getting data.”

Drones provide imaging and mapping of the farmland to determine if crops need more fertilizer, pesticides or water, or why corn stalks aren’t growing in one spot but flourish in others, eventually producing a picture of the crop’s potential at harvest.

The crop modeling software used by these drones contains over 40 years of yearto-year local weather data. It takes into consideration the weather, the rainfall, the temperature, when the crop was planted and even the genetics of the particular crop.

“It runs scenarios from now forward, because we don’t know what the future will be,” Sandborn said. “It runs 40 different scenarios and, if it remains cool and dry for example, it will predict what your yield potential is.”

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Basso said technology’s impact on the agriculture industry can result in a rosier bottom line.

“The technology is mostly time-saving – it allows farmers to complete tasks faster and with a much higher level of precision, such as not double-spraying or missing areas throughout the field,” Basso explained. “In the end, it translates to saving money on various farm operations.”

Another key development in farm management has been the use of GPS for a variety of chores, among them soil sampling, weed location, accurate planting, determining planting ratios and harvesting, to name a few.

Sandborn utilizes GPS technology on his farm, mostly in his tractor to ensure straight lines when planting and mapping his crops.

Basso said there is not a single piece of technology that is most beneficial to farmers, explaining farm tech has to be part of an integrated system employing a variety of

COVER

techniques. But GPS broke the ground for technology in the field.

“I think that without the use of GPS mounted on tractors, harvesters, drones or robots, none of the site-specific applications would be possible,” Basso said.

GPS technology guides the machinery through a field, allowing the tractor and its implement to eliminate overlapping and achieve straight rows, thus saving money on seed and fertilizer, increasing productivity, using fewer resources and reducing operator fatigue.

Another piece of the farm tech revolution comes from Ann Arbor, where Jesse Vollmar developed software he believed would help guide farmers from planting to harvest to market.

Vollmar, CEO and co-founder of FarmLogs, grew up on a fifthgeneration, 1,200-acre farm.

He saw firsthand how clumsy existing farm software was.

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MILKING NEW FARM TECHNOLOGY FOR ALL IT’S WORTH Dairy producers go ‘udderly’ allin for robotic milkers You won’t find any milking stools or buckets in the milking parlors on the Bad Axe, Michigan, dairy farm of Ashley and Eric Kennedy.

Six years ago, the Kennedys decided that robots could do the work of humans, even on something as traditional and time-tested as milking cows.

“We struggled to find employees who wanted to milk in a parlor. It’s not the easiest job, and it’s really monotonous,” Ashley Kennedy explained. “Our old equipment also was going to need an upgrade soon, so it made sense for us to make the leap to robots.”

Here’s how robotic milking works: The cow, on her own schedule, goes into the milking box. If the robot determines she is able to be milked, it moves on to the next step. If it isn’t her time, the robot will let her out of the box.

“If the cow can be milked, the arm starts to move under her and a set of brushes come out to clean the cow’s teats,” she said. “The brushes disinfect the cow’s teats with a peroxide solution. Then the brushes go away and the laser begins to do its job.”

The laser scans the teats to locate them. Once the location is known, each milk cup is attached to individual teats.

“The cow is then milked while she is being fed a specially formulated pellet that delivers energy and vitamins while she is being milked,” she explained.

“As each quarter on the cow is emptied, the milk cup is removed; and once they are all off, the teats are sprayed with a disinfectant iodine. Then the cow is released into the barn, where she can spend the rest of the day as she chooses.”

The robotic milkers are time- and labor-saving technologies that gives the Kennedys a better work-life balance.

“They give our family and employees flexibility to fit in personal time and family events easier,” Ashley Kennedy said.

“The robots have taken a great deal of the physical tax on our bodies that milking in a parlor was starting to take.”

Each cow is equipped with a collar that collects data much like a tracker humans wear on their wrists to record steps and physical activity. The collar records the cow’s activities and helps indicate the animal’s overall health.

“The collar also has a microphone on it, and it counts the minutes of the day she is eating and chewing her cud,” she noted. “Those things directly influence the health of the cow. Only a healthy, happy, content cow will chew her cud.”

Once in the milk box, the robot also reports data back to the Kennedys.

“We get over 100 data points on her, from milk temperature – which can tell us if she has a fever – to weight, milk quality and so much more,” she said. “It all goes into a computer program that put it in charts, graphs and lists so I can look at it and see if a cow needs to be actively checked on.”

And what was the time frame for the cows to get used to robots?

“The first couple days were rough; but honestly, I think it was harder for us to adapt to not having a rigid schedule than it was for the cows,” she said.

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COVER

“Part of the motivation (to create FarmLogs) was seeing the ineffectiveness of existing tools on our family farm,” Vollmar explained.

“As a technologist, I couldn’t bear to watch my dad, uncle and younger brother struggle with inadequate and unfriendly software.”

Vollmar learned computer programming at an early age and earned a computer information systems degree from the University of Michigan. He took the lessons learned on the family farm and those in the classroom and combined them to create FarmLogs in 2011.

“Being on the intersections of these two different domains is what made the opportunity to create FarmLogs obvious to me,” he said. “Running a modernday farm is really complex and requires many different skill sets to be successful.

FarmLogs simplifies and automates some of the more mundane or difficult tasks, making it easier to be good at running a modern farming business.

“Imagine a farm as a factory. Farmers are running factories (land) that need to take in raw goods (seed, fertilizer, chemicals), run processes (field work), warehouse and distribute the output (storage and transport) and sell the product (marketing),” Vollmar explained. “In most large-scale manufacturing businesses, you would have specialized departments for each one of these functions. On a farm, you’re lucky if you have some good hired help to get some of the work done.”

Thermal drone imaging can improve crop yields, irrigation and grazing. Images provided by Bruno Basso

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Farmers have been quick to adopt the new software. There are more than 50,000 farms on the FarmLogs platform, Vollmar said, and farmers have access to more data and technology than ever before.

Because this spring and early summer were so wet and cool, Vollmar said FarmLogs helped Michigan farmers adapt to the unusual weather.

“Many producers needed to reevaluate their plans this year when weather forced a planting delay,” he said. “Having FarmLogs makes it much easier to quantify how a change might impact your financial outcome, which I believe came in very handy this year.”

What’s next in farm technology? Sandborn said he sees a day when autonomous tractors the size of riding lawn mowers can be used to plant an entire crop in the spring, without the worry farmers have today of heavy tractors bogging down in wet fields.

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FEATURE

THE INTERNET OF THINGS GOES INDUSTRIAL IIoT collects, analyzes ‘big data’ to add efficiencies, predict maintenance on machines

BY RICH ADAMS

Most people have had experience with the Internet of Things – defined as the interconnection via the internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data. Amazon’s Alexa and Apple’s Siri are popular examples that can be found in homes, interacting with humans and providing information.

The IoT reaches beyond virtual assistants.

Cars now have automatic braking to avoid collisions, self-parking features and more.

Security systems enable people to keep an 24

eye out for suspicious activity at their homes or businesses via connected devices.

A more recent development is the Industrial Internet of Things, or IIoT. Although the various components for its use have been in place individually for years, more recent developments have enabled the IIoT to do everything from rapidly analyzing vast amounts of data for quick fact-finding to monitoring machine safety and predictive maintenance.

Paul Dunn and Chris McBride are on the Central Michigan University faculty

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and coordinators of the SAP Next-Gen chapter at CMU, which involves a team working on the Internet of Things for manufacturing. SAP Next-Gen chapters are established at globally leading universities to accelerate “innovation with purpose” in classrooms and with industry partners.

The key to bringing the IIoT to its current state involved linking systems and software together in a way that provides timely and important information.

FEATURE

“Parallel processing in systems like Hadoop allows businesses to analyze large volumes of data quickly enough to be able to act on business insights soon enough to begin to see cost benefits,” Dunn explained.

McBride noted the evolution of processor chips and the increased amount of random access memory, or RAM, in today’s industrial servers.

“The amount of RAM in servers today is well above the technical limitations of just a few years ago,” McBride said. “It is possible to have terabytes of RAM where a decade ago, 64 or 128 megabytes of RAM was the limit of many servers. The ability to load massive data sets into the application server or database server memory is what enabled the technology to become feasible.”

While both men agree that autonomous vehicles are the “sexiest” application of the IIoT, with hundreds of individual devices in a vehicle working together to provide safety, a more common use of IIoT technology is to keep the machines humming.

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“The long-term goal for many companies today is predictive maintenance,” McBride explained.

“Most companies I have spoken with see predictive maintenance as a strategic priority.”

While both said the return on investment for the IIoT is difficult to ascertain for manufacturers, the monetary gain may be in monitoring the data.

Dunn took the concept further. He used as an example a mining company in a very remote area, far from the company’s service centers.

The use of the IIoT to monitor machine safety and performance allows predictive, proactive maintenance instead of reactive maintenance after a piece of equipment has failed, which could bring operations to a standstill.

“There is a local manufacturing company that installs various sensors in their machines and then the customer subscribes to a monitoring service,” McBride said. “Many manufacturers don’t have the expertise or tools to do this type of technology; and for them, I believe these kinds of subscription services will help them keep pace with companies that can do it.”

“Predictive maintenance is using data that take the real history into account,” he said.

“It’s very interesting when you run different predictive models and change variables such as operating environment temperature and humidity, which have a large impact on the equipment’s life and maintenance needs.

As to the future of the IIoT? That’s hard to gauge. Advancements are surely going to take place, but putting a price on the technology is another thing.

“The normal use of a piece of equipment is what causes problems, so understanding that and identifying failures, along with root-cause analyses, allows companies to get a very good handle on maintenance,” Dunn added.

“While ‘everyone’ is doing it, it is isolated in many cases and many are simply pilots or proofs of concept,” McBride said. “There are a lot of things to consider before a company can fully integrate everything with IIoT, and it may not make sense for every company. From the technologist point of view, the possibilities are endless, but the value proposition is difficult at this point.”

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THE CIRCLE GAME: THE UPS AND DOWNS OF HYPERCONNECTIVITY

BY NICK MCCORMACK

Mobile computing is one of the most influential phenomena to hit the average consumer. It increased the efficiency of workflow across almost every profession, drastically affected how information is spread and permanently changed how society interacts with one another.

In recent years the answer to whether this is a good thing has become divisive.

As society at large moves toward a quicker, more connected future, many have begun to look back longingly at the simpler times of

Smartphones and all of their miraculous features also are a perfect way to waste spare seconds of the day.

Interacting with bits of news, pop culture and other curated content on social media can distract from moments of mundanity that can plague anything from a 30-minute lunch break to a lazy Sunday afternoon.

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mobile communication and wonder if all these screens are just too much.

FEATURE

power of the web and mobile devices but they use their devices to celebrate the fact that they didn’t use said devices for a whole 24 hours. A modern smartphone user knows both truths: Mobile computing is an essential utility for navigating a modern social life AND we often abuse it.

One would think the balanced approach would be a simple matter of downgrading one’s mobile device and relegating all web surfing to laptops and desktops. But this simply isn’t alluring.

A representative from a Lansing Sprint store reports that flip phone sales account for a portion of the store’s total sales that is hardly worth mention. “We carry just one nonsmartphone, the flip phone, and we really only sell one of those per month, max.”

It’s not hard to see why. Just about any smartphone on the market crams so much utility into its tiny frame that downgrading would involve more complexity than simplification (i.e., get ready to buy a GPS unit).

In what could very well be cited as a case of dripping irony, a National Day of Unplugging garnered a large online following after a Jewish organization called Reboot founded the unofficial holiday in 2010.

For the 10th annual National Day of Unplugging over 100,000 people took the pledge to neglect their beloved wireless devices for a grueling 24 hours. Reboot recorded 1,000 “unplugged events” and provided approximately 75,000 cellphone bags for the March 1 to March 2 stretch, marking resounding success for their promotion of traditional Jewish values. When March 3 rolled around gung-ho unpluggers plugged back in, posted crucial evidence of their unpluggedness to their favorite social media apps and began the first of the 364 “plugged” days till the next cellphone-free day.

So, what does this say? On one hand over 100,000 individuals took the time to do some very rewarding things. They did what everyone wants to do; they afforded themselves the opportunities to connect in more tangible ways with their immediate surroundings, set aside time for important introspection and generally practiced all-important self-discipline.

Perhaps many will carry these lessons with them into the rest of their year, but then again many illustrated the essential duality of the trendiness of unplugging. Unpluggers not only congregated solely through the connective

There is no one solution when it comes to managing one’s polarizing thoughts on

smartphone reliance. Some people do make the jump and ditch the slick screens for clunky keys. Back in December 2018, a Wired writer outlined his year-long experiment in downgrading, taking a nuanced look at his and other people’s love-hate relationship with smart tech. He described feelings of both insanity and mental sharpening, landing on the conclusion that our dependency on personal devices was ultimately necessary and requires self-discipline to achieve.

So, are we unplugging? No, not by a long shot.

But we don’t have to; highly accessible tech has brought an undeniable ease to our lives.

You don’t just throw something like that away, you gain the self-discipline necessary to know when to use it and when to unplug.

Nick McCormack is a fourth-year advertising major at Michigan State University and a freelance contributor for the Greater Lansing Business Monthly. He enjoys covering surfacing trends and local innovators. In his free time, he busies himself with good books, scenic hikes and shooting his bow.

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BY LAUREN FARHAT

CLIFF FARR

Passionate Motivator, Philanthropist & IceCream Franchisee Shaftsburg, Michigan, native Cliff Farr is the owner, motivator and enthusiast behind Kona Ice of East Lansing. Nationwide, the overarching Kona Ice brand has given back millions of dollars to charities and nonprofits in need. Only in his sophomore year as a Kona Ice franchisee, Farr set out to do the same for the East Lansing community. On his mission to make people happy, Farr sat down to tell us some of the ways Kona Ice has helped him to fulfill his goal.

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH KONA ICE? Previous to my venture with Kona Ice, I worked for the Michigan Department of Transportation in engineering. I came on board there in 1975 after receiving two Bachelor of Science degrees from the Detroit Institute of Technology and Michigan State 28

University. My career at MDOT was absolutely fantastic. I was very happy with the work I was doing, but I also had a longtime interest in becoming an entrepreneur. I knew if I waited to retire at age 86, that window of opportunity might be somewhat limited or nonexistent.

So, I retired. Three months later I was driving home my Kona Ice truck.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A KONA ICE FRANCHISEE? Oh, it’s just the coolest thing. By the time I started looking into the Kona Ice franchise, it was 10 years old and had already donated over $50 million back to charities across the country. I was beyond sold on the concept. I always said that if I ever became a part of a franchise it has to be a winner, and boy, this one is a winner. Kona Ice Corporate is positive

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in every aspect of their business, and not only positive, but successful. If there really is such a thing as a corporate family, I believe I found it with Kona Ice.

WHAT DROVE YOUR MOTIVATION TO WORK WITH CHARITIES AND NONPROFITS? I believe that we were put on this Earth to make people happy, and that is my passion.

Kona Ice so perfectly helps me to fulfill this; not only through the community giveback portion, but through the reactions I receive from the truck. There is nothing better than pulling up to an event and seeing 20 little kids jumping up and down out of pure bliss because they get to eat shaved ice. It’s just so cute.

Those are the kinds of moments that fill your heart, and it can’t get much better than that.

Behind the Scenes

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT KONA ICE OF EAST LANSING’S IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY? I don’t know exactly how much revenue has been given back to the community, but I imagine that number is significant. I am strictly event based. I work all of the Lansing Lugnuts games and Lansing Ignite games, on top of various birthday parties and school fundraisers – you name it. There’s potential I can give back $500 or more within three hours just by sitting there.

Kona Ice truly is the easiest fundraiser out there.

All you have to do is tell me where to park and who to make the check out to.

CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS WHAT’S NEXT FOR KONA ICE OF EAST LANSING? Beginning this fall, Kona Ice of East Lansing will be partnering with Michigan State University before all of their football games, as well as joining their fan fest. As a Michigan State alum I’m tremendously eager to be a benefit to the community of the university and to see what’s in store following this endeavor. My only hope is to keep making people happy, one Kona Ice at a time!

Founded in 1919, Capital Area United Way began as the Community Welfare Fund at 118 W. Allegan in Lansing, Michigan. Join us on October 19th to experience the history of United Way in Lansing.

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HEMP TAKES ROOT AT THUMB-AREA FARM B State official tours fields to learn more about Hempure Farm and best practices

BY RICH ADAMS

The future of industrial hemp production was on display recently at Hempure Farm in Ubly, located in Michigan’s Thumb region.

allows an institute of higher learning or MDARD to grow industrial hemp for research purposes as part of an agricultural pilot program.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director of Industrial Hemp Gina Alessandri spent several hours touring Hempure’s fields and drying facility.

She was collecting information on what Hempure’s owners – brothers Brad, Clint and Keith Hagen – believe to be the best and most efficient methods to grow hemp in Michigan.

Keith Hagen of East Lansing said he hopes Alessandri understands the need for state action to regulate how CBD hemp is grown to avoid issues that have had negative impact on the industry in other states.

Hempure Farm – the largest hemp producer in the state – has 340 acres of land where it is growing several industrial hemp strains. The brothers spent months researching the industry and visiting areas of the U.S. where hemp is already produced.

In February, they decided to plant acres hemp, which is valued for its cannabidiol, or CBD, oil.

CBD oil is used to control epilepsy, as well as an over-the-counter treatment for anxiety, pain, muscle disorders, Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s syndrome and many other conditions. The extract is limited to 0.3% of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the active ingredient in cannabis that produces a “high.”

Parts of the hemp plant are also used for making fiber, but Hempure Farm is focused on cannabidiol production.

In April, MDARD launched its industrial hemp pilot program to help create a path forward for Michigan’s newest agricultural crop. The pilot program allows for seeds to be planted in 2019 while Michigan awaits the creation of federal rules and regulations by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Until a federal regulatory program has been developed, Michigan’s industrial hemp program must continue to function under the auspices of the 2014 U.S. Farm Bill, which 30

Hagen said Hempure Farm uses only female seeds, which produce the highest quality of hemp for use in CBD extraction. The brothers have taken steps to prevent pollination of the female plants, which would reduce the value and effectiveness of oils extracted from the hemp.

“To us, if this is going to be a CDB growing area, then it all has to be CBD grown here and it has to be done in a specific way,” Hagen explained.

He said a hemp field 7 miles away that contains both genders of the plant could endanger Hempure’s all-female field if pollen from the male plants is carried by prevailing winds into Hempure Farm’s fields.

Hagen said farmers who are not being as diligent as Hempure could have a negative impact on the entire region.

“There are two ways build a house – you can build it out of straw or out of brick. The concept we employed is building our hemp house out of brick,” he said. “With every step of the process, we’ve done what we consider to be the right thing – we planted the right seeds, we are producing hemp organically and we are pulling every weed by hand.”

Alessandri said the state hemp program is still in its pilot stage and operating under emergency rules. One of those rules involves testing of the crop.

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“The new rules establish proper sampling and analytical testing methods for measuring the concentration of tetrahydrocannabinol in cannabis sativa L, specifically, industrial hemp, to ensure levels do not exceed 0.3% on a dry weight basis,” she said. “Growers are required to have their crop tested before harvest.”

Hempure Farm also has the area’s only drying facility where its harvest will go through a drying process that creates the best product from which to extract CBD oil. Consultants have been advising other farmers in the area that they can distill their harvested hemp with ethanol or other chemicals.

“Our dryer is the perfect way to capture the organic crop we just produced,” Hagen said, standing near the 32-foot-tall machine. “The other way they are taking a shortcut, and with hemp there are no shortcuts. We avoided all of the pitfalls and are in a real good position.”

The crop should be ready to harvest soon, Hagen said in late August, noting that he and his brothers have developed a more efficient method of harvesting the plants from the field and a patent for the device is pending.

Once harvested, hemp will be processed at the dryer for 40 to 60 days with the machinery in use 24/7, said Brad Hagen.

“This program is new to Michigan, and there is no crystal ball for what the future holds for industrial hemp,” Alessandri said.

“However, based upon the response so far, MDARD is excited and hopeful for its longterm success and expansion in the state.”

FEATURE

Michigan’s current unemployment rate is around 4.2%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is considered low, which is undoubtedly great news for the economy and people of the state. But it also means employers may have a difficult time finding qualified candidates for their open positions.

NOT SURE WHERE TO START WITH HR TOOLS? Government might be the answer

BY EDYTHE COPELAND, CEO OF CAPITAL AREA MICHIGAN WORKS!

Many local businesses still aren’t aware of the robust services Capital Area Michigan Works! – a special purpose unit of government serving Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties – offers to local employers. We throw around the term BST frequently, and mention the business services team, but what is it – and how does it help drive our economy forward?

The business services team – an employer-focused service offered through Capital Area Michigan Works!

– works with companies to customize and implement recruitment strategies to attract top talent. BST members are available to assist with recruiting, hiring and training qualified workers, ensuring companies are able to retain employees and avoid costly turnover.

In short, the BST is meant to serve as an extension of a company’s human resources department. For many small businesses, we are the HR department – or at least the recruiting arm.

How can government help hire employers?

The BST employs a wide variety of tools, techniques and strategies – far too many for a single article, but strategies include:

• Widely distributing job leads to internal and external partners

• Advertising opportunities and

partnerships on various social media sites including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn • Connecting with education and training partners to spread the word about openings • Performing candidate searches and referrals for high-wage, in-demand positions • Recruiting on-site at Capital Area Michigan Works! in Charlotte, Lansing and St. Johns

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FEATURE

“The business services team members build and maintain relationships with local companies so they can rely on us to help with their high-wage, high-skill and high-demand openings,” said Teri Sand, the business services team leader.

access to company data and physical structures, advertising the new opening, screening candidates, scheduling interviews, conducting interviews, background checks and drug screens, and training the new worker,” Sand said.

BST members are immersed in the local talent scene, ranging from the Greater Lansing Society for Human Resource Management and local Rotary Clubs to Women in Skilled Trades, Capital Area Healthcare Alliance and the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Turnover costs also include extra hours spent by other workers who become responsible for covering the former employee’s duties. Or, alternatively, the work does not get done.

“We also work closely with local economic development teams to assist with business attraction efforts,” Sand said. “We served 491 businesses this fiscal year.”

The team’s goal isn’t just to help employers fill one job. In addition to helping search for and hire highly qualified candidates, the BST works with companies to keep those employees in order to avoid the costly turnover process. The goal is to become an extension of a business’s human resources staff – or for small businesses without an HR team, to provide that counsel and support.

“Replacing an employee is very expensive when you calculate the hiring team’s collective time spent removing the former employee’s

“Either way, that is a cost to the company in lost productivity and/or decreased morale among existing workers,” Sand said.

New Business Resource Network established to improve retention The BST is comprised of knowledgeable, experienced business professionals who help employers identify solutions to keep employee retention high. One of the newest employer services at CAMW!, the Business Resource Network, is dedicated solely to helping employers on-site with retention by providing confidential one-on-one support to employees who are struggling with external impacts on their job performance.

Think of it as a mix between a workplace wellness program, an on-site career coach and a human version of 2-1-1.

The BRN was developed to help employers reduce turnover and increase retention by addressing common issues that often lead to termination or employees leaving a job. A BRN success coach can work directly with a company’s employees to help them with a number of challenges that may affect their success at work, including overall wellness and health. For more information on the Business Resource Network, contact Erin McKenzie, emckenzie@camw.net or (517) 492-5518.

Throw in the Going PRO Talent Fund, and there’s even more to help a business retain – and compete.

The Going PRO Talent Fund ensures Michigan’s employers have the talent they need to compete and grow, and people have the skills they need for in-demand jobs. The fund provides competitive awards for training that enhance talent, productivity and employment retention while increasing the quality and competitiveness of Michigan’s employers.

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“With the Going PRO Talent Fund, the employer determines which of their workers they want to train and in what,” said Sand.

This past year, 35 Lansing-area businesses received more than $1.5 million through the fund, using the grants for classroom and customized training, on-the-job training and U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeships.

Planning is already underway for the next round of talent fund applications.

A commitment to knowledge and understanding Human resources goes far beyond recruiting, and both Capital Area Michigan Works! and employers are adapting to focus on recruiting and retention.

Now is the time to rethink how your business supports its employees, and one of the most important things you can do is talk to them. Host focus groups, build employee satisfaction and wish lists into reviews or send an anonymous survey out to find out what people really want and need. While there are a number of tools to help with retention, understanding what motivates your employees and what will keep them is some of the best knowledge of all.

“Our team includes certified business solutions professionals,” said Sand. “That means we understand the needs of business and how to connect business owners with the resources they need, even when those resources are not directly related to talent.”

The team evaluates what worked and how to improve connecting you with local and statewide partners to take advantage of their tools and resources. They can identify a stressfree hiring process and help with internal training to enhance the skills of an employer’s workforce. They frequently partner with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Lansing Economic Area Partnership, Lansing Community College Business and Community Institute, and others to help our local businesses find new ways to grow and thrive in this region.

In short, you’ll have the support of a broad, experienced team to help with any size, scope or need. All through the government. Who’d have thought?

For more information on the BST or to get started, contact Sand at (517) 492-5516 or tsand@camw.net.

Edythe Copeland is the CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works! Visit www.camw.org to connect with the Capital Area Michigan Works! team for assistance with career exploration or staffing needs. Capital Area Michigan Works!, a proud partner of the American Job Center Network, offers services in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties at our Lansing, St. Johns and Charlotte American Job Centers.

Edythe Copeland is the CEO of Capital Area Michigan Works!, a talent investment network that partners with businesses to develop recruiting and retention strategies and partners with job seekers to enhance education and career opportunities. On the web at camw.org.

Elizabeth Hernandez

Real Properties Management Analyst

“I volunteer for Red Cross blood drives here at the Board of Water & Light. I always thought if there’s a way that you can make any little change, when you can walk by someone and just put a smile on their face with the shake of a hand, I think that’s one of the biggest things in making a difference. I know that it’s my duty to give back, and it’s always been that way. It’s the way it should be.”

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JOBS THAT WILL ALWAYS REQUIRE HUMANS

BY RICH ADAMS

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OCTOBER 2019

Earlier this year, Kai-Fu Lee, an expert in artificial intelligence, told “60 Minutes” that in 15 years AI would eliminate and replace humans in 40% of available jobs.

Oxford University goes further. In a report released in 2013, researchers estimated 47% of all jobs in the United States would be automated over the next decade or two.

LinkedIn took a closer look at the study and determined the following jobs have a 99% chance of being automated: Data entry keyers Library technicians Tax preparers Watch repairers Mathematical technicians Hand sewers Telemarketers

LinkedIn reported these jobs have a 0.4% chance or less of being automated: Recreational therapists Mental health and substance abuse social workers Occupational therapists Oral and maxillofacial surgeons Dietitians and nutritionists Choreographers Sales engineers Psychologists Elementary school teachers Dentists Police and fire department supervisors

Source: “The Future of Employment: How Susceptible are Jobs to Computerisation?� by Carl Benedikt 35 L a nFrey s i n g and B u s Michael i n e s s N e A. w sOsborne .com

BUSINESS CALENDAR

OCTOBER 2019 OCT. 4 AFRICAN BUSINESS SYMPOSIUM

To celebrate the ending of the Year of Global Africa, Michigan State University is hosting an inaugural African Business Symposium. This half-day event will focus on exploring venture capital, technology and entrepreneurship on the continent. The lecture aims to teach students

and local entrepreneurs about the immense opportunities that exist in emerging markets and highlighting why, despite global economic uncertainties, Africa continues to grow as an investment and business destination. Be sure to register at global.broad.msu.edu/gbclub/ register/3199.

OCT. 10 LUNCH AND LEARN: ‘FIND YOUR PURPOSE IN BUSINESS’ Looking for a different perspective on your work? Join the Local First crew for a fall Lunch and Learn event with speaker Jenn Worthington, who will be talking about the topic “Finding Your Purpose in Business.” Cost for Local First members is $15, Local First member guests is $17 and nonmember visitors is $22. The Lunch and Learn will take place at Henry’s Place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

OCT. 11

TECHNOLOGY LAW ISSUES ARE OFTEN OVERLOOKED

BY BUSINESS OWNERS. Is your intellectual property and data protected? Are your contracts and privacy policies up to date?

For the latest news and information, read our BizTech Law Blog at: www.michiganitlaw.com.

BETTER LEGAL DRAFTING FOR DOCUMENTS OF ALL KINDS The newly created Kimble Center for Legal Drafting at the Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing is offering its first public seminar. Three legal-drafting experts will present the fourhour program, which will be highly useful to all attorneys who draft legal documents (rules, wills and trusts, business and real-estate documents, bylaws, etc.). Participants will receive a workbook full of information and examples. All registration proceeds will go to the Kimble Center. Students can attend for free.

People will be able to attend in person at the Lansing campus, or they can attend remotely at the Grand Rapids, Auburn Hills and Tampa Bay campuses. Florida CLE will be available. Visit this event at eventbrite.com.

OCT. 16

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2019 INSPIRATION AND INFLUENCE AWARDS Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine and the Aitch Foundation have come together to shine a light on heroes in the mid-Michigan

BUSINESS CALENDAR

area who inspire, impact, imagine and influence change in our communities. These distinguished awards at Crown Plaza Lansing West will recognize leaders in the areas of community impact, women’s advancement, medical research and award the mid-Michigan Woman of the Year. Visit this event on eventbrite.com.

OCT. 18 EAST LANSING STARTUP WEEKEND At this event, you’ll pitch your own idea or listen to others, vote on your favorite idea and form teams with diverse skill sets. The idea you pitch and the problem you set out to solve can span social, educational, financial, environmental or other issues. Over the course of the weekend, you’ll be challenged to create a prototype of your MVP, or minimum viable product, that fits the needs of your target customer. You’ll get feedback, iterate and likely pivot your approach entirely. You cannot have worked previously on your idea. Have questions? Feel free to reach out for answers at eastlansing@startupweekend.org.

OCT. 23 2019 CHAMBER CONVENTION AND ANNUAL DINNER The Michigan Association of Chamber Professionals will host a dynamic convention for chamber executives, staff and their volunteer leaders to share best practices, hear from industry experts, and tour East Lansing and Lansing – the Capitol City of Michigan.

Visit this event on eventbrite.com.

OCT. 23 2019 CASE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: ‘CULTIVATING ADVOCACY’ The 19th annual Case Management Conference 2019 is designed for health care professionals interested or engaged in case management. Join colleagues at the Case Management Conference and learn from nationally recognized experts about strategies that case managers can use to enhance practice in this challenging health care environment. Nurses and social work

case managers with many years of experience, as well as those with only a few years of experience in the role of care coordination, will attend the conference. Conference planning is collaboration between nursing and social work case management professionals to provide current and relevant content each year. Visit this event on eventbrite.com.

OCT. 28 2019 MI HIDDEN TALENT WORKSHOP MI Hidden Talent is an initiative created by former Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and current Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein to encourage businesses to be intentional about hiring people with disabilities. The Small Business Association of Michigan presents the workshop, which is now in its fourth year. The agenda and speakers are still being finalized but will build on previous years’ content. Tickets are free but registration is required to attend. Lunch will be provided.

Visit this event on eventbrite.com.

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NOTABLE NEWS

great strides in fulfilling our core value of giving back through the work our employees do to raise funds and volunteer to support these organizations. Each of these nonprofit organizations plays a vital role in serving and strengthening the communities we serve.”

Proudly displaying the check for Hope Against Trafficking

MSUFCU EMPLOYEES DONATE MORE THAN $49,000 TO CHARITY PARTNERS IN THE SECOND QUARTER Michigan State University Federal Credit Union has announced its employees have donated $49,533 in the second quarter to its 2019 charity partners: Child and Family Charities, Be Nice Mental Health

MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards. The credit union was named in the top five Michigan credit unions by Forbes’ Bestin-State Credit Unions, Best Workplace in Financial Services and Insurance by Fortune Magazine, received the ATHENA Award for organizational leadership, and for the fifth year was named West Michigan Best and Brightest to Work For.

Foundation, Hope Against Trafficking and Capital Area United Way. Each organization received $12,383 on behalf of the more than 900 MSUFCU employees.

Founded in 1937, MSUFCU has 19 branches, more than 278,000 members, nearly $4.5 billion in assets and more than 900 employees.

“Our annual charitable giving campaigns offer a unique opportunity for our employees to support area organizations, and I am always gratified by their generosity,” said MSUFCU President and CEO April Clobes. “We make

LANSING REGIONAL SISTER CITIES COMMISSION PRESENTS A CELEBRATION OF GLOBAL DIVERSITY FEATURING 2019 GLOBAL IMPACT AWARDS

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NOTABLE NEWS

The Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission recently announced the 2019 Global Impact Awards. The awards were to be presented at the Lansing Regional Sister Cities Commission’s 25th anniversary Celebration of Global Diversity during an evening gala Sept. 7. U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and former Lansing Mayor Dave Hollister were the honorary co-chairs of the event. The master of ceremonies was WLNSTV/WLAJ-TV news anchor Sheri Jones.

CT I O NE

The Global Impact Through Humanitarian Service honor went to Dr. Seong H. Chi, who was one of two surgeons who teamed up in 1966 to perform the first open-heart surgery in mid-Michigan at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital. He was one-half of a dynamic husband-and-wife duo at McLaren from 19651995. The John W. Chi Memorial Medical Library dedicated in 1976 now echoes both the hospital’s and the Chi family’s example of excellence in offering many new resources and concepts at consumers’ fingertips.

MSUFCU RECOGNIZED AS TOP FIVE CREDIT UNION IN FORBES’ BEST-IN-STATE Based on surveys ranking trust, service and recommendation of credit unions in each state, Michigan State University Federal Credit Union has been named to the top five out of 226 credit unions in Michigan in Forbes’ 2019 Best in

Banks and Credit Unions for 2019.

For the list, Forbes partnered with Statista, a market research firm, to produce its second annual financial institution ranking for banks and credit unions in Michigan. Banks earned an average score of 4.2 out of 5, while credit unions reached an average score of 4.5.

“Our mission is to help our members achieve their financial goals and dreams,” said MSUFCU President and CEO April Clobes. “We are very proud of receiving this recognition as it illustrates our credit union’s commitment to the mission and our members.”

More than 25,000 U.S. consumers were surveyed for their opinions on current and former financial institution relationships.

Credit unions were rated on overall recommendations and satisfaction, as well as five subdimensions including trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services, and financial advice.

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Global Impact Through Educational Excellence went to Lansing School District Superintendent Yvonne Caamal Canul, who has demonstrated her passionate, dedicated leadership and commitment to globalizing her students. She once distinguished herself as principal of the Center for Language, Culture and Communication Arts. The school’s mission, Caamal Canul explained, was “to create a unique global learning environment based on the premise that diversity enriches the lives of everyone.” In Lansing, she has used her vision and ability to transform the district by implementing the Pathway Promise, ensuring student success through choosing from three pathways using diverse educational models. Caamal

Canul has dedicated her entire life to public service. After serving in many local, regional and state-level positions, including 12 years as Lansing’s superintendent, she plans to enter retirement Jan. 1.

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LANSING ATTORNEYS LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA 2020 Twenty-three attorneys from the Foster Swift Collins & Smith Lansing office were selected by their peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America 2020.

Firm-wide there were 42 attorneys who were included in the list. In addition, four attorneys from Lansing were also named Best Lawyers 2020 or “Lawyer of the Year.”

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence.

Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer review evaluation. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. For more information, visit bestlawyers.com.

The Best Lawyers 2020 Lawyer of the Year attorneys are Brian G. Goodenough, who was named the Best Lawyers 2020 Real Estate Litigation Lawyer of the Year, Douglas A. Mielock was named the Best Lawyers 2020 Trusts and Estates Litigation Lawyer of the Year, James B. Jensen was named Best Lawyers 2020 Tax Law Lawyer of the Year and Stephen J. Lowney was named Best Lawyers 2020 Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law Lawyer of the Year.

All of them are based in the Lansing area.

confidentially evaluate their professional colleagues. The lawyers that have been given this honor previously have received particularly high ratings by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism and integrity.

DICKINSON WRIGHT ATTORNEYS RECEIVE ‘LAWYER OF THE YEAR’ DESIGNATION

QUALITY DAIRY OPENS REMODELED LOCATION IN HOLT

The Dickinson Wright lawyers that were chosen were Kester K. So for public finance law, Peter H. Ellsworth for government relations practice and Jeffery V. Stuckey for appellate practice.

Quality Dairy held the grand reopening of its Holt location Sept. 6. The location was completely remodeled and now features a Corner Creamery with a walk-up window and outdoor seating. In addition, the location now features a drive-up window and a completely remodeled interior.

Dickinson Wright PLLC has announced that three of the firm’s lawyers in Lansing have been identified as the leading practitioner in their practice area by Best Lawyers in America 2020 as “Lawyer of the Year.” Only a single lawyer in each specialty and in each community can be honored with this title.

The Lawyer of the Year award recognizes individual attorneys with the highest overall peer feedback for a specific practice area and geographic location. Only one lawyer is recognized as the Lawyer of the Year for each specialty and location. Visit bestlawyers.com for more information.

“The updated Holt store is a model for future Quality Dairy locations and existing store remodels,” said Ken Martin, president and co-CEO. “Customers will still find all their favorite QD products in Holt, but we’re

Best Lawyers in America 2020 is a list of outstanding lawyers compiled by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers

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www.manersolutions.com

Dave Feenstra 40

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

OCTOBER 2019

(517) 886-9530

2425 E. Grand River Ave., Ste. 1 Lansing MI 48912

excited to provide a few new touches too.”

The Holt Quality Dairy continues to offer all the iconic Quality Dairy products, including items like coffee, doughnuts, milk, bread, ice cream and chip dip. Customers can now purchase Detroit Frankie’s handcrafted pizza from the location as well.

After an electrical fire forced the location to close in October 2017, Quality Dairy leadership worked diligently to ensure that the revamped store will be an exciting experience for customers.

HOUK HONORED AS A ‘LAWYER OF THE YEAR’ IN ARBITRATION

Houk

This year, Fraser Trebilcock attorney Peter D. Houk has been honored by Best Lawyers in America 2020 as “Lawyer of the Year” in arbitration in Lansing.

Houk also has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the field of mediation.

Houk has practiced law for 50 years. He

was the city attorney for Lansing, the prosecuting attorney for Ingham County and assistant attorney general for the state of Michigan before being appointed to the bench in 1986. Since retiring from the bench, Houk has mediated hundreds of cases.

He has also accrued many honorable recognitions throughout his career, including being named twice by Lawyers Weekly as one of Michigan’s most respected judges, being listed in Super Lawyers continuously since 2006 and Best Lawyers in America for alternative dispute resolution. Houk is the past president of the American Inns of Court, Thomas M. Cooley Chapter, and was an adjunct professor of criminal law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School for 20 years. Houk also has been elected as a fellow of the State Bar of Michigan, is on the American Arbitration Association list of approved mediators and arbitrators for construction and commercial matters, and is a U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan court-approved mediator.

After 13 years of traveling the world as a chef, Teri Faulkner has come home to Lansing to prepare meals for people who could use a good meal: the patients, visitors and staff at McLaren Greater Lansing.

MSU-TRAINED AREA NATIVE IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF AT MCLAREN GREATER LANSING

When Faulkner turned 50, she promised her family she would stop her world travels and come home. “I was ready to come home, but I wanted to find a

“I feel very blessed to be here,” said Faulkner.

“The thing about this job is you get to touch lives in a way that you don’t when people come into your restaurant. The food we make is impacting people’s lives.”

Faulkner completed her undergraduate studies at Northern Michigan University preceding a four-year enlistment in the U.S. Coast Guard before completing her internship at the Michigan State University Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center.

She has also worked on special projects at MSU until she was hired as a sous chef for the Sheraton Lansing Hotel and was later promoted to executive chef.

Since then, Faulkner has been traveling the world preparing food for people.

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cooked meals that are both healthy and packed with flavor, and I’m excited to share that passion,” said Faulkner.

LANSING FOOD BANK ANNOUNCES NEW CEO Greater Lansing Food Bank has announced that its board of directors has appointed Michelle Lantz as CEO, which became effective Sept. 9.

Faulkner and team

company where I could continue to grow and so I chose to work for Compass, who services McLaren Greater Lansing.”

Faulkner has been with McLaren for just under a year and McLaren Greater Lansing for the past month. However, she and the team are already working on many ideas to improve the culinary experience for the patients and community members who eat at the hospital, including future plans for McLaren Greater Lansing’s new

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$450 million hospital that is scheduled to open in early 2022 on MSU’s campus.

While Faulkner is excited for the future, she and the team also are working hard to improve patient satisfaction and overall experience in the current hospital.

“I was born and raised right here. My dad held a degree in horticulture from MSU. Because of his support and influence, I enjoy preparing low-and-slow home-

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

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Lantz will be bringing years of experience to the organization. She previously held the position of senior vice president of donor and public relations at the Capital Area United Way in Lansing. She also founded and operated Lantz Communications for 12 years, which was a public relations and fund development consultancy. Lantz has served in staff and volunteer roles for Care Free Medical & Dental and St. Michael Parish School in Grand Ledge. She has also volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Lansing and Junior Achievement of Mid-Michigan and is currently an active member of the Rotary Club of Lansing and a former board member of its foundation.

NOTABLE NEWS “Our organization became more efficient through the training we connected to through Capital Area Michigan Works! services.�

- Carey Oberlin, Cameron Tool Corporation

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Capital Area Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center network. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this piece will be made available in an alternative format upon request to Capital Area Michigan Works! Relay Center. Call 711 or 844-578- 5653 (Voice and TDD). Funding for Capital Area Michigan Works! is received in part from the U.S. Department of Labor, the State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the Talent Investment Agency. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Center.

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Lantz received her master’s degree in public relations and a bachelor’s in communications from Michigan State University. She holds an accreditation in public relations through the Public Relations Society of America and has served as chair of numerous national, regional and local boards and committees of the society during her 25-year career.

“I am honored to serve the organization as its next CEO,” Lantz said. “The food bank creates a foundation of health and sustainability for thousands of families in mid-Michigan through its distribution of nutritious food. It’s thrilling to be involved at this point in its history as we work to enhance collaborations and optimize the systems in our seven-county region.”

GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE ENERGY PROVIDER EDL BRINGS NORTH AMERICAN HQ TO MID-MICHIGAN EDL, a global leader in sustainable energy solutions originally established in Australia, is set to solidify its North American headquarters location following the unveiling of a company-wide rebrand in December 2018. EDL intends to create “a world of

new energy” and is continuing its journey as a global contributor to a more sustainable world. EDL is currently in the planning stages of determining the physical location of its headquarters site but is expected to settle in the capitol region of Michigan.

In 2017, EDL doubled its North American operations when it purchased Granger Energy Services’ landfill gas recovery division – which features two landfill sites in the Greater Lansing area dedicated to recovering waste gas for beneficial reuse.

“The Great Lakes region, and particularly Michigan, is home to many of our landfill gas customers and key partnerships” said EDL North American CEO Jim Grant.

“There is an abundance of skilled labor to support our operations, and as such it was a logical choice to bring our company’s new North American headquarters to a region we are familiar with. The capitol region will be our base for optimizing our existing portfolio and continued growth in the United States and Canada.”

MATHLETIC. MATH

Define yourself. Apply today. lcc.edu

LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION/EMPLOYER. 44

G R E AT E R L A N S I N G B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY

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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT & CIRCULATION (REQUESTER PUBLICATIONS ONLY) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Publication Title: The Greater Lansing Business Monthly Publication Number: 020-807 Filing Date: September 13, 2019 Issue Frequency: Monthly Number of Issued Published Annually: 12 Annual Subscription Price: $22.00 Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication and Contact Person and Phone Number: 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933, Ingham County; Pat Dowling, 517-203-3333 8.

Mailing Addresses of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933, Ingham County 9.

Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher – Tiffany Dowling, 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933, Ingham County; Editor – Kelly Mazurkiewicz, 221 W. Saginaw St. Lansing, MI 48933, Ingham County; Managing Editor – Mary Gajda, 221 W. Saginaw St. Lansing, MI 48933, Ingham County 10. Owner: Tiffany Dowling, The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933, Ingham County.

11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages or Other Securities: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 13. Publication Title: The Greater Lansing Business Monthly 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data: October 2019 15. Part A: Extent and Nature of Circulation, Number of Copies of Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: a.

Total Number of Copies, 5,750 b.

Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution: 1. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions 1,446 2. In-County Paid/Request Mail Subscriptions: 3,999 3. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS: 0 4. Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS: 0 c.

Total Paid and/or Requested Circulations: 5,445 d.

Non-requested Distribution: 1. Outside County Non-requested Copies: 0 2. In County Non-requested Copies: 0 3. Non-requested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 0 4. Non-requested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 200 e.

Total Non-requested Distribution: 200 f.

Total Distribution: 5, 645 g.

Copies Not Distributed: 105 h.

Total: 5,750 i.

Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation: 96 percent Part B. Extent and Nature of Circulation, Number of Copies of Single Issue Nearest to Filing Date: a.

Total Number of Copies: 5,750 b.

Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution: 1. Outside County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions: 1,418 2. In-County Paid/Requested Mail Subscriptions: 3,933 3. Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, County Sales and Other Paid or Requested Distribution Outside USPS: 0 4. Requested Copies Distributed by Other Mail Classes Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 0 c.

Total paid and/or Requested Circulations: 5,351 d.

Non-requested Distribution: 1. Outside County Non-requested Copies: 0 2. In-County Non-requested Copies: 0 3. Non-requested Copies Distributed Through the USPS by Other Classes of Mail: 0 4. Non-requested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 200 e.

Total Non-requested Copies Distributed Outside the Mail: 200 f.

Total Distribution: 5,551 g.

Copies not Distributed: 199 h.

Total: 5,750 i.

Percent Paid and/or Request Circulation: 96 percent 16. n/a 17. I certify that 50 percent of all my distributed copies are legitimate requests or paid copies 18. Publication of Statement of Ownership for a Requester Publication is required and will be printed in the October 2019 issue of this publication.

19. I, Tiffany Dowling, Publisher and Owner, certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete.

I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

NOTABLE NEWS

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