DBusiness | January-February 2021 by Hour Media

2021 MICHIGAN

Venture capital E

HOW MICHIGAN’S INVESTMENT COMMUNITY TAPS ITS ENTREPRENEURIAL MOJO TO DRIVE GROWTH.

Y M O N O T U A

IN AR T TI E F LL IC IG IA E L N C E

S E

C S

R O B O T IC S

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THE FLINT SETTLEMENT

Resolution of the water crisis nears an end.

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January - February 2021 || Volume 16 • Issue 1

WATER WOES A settlement of the Flint water crisis now under review by a federal court calls for $641.3 million in relief.

34 T HE DAILY BEAT From tearsheets to broadsheets, Detroit’s early newspapers covered daily life, but as print gives way to digital, how will the papers survive? By Ronald Ahrens 6 DBUSINESS || January - February 2021

41 VC ANGELS How Michigan’s venture capital and investment community reacted quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic and rebounded just as quickly. By Tim Keenan

52 T HE FLINT SETTLEMENT The water crisis nears an end as a federal court reviews a $641.3-million resolution that could be the largest such case in Michigan. By Norm Sinclair

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Contents || January - February 2021

109

Commentary 13

TECHNOLOGY: THE FUTURE IS HERE By the time we reach 2030, advances like 5G, artificial intelligence, and machine learning will boost green energy sources, bring greater efficiency to transportation, and expand access to locally sourced food, health care, and consumer goods. MANUFACTURING: Moving forward, tariffs should continue, as they assist in expanding the domestic economy, add jobs, and drive the development of production centers, high-tech spaces, and logistics centers. COMMUNICATIONS: Onscreen meetings are likely to remain popular post-COVID-19. COMPENDIUM How outsiders view Detroit.

The Ticker 19

GROWING GREEN Future Grow Solutions’ CropTower produces cannabis at a record pace. By Grace Turner HIGH GEAR: A preference for American-made products and simpler lifestyles has shifted Detroit Bikes’ fortunes to another level. By R.J. King TVS IN FOCUS: InFocus TVs in Canton Township sells Roku smart televisions and hopes to bring manufacturing in-house. By Tim Keenan GAME-WINNER Former Detroit Rockets goaltender Bryan Finnerty scores with sports and technology enterprises. By Tim Keenan

8 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

PDA Q&A: Marc R. Schechter, senior managing partner at Schechter in Birmingham, is in Charlotte, N.C., meeting with investors. By R.J. King SUGAR BYE A new digital diabetes program developed in Livonia takes the guesswork out of insulin treatment. By Grace Turner HOME FREE: Ross Mortgage’s Military Mortgage Boot Camp goes national. By Grace Turner

Focus 26

HARD COUNT The Detroit Lions are valued at $2.1 billion, but if the team could find success in the playoffs, its net worth would skyrocket. By Tim Keenan

Perspectives 30

EV ALLIANCES Fleet operators and small businesses that make deliveries are racing ahead in adopting electric vehicles, even as a lack of charging stations has hampered a consumer rollout of emission-free cars and trucks. By Paul Eisenstein

Exec Life

109 THE HUDSON’S HOUSE The art of designing a custom home in Bloomfield Township around an elevator from Hudson’s original department store in downtown Detroit. By R.J. King

112

114

116

RETURN ON INVESTMENT Uptown Girl: Debby Hopkins met dozens of celebrities while growing up in Birmingham, and used that knowledge and more to excel at Ford, Boeing, Citibank, Lucent, and GM. By Tom Murray PRODUCTION RUN Popcorn Premiere: The new owners of Detroit Popcorn Co. in Redford Township eye a national expansion. By R.J. King OPINION Biotech Boom: As Ann Arbor begins to fulfill its potential as a biotech hub, the broader impact could be profound. By Cameron McCausland

Etc. 10 10 12 118

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR LETTERS FROM OUR READERS CONTRIBUTORS FROM THE TOP Top Hotels in Metro Detroit, Top Corporate Counsel in Michigan. 126 CLOSING BELL Before grocery stores, open-air markets were the major source of food in Detroit. By Ronald Ahrens

ON THE COVER The 2021 Michigan Venture Capital Report, along with five VC Angels who help drive economic growth across multiple sectors. Illustration by Matt Murphy

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: MATTHEW LAVERE; COURTESY DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS; COURTESY DETROIT LIONS

Letters || January - February 2021

Outpace and Outrun

s we move into the new year, metro Detroit and Michigan can expect a steady economic recovery once the COVID-19 vaccine(s) is widely distributed. But there’s a lot of work

ahead of us, too. For starters, Michigan must draw more people. The state continues to lose population, an exodus that has yet to be addressed in meaningful ways. To reverse the tide, we need to better diversify the economy, draw more skilled jobs that drive income growth, government must become more efficient, and K-12 education requires an overhaul to improve outcomes and level the playing field as it relates to funding and facilities. Looking at other economic sectors, a trend established in 2020 where people either built or moved to larger homes is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. In turn, more homeowners are installing secondary power sources such as fuel cells, generators, and solar arrays in case the grid goes down. Owning or renting a second residence, whether an urban apartment or a rural cottage, will become more common, as well. People want options in case other viruses reach our shores. In the hospitality space, the new Daxton Hotel in downtown Birmingham, set to open on Feb. 24, will be another jewel in the region and state. Offering five-star amenities, the 151-room hotel was developed by Mark Mitchell and the Aparium Hotel Group, the latter enterprise that brought forward the award-winning Foundation Hotel in downtown Detroit. “We offer guest rooms, junior suites, and terrace suites, the latter of which are somewhat unique to the region,” said Aaron Black, general manager of the Daxton Hotel, during a recent tour. “The views of the city from the terrace suites are breathtaking.” The main lobby includes a lounge, highlighted by a black marble bar that leads into Madam, the main restaurant that will be overseen by Executive Chef Garrison Price. The dining room includes a coffered ceiling and floor, seating for 80 people, and a private dining room for 12 people. The cuisine will be a mix of American and California fare. 10 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

The hotel offers a family theme. Mitchell named the hotel after his son, while the presidential suite, the Colby, comes from his wife’s first name. Madam, meanwhile, is a collection of first initials from family members. Other industries that are ripe for growth include health care, especially if we can duplicate more wins like Pfizer and BioNTech’s CODVID-19 vaccine being produced in Kalamazoo, along with aerial cargo taxis (passenger versions will follow), machine learning, logistics, streaming entertainment, and fintech. On the automotive front, passenger cars will continue to lose sales to SUVs and pickups, while advances in electric propulsion will come more frequently. But until a robust charging network for consumers is built around the country, fleet operators will be the main driver of sales. As for autonomous vehicles, it will be a step-by-step process. Humans, as we’ve learned, are much better drivers than the latest machines. To improve on the technology, the good news is metro Detroit is the only place in the world that offers the R&D, talent, and manufacturing base to advance mobility at scale, whether for ground or aerial vehicles. But if we don’t offer a world-class education, from K-12 through college, other regions and states will eventually pass us by.

R.J. King

rjking@dbusiness.com

DETROIT 500

Thank you, as always, for including me in this year’s Detroit 500. I truly appreciate being included. As I read the names and their accomplishments, I’m always amazed at the talent in our city. I also love seeing so many of my friends, clients, and fellow board members on this list. Dennis S. Bernard Southfield

HOME-FIELD ADVANTAGE

Thank you for inviting Paul Apostolakis from Omega Lending to contribute his article to the March/April 2020 issue, and for your effort in bringing it to print. It looks amazing. We’re thrilled, and hope we get the chance to work with you again soon. Lindsey Walenga Royal Oak

TECH TRACK

The story “Tech Track,” (Nov./Dec. 2020) turned out great. Nice work putting it together. The artwork on the cover page is also very cool. We (123Net in Southfield) just had some good conversations about the possibility of using some of the City of Detroit Public Lighting Department poles to help get the fiber along Michigan Avenue. It’s neat to see the City of Detroit talking with us and others about how they can help support the project. Chuck Irvin Southfield

CORRECTION: In “Home Grown” in the NovemberDecember 2020 issue of DBusiness, we incorrectly stated that Carole Caplan-Sosin raised two children while living in Chicago. She raised three.

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Contributors || January - February 2021

CONTRIBUTORS VOLUME 16 • ISSUE 1 PUBLISHER John Balardo

EDITORIAL

EDITOR R.J. King MANAGING EDITOR Tim Keenan ASSOCIATE EDITOR Grace Turner COPY EDITOR Anne Berry Daugherty

DESIGN

ART DIRECTOR Austin Phillips ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Alexander Shammami

ADVERTISING SALES CONTRIBUTION: Cover story photographer SEE IT HERE: Cover, page 41

CONTRIBUTION: Commentary illustrator SEE IT HERE: Page 13

CONTRIBUTION: Perspectives writer SEE IT HERE: Page 30

MATT MURPHY is an awardwinning British illustrator based in Dorset, U.K. Known for his conceptual approach, delicate textures, and confident color palettes, Murphy provided this month’s cover art and the illustrations that accompany the cover story that begins on page 41. He first studied photography at Reading School of Arts & Technology and worked as an assistant to photographers in London. After five years, he realized his creative passion lay in digital art and conceptual work, and from there he created a portfolio that he shared with various publishing houses and newspapers, including The New York Times Magazine. His clients today include Johnnie Walker, Adele, The Guardian, Stella Artois, and Penguin Books. From his studio in Dorset, Murphy combines his two loves: nature and music. “Spending time in the sea and the woods helps clear my mind and allows new ideas to take root,” he says.

JAMES YANG was born in Oklahoma, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in communication arts and design, and currently lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. His work has appeared in trade publications such as Communication Arts, 3×3 Magazine, Graphis, Print, and at The Art Directors Club of New York. Yang, who contributed the illustration accompanying this month’s Commentary on page 13, has won more than 250 awards for design and illustration, and has taught and lectured at a variety of institutions including SVA, Parsons, FIT, and SCAD. He was an executive board member for ICON, a biennial illustration conference. His book, “Bus! Stop!” was selected as an outstanding picture book by The New York Times and his followup, “Stop! Bot!”, is the 2020 Geisel award-winner for the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.

PAUL A. EISENSTEIN has been covering the automotive industry for DBusiness and HOUR Detroit for more than a decade, and has reported on the vehicle manufacturing sector for 35 years. As publisher and editor-in-chief of The Detroit Bureau in Pleasant Ridge, his work has been seen in USA Today, The Economist, Kelley Blue Book, Cigar Aficionado, Autocar, Realtor, and many daily newspapers across the country. On page 30 of this issue, he writes about the future of electric vehicles — detailing how fleet operators and small businesses that make deliveries are racing ahead in adopting electric vehicles, in an effort to further a drop in pollution levels as more people shelter in place, work remotely, and shop from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend continues even as a lack of charging stations has hampered a consumer rollout of emissionfree cars and trucks.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ronald Ahrens, Paul Eisenstein, Cameron McCausland, Tom Murray, Norm Sinclair CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS Brittany Greeson, Nick Hagen, Matthew LaVere, Matt Murphy, Josh Scott, James Yang

12 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Jason Hosko AD & SALES COORDINATOR Danielle Szatkowski ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Cynthia Barnhart, Karli Brown, Lauren DeBano, Donna Kassab, Mary Pantely and Associates, Molly Stelma, Angela Tisch

PRODUCTION

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jenine Rhoades SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST Robert Gorczyca PRODUCTION ARTIST Stephanie Daniel AD & SALES COORDINATOR Danielle Szatkowski PRS GRAPHIC ARTIST Jim Bibart ADVERTISING DESIGNERS Christian Lott, Daniel Moen, Amanda Zwiren

WEB

DIGITAL DIRECTOR Nick Britsky WEB PROJECT LEAD Matt Cappo WEB PROJECT ASSISTANTS Mariah Knott, Luanne Lim, Bart Woinski SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Travis Cleveland

IT DIRECTOR Jeremy Leland

CIRCULATION

DIRECTOR OF AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Michelle VanArman CIRCULATION MANAGER Riley Meyers CIRCULATION COORDINATORS Barbie Baldwin, Elise Coyle, Cathy Krajenke, Rachel Moulden

MARKETING AND EVENTS

MARKETING AND EVENTS DIRECTOR Mary Sutton MARKETING RESEARCH DIRECTOR Sofia Shevin MARKETING RESEARCH COORDINATOR Ana Potter MARKETING RESEARCH ASSISTANT Hannah Thomas MARKETING AND EVENTS INTERNS Caitlin Farrand, Alexis Nixon MARKETING AND RESEARCH INTERNS Eric Borg, Lourd Dawood

BUSINESS

CEO Stefan Wanczyk PRESIDENT John Balardo PUBLISHING ASSISTANT Kristin Mingo DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS Kathie Gorecki ACCOUNTING ASSOCIATES Natasha Bajju, Andrew Kotzian, Katie West DISTRIBUTION Target Distribution, Troy

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INSIDE || THE FUTURE IS HERE | TARIFF WINS | ZOOM, ZOOM | COMPENDIUM

LET’S GO INVENT TOMORROW INSTEAD OF WORRYING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. — STEVE JOBS, FOUNDER, APPLE INC.

TECHNOLOGY

ILLUSTRATION BY JAMES YANG

THE FUTURE IS HERE

BY THE TIME WE REACH 2030, ADVANCES LIKE 5G, artificial intelligence, and machine learning will boost green energy sources, bring greater efficiency to transportation, and expand access to locally sourced food, health care, and consumer goods. The evolution, already underway, has gathered added steam since the outbreak of COVID-19 highlighted our dependence on foreign-made products. Businesses and organizations that have relied

on production and supply chains developed in the industrial age must embrace the information age and all of its advanced tools to drive on-demand manufacturing systems utilizing robotics and other leading technologies. Manufacturing isn’t only moving back to America; it’s coming to a 3-D production facility near where people live and work. The advances can’t come soon enough. For weeks following the outbreak of the virus in March, health care professionals, we learned,

struggled to keep pace with an unprecedented influx of affected patients. The surge in demand depleted the supply of masks, gloves, gowns, bedsheets, and medicines, while exposing a lack of medical equipment like respirators and ventilators. At the same time, a shortage of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals exacerbated the problem, while government officials tried to control where affected patients could seek treatment. When hospital leaders let it be known that JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 13

Commentary || January - February 2021

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

3.5%

Industrial vacancy rate in metro Detroit (end of third quarter, 2020)

Industrial vacancy rate in metro Detroit (2016)

5.8M

Industrial projects underway in metro Detroit (represented by total square feet)

Source: Colliers International, Southfield 14 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

micromanaging acute care operations was hand-strapping their ability to accept and treat those people infected with the virus, the government stepped aside. Other challenges arose, many of which could have been better mitigated with emerging technologies like predictive analytics. Consider that, in a bid to replenish their inventories in the early weeks of the virus, health care organizations had to navigate a vast logistics network that has its share of unscrupulous players who fleeced some buyers or charged exorbitant rates for needed supplies. At the same time, shortages developed in the retail industry as people rushed to secure everyday items like food, over-the-counter medicine, cleaning supplies, paper goods, and hand sanitizer. Flipping the coin, retailers suddenly found their e-commerce operations flooded with orders. Adding more shippers and drivers to meet demand proved problematic within a logistics sector marked by aging workers and low morale. Learning from mistakes to improve upon future outcomes will alleviate some of the damage caused by the virus. For example, Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit is expanding its use of neighboring suppliers like Cardinal Health and plans to expand production of other medical supplies nearby. Once built out, the hospital will be better prepared for unexpected health crises. Huge advances in technology, propelled by faster and smarter systems communicating over highspeed fiber lines, local networks, and 5G, will untap untold wealth for humanity. Rapid access to key data will bring about better decision-making for businesses, health care administrators, governments, and citizens. Perhaps the most visible example of an onshoring revolution comes from the industrial real estate sector. There’s little vacancy — 3.5 percent in metro Detroit — and more development is underway. The smarter we make new production facilities by embracing the principles of Industry 4.0, where factories can switch between products based on real time demand, will greatly enhance our quality of life.

MANUFACTURING

TARIFF WINS

AS MORE MANUFACTURING MOVES BACK TO THE UNITED STATES, RECENT tariffs have helped to boost the production of American-made goods. Moving forward, the tariffs should continue, as they assist in expanding the domestic economy, add jobs, and drive the development of production centers, high-tech spaces, and logistics centers. In early 2018, the federal government placed tariffs on more than half of all U.S. imports from China, for example — ranging from 10 percent to 25 percent. Tariffs were imposed in Europe and other global markets, as well. As a result, domestic manufacturers gained protection against heavily subsidized foreign imports. Already, the tariffs have helped drive the construction of new and renovated factories in the U.S. that produce steel, machine parts, medical devices, and transportation equipment. Consider that between 2016 and 2019, the U.S. added 510,000 manufacturing jobs, based on figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s the first time the production sector has added more than half a million jobs over a three-year period in more than 20 years. The growth in jobs helped boost family income by 6.8 percent, to $68,703, in 2019 over the previous year. What’s more, the unemployment rate was 3.5 percent at the start of 2020 — the lowest level since 1969. Moving forward, those tariffs will help the economy recover from the outbreak of COVID-19. While the pandemic has led to thousands of job losses, predatory foreign output hasn’t shut down. The tariffs, in essence, act as an extra incentive that assists domestic producers in making new investments in facilities and equipment, while helping to lower shipping costs and prices.

COMMUNICATIONS

ZOOM, ZOOM

BUSINESS TRAVEL, ONE OF THE MAIN DRIVERS OF THE TRANSPORTATION sector, isn’t about to come roaring back following the introduction of an effective COVID-19 vaccine(s). In the old days, meaning pre-virus, businesspeople routinely jumped on passenger jets to meet face-toface with their customers, as a means of showing their seriousness and gratitude for placing an order or selling a product or service. With the outbreak of the virus, futuristic predictions of videoconferencing as a force in business suddenly came to the forefront, literally overnight. According to Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, the spike in virtual meetings has “opened up maybe 12 years of progress” over the span of 2020. That progress is expected to continue. People won’t soon forget that a pandemic like COVID-19 will take years to overcome. Peering into the brave new world of cyber relations, onscreen meetings will be enhanced by larger, high-definition computer screens, new virtual reality offerings, and holographic projections (made famous in the 1977 film “Star Wars,” where Luke Skywalker views a 3-D image of Princess Leia beamed from the robot R2-D2). Online shopping also will be augmented. New services will spring up where one or several computer cameras will scan your body and recommend the size and color of a business suit or dress shoes. Design sessions, meanwhile, will become much more collaborative, movie premieres really will be on demand, and avatars will become more prevalent.

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HOW OUTSIDERS VIEW DETROIT TheDrive.com | Nov. 27, 2020 | By Rob Stumpf

REMEMBER WHEN FIATCHRYSLER HUNTED DOWN AND DESTROYED 93 ORIGINAL DODGE VIPERS? AUTOMAKERS HAVE LEARNED TO BUY BRAND LOYALTY early on, and that’s not just for consumers — it also goes for the technicians working on cars. In fact, carmakers have been known to supply technical schools that have automotive repair programs with their own vehicles to equip the techs of tomorrow with the vehicles of today. There’s only one caveat:

typically, those vehicles have to be destroyed after their purpose has been served. Such was the case six years ago when Fiat-Chrysler ordered schools and colleges across the country to destroy 93 different Dodge Vipers that had been donated for educational purposes. The rarest of the rare belonged to South Puget Sound Community College in Washington. A beautiful pre-production hard top Viper sat amongst a slew of beigemobiles, its Viper GTS Blue paint and white stripes unmistakable in a crowd. It was the college’s pride and joy, making them look “cool and relevant” according to school spokesperson Kellie Purce Braseth. Moreover, it was the fourth Viper ever produced, skyrocketing its value to an estimated $250,000 back in 2014. Students at the college were so devastated that they even started a petition to convince the automaker to roll back its decision. …

Bloomberg | Nov. 1, 2020 | By Kyle Stock

SUNDAY STRATEGIST: FORD NAILED ITS CEO SEARCH … AFTER 6 YEARS THERE HASN’T BEEN MUCH TIME FOR JIM FARLEY TO show the world he’ll be a great Ford Motor CEO; he’s been in the job just a month. Perhaps the best case he’s made is calling out a personal bugaboo: the company’s warranty costs are “unacceptably high.” Only an executive with deep knowledge of the auto industry would laser in on such a wonky topic. And only an executive who hasn’t been a Ford lifer would be comfortable throwing such cold shade on product quality. In a swift shimmy of public relations, Farley cast himself as both an insider and an outsider, often a magic combination in a top boss. Ford has swung from one extreme to the other since it set out to replace the legendary Alan Mulally in the summer of 2014. First, it tapped Mark Fields, who had been bouncing around the “blue oval” for 25 years. Three years later, it cast well clear of the 16 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

313 (area code) to hire Jim Hackett, CEO of office furniture-maker Steelcase. Both men calmly steered the company down a fairly steep and steady decline in market value. Farley, meanwhile, has a CV more in common with Mulally, who was fresh to Ford but well-versed in manufacturing after almost 40 years at Boeing. …

WSJ | Nov. 30, 2020 | By Stephen Wilmont

CARS ARE GOING DIGITAL, BUT DETROIT HAS A LONG ROAD AHEAD TOMORROW’S CARS WILL BEHAVE MORE LIKE GIANT smartphones than today’s. Drivers could enjoy the benefits sooner than manufacturers. So-called connected cars aren’t new: The majority of vehicles sold in the U.S. today and almost half globally are already fitted with a modem. But vehicle electronics are only now being reconfigured to take full advantage of fast mobile broadband, notably to deliver smartphone-style updates “over the air.” This is a game-changer. Take the Ford F-150, the bestselling vehicle in the U.S. since 1981. The new generation now arriving in showrooms debuts a new Ford-built software tech stack that will bring the kind of capabilities consumers are used to in smartphones. A “central brain” will deploy updates around the vehicle to fix bugs or add features, says Stuart Taylor, Ford’s head of connectivity. After launching on the F-150, the system will go into Ford’s other key new products, the Mustang Mach-E and revived 2021 Bronco. More new vehicles will, like the Ford-150, have a crucial difference from their predecessors: They will improve even after leaving the dealership. For drivers, this promises to bring down the curtain on clunky infotainment systems that feel out of date even when new. For manufacturers, the hope is for new revenue streams. For example, General Motors recently announced that it would start offering insurance as part of its OnStar connected-services brand. “Electric vehicles are putting margins under pressure, so developing functions that can be sold on demand will be crucial for a lot of automakers,” says Johannes Deichmann, a partner in McKinsey’s Stuttgart office. Automakers can’t charge much, if anything, for services freely available on smartphones. …

Compendium || Commentary

Forbes | Nov. 25, 2020 | By Megan O’Neill

LEGAL DISPUTE BREWING FOR DETROIT LIONS’ BARRY SANDERS IN IMAGE RIGHTS CASE FORMER DETROIT LIONS RUNNING BACK AND NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders recently threatened legal action against Eastern Market Brewing Co. (in Detroit) over the unlicensed use of his likeness on a beer poking fun at his former team. In response, Eastern Market Brewing pulled the beer a day after its launch, removing it from the company’s website and social media platforms. Sanders has indicated he nonetheless intends to pursue legal action. This dispute was prompted by the brewery launching a beer called “Same Old Lager,” in an apparent reference to the Lions’ longtime struggles on the field. The beer can featured an 8-bit image that appears to be Sanders wearing a Detroit Lions jersey on a football field. The lettering on the packaging of the beer also seems to use the same coloring the Lions do. Sanders took to Twitter to discuss the issue, posting a picture of the beer with the caption:

“Some of you may have seen this in the @ freep today — I have no affiliation with this company, and they are using my image without any permission. My legal team is working through the process to shut this down ASAP. Apologies to any fans that were duped.” The main legal issue at play here is the use of Sanders’ likeness. Specifically, Sanders is alleging Eastern violated his right of publicity by using his image on the beer without his permission. The right of publicity is the right to control the commercial value of your name, likeness, voice, signature, or other personal identifying traits that are unique to you. In most states, celebrities can hold someone liable for violating the right of publicity through use of their likeness if they can establish (1) the use of a protected attribute, (2) the use was for a commercial purpose, (3) they did not consent to the use, and (4) they suffered injury. ...

Fortune | Nov. 16, 2020 | By Geoff Colvin

WHAT BUSINESSES SLAMMED BY THE PANDEMIC CAN LEARN FROM AMERICA’S CHAMPION CAR SALESMAN IT SHOULDN’T BE SURPRISING THAT AMERICA’S champion car salesman saw the pandemic as an opportunity. It didn’t look like one. With much of the nation in lockdown, millions suddenly jobless, car dealerships ordered shut, and sales plunging, the industry was

not rife with optimism. But Ali Reda sees things differently. He sells Chevrolets and Cadillacs at the Les Stanford dealership in Dearborn, Mich., and in 2017, he sold more vehicles than anyone in America had ever sold in a year: 1,530 new ones and 52 used ones. He broke a record that had stood for 44 years. The way he did it, and the reason he saw opportunity in the pandemic, is rich with lessons for anyone in a business that got slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. Reda, 47, has attained a status that virtually all salespeople aspire to. “I don’t really sell to anybody that doesn’t know of me,” he says. Everybody is a previous customer or has been referred by one.” Since everyone who calls already wants to buy a car from him, he isn’t exactly a salesman anymore. “If it’s a new customer, they tell me what (vehicle) they’re in. If it’s a repeat customer, I already know,” he says. He knows or finds out “who they are, where they are, where they’re coming from, and, more importantly, where they’re going in life. Are they getting married or having a child? Changing jobs? Are they driving more? Or less?” When he has that information, customers tend to ask what he thinks they should do. He tells them, and they tend to do it. …

In one well-known case, ETW Corp. v. Jireh Publishing Inc., Tiger Woods’ licensing agent sued an artist for selling (art) featuring Woods. An Ohio federal court held ... (it) was protected by the First Amendment. The case was dismissed. … WSJ | Oct. 29, 2020 | By Ben Eisen

DEARTH OF CREDIT STARVES DETROIT HOUSING MARKET ALTER ROAD RUNS NORTHEAST ALONG THIS CITY’S border. To the east is Grosse Pointe Park, an upscale suburb dotted with grand old mansions built in the auto industry’s heyday. To the west is the city of Detroit, lined with abandoned houses and empty lots. On the east side of the street, getting a mortgage to buy a home is a breeze. On the west side, it is hardly worth trying. Detroit is making a comeback after years of decline that led to a bankruptcy filing in 2013. But large swaths of the city are left behind, starved of the housing credit needed to revive them. No purchase mortgages were made last year in almost a third of Detroit’s census tracts, and fewer than five each in another third, according to data from LendingPatterns.com, a mortgage-data analysis tool. The impact runs disproportionately along racial lines in the majority Black city. Detroit’s Black residents are largely shut out of access to financing, making it tougher to attain homeownership, the key to building wealth for most Americans. Nonprofits, governments, and corporations are trying to channel money into neighborhoods. … JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 17

SPONSORED BY STARTUPNATION

A Life of Purpose How angel and venture capital investors shape our lives through their investing. BY JEFF SLOAN

hen many people think of how the business sector relates to startup companies and the venture funding that invests in them, the perception is that this part of the economy is irrelevant and doesn’t impact the average person’s life. But a deeper look tells a much different story, one that actually touches all of us in various and important ways, ranging from added employment opportunities to the way we live our lives to the quality of the lives we lead — and, in fact, even to how long we’ll likely live our lives. One could strongly argue that angel and venture capitalist investors, as a result of their investment choices — from particular economic sectors to the individual companies they choose to invest in — make a significant impact in shaping the future of the lives we’ll lead. As it stands, small businesses in America drive roughly half of the national GDP, create 75 percent of all new jobs, and represent 99 percent of all employers. Driving the formation and growth of a significant percentage of new company startups, arguably those that touch our lives most broadly, are the angel and venture funding fueling them. How important is angel funding to the startup ecosystem? Well, angel investors provide as much as 90 percent of outside funding for startups — $25 billion to 70,000 companies annually. In addition, angels are more diverse than venture capitalists. For example, nearly two-thirds of the total investment angel investors provide — 63 percent — is invested in areas outside of major cities, 22 percent of all angel investors are women, and new angel groups such as the Ark Angel Fund, consisting of members from the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce in Farmington Hills, and Detroit-based Commune Angels, a group founded by five Black professionals whose charter is designed with inclusive principles, ensure there’s ample diversity among those doing the investing and those receiving it. Angel funding is typically the earliest

form of equity funding, and it supports nearly 20 times the number of startups versus other forms of equity funding — each with an increased probability of survival, improved performance, and annual growth of 30 percent to 50 percent, on average, based on a study by Harvard and MIT researchers. And following the momentum created by angel funding at the startup and seed stages, venture capital is the critical funding that drives the growth of these startups as they mature. How significant is venture capital funding? Consider

in 2018, a total of $254 billion was invested globally into approximately 18,000 startups. In the same year, out of the 10 most valuable companies in the world, seven were startups that had humble beginnings funded by venture capital. They include Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, for example. In fact, according to a study conducted by Stanford University, public companies in the United States with venture capital backing employ around 4 million people and account for one-fifth of the total market capitalization of all public companies. All of this activity is instrumental in creating a vibrant culture in which young people can dream and endeavor with confidence in the pursuit of breakthrough ideas with passion. And that energizes a region that, in turn, attracts other like-minded people. Locally, think of the changes we’ve seen in Detroit as a result of Dan Gilbert’s vision, in which he made it a priority to foster the startup ecosystem as a central way to attract and retain young talent. And much like the effect HP had on fueling Silicon Valley’s early culture, similarly think of how the Ann Arbor community has become a hub for innovation in our region as a result of the success of funds like Jan Garfinkle’s Arboretum Ventures and that of companies like Doug Song’s Duo Securities. There is real momentum now in the Ann Arbor startup scene, which now claims 38 percent of the total of venture-backed companies in Michigan, which in total have raised nearly $1 billion in venture capital funding, according to EntryPoint’s 2020 Ann Arbor Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Report. So while it’s true most of us will never be active participants in angel or venture capital investing, or likely become a founder of a leading fast growth startup, the next time you access the internet, consider all of the amazing services wouldn’t be possible without bold investors taking big risks that ultimately lead to the innovations that shape the way we live. JEFF SLOAN is founder and CEO of StartupNation and Aria Ventures, both in Birmingham.

The Ticker

INSIDE || GROWING GREEN | HIGH GEAR | GAME-WINNER | SUGAR BYE | PLUS PDA Q&A AND MORE ...

GOOD EARTH Mark Savaya, CEO and owner of Future Grow Solutions in Birmingham, tends cannabis plants growing in a CropTower.

BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL

The CropTower brings greater efficiency to growing cannabis. BY GRACE TURNER

JOSH SCOTT

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 19

Ticker || January - February 2021

DBUSINESSDIRECT

ROOM TO GROW CropTowers leased by Future Grow Solutions in Birmingham can be found in Detroit, Center Line, and Lenox Township.

$75M Luxury Apartment Community Opens in Commerce Township Barrington Apartment Homes, a new $75-million luxury apartment community at the northwest corner of M-5 and Pontiac Trail in Commerce Township, was opened Dec. 1 by two metro Detroit developers, M. Shapiro Development Co. and MJC Cos. The 299-unit development offers multiple floor plans, including single-story apartment homes and stacked ranch apartment homes.

Sharrow Marine to Open Propeller Manufacturing HQ in Detroit Sharrow Marine, a wholly owned subsidiary of Philadelphia’s Sharrow Engineering, has announced plans to build its global manufacturing headquarters for the Sharrow Propeller in Detroit.

GM May Provide Hydrotec Fuel Cell System to Nikola Motor Corp. General Motors Co. in Detroit announced it has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Nikola Motor Corp. to provide its Hydrotec fuel cell system for Nikola’s Class 7/8 semitrailers. The MoU replaces the previous transaction announced in September, and includes dropping combined plans to build a pickup called Badger.

44 Percent of Executives Expect 2021 U.S. Economy Will Improve About 44 percent of executives expect the overall outlook for the 2021 U.S. economy to improve, according to the 2021 National Business Trends Survey from the Employer Association of America. Michigan employers appear slightly more optimistic about future economic conditions; half of those surveyed think the U.S. economy will improve in the next 12 months.

Detroit’s Guardhat Releases Smart Glasses for Front-line Workers Detroit-based Guardhat has released a new, smart glasses-based solution designed to ensure the safety and productivity of frontline workers. The glasses provide hands-free operation through voice commands, wireless connectivity, and interoperability. The eyewear came about through a partnership between Guardhat and New York’s Vuzix Corp. For full stories and more, visit dbusiness.com/daily-news to get daily news sent directly to your email.

Growing Green

Future Grow Solutions’ CropTower produces cannabis at a record pace.

BY GRACE TURNER |

ark Savaya is losing money to prove a point. In an effort to promote the CropTower, which brings greater efficiency to growing cannabis, including saving on energy, water, space, and time, the CEO and owner of Future Grow Solutions in Birmingham also uses soil and sponges to harvest plants in one of his Detroit facilities. His goal is to show potential licensees that the CropTower offers significant savings over these two traditional growing media. Future Grow Solutions is the sole Michigan distributor of the tower. “When someone comes in here, they see every aspect of the growth,” he says. Each hollow CropTower takes up a 9-foot-by-9-foot square of floor space and has enough holes to house 102 plants, with leaves on the outside and roots on the inside. Water and nutrients are piped through the middle of each tower, then the water is cleaned and recycled — a process that saves 90 percent of the water for reuse. Nearly-vertical rows of LED grow lights surround each tower, bathing every plant in light. After cuttings are taken from mother plants, they grow roots and become clones. After growing in trays for 14 days, the clones are placed in CropTowers, where they become fully mature and produce flowers that are ready to harvest after 60 days — half the time of traditional marijuana growing operations. The speed of the production,

20 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

JOSH SCOTT

together with fans that blow on the plants, serves to prevent pests, thereby eliminating the need for pesticides. Savaya has 15 Class C licenses from the State of Michigan, and each license allows him to grow 1,500 plants at a time. While most of the Class C crops will be grown in CropTowers, Savaya will reserve two crops — one for growth in soil and one for growth in sponges — for demonstration purposes. Each of the demonstration Class C crops are grown in one of Savaya’s Detroit facilities. Savaya also has processing and provisioning operations in the works, and holds three processing licenses and three provisioning licenses across his facilities, which include two Center Line locations, two Detroit locations, and one Lenox Township location. He began his first harvest at the end of December, and the first provisioning center was slated to open in Detroit on Jan. 1. Processing is scheduled to begin on Feb. 1. Savaya, who expects to start leasing CropTowers in 2021, says vertical farming is a viable solution for products other than cannabis. He explains that CropTowers can house many relatively small leafy plants; one is used to grow lettuce in drought-stricken South Africa. According to the World Economic Forum, the world’s population will grow to 9 billion by 2050, increasing food demand by some 60 percent. As such, vertical farming may become a more viable solution for feeding everyone. “This is the new technology that (will save) the world,” Savaya says.

January - February 2021 || Ticker

High Gear

A preference for Americanmade products and simpler lifestyles has shifted Detroit Bikes’ fortunes to another level. BY R.J. KING MATTHEW LAVERE

hen Zak Pashak prepared to open Detroit Bikes in 2012, he didn’t expect to find himself in Asia scouring for machines to build his two-wheel flyers. The irony was that many of the lathes, drills, and other tools he eventually secured were based off of American designs. “You really do get a glimpse of the global economy here, and the funny thing is places like China are using more robots,” says Pashak, president and owner of Detroit Bikes, during a tour of his production facility on the city’s west side. “So, if the Chinese are using robots to build things, we can use robots to build things, and we can do it cheaper than them because you eliminate the (overseas) shipping costs.” Utilizing a study in reverse manufacturing, at least from a geographic standpoint, Pashak is a pioneer in bringing back production at scale to the United States. And he has the machines to prove it — the instructions on the front metal panel of one stamping device are actually written in Mandarin. Still, some parts take longer to source domestically than others, as 36 million bike rims are imported each year. Overall, the

TVs in Focus

PEDAL POWER Detroit Bikes operates a retail store in Detroit’s Capitol Park.

American bike industry is a $6-billion enterprise, and around 18 million bikes are purchased each year. To an extent, Detroit Bikes sets itself apart from the competition by designing eye-catching bikes that look good navigating urban sidewalks or mountain trails — but those products only account for roughly half of Pashak’s business. The rest of the two-wheelers he produces are for other labels like Schwinn, Monkeycycle, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Because he can offer supply chain efficiencies and provide a nearly fully-assembled bike, he drew a large order from Dick’s Sporting Goods, to the tune of thousands of bikes per year. As a result, his production will leap from 5,000 bikes in 2020 to 70,000 bikes this year.

At that rate, annual revenue will grow to $20 million from $5 million. “We’re going to a 24-hour production cycle and we’ll double our staff (to 80 employees),” says Pashak, who operates a store in Detroit’s Capitol Park. Driving retail and online sales are several factors, including the outbreak of COVID-19. The virus helped refocus recreational offerings to more simple pastimes, and it doesn’t get much simpler than riding a bike. What’s more, the Section 301 tariffs imposed on China by the U.S. over the last year have, on average, given Detroit Bikes a 19 percent competitive boost against imported two-wheelers. “You can trace bicycles in Detroit back to the 1880s, and they’ve proven to be timeless,” Pashak says. “We have a long road in front of us.”

|| By Tim Keenan

THE PRODUCTION OF CONSUMER electronic equipment has long been sourced from low-wage countries, but Canton Township-based InFocus TVs, which sells Roku smart televisions in various sizes in stores and online, is hoping a boost in sales will drive manufacturing back home. Darren S. Ivey, director of sales and marketing at InFocus TVs, says

the Roku offers more than 5,000 streaming channels available to consumers, including Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube, Vudu, Plex, all the major networks, and cable channels., Currently manufactured in Mexico and China, InFocus TVs’ products offer screens from 43 inches to 70 inches, all with the Roku OS platform that allows

viewers to stream free TV, live news, sports, and hundreds of thousands of movies and TV episodes from free and paid channels. “There’s a future possibility that InFocus TVs’ (televisions) could be assembled in Canton Township if the volume and market conditions support the business case (for) assembling

the product in the U.S.,” Ivey says. In the meantime, Ivey says InFocus TVs, an enterprise managed by Lotus International Co., an integrated specialty technology firm also based in Canton Township, is ideal for people looking to cut their cable bill or searching for a different way to discover new streaming channels. JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 21

Ticker || January - February 2021

Game-Winner

ADVANTAGE BUSINESS Bryan Finnerty played 410 games with the Detroit Rockets in the National Professional Soccer League.

Former Detroit Rockets goaltender Bryan Finnerty scores with sports and technology enterprises.

BY TIM KEENAN |

NICK HAGEN hen Bryan Finnerty retired from a career as a professional soccer goaltender, after spending several seasons with the indoor league Detroit Rockers, he thought his business opportunities would be solely dedicated to the High Velocity Sports Center in Canton Township, which he

opened in 2001. Instead, he’s built an empire that has spawned a venture capital firm called Opportunity Seed Capital; a similarly named foundation, Opportunity Seed Foundation; and several companies that are either technology-related, sports-related, or both. High Velocity Sports Center, which serves as a test center for future high-tech sports solutions, is a 270,000-square-foot facility featuring fullsize soccer and football fields, golf simulators, four basketball courts, four volleyball courts, and a full-service bar and restaurant. It’s home to several sports leagues, has as many as 125 employees during its peak season (October-May), and generates close to $5 million in annual revenue. “We’re happy to be going into our 20th year and hoping for 20 more, which would be great,” Finnerty says. The empire-building began in 2006, when Finnerty and a partner invested in mobile phone insurer ProtectCELL. After finalizing a sale in 2015, he launched the Opportunity Seed Foundation to help needy students with pay-to-play fees. It also donates sports equipment to schools. A year later, Finnerty’s wife, Denise, took over the foundation’s operation and Finnerty started Opportunity Seed Capital — the first acquisition was the 125,000-square-foot Summit Point office building in Novi. Other companies in the OSC empire include Varsity News Network in Grand Rapids, Galway Bay Apparel in Novi, Desk Pass in Chicago, FundMyTeam in New Jersey, and V1 Sports, also based in Novi. Breaking down the field, Varsity News Network collects and distributes

high school sports information. It now manages more than 5,000 high school media outlets. Galway Bay, meanwhile, manufactures and sells outerwear for golf, Desk Pass fills vacant office spaces with temporary tenants, FundMyTeam is a GoFundMe-like business focused on sports teams, V1 Sports offers a video solution for golf teaching professionals, and V1 Baseball provides Right View Pro, a frame-by-frame video analysis platform featuring side-by-side hitting, fielding, and pitching videos. Profits and proceeds from the companies in which OSC invests go to the foundation, and Finnerty encourages the other founders to do the same. “The goal isn’t to build a $20 million foundation,” he says. “The goal is to build 20 $1 million foundations. It’s a great reason to go to work every day.”

PDA Q&A: The E-Interview || By R.J. King

MARC R. SCHECHTER

Senior Managing Partner Schechter, Birmingham

DB: WHERE ARE YOU? MS: I’m in Charlotte, N.C. It’s my first COVID-19 business trip. I’m here meeting with different investors of our firm. Six years ago, we created a private capital division that typically invests in later-stage companies — firms like Peloton, DraftKings, Lyft, and Industrious. For the latter company, which is a coworking business, I’m on the board in North America. They’re in 100 cities, and growing fast. DB: WHAT ELSE ARE YOU DOING?

22 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

MS: I develop investor relationships all over the country, so I’m always looking at new deals. In some cases, the investors want to meet me. We have $1.3 billion under management, and we just added a group in Chicago with $150 million, and we’re looking to bring in another three (major investors) over the next couple of years. DB: WHAT ARE YOUR GROWTH PLANS? MS: My father’s uncle started the firm in 1939, so we’re third-generation now. (Today), we have 65

employees overall. We work closely with our clients to identify new investment opportunities and we develop legal strategies, tax strategies, and insurance programs for them. We really try to stay ahead of the curve. DB: ARE YOU HIRING? MS: Yes. During COVID-19, we’ve become much more comfortable hiring people out of town to work virtually. We’ve hired 12 people since COVID-19 started. We had to grow in new ways, and we’re finding great talent. We just hired a president out of New

York City, and he works (from) there. We hired a high-level investment guy in Boston, and technology people in Atlanta who do our investment platform technology. They all will eventually move (to metro Detroit). DB: DO VIRTUAL INVESTOR MEETINGS WORK? MS: From a client perspective, we’re finding it’s really easy to communicate in this way. When we tell them we invested $7.50 a share and sold it for $43 a share (for DraftKings), they love it.

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Ticker || January - February 2021

Sugar Bye

DBUSINESSDIRECT

Olympia Development of Michigan, the City of Detroit, and Cinnaire Solutions have jointly announced a partnership to explore new affordable housing options in seven, 1920s-era historic buildings in The District Detroit, specifically along Henry Street, west of Cass Avenue.

Memory Health Receives Patent for Dementia Prevention and Treatment Memory Health in Birmingham and Howard Foundation Holding in the United Kingdom have been issued a U.S. patent for a product designed to prevent and treat neurodegenerative disease, or dementia. The treatment builds on research that shows xanthophyll carotenoids and Omega-3 fatty acids have a strong positive impact on memory, mood, and patient quality of life.

Henry Ford Allegiance Offers AI-powered Radiation Treatment Henry Ford Allegiance Health in Jackson is the first in Michigan to offer the Varian Ethos therapy system, a radiation treatment for cancer. Driven by artificial intelligence, the system provides a real-time view of a patient’s anatomy and allows the radiation dosage to be adjusted in real time to the shape and positioning of a patient’s tumor and normal tissues.

Consumers Energy Completes $610M Natural Gas Pipeline Upgrade in Michigan Consumers Energy, the largest energy provider in Michigan, has completed construction of the Saginaw Trail Pipeline, a four-year, $610-million construction project to upgrade natural gas pipelines and infrastructure in Oakland, Saginaw, and Genesee counties.

$60M Apartment and Retail Project Coming to Detroit’s Midtown District Two Detroit-based developers, Queen Lillian and The Platform, have broken ground on Woodward West, a $60-million, mixed-use development in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood. The five-story development is scheduled to open in summer 2022. For full stories and more, visit dbusiness.com/daily-news to get daily news sent directly to your email.

A new digital diabetes program developed in Livonia takes the guesswork out of insulin treatment.

BY GRACE TURNER

ot having enough insulin can be deadly, and those with Type 2 diabetes may not get the proper dose despite self-administering prescribed injections of the hormone. In turn, people who have Type 2 diabetes gradually make less of their own insulin and must replace it daily. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the bloodstream and causes life-threatening health complications. Answering the call for more accurate prescriptions, a company in Livonia has developed technology that tells individuals how much insulin they need in real time. Developed by Hygieia, the d-Nav Insulin Management Program uses patients’ blood sugar readings, taken each day via self-administered finger pricks, to immediately calculate how much insulin that person needs to take. In a traditional treatment program, patients take the same amount each day, regardless of their readings, until a doctor changes their insulin dosage based on new numbers. “Knowing your sugar is just the first step,” says Eran Bashan, co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Hygieia, and co-developer of the program. He has a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and developed the artificial intelligence behind the d-Nav app. Diabetes patients receive either a meter that provides both blood sugar readings and insulin prescriptions, or access to an app into which they type their blood sugar readings to get the correct dose of insulin needed. For Cheryl Higgins, who had been taking insulin for 10 years before using d-Nav, the program has helped her stay focused on her treatment, giving her more energy and improving her hemoglobin A1C level, a biomarker that measures average blood sugar over the previous two to three months. Higgins has also lost 110 pounds — a

goal she couldn’t attain while struggling with blood sugar. Higgins says she appreciates the independence the program gives her. Instead of calling her doctor weekly to report her blood sugar readings, her doctor can see her numbers through the app. The program also sends her text alerts if she misses an injection. “Everything is right there for you,” she says. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the program in early 2019. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Medicare, and Medicaid offer d-Nav, and it is the first program in the U.S. that prescribes dosages without a physician. It’s also available in Israel and the U.K. Insulin isn’t addictive, so patients can’t abuse the system. Bashan says a person would have to take insulin for 400 years before problems emerged. “Insulin treatment is slightly safer than high-heel shoes,” he says.

Home Free || By Grace Turner A PROGRAM STARTED AT TROY’S ROSS Mortgage to help veterans buy homes has gone national. The initiative started in 2015, when the company wanted to better train its loan officers on how to process VA home loans. Michael Fischer, president of Military Mortgage Boot Camp and branch manager of Ross’s Brighton location, expanded the program nationally in 2017. After receiving positive feedback on social media platforms, he developed

24 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

instructional tracks for loan officers and real estate agents. Both classes dissect VA loans and offer statistics to debunk a misconception that home offers backed by conventional home loans are more favorable to sellers than those backed by VA home loans. As it stands, VA loan-backed offers are rejected more often than those backed by conventional loans, even when VA offers are identical to or better than conventional offers. “It’s the least we can do in our

profession for those who serve us,” Fischer says of offering the class. Since 2015, the program has trained more than 700 loan officers, who in turn answer each other’s questions on social media groups hosted by Fischer and other instructors. Fischer and his team usually travel to teach in-person classes, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve created an online version and are working on an improved virtual format.

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Olympia Development Explores Renovation of Seven Historic Buildings

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Focus || Sports

Hard Count

The Detroit Lions are valued at $2.1 billion, but if the team could find success on the field — and, dare we say, win a Super Bowl — its net worth would skyrocket.

“S

ame Old Lions” is a refrain heard on sports talk radio programs many Mondays during most football seasons. It means the boys in Honolulu blue and silver have found yet another creative way to lose a game and break fans’ hearts. But they’re not the same old Lions, not by a long shot. When the Detroit Lions were acquired on Nov. 22, 1963, by the late William Clay Ford Sr. during a meeting at the downtown Statler Hotel, the price tag was $6 million. Today, Detroit’s National Football League franchise is worth $2.1 billion, according to Forbes. As great an investment as Ford’s $6 million appears to be, of the 14 teams that were in the NFL at the time, the Lions are now ranked last; they’re 30th of the 32 teams currently playing. By contrast, the Dallas Cowboys lead the league at $5.7 billion, followed by the New York Giants at $4.3 billion, and the San Francisco 49ers at $3.8 billion. That Detroit is the nation’s 14th-ranked

BY TIM KEENAN media market, with 1.7 million homes, is a factor in the team’s value. The No. 1 market, New York, has 7.1 million homes, while No. 2 Los Angeles has 5.2 million homes. Also playing a role is the team’s performance on the field. Since 1964, the Ford family’s first full season of ownership, the Lions are the only team that was in the league at the time that hasn’t been to its championship game, the Super Bowl. The team’s record since 1964, going into the 2020 season, was 314-455-15. The team’s performance in 2020 cost General Manager Bob Quinn and Head Coach Matt Patricia their jobs in late November. By contrast, the Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers have each been to the big game eight times. The 49ers have been there seven times. The Washington football team, the Giants, and the Green Bay Packers each have made five Super Bowl appearances. Even the St. Louis/Arizona Cardinals have played on the game’s biggest stage. The Lions’ first campaign under the Ford

family’s ownership in 1964 resulted in a 7-5-2 win-loss-tie record. The team’s best season was in 1991, under head coach Wayne Fontes, when it went 12-4 and beat the Cowboys 38-6 in the team’s only playoff victory since 1957. Ultimately, the Lions succumbed to Washington 41-10 in the NFC Championship Game, one game away from the Super Bowl. The Lions’ overall playoff record during the period of Ford ownership is 1-12. In that time, the Lions have had 18 head coaches and eight general managers, including Russ Thomas (1967-1988) and Matt Millen (2001-2008), who most sports talk radio pundits say are the worst two GMs in NFL history. Many people think that perhaps management is to blame for the team’s relatively low value. “I’ve interacted with (Detroit Lions) people on the business side and they’re solid,” says Michael Dietz, CEO of Dietz Sports and Entertainment in Farmington Hills. “They have a lot of talented employees. They make the sales calls and they compete for the entertainment dollar in a competitive market.

COURTESY OF THE DETORIT LIONS

MEGATRON The Detroit Lions’ franchise value increased from $917 million to $1.4 billion while star receiver Calvin Johnson was catching passes for the team.

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Sports || Focus

FIELDS OF PLAY The Detroit Lions have played, from top to bottom, at Tiger Stadium, the Pontiac Silverdome (both since demolished), and Ford Field.

“If you’re looking at a $6 million investment going to $2 billion, I’d say nothing’s wrong. The value is going up. Team performance is only one factor in coming up with the value (of a sports franchise).” Van Conway, CEO of Birmingham’s Van Conway and Partners, specialists in corporate valuation and turnarounds, agrees. “Sports teams are very interesting,” Conway says. “The most accepted valuation model is called discounted cash flow, (but) you can’t really use that methodology with sports teams because if you look at the Lions, with $40 million or $50 million in operating income, there’s no way you get to $2 billion. “The value of a team is only what someone will pay for it,” he says. “Buyers will come for a pro sports team. It’s not like putting Joe’s Tool and Die Shop up for sale and hoping for a buyer. You put (the Detroit Lions) up for sale and who says you don’t get $3 billion? If you get three rich guys and they can all write a check, you’ll get your $3 billion. “Winning would increase the valuation,” Conway adds. “In a normal business, if you lose and are projected to lose in the future, it’s not worth anything. That’s not true with sports franchises. Losses and income don’t affect the value that much. Winning would mean playoff games, which is extra ticket and advertising revenue. Winning (would) allow them to charge more for (regular season) tickets and suites, and that might be significant.” There’s also potential revenue that could be generated by local radio and pre-season television contracts, sponsorships, parking, and concessions for a winning team, according to Dietz. The primary driver of the Lions’ value and that of the other NFL franchises, though, are the national television contracts negotiated by the league and shared equally with all of its teams. According to actionnetwork.com, the NFL shared more than $8 billion with its teams in 2019 — about $274.38 million per team, up from $187.7 million in 2013. The lion’s share (pun intended) of that comes from TV contracts. CBS, NBC, and Fox are paying a combined $3.1 billion for broadcast rights until 2022. Fox paid an additional $3.3 billion to air Thursday night games from 2018 to 2022. ESPN paid $15.2 billion in 2014 to broadcast Monday Night Football through next season. That amounts to about $255 million per team per year, according to lwosports.com. “That deal comes up for rebid in a couple of years and it could be double what it is now,” JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 27

Focus || Sports

DETROIT LIONS PLAYOFF RECORD

DETROIT LIONS RECORD SINCE 1964 (Going into 2020 season)

1 Win (1991) 12 Losses DETROIT LIONS VALUE THROUGH THE YEARS 1963 — $6M 2002 — $509M 2003 — $635M 2004 — $747M 2005 — $780M 2006 — $839M 2007 — $870M 2008 — $917M 2009 — $872M 2010 — $817M 2011 — $844M 2012 — $855M 2013 — $900M 2014 — $960M 2015 — $1.4B 2016 — $1.65B 2017 — $1.7B 2018 — $1.7B 2019 — $2B 2020 — $2.1B

FRANCHISE PLAYERS Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, above, is one of the best players at his position, but over his 12 years with the team, he has never been paired with a dynamic running back like Billy Sims, bottom right, or Barry Sanders.

(Moved into Ford Field) (Team went 0-16) SOURCES: Forbes/Statista

314 Wins

455 Losses

15 Ties

VALUE AND SUPER BOWL APPEARANCES OF TEAMS IN THE NFL SINCE 1964 Team

Value

Dallas Cowboys New York Giants Los Angeles/St.Louis/LA Rams San Francisco 49ers Washington Football Team Chicago Bears Philadelphia Eagles Green Bay Packers Pittsburgh Steelers Cleveland Browns/Baltimore Ravens Minnesota Vikings Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts St.Louis/Arizona Cardinals Detroit Lions

$5.7B $4.3B $4B $3.8B $3.5B $3.5B $ 3.4B $3.05B $3B $2.97B $2.95B $2.88B $2.32B $2.1B

Super Bowl Appearances

SOURCES: Forbes/NFL DETROIT LIONS BRAINTRUST SINCE 1963 Owners: 1 (Family of William Clay Ford Sr.) | General Managers: 8 | Head Coaches: 18

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8 5 4 7 5 2 3 5 8 2 4 4 1 0

Conway says. “Other sources of income can ebb and flow with performance. What doesn’t ebb and flow is the income from the media contract. The year they went 0-16, they were probably still profitable because of their share of the league media deal.” Another source of income the league shares with its teams consists of official sponsorships. Verizon pays the league $300 million, Anheuser-Busch is in for $230 million, Nike is at $120 million, Pepsi pays $100 million, Oakley gives the NFL $75 million, and Amazon pays $75 million, according to lwosports.com. Teams also have local sources of income. In addition to those already mentioned, there are deals on stadium names, stadium advertising, and merchandise licensing. The average NFL team makes about $7 million per game from ticket sales. With eight regular season games, that comes to about $56 million. The home team keeps 60 percent of gate receipts and 40 percent goes into a league pot. New sources of income on the horizon include streaming and gambling websites. On the expense side of the ledger, NFL teams are fortunate to have player salary caps. In 2020, teams couldn’t spend more than $198.2 million on player salaries. The Lions are $47.58 million under the salary cap for this season. “The salary cap is music to the owners’ ears,” Conway says.

Sports || Focus

When Ford acquired the Lions in 1963, they were coming off a decade of gridiron domination. The Lions won three NFL titles in six years during the 1950s, the last coming in 1957. In 1958, the team traded star quarterback Bobby Layne to the Steelers for Earl Morrall. Layne was said to have put a 50-year curse on the team — which, if you believe such things, has lasted 62 years. One factor of team value is the stadium in which it plays. The Lions have upgraded their stadium twice during the Ford family’s ownership. From 1964-1974, they shared Tiger Stadium with the Detroit Tigers. They moved to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1975, and stayed until the 2001 season. Since 2002, the Lions’ den has been Ford Field in downtown Detroit. When the team moved into Ford Field, the franchise’s value was $509 million. The team was worth $917 million in 2008 and dipped to $872 million following the 2008 0-16 season under head coach Rod Marinelli. It first eclipsed the $1 billion mark in 2015 at $1.5 billion, and hit $2 billion last year. “The value of a team, like the value of any durable asset, is closely related to the value of the stream of profits the asset brings,” explains Michael Leeds, co-author of the 2002 book “The Economics of Sports.” “That means the low value of the Lions stems largely from the low value of their operating income,” he says. The Lions’ operating income is $43 million, according to Forbes. The operating income of the No. 1 Cowboys is $425 million. “To get to the top half, you’ve got to generate more than $100 million,” Dietz says.

“Much of the revenue stream for NFL teams is effectively equal,” Leeds says. “They share TV, online, and merchandising revenue equally (the Cowboys are a mild exception with merchandising), and gate revenue is close to equally distributed. That largely leaves venue revenue as the big differentiator.” Venue revenue comes from things like signage, parking, and — especially — luxury seating. “Arguably, luxury boxes are one of the main reasons why NFL teams have moved over the last decade or so,” Leeds says. “Thus, I see the biggest likely contributor to the Lions’ market value being enhancements of their venue revenue, especially if the enhancements are publicly funded (more revenue, less debt and cost). Whether that’s a good thing for Detroit and Michigan is another matter.” Some of the loudest Lions critics on sports talk radio pin the team’s woes on the ownership. They frequently opine that the team’s only chance for success, and the resulting increase in value, is for the Ford family to sell the franchise. Some fans say the Fords only care about the increasing value of their asset. As an investment, the Lions are performing well for the Ford family. “The real value is the appreciation,” Conway says. “If you bought the Lions for $6 million and lost $20 million a year for 50 years, you’ve lost $1 billion. Now if you sell it for $2 billion, you still make $1 billion.” According to Dietz, the Fords aren’t just in the NFL to make money. “I know they want to win and are desperately trying to win,” he says. “The NFL is a tough league in which to win. Most games are decided by a touchdown or less.

“There are a lot of reasons to own a sports franchise,” he continues. “One of them is to hope it goes up in value, but most owners know that owning a pro team is a community asset. All the sports team owners in Detroit take that community commitment seriously. Selling tickets and merchandise is important to the Lions ownership, but so are participating in the rebirth of Detroit, (advocating for) social justice, and being involved in the community. Owning the Lions allows the Ford family to really participate in the community and all the things that are great about our city.” Dietz points to the team’s $10 donation per ticket to the Eastern Market, its support of Detroit PAL, and the Detroit Lions Academy, an alternative middle school for Detroit students, as evidence of its commitment to the community. Another intangible that doesn’t appear on the balance sheet is fan loyalty. “The Lions fans are blindly loyal, and I marvel at that,” Conway says. “You’d think after winning only one playoff game since the Ford family took over, the stadium would be halffull.” According to Dietz, the reason the fans are so loyal is because football in general is big-time entertainment. “Football is always among the top-rated TV programs nationally. The Lions’ ticket pricing is on the lower end of the NFL, so there’s value. Ford Field is fun to go to. There’s a reason they say football is king.” Ever the optimist, Dietz says: “The Ford family’s time will come. It can turn around quickly. If it does turn around quickly, it will drive their value extremely high.”

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Perspectives || Electric Vehicles

WHITE LIGHTNING The all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E, the first SUV based off the popular sports car, is set to debut in 2021. Prices start at $42,895.

EV Alliances

Fleet operators and small businesses that make deliveries are racing ahead in adopting electric vehicles, even as a lack of charging stations has hampered a consumer rollout of emission-free cars and trucks.

30 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

the online retail giant expects to have 100,000 electric-powered delivery vehicles in operation across the U.S. Amazon also has lined up an order for nearly 2,000 additional electric vans from Mercedes-Benz that will be put into service in Europe. “To help achieve zero emissions across its business by 2040, Amazon is transforming its transportation network around the world,” the company announced in October as it revealed the first running Rivian prototype. Amazon isn’t alone. UPS, FedEx, and other delivery services also plan to shift large portions of their own fleets to battery power. At the same time, companies like Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn have long offered small trucks and delivery vans like the Transit, but now the storied automaker is seeking to drive new revenue from EV telematics offerings. In November, Ford announced an expansion of its fleet management tools to provide electric vehicle data, charging reports, and web-based pre-conditioning of interior cabin temperatures,

as well as new features that can help secure vehicles and enhance driver performance. Ford Commercial Solutions is offering the tools through app and web-based interfaces. The features will be available on an all-electric version of the popular Transit, called the E-Transit, that’s set to debut in fall 2021. The new tools will allow fleet operators to monitor the performance of individual vans, manage energy usage, and gain key insights into their performance. Using electric-vehicle-specific data such as kilowatt hour consumption, charge speed, distance to empty, and more, managers can better understand how they’re operating in real time in order to help optimize running costs and uptime. The features also enable remote pre-conditioning so fleet operators can optimize cabin temperature while the E-Transit is plugged in, to increase battery efficiency. In addition, alerts notify managers if a vehicle isn’t plugged in when it’s scheduled to be, while other tools let them remotely manage transactions for public

: COURTESY OF FORD

ife in America went through major changes this past year due to COVID-19, and some things will likely never return to what we once thought of as normal. But there are bright spots beyond the gloom of the pandemic — namely, a drop in pollution levels as more people shelter in place or work remotely. Harmful emissions will trend further downward as more people shop from home. In every corner of America, package delivery trucks have become a more common sight — and sound — in residential neighborhoods. Overall, home deliveries are more efficient as fewer consumers make individual trips to their favorite stores. There’s another pollution-reduction offering coming down the pike, as the familiar rumble of gasoline or diesel engines roaring through subdivisions will soon transcend into a gentle hum. Starting in 2021, Amazon plans to take delivery of the first all-electric van built by EV startup Rivian, based in Plymouth Township. By 2030,

BY PAUL EISENSTEIN

: COURTESY OF GENERAL MOTORS

Electric Vehicles || Perspectives

charging and ensure they receive reports to support reimbursement for employees who charge at home. One of the new tools is in-vehicle, real-time driver coaching through the SYNC 4 voice assistant. When drivers exceed a speed limit, rapidly accelerate, brake harshly, leave the engine running while parked, or fail to fasten a seatbelt, they’ll receive an in-car audio message asking them to correct their behavior. “We’ve heard directly from our customers how important driver coaching systems are to them,” says Julius Marchwicki, COO of Ford Commercial Solutions. “By integrating this service directly into our vehicles, businesses can better promote safe driving behavior, optimize energy usage on their vehicles, and reduce wear and tear without installing extra hardware.” Additionally, Ford Telematics will enable customers to secure and remotely monitor their vehicles after hours. Alerts will notify fleet operators if a vehicle is potentially being stolen, if it’s being used without authorization, if it’s being towed, or if it’s been damaged while parked. If any of these events occur, GPS tracking allows managers to see the location of their vehicles when they’re turned off. Ford is also offering integrated Driver ID, giving managers an easy way to associate specific drivers with vehicles. By allowing drivers to enter a driver-specific code into the SYNC screen, fleet managers get an accurate record of which driver is using which vehicle, and can analyze driver-specific performance metrics. The features build on Ford Telematics’ existing offerings and include GPS tracking and geofencing capabilities, vehicle health alerts, and fuel and energy consumption data. Beyond these new telematics-based services, Ford Commercial Solutions offers Ford Data Services, which provides manufacturer-grade data from vehicles for integration with proprietary software or existing authorized telematics providers without the need for third-party plug-in devices. On the consumer front, EVs have comprised little more than an asterisk on the automotive sales charts, with only Tesla generating sales in the six-figure range. The pace is expected to accelerate over the next several years, with the arrival of critical new passenger vehicles such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the GMC Hummer, and the Volkswagen ID.4, not to mention the Tesla Cybertruck pickup. While attention has largely been focused on the light-duty side of the business, namely passenger cars and trucks, many experts now believe the real growth in zero-emission vehicles could come on the commercial trucking side (emissions still occur at coal and natural gas plants that produce electricity).

Things have gotten a bit quieter on Brooklyn’s residential streets of late, especially on days when trash is picked up. While there’s still the clatter and clang of garbage cans, New York’s Department of Sanitation has been testing out a new generation of nearly silent, all-electric refuse vehicles developed by Mack Trucks. The Big Apple may soon start phasing out its existing fleet and replace it with Mack’s LR Electric model. On the other side of the country, meanwhile, the Port of Long Beach recently marked the opening of a major new accessway with a procession of 30 hydrogen, electric, and natural gas trucks, part of the new Clean Truck Program aimed at cleaning up one of the worst sources of air pollution in the greater Los Angeles region. Guidelines passed a year ago by California regulators aim to phase out gas and diesel trucks entirely — not just at the ports of Long Beach and L.A., but across the state. “I think we’re at the precipice,” says Rachel Moses, director of commercial services for Electrify America in Reston, Va., which operates the largest DC fast-charging network in the country. The electrification of “the medium and heavyduty truck market is growing rapidly” and, if anything, Moses believes it could outpace the growth of the electric passenger car market during the rest of the decade. Virtually every major truck company, from Freightliner to Peterbilt to Mack to Kenworth, has a zero-emission program in the works. So do

a number of upstart brands like Tesla, Nikola, and Rivian. Ford and General Motors Co. in Detroit also have confirmed plans to bring battery-electric delivery vans to market and may enter other market segments, as well. Even Cummins, one of the world’s largest suppliers of truck engines, has begun working on electric drive alternatives such as its PowerDrive portfolio, which targets the medium-duty market. In fact, some of the biggest news has come in the medium-duty market, where PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division became one of the first customers for the Peterbilt 220EV in January 2020. “Frito-Lay is continuously exploring current and emerging technologies for our freight equipment as we work toward reducing PepsiCo’s absolute greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2030,” says Michael O’Connell, supply chain chief at PepsiCo. The 335-horsepower truck uses a 148-kilowatt-hour battery pack with a range of 100 miles, and has a charging time of as little as one hour. Arch-rival Navistar, meanwhile, is building an order bank for its eMV truck that can be equipped with several different battery packs, offering up to 250 miles per charge. Daimler’s eM2 model isn’t far behind, with a range of 230 BACKTRAIL WARRIOR The 2022 GMC Hummer EV, to be built at GM’s Factory Zero Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center, will have a starting MSRP of $112,595.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 31

Perspectives || Electric Vehicles

miles (the company has already started fielding order for some of those rigs through Penske Truck Leasing, a company owned by Roger Penske, chairman and CEO of Penske Corp. in Bloomfield Township). Last October, the commonwealth of Virginia took delivery of the first of 50 all-electric school buses as part of its Dominion Energy Electric School Bus Program. Eventually, the state’s fleet could go entirely electric, officials say. “We believe electric school buses to be the future of pupil transportation,” says Caley Edgerly, president and CEO of Thomas Built Buses, a large supplier of school buses in the U.S. “They offer quieter operation, lower operating costs, and zero emissions, to the benefit of students, parents, school districts, and local communities.” EV experts believe the light- and medium-duty commercial truck markets are particularly ripe for electrification because today’s lithium-ion battery technology can readily handle day-to-day needs, especially for fleet customers who can set up their own quick charging operations. But even the heavy-duty market is ripe for electrification. Daimler-owned Freightliner has rolled out the Class 8 eCascadia, along with the slightly smaller eM2 Series. AB Volvo, the parent of Sweden’s Volvo Trucks, as well as U.S.-based

Mack, recently announced plans to start selling a limited number of heavy-duty trucks in Europe in 2021, with volume ramping up the following year. Volvo plans to have its entire product range fossil-free by 2040. But established truck manufacturers are facing the same challenge as traditional automakers hoping to make the jump from internal combustion to battery propulsion: a wave of new startups. Tesla has big plans for its own Class 8 rig, the all-electric Semi, and has lined up a long list of orders well ahead of the truck’s production launch. That includes an initial order for 150 Semis by Pride Group Enterprises, a Dallas-based truck leasing company that also took out an option for 500 more — a deal that eventually could be worth $100 million. Walmart Canada has placed its own order for 130 of the battery trucks. “Tripling our (initial) reservation of Tesla Semi trucks is part of our ongoing effort to innovate the business and prioritize sustainability,” says John Bayliss, senior vice president of logistics at Walmart. “By converting 20 percent of our fleet to electric vehicles by the end of 2022 and committing to alternative power for all fleet vehicles by 2028, we’re putting safety, innovation, and sustainability at the forefront of our logistics network.” Some observers remain skeptical about the

market for the heaviest and longest-range battery trucks, pointing to dreaded range anxiety and the lack of a nationwide charging network. Tesla is working to address that in several ways, including setting up high-power chargers at the thousands of Supercharger stations it already operates across North America. Like some of its competitors, Tesla is also exploring the possibility of swapping out battery packs on the Semi — a process that could have a rig back on the road in minutes rather than hours. Phoenix-based Nikola also has an alternative strategy. Its Nikola One relies on hydrogen fuel cells rather than batteries. Think of a fuel cell as a “refillable battery”; the technology blends hydrogen with oxygen from the air we breathe to generate a current that runs the same motors used in a pure battery-electric vehicle. Nikola’s design can deliver as much as 1,000 miles on a tank of hydrogen and refill it in minutes — on par with the range of a diesel truck. The downside is there are even fewer hydrogen stations than there are battery chargers, but the startup says it will borrow a page from the Tesla playbook and set up a refueling network along key transportation routes. Nikola isn’t alone. Toyota recently announced a partnership with Hino to develop new fuel-cell-powered semis, and it already has

KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ IF ELECTRIC VEHICLES BRING TO MIND A quirky little hatchback like the Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Bolt, prepare yourself for the new GMC Hummer. It looks just as rugged as anything the old Hummer division brought to market before the brand was shut down following General Motors Co.’s 2009 bankruptcy. The big difference, though, is that the new Hummer, to be built at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center (dubbed Factory Zero) and set to roll into GMC showrooms in mid-2021, is all-electric. It will offer as much as 1,000 horsepower and 10,000 pound-feet of torque, and be able to launch from 0-60 nearly as fast as the latest Chevrolet Corvette. While battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, have yet to gain significant traction in the U.S. market, automakers are betting they’re about to reach the proverbial tipping point. And while there are plenty of electric sedans, 32 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

sports cars, and SUVs coming to market over the next few years, there’s a veritable tsunami of battery pickups in the work. Consider that GM not only plans to roll out the GMC Hummer EV, starting with the brawny Edition 1 model set to start at $113,000, but it’s working up a second electric pickup for the Chevrolet brand. Ford, meanwhile, is countering with an all-electric version of its ever-popular F-150, set to go on sale in 2022. Beyond significant hauling power, Ford has applied for a patent on a range-extender system. While slow to plug in, Mike Manley, CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which operates its North American headquarters in Auburn Hills, last October confirmed the Ram truck brand will get a battery-powered pickup, with more details to come. Beyond the Big Three, the hometown players are facing an unprecedented assault from new

entrants into the truck market. Other local companies stepping into the fray include Rivian in Plymouth Township, a startup that has generated huge interest and is readying two new BEVs: the R1S SUV and the R1T pickup. Oak Park’s Bollinger, in turn, has announced a similar pair of products. Its B2 pickup is a brutish, no-frills, heavy-duty model envisioned as a true work truck. Over in Ohio, another startup, Lordstown Motors, is readying a pickup dubbed Endurance, which takes the unusual approach of building its motors into its wheels. Then there’s Nikola, the Phoenixbased firm that plans to debut the Badger. It will offer a battery drive system or a hybrid hydrogen fuel-cell and battery system. Still others want a piece of the high-voltage action. They include startups like Atlis, with its $45,000 XT

pickup; Hercules Electric, with its Alpha; and China’s Neuron EV, which wants to import what it dubs the T. One. Fisker, meanwhile, which will debut the Ocean SUV in 2022, is teasing a pickup that it calls the Alaska. Lucid Motors has also said it’s eyeing the prospects for a pickup, and three other established brands could follow, as well: Volkswagen, Toyota, and Nissan. In turn, Tesla, which is based in California, is getting ready to debut a pickup — its Cybertruck looks like it rolled out of a “Mad Max” movie. Tesla claims to have lined up several thousand advance orders for the truck, which, it promises, will deliver up to 500 miles of range and power. In all, we could see as many as 13 different players in the electric pickup market by mid-decade, though few industry analysts expect all these projects to come to fruition. — Paul Eisenstein

Electric Vehicles || Perspectives

: COURTESY OF RIVIAN

LEAN GREEN MACHINE The 2021 Rivian R1S has a starting price of around $70,000 and offers a range of more than 300 miles.

launched a small fleet of prototypes at the ports in Long Beach and Los Angeles. “This isn’t just a science experiment,” says Bob Carter, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America. “The goal is to make a difference in society, to remove pollution, and to improve the air quality in and around the Port of Los Angeles.” As little as two or three years ago, this all might have seemed unlikely. Companies tinkering with electric trucks were largely doing so for public relations purposes. But, in the process, they began to discover there was a serious business case to be made. Despite the higher initial investment costs, battery-powered trucks “just make sense because there’s almost an immediate return on investment.” What matters most to fleet operators is a vehicle’s day-to-day operating costs, Carter stresses, and fleet managers have discovered that, on a permile basis, EVs have a significant advantage, especially as the cost of batteries keeps coming down. Reducing energy costs offers a significant advantage, especially for fleets operating depots where they can charge up at off-peak hours and negotiate lower rates with local utilities, adds Electrify America’s Moses. Battery drive systems also are proving to be far more reliable than internal combustion powertrains. An EV propulsion system has 10 percent of the parts of conventional

gasoline powertrains, which means less downtime for maintenance — there’s no need for oil and filter changes, for example. A recent study released by Consumer Reports indicated that all-electric passenger vehicles cost barely half as much to operate annually. It’s still too early to get clear numbers from the commercial sector, but researchers at Consumer Reports say they expect similar savings on commercial trucks. And that’s before the tax breaks and other subsidies that truck manufacturers and fleet operators may qualify for. The federal government has already signaled its interest in incentivizing the switch to zero-emissions transportation. There are other reasons why truck manufacturers and their customers see an electrified future — notably the prospect of tough new fuel economy and emissions standards. Last June, California announced first-of-its-kind guidelines covering a broad range of truck segments, from medium-duty models up to the Class-8 semis that move vast amounts of goods throughout the state and across the country. The rules begin to phase in by 2024 and, by the middle of the following decade, fully 100 percent of government fleets and last-mile delivery trucks sold in the Golden State, along with 75 percent of other delivery trucks and vans, would have to use zero-emissions powertrain technology.

If the California market weren’t big enough to drive the industry, officials in 15 states, as well as the District of Columbia, have since agreed to adopt the California plan. “Now is the time to act,” says Ned Lamont, governor of Connecticut, one of the states signing on to the agreement. A group statement noted the trucking industry is reaching “an important transition point” as more and more clean alternatives come to market. Until recently, such efforts received significant pushback from the business community. But while Glen Kedzie, environmental affairs counsel for American Trucking Associations, raised concerns about the pace the California mandate is setting, he said the industry does, on the whole, support the effort to “decarbonize freight transportation” during a recent hearing. One way or another, “Fleet operators see the writing on the wall,” and know they’re going to need to switch to battery and hydrogen alternatives, Moses says. The regulatory environment will be the stick, she and other experts believe, but plunging operating costs will be the carrot that will encourage the trucking industry to embrace the switch. As for consumers, the mass market appeal of EVs awaits a robust national network of charging stations and “fill ups” comparable in speed to filling a gas tank. JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 33

Feature || Newspapers

From tearsheets to broadsheets to tabloids, Detroit’s early newspapers covered daily life, business, politics, sports, and, over time, national and global news. But now, as print gives way to digital, how will the papers thrive?

FOLIO HOUSE The workshop of Detroit Photo Engraving Co., which included a band saw (left), along with drills, engravers, and etchers, pressed sheets of copper or brass to create printing plates.

he Detroit Times, the Motor City’s second afternoon daily, lost money hand over fist after a printer’s strike in 1955, to the tune of $2 million a year. When the losses could no longer be sustained, the white flag was raised. In the wee hours of Monday morning, Nov. 7, 1960, general manager William Mills walked into the newsroom on the sixth floor of the Times’ building at 1370 Cass Ave. (now the Times Square stop on the People Mover line). A skeleton crew was working on the first edition, but Mills told them to stop typing and go home. Meanwhile, the rest of the 1,500 employees received telegrams telling them not to come to work. The Hearst publishing organization had decided to sell the Times, which first came out in 1900. To end the rivalry among afternoon dailies, The Detroit News had made the acquisition and would incorporate elements of the Times into its own operation, along with expanding its subscription list. “Feasting on crimes and scandals, the Times’s yellow journalism and wild red headlines had boosted its circulation from 26,000 in 1921 — when Hearst had bought it — to 434,000 in 1951,” writes historian Robert Conot in “American Odyssey: A Unique History of America Told Through the Life of a Great City.” A great journalistic reputation failed to develop apace with the circulation. Conot surmised that “the violence and ‘entertainment’ featured in the paper were portrayed more graphically on television.” Suburbanites were ignoring the paper, and circulation fell to 380,000 as compared to 482,850 for the Detroit Free Press and 480,673 for the News. Those were the days when people moved into 34 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

a home and then subscribed to a newspaper. The choice itself was as indicative as that between Ford and Chevrolet. But the Times was like Studebaker, the era’s last independent automaker. The lurid fare of the Times aside, newspapers espoused truth and high ideals. The News won a Pulitzer Prize in 1982 for reporting on the U.S. Navy, and later added two more. The Free Press has racked up seven Pulitzers since 1945.

But a funny thing happened to daily newspapers. Just as they achieved technological brilliance in the mid-1990s — color pages everywhere, beautiful presentations of charts, graphs, and maps — readership started to dwindle. Thanks to the internet, the sudden decline of classifieds and display ads started a swoon, with staff cuts and trimmed editions. In 1998, in a bid to save costs, the Free Press moved three blocks along

COURTESY DETROIT PUBLIC LIBRARY

BY RONALD AHRENS

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Jeffery White Studio Inc., a commercial printer operating from the Marquette Building in downtown Detroit, circa 1911, produced posters for automakers, retailers, beer companies, and more. See sidebar on page 36.

W. Lafayette Boulevard into the News building. Both papers had separate entrances, but the arrangement didn’t last. In October 2014, the pair became cohabitants in the old Federal Reserve Building at 116 W. Fort St. — both papers sold their historic environs to Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Rocket Cos. in Detroit (formerly Quicken Loans Inc.). In today’s newsrooms, copy editors are few

and far between. News bureaus have been eliminated or shrunken. Once-important specialties like society news are gone. “I like (newspapers) a lot — everybody is working hard — but because of the drop in revenue, they can’t martial the staff,” says Tim Kiska, associate professor of communication at the University of Michigan–Dearborn. Kiska started with the Free Press as a copy boy in 1970 and still

keeps a hand in there, even helping with the paper’s coverage of the 2020 election. He remembers the formerly comprehensive staffing, when he was one of three television writers. But no longer can the Free Press and News spend lavishly on sports coverage or on investigating political corruption, nor can they spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for legal support when the target of that investigation is, say, a mayor. “The papers were in a financial position to do things nobody else was able to do,” Kiska says. (The Free Press did recently file suit against the city for access to records on the municipality’s internal investigation into the possibility of a local charity’s preferential treatment by Mayor Mike Duggan.) Leaders of today’s newsrooms nevertheless say their fundamental role is unchanged, and the year 2020 — with huge stories such as COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter protests, and the election — proved the point by intensifying the reach of their websites. “Traffic was running around 3.5 million visitors per month (with) unique I.P. addresses until March,” says Gary Miles, editor and publisher of the News. “When the pandemic kicked in, those numbers jumped to 6 million and as high as 8 million.” Miles puts the News’ daily circulation at 37,333 and website traffic at just short of 6 million monthly between May and October of 2020. It’s a reassuring response for Miles and others in the industry. “When big news happens, people return to the brands they know and trust, and it’s our job to protect those brands,” he says. The history of newspaper publishing in Michigan goes back to 1808 when Father Gabriel Richard, pastor of Ste. Anne’s Church (now the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit), acquired a printing press and type. Soon afterward, the first and perhaps only issue of The Michigan Essay, or Impartial Observer, appeared. The articles — 90 percent in English, 10 percent in French — aggregated items from other papers, but the columns also carried three poems and miscellaneous exhortations on early rising and politeness. The asking price for this fare: $5 per year. The Detroit Gazette followed in 1817. The quality of the type was poor, and collecting the subscriptions was a challenge. An 1820 editorial complained, “Sometimes we get a pig or a load of pumpkins from (the subscriber), and once in a JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 35

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great while there is a man of mettle who pays cash for his paper.” Even worse, as seen in Clarence Burton’s “The City of Detroit, 1701-1922,” the concept of the First Amendment, adopted in 1791, hadn’t rooted too deeply in Detroit’s glacial clay. After criticizing the territorial court over a larceny case, the

bout a decade ago, Rod Alberts got a call regarding an archive of newspapers. A man from Pontiac said his family had saved every copy of the Detroit Free Press since the 1890s. “Why don’t you come by?” offered Alberts, executive director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association in Troy, the official host of the North American International Auto Show. Before long, the two men had spread well-preserved pages over a boardroom table, and Alberts perused automotive advertising from 110 years earlier. “You don’t realize how different 36 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Gazette’s founding editor, John Sheldon, was arrested, fined $100, and then jailed for refusing to pay. The public turned out to protest, but to no avail. From confinement, Sheldon kept writing. In testament to his heroism, Burton recounts, “nearly 300 persons filled the jail and the banquet was attended by speeches, songs, and

the writing was back then, the use of the English language, the properness, and the whole bit,” Alberts reflects. A randomly chosen example, the copy from a 1935 Buick ad, serves to demonstrate his point. It reads: “Buick’s performance is much more than pick-up of 10 to 60 miles an hour in 21 seconds, and 85-mile top speed.” The list of performance claims and features that follows — fuel economy of 15 to 18 miles per gallon, “Knee-Action” gliding ride, synchronized manual transmission — would surely convince anyone. “Buick doubles and trebles the delight of driving,” the copy concludes.

cheers.” Sheldon got out after nine days but resigned his editorship within weeks, and the Gazette failed after another year. CITY CORRESPONDENTS The Detroit Free Press editorial team, from 1893, covered a global recession and the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The team included society editor Jennie O. Starkey.

“The artwork is the other part,” Alberts says. “Everything was hand-drawn.” Of course, as the average transaction cost of a new vehicle today exceeds $37,000, the advertised prices from the auto industry’s early days will also shock. The 1935 Buick Series 40 started at $795, while the top-of-the-line Series 90 reached $2,175. Another eye-opener was the number of different companies displaying products at the auto shows. “All the booths were 10 by 10 or 10 by 15 (feet),” Alberts says. “Ford Motor Co. had just one booth out of 150 companies, just one small booth. It was a battle of automakers

trying to survive — like they have in China now.” Alberts keeps the selected pages in a large black binder, which he likes to show visitors. “We need the stimulation from the fantasy — especially with a car,” he says. He thinks of an illustration showing the stars, the moon, and a Buick traveling through the sky. “It captures your imagination, what it’s like to be in that car. There are things that evolve and change, technology-wise, and choices people have in the way they receive information. But in the end, you still have to find a way to capture the imagination of the buyer.” — Ronald Ahrens

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The voice of the Detroit Free Press awoke and warbled over four pages in 1831 with The Democratic Free Press and Michigan Intelligencer. Publisher and editor Sheldon McKnight rehashed foreign reports and items from Washington, D.C. A first-year output of 38,000 copies looked promising considering the expensive cotton-rag newsprint. The paper was published weekly, then semiweekly. The Daily Free Press appeared in 1835 for $8 yearly. Alas, on Jan. 4, 1837, three weeks and two days before Michigan’s statehood, a fire destroyed the printing plant. A few months passed before the relaunch of the Free Press in daily publication. As the Civil War began, Wilbur Storey, the paper’s bellicose editor, steered it along the lines of the Copperhead resistance to the Union’s efforts. Relief arrived in 1861 after Storey’s departure for Chicago. William Quinby moved up to editor. The 19th century writer Silas Farmer describes Quinby as “a warm friend, an agreeable companion, a graceful writer, and reliable in judgment.” He hired the first local reporters in the city and established a London edition that provided a couple of columns for English news. From the early days of his leadership, there was a spirit of innovation, and it led to the creation of the Western Associated Press, forerunner of today’s AP. Meanwhile, technological progress reshaped everything. High-speed typesetting and printing, along with cheap newsprint made from wood pulp, facilitated mass circulation. Trained as a reporter, James Scripps abandoned his interest in the Advertiser and Tribune to lead The Evening News in 1873, believing, as Farmer explains, “that

he saw a favorable opening for a cheap evening paper.” The price was two cents. Scripps, and the world, benefited from the plethora of feature material written by his sister, Ellen Browning Scripps. The siblings set a template for expansion to other cities, at first in Cleveland, thereby inventing the chain daily. Their inexpensive tabloids spoke with a populist voice and were read by newly literate members of the working class, and soon were available throughout the Midwest and then up and down the West Coast. The Scripps soon joined the ranks of America’s greatest philanthropists. The 20th century found the Detroit papers imprinting their identities upon the city. George and Anne Stark, along with Malcolm Bingay, dominated the early decades. George Stark was a News reporter, drama critic, editor, and columnist. His special touch showed in a tribute to actor Richard Berry Harrison, who got his start at the Detroit Training School of Dramatic Art and late in life starred in the Broadway sensation, “The Green Pastures.” The play, which had an allBlack cast, won the 1930 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. After 18 months on Broadway, it went on the road. “Mr. Harrison played in ‘The Green Pastures’ in the Cass Theater, Detroit, in the very town where he had once been a lowly bell-hop and a cash boy,” Stark wrote. “In Ann Arbor, he walked bareheaded in the rain to go to Ferry Field and see the University of Michigan football team at practice.” The verses of Anne Campbell Stark first appeared in the News in 1922, and as the paper’s official poet, she supplied new lines every day.

Among other things, she also wrote lyrics to Song of Detroit. The Starks were famed for their original Christmas cards, as well. In 1947, the Detroit Federation of Women’s Clubs feted Anne with a banquet at the Masonic Temple in honor of her silver anniversary with the News. Bingay, who like George Stark was born in 1884, started early at the News and became managing editor before going to England in 1925 to run the London bureau. Something went wrong, and he was fired, but in 1930 the Free Press took him on as editorial director. He was already writing a daily column there, “Good Morning,” when he found himself confronted with what he called a “situation” in the sports department. The News’ brilliant H.G. Salsinger was pounding all challengers to crumbs with his incisive reports, and when Bingay failed in the attempt to hire an accomplished columnist to compete, he decided to write the piece himself — with the allowance of much stylistic freedom. He slugged it “Iffy the Dopester,” coining two words. Readers, he recalled, “yowled for more.” Art department chief Floyd Nixon imagined Iffy’s likeness and drew a wizened figure who wore baseball cufflinks. The image went on 500,000 buttons, which Tigers’ fans considered mandatory ballpark attire. Florists created tributes to Iffy, and quilters made Iffy quilts. “The Iffy cocktail became the most popular drink at the Book-Cadillac Hotel bar,” Bingay reports in his 1946 book “Detroit Is My Own Home Town.” Iffy had a long run in the Free Press, but the shtick grew old. Perry Farrell, the Free Press veteran who’s now internship coordinator at Wayne

HIGHER POWER Father Gabriel Richard, pastor of Ste. Anne’s Church, in 1808 brought the first printing press to Detroit. He played a role in producing The Michigan Essay, which published a series of essays that espoused a simple life, sobriety, humbleness, and charity. As the industry grew, it attracted commercial operations like Jeffery White Studio Inc. in downtown Detroit.

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State University’s Department of Communication, observes, “A lot of people enjoyed it. That’s part of being a newspaper, is doing stuff that people enjoy, right? If I remember Iffy the Dopester, though, he looked like somebody in need of a shower and some clothes.” What latitude a Detroit newspaper had in those days. And there were other experiments. In 1920 the News launched a radio station, to become known as WWJ, which broadcast from its building at 615 W. Lafayette. About two years later, the Free Press owned WCX, which became WJR; this station broadcasted from the Free Press Building before moving to the Book-Cadillac and then the Fisher Building. A flamboyant episode in 1931 found the News purchasing a Pitcairn PCA-2 autogyro, an airplane with an enormous free-spinning rotor over the fuselage to provide extra lift and a semi-hovering function said to be useful in aerial photography. People walking on Detroit’s streets probably looked up, read the paper’s name on the fuselage, and muttered about the crazy Scripps family. Luckily, no reporter or photographer lost his life; the plane was retired after two years and donated to The Henry Ford in Dearborn. Newspapers galloped into the late 20th century with plenty of advertising support and tremendous concentrations of newsroom expertise. Kiska recalls: “When I was in the City-County Bureau for the Free Press, one of the city-county editors drilled into us, to me, ‘OK, there are 27 members of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners. You should have home numbers of all 27, of every judge, (and) all nine members of the city council.’ There was an expertise that was demanded. Since the Free Press and the News had some resources, they could afford to just let somebody loose on a beat to get good at it. It’s harder to do these days because everybody’s pedaling so fast.” As great as things looked, and for all the excellence of the journalism, the papers lost tens of millions of dollars in the 1980s. The News was now owned by Gannett Co. Inc., the Free Press by Knight-Ridder Inc. Progress continued anyway. New technological tools let designers work with computers to lay out pages. The Free Press became an early adopter of environmentally friendly soy ink, and color graced more section fronts. Somehow, though, it was too little. By 2000, newspapers’ national advertising revenue peaked at $60 billion, and a steep decline occurred through the next decade. Craigslist took away the classifieds, the source of up to 70 percent of ad revenue for some papers. Meanwhile, display ads for department stores grew scarcer as retailers dealt with their own problems. Circulation plunged, cuts were made, and publishers tried to figure out how to monetize 38 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

the websites. The latter quest continues, with web ads amounting to a small pittance — said to be 10 percent to 15 percent of revenue — across the industry. (In August 2020, the Free Press and the News put curated content behind a paywall and sought subscriptions at the introductory rate of $3 for three months.) “As a whole, newsrooms around the country have been too slow to adapt to the change in technology,” says Hiram Jackson, chief executive of Real Times Media, the Detroit company that publishes the weekly Michigan Chronicle, which has served the Black community since 1936. “I do think most newsrooms get it now,” Jackson continues, “but you’ve got to understand, these big news companies have a lot of infrastructure around distribution, circulation. For years they had brick-and-mortar, and trucks, and unions. So they haven’t been as nimble.” Nimbleness was supposed to be one of the points of the JOA, or joint operating agreement, of 1986. Drafted after Gannett’s $717-million purchase of the News in the previous year, the proposed JOA sought antitrust exemptions in order to combine the business operations of the Free Press and News — then the nation’s ninthand tenth-largest newspapers, respectively — for 100 years to come. The new Detroit Newspapers agency would meld together their production, advertising, circulation, and promotions, and the papers could get back to making money. After three and a half years and a 4-4 decision by the United States Supreme Court, the JOA went forward. But all was not well. The Detroit newspaper strike of 1995 found six unions going out for 19 months. The papers were printed in Toledo during this bitter struggle. Ultimately, the courts took management’s side in the dispute. Meanwhile, a major shift was occurring, leading to today’s gridlock. “I think the decline in physical print circulation is a function of consumer habits,” Jackson muses. “The way people consume their news is different. In this digital age, people want to receive the content 24 hours a day. They want the info spontaneously, as events are unfolding. They want to share the content. They want to comment on the content. That demand is really driving the desire to have the content delivered to them digitally.” The Free Press now is owned by Gannett, which was acquired in 2019 by GateHouse Media. MNG Enterprises and MediaNews Group owns the News. The papers are offered for home delivery three days per week — some 80,000 subscribers for the Free Press (37,333 for the News). A mongrelized joint Sunday edition of about 200,000 is printed under the Free Press’ banner, yet carries the News’ opinion pages. Indeed, digital delivery of the content is the No. 1 priority of both newsrooms, according to

DATELINE DETROIT Throughout the city in 1915, newspapers operated bureaus in shared offices to save money and resources, such as this location along Woodward Avenue for The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, and Detroit Tribune.

the respective publishers. And providing it overtaxes the staffs. Peter Bhatia, the amicable editor and vice president of the Free Press since 2017, thinks back to March 10, the day Michigan’s first COVID-19 cases were confirmed. It was also the presidential primary day. “It just kept rolling,” Bhatia says, noting that everybody has been working remotely. “The last nine months have been the most incredible of my career.” With a newsroom of “slightly under 100

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people,” he says, the trick is deciding what breaking stories to cover while also emphasizing investigative pursuits. It may mean skipping a city council meeting or a visit to the police station. “We’re going to focus on doing journalism that makes a difference,” he says. “There’s a lot of heat — and not all of it misplaced, certainly — around the digital world. But we’re proving every day that good content drives digital audiences, and that’s really reaffirming

and good to see. It helps to be in Detroit, of course, which is a news town … it’s always (a case of ) drinking from a firehose here.” Much the same tale emerges during a chat with Miles, the soft-spoken Royal Oak native who started with the News 20 years ago and moved up from managing editor in 2019. It starts with the breadth of news that must be covered. “It’s that kind of pace that the staff is, I hate to say used to, but certainly well acquainted

with,” Miles says. With a newsroom about the same size as that of the Free Press, the emphasis is on feeding the 25-year-old website. “Digitally, the highest-interest topics are anything related to the pandemic and to politics and the election, which isn’t necessarily a big surprise to anyone.” To distinguish the News’ coverage from blogs and other digital sources, great emphasis is placed on verification, with much reliance upon reporters’ connections. Bloggers may break stories, but the idea is that an authority like sportswriter Angelique S. Chengelis provides real certification. “That’s the role we want to play in the community,” Miles says. “When you read it in the News, you can take it to the bank.” The current shapes of the Free Press and News seem likely to change little in the near future. Bhatia foresees printed editions lasting “as long as baby boomers.” Ancillary undertakings — the Detroit Free Press Marathon, website features like podcasts and videos, even the Free Press’ film festival — will likely continue to grow. But besides financial pressures, newspapers face the cultural breakdown that’s in play throughout society. For example, Iffy the Dopester’s streetwise, vernacular, secondhand commentaries would never fly today. Beyond changing lifestyles, a news year like 2020 may attract readers, but will they pay for subscriptions? Will advertisers return? “I’d be worried about aging out,” says Jeffrey Stoltman, director of entrepreneurship and innovation programs in the Mike Ilitch School of Business at Wayne State University in Detroit. Drawing a comparison between newspapers and 78-rpm records, Stoltman cites three unavoidable factors — namely, shorter and shorter attention spans, the emergence and continuous availability of the digital space, and what he calls the “contagion effect — it’s more popular to do the new thing than the old thing.” Stoltman suggests two avenues as the best hopes for newspapers to weather these lean times and rebound. One is by becoming “the safe place for advertisers to go.” The second avenue could be integration with other services. “Jeff Bezos may do this with The Washington Post,” he says. “You bundle things.” Presently, the Free Press and News boast 332 combined years of publication. Besides formidable traditions, they have a lot of brand equity. The News will observe its sesquicentennial in 2023. Short of a stunt like Miles, who’s an experienced pilot, taking the Pitcairn autogyro out of mothballs and flying a photographer around the city, how will the 150th birthday be celebrated? Stoltman suggests a series of commemorative reprints with current local content around those antique storylines. “Serialization works,” he says. JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 39

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Venture capital REPORT HOW MICHIGANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INVESTMENT COMMUNITY TAPS ITS ENTREPRENEURIAL MOJO TO DRIVE GROWTH AMONG ITS PORTFOLIO COMPANIES. BY TIM KEENAN | ILLUSTRATIONS BY MATTHEW MURPHY

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When COVID-19 hit Michigan in March, many companies, including those involved in venture capitalism, feared the worst — that 2020 would be a really bad year. Fortunately, most businesses, including venture capital firms, have been steadily rebounding ever since they were allowed to operate. At the start of 2020, hopes were high for venture capital activity, especially coming off a record year of investment. Last year, nearly $2.1 billion was pumped into state businesses across 71 deals, highlighted by the $1.6 billion investment in Plymouth Township-based electric truck company Rivian, according to the Michigan Venture Capital Association (MVCA) in Novi. Beyond the Rivian deal, which involved investors from outside the Great Lakes State, venture capital investments statewide totaled $514 million through 70 deals, which still was a record amount and more than 1.5 times higher than five years earlier. “I might have had a different response a month into COVID19, but now my hope is that COVID-19 hasn’t put a major damper on the amount of investment that’s been going on,” says Ara Topouzian, executive director of the MVCA. “We were on track to have as good a year this year as we had last year. COVID19 caused a short downturn.” Brian Demkowicz, managing partner of Huron Capital in Detroit, expects 2020 to be down a tick from 2019. “It’s probably going to mimic what we’re seeing nationally, which is a significant slowdown in the second quarter and a little bit of a bounce-back in the third quarter once (businesses) got their legs back under them — and then a bigger bounce-back in the fourth quarter,” Demkowicz says. “We’ve seen the financing markets in Michigan bounce back. We’re seeing deal flow pick up. My guess is that when the final chapter is written, the fourth quarter will see a bit of a rebound. But as a year, it’ll likely be below (2019).” Once COVID-19 hit, Topouzian says the VC community jumped into action, helping its portfolio companies prepare to withstand the pandemic. Once that was accomplished, it started doing deals again — just not as many. “I think that deals are getting done, albeit not as many rounds. My understanding is some folks are writing bigger checks, but not as many checks,” he says. He points to the early November acquisition of Ann Arbor supply chain design and planning firm LLamasoft by California’s Coupa Software for $1.5 billion. “That’s a big deal,” Topouzian says. “That’s a unicorn. That’s nice stuff, and during a pandemic.” The LLamasoft deal is one indication of the Michigan venture capital ecosystem’s maturity.

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“Over the past 10 years or so, the Michigan venture capital market has blossomed to become a legitimate market,” says Charles Rothstein, founder and senior managing director of Beringea in Farmington Hills, which specializes in providing later-stage venture capital and operational expertise. “Ten or 12 years ago there were just a couple of institutional-sized venture capital firms (in the state),” he says. Rothstein says the Venture Michigan Fund 1 and 2, along with the 21st Century Investment Fund, helped to grow Michigan-based and Michigan-focused investors. “Our state has benefited from that,” Rothstein says. “Those programs have (since) lapsed and now there’s talk of perhaps resurrecting either of those fund-to-fund programs, which have helped to grow community venture funds.” Dr. Tom Shehab, managing partner of Arboretum Ventures in Ann Arbor and a former chairman of the MVCA, points to the geographic expansion of the Michigan VC community as a welcome sign of more growth to come. “There’s been a lot of progress made over the last 15 years,” Shehab says. “We have more venture capitalists than we’ve had previously. We have more assets under management than we had previously. And while much of the venture capital community is focused in Ann Arbor and Detroit, we now have growth of the ecosystem out into other places like Grand Rapids, Flint, and other areas.” Topouzian says that although much progress has been made in Michigan’s VC community, it’s still not as large as those on the East and West coasts. Any assistance the state government can provide to help it overcome that handicap would be worthwhile, he adds. “We’re growing, but some of the same issues that existed in the last few years still exist, which means we still need an influx of funding in the state for venture capitalists to invest,” Topouzian says. “We also need more interest from out of state to look at the wealth of what we’ve got here in Michigan. If there are other things Lansing can do to create more capital in the state, we’re open to whatever that is.” Once word gets out about the benefits of investing in Michigan, Rothstein says, “There are many reasons why building a business in the state is very compelling. The amount of R&D that takes place in the state, the engineering talent, the cost of doing business, the cost of living, the quality of life. “And if it’s cheaper to run a business, it also should provide better returns, theoretically, for the venture investors who put money into those businesses.”

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BRIAN DEMKOWICZ HURON CAPITAL • DETROIT FOCUS: LOW END OF VC MARKET ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: NA uron Capital in Detroit is among Michigan’s busiest investors, having completed more than 200 acquisitions since its inception in 1999. The milestone 200th acquisition came last August, when its High Street Insurance Partners in Traverse City acquired Capital Insurance Group in Bloomfield Township. Since then, High Street has added insurance companies in New York and Connecticut. “In every case, we’re partnering with the entrepreneur — the owner that built the business,” says Brian Demkowicz, managing partner of Huron Capital. “They typically get it to a point where they need additional resources beyond capital, so we have an entire strategy and operations group that

“They, in turn, bought another 30 or 40 companies over time,” Demkowicz adds. “We’re looking to dramatically grow the companies we invest in, so we build a plan to build value.” According to Demkowicz, Huron Capital focuses on making flexible and customized control and noncontrol equity investments in companies with revenue between $20 million and $200 million. Its platform is comprised of two complementary strategies: flagship equity (majority private equity transactions) and flex equity (minority transactions). “We have a focus on three industries: business services, consumer, and specialty industrial, and we go deeper into a couple of sectors like facility services,” Demkowicz explains. “We have a fair number of companies operating in that space. It could be energy-efficiency, fire and safety, mechanical services, or airflow quality.” Huron Capital typically holds on to a company for five to seven years. On average, the portfolio companies double or triple in size before being sold to what Demkowicz calls “a strategic acquirer, someone larger in the industry that would find strategic value in what we’re building.”

GM VENTURES • DETROIT FOCUS: AUTOMOTIVE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: NA t’s a good bet that if General Motors Co. in Detroit is successful in achieving its future goal of zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion, the technology will come from GM Ventures. A decade ago, the automaker formed GM Ventures to invest in automotive-related startups that are developing advanced technology for eventual application in the automaker’s vehicles, manufacturing facilities, and operating businesses. It focuses on six areas of technology that support GM’s mission to drive innovation and impact the future of mobility, including advanced propulsion; connected vehicle; advanced materials; sensors, processors, and memory; advanced manufacturing technology; and value chain and business model. “We derive innovation from inside the company, GM Research, and suppliers bring innovation to us,” says Matt Tsien, president of GM Ventures and an executive vice president and chief technology officer at GM. “A third source of

“We’re looking to dramatically grow the companies we invest in, so we build a plan to build value.” — BRIAN DEMKOWICZ

we like to think of as a CEO toolkit. We bring a lot of resources that business owners may not have access to on their own.” Huron Capital, which has raised and invested approximately $2 billion since 1999, focuses on growing lower middle-market companies through what it refers to as its high-impact and differentiated buy-and-build investment model. Acquisitions tend to be between $50 million and $75 million. There are more than 20 companies currently in the Huron Capital portfolio. Each, like High Street, is hyper-focused on growth and expansion.

In a standard year, Huron Capital closes between 20 to 25 transactions. So far in 2020, far from a standard year, the firm has closed 14, with another six or seven in the hopper. “We’ll end up having a fine year,” Demkowicz says. “Our engine for deal flow has been strong. There was enough in the pipeline that sustained us through that whole (pandemic slowdown).”

MATT TSIEN

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Cover Story || Venture Capital

innovation is from the entrepreneurial community. That’s one of our primary motivations to be involved in corporate venturing — to look for great ideas that can enhance our products and support our bottom line.” To date, GM Ventures has invested in a total of 26 companies. One of the most recent (October 2020) is U.K.-based Envisics, which developed holographic augmented reality that GM intends to use in head-up displays. “This augmented reality takes head-up display to the next level,” Tsien says. “It creates another plane display out beyond the vehicle, where it can show navigation or highlight a pedestrian. It will be on one of our upcoming products very soon.” Another GM Ventures highlight is Tula Technologies, headquartered in Silicon Valley. It also has a local office in Plymouth Township, in which GM invested several years ago. Tula has devised a cylinder deactivation strategy that dynamically fires the optimal number of engine cylinders to maximize fuel economy while maintaining a smooth ride and enhancing passenger comfort. “It takes electronic vehicle control philosophy to the next level,” Tsien says. “We have literally hundreds of thousands of trucks on the road using this technology.”

BERINGEA • FARMINGTON HILLS FOCUS: LATER STAGE VC ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: NA eringea’s metro Detroit office, set in a restored Victorian manor along 12 Mile Road in Farmington Hills, is a symbol of the care it takes to last through the ages. To establish and build from a solid foundation, Beringea centers its investments on later-stage companies, from Cleveland-based Complion, a supplier of electronic regulatory solutions for clinical researchers to Atlas Space Operations in Traverse City, which is working to change satellite-based communications by providing a new approach for sharing data. Another Beringea company is Floyd, a Detroit-based furniture manufacturer that sells its wares online. “It’s a business that’s growing rapidly,” says Charles Rothstein, founder and senior managing director of Beringea. “It hits all of the high points of a business we think we can help, and (we can) benefit from their success — really stylish furniture, thoughtful, sustainable, and very easy to put together and take apart.” Beringea, which also operates an office in London, has invested in more than 60 companies with investments between $3 million and $12 million, according to Rothstein. The firm specializes in later-stage venture capital, commonly called growth capital, meaning Series B or Series C funding. The businesses already have proven their product or their service has an established market. “They’ve already cracked a little bit of the code of success,” Rothstein says. “They need more capital to really take

pharmaceuticals. “Those are less capital-efficient businesses that take a lot of capital to get somewhere,” he says. According to Rothstein, Beringea’s international footprint, portfolio of technology companies, and focus on later-stage investing helped its portfolio companies survive and grow through the pandemic. “As an international business, we got the sense early that this was going to be a crisis that would get to the U. S. and (is) unlike any other year that we’ve dealt with,” he says. Early in 2020, Beringea advised its portfolio companies to prepare for a very tough year and to rationalize all expenses being made. “There were other companies in our portfolio that were well-positioned for the economic landscape that we faced,” Rothstein says. “That would include e-commerce businesses like Floyd and companies

“As an international business, we got the sense early that this was going to be a crisis that would get to the United States and (is) unlike any other year that we’ve dealt with.” — CHARLES ROTHSTEIN

CHARLES ROTHSTEIN

44 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

advantage of that particular opportunity.” Rothstein says Beringea has a specific set of criteria it looks for in investment opportunities. “The types of businesses we’re looking for have strong year-to-year growth, are selling into a large addressable market, are positioned for the future, are capital-efficient, and have to be led by a strong and inspiring management team,” he explains. “These are people we (believe) have proven leadership capabilities, and it usually isn’t a one-person show.” He says Beringea shies away from businesses involved in, say, heavy manufacturing or

involved in telemedicine, which grew significantly. “By investing in later-stage businesses, (we know) they’ve had to deal with issues to get to that stage, so they’ve had some experience with adversity. Our businesses (are) a bit more seasoned, (rather than) a newer company that hasn’t had to endure major challenges.”

Venture Capital || Cover Story

high-growth ventures and strengthened by the diverse experiences of its members — who are, themselves, entrepreneurs, business leaders, experienced angels, and new investors. “There’s a huge opportunity to increase diversity around organ Stanley recently greater participation in angel reported that the venture investing to generate generacapital community is tional wealth, but also to help missing the boat — a angels make better decisions,” boat worth about $1 trillion — says Reeves, a high school dropby not investing in companies out who eventually graduated owned by women and multi- from Eastern Michigan Univercultural founders. Detroit- sity and Wayne State University based Commune Angels is Law School, and earned an trying to get more investors to MBA from the University of Notre Dame. “When people the loading dock. A new player on the angel hear diversity in an angel group, investing scene, Commune was they assume it’s only for minoristarted in August 2020 by Ter- ties and women. That’s not our rence J.L. Reeves, an invest- goal. Our goal is to create a ment attorney, and four others unique platform that’s inclusive who all work as volunteers. As of all people. “Angel investing is a place of this writing it has yet to make an investment, but it has con- where pooling capital is importducted two pitch meetings with ant,” he continues. “The way you its 20 member investors and is get into the best deals is to write in the process of doing due dili- larger checks. The more people you can bring together, whether gence on a pair of startups. Commune Angels is a com- they’ve previously invested in munity of investors united by real estate or the stock market, is their common interest in really important. “The VC community is premised on TERRENCE J.L. REEVES what we call the warm intro, which assumes that you have a network that overlaps with the VC,” Reeves explains. “Folks in minority communities might not have a relationship with a venture capitalist or an angel investor. The warm intro doesn’t really lend itself to finding diverse startups.” Even if an angel group or VC finds a minority-owned firm, “the investors in that room might not understand it (like we do) because it’s not part of their perspective.”

COMMUNE ANGELS DETROIT FOCUS: CONSUMER PRODUCTS, TECHNOLOGY, LIFE SCIENCES INVESTMENTS MADE: NA

JAN GARFINKLE ARBORETUM VENTURES • ANN ARBOR FOCUS: HEALTH CARE ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT: $700M hen Jan Garfinkle founded Arboretum Ventures in Ann Arbor 18 years ago, health care costs were 12 percent of GDP. The goal was to invest in companies that could drive the cost out of health care. Now, with health care costs at 18 percent of GDP and climbing, Garfinkle is one of the nation’s leading female venture capitalists in the wellness sector. “(Arboretum Ventures) was based on the premise that the cost of health care was climbing too quickly at that point, but I had a fundamental belief that we should be able to find companies that could drive costs out of the health care system and still provide great clinical care,” Garfinkle says. “We invest in everything in health care; roughly half of what we invest in are medical devices and diagnostics that require FDA approval. The other half is in the unregulated area, meaning it doesn’t require FDA approval. That’s health care IT, life science tools, health care service companies, and pharma adjacencies.” Arboretum currently has $700 million under management and is on its fifth venture fund, which is at $250 million. Garfinkle says the firm has had “at least a dozen very large exits.” The most recent completed deal was an Ann Arbor infectious disease testing equipment company called NeuMoDx Molecular Inc., which sold in October 2019 for $248 million in cash to Qiagen N.V. in The Netherlands. Qiagen had acquired a 19.9 percent stake in the company in 2018. All told, it was Arboretum’s largest ROI. Another big win for Arboretum was its $15 million investment in Envision, a West Coast-based firm that developed a diagnostic tool for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Envision was sold for $275 million. Inogen, a company that makes transportable portable oxygen concentrators for patients requiring 24/7 oxygen support, is yet another Arboretum success story. “They developed a 3-pound device that can be carried like a purse for a woman or as a backpack for a man,” Garfinkle says. “It really was a novel technology that provided a lot of freedom for these patients that they wouldn’t have otherwise had.” “We mentor the founders and the management team,” adds Dr. Tom Shehab, managing partner. “We bring a lot, not just money. We connect them with key strategic partners.”

Cover Story || Venture Capital MICHIGAN VENTURE CAPITAL FIRMS 42 NORTH PARTNERS

AUGMENT VENTURES

GRAND VENTURES

LUDLOW VENTURES

425 N. Main St.

38 W. Fulton St., Ste. 308

1555 Broadway

Ann Arbor 48104

Grand Rapids 49503

Detroit 48226

augmentventures.com

734-663-3213

616-326-1585

ludlowventures.com

edfvc.com

grandvcp.com

171 Monroe Ave. NW Grand Rapids 49503

EDF VENTURES

206 S. Fourth Ave.

MADDOG TECHNOLOGY

BAIRD CAPITAL EICONICA CAPITAL

HONOR EQUITY

233 Pierce St.

616-325-2100

2950 S. State St., Ste. 401

42np.com

Ann Arbor 48104

34300 Woodward Ave.,

63 Kercheval Ave., Ste. 111

Birmingham 48009

734-302-2900

Ste. 200

Grosse Pointe Farms 48236

248-686-0900

bairdcapital.com

Birmingham 48009

313-444-0093

maddogtechnology.com

248-981-6688

honorequity.com

ABUNDANT VENTURES 42690 Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills 48304

BERINGEA

248-481-3157

32330 W. 12 Mile Rd.

abundantventures.com

Farmington Hills 48334

AMHERST FUND

Bay City 48706 866-616-1463, ext. 4

beringea.com

Battle Creek 49016

Grand Rapids 49503

mckinleytechnology.com

269-961-2000

616-325-2110

1894capital.com

hopenls.com

BIOSTAR CAPITAL

amherstfund.com

Charlevoix 49720 biostar.capital

ANNOX CAPITAL BLUE VICTOR CAPITAL

Bloomfield Hills 48304

2103 Rochelle Park Dr.

248-712-1086

Rochester Hills 48309

annoxcapital.com

bluevictorcapital.com BOOMERANG CATAPULT

HURON RIVER VENTURES

505 E. Liberty, LL500

303 Detroit St., Ste. 100

Ann Arbor 48104

734-926-5221

huronrivervc.com INCWELL

ENVY CAPITAL

Ann Arbor 48104 mercuryfund.com MICHIGAN ACCELERATOR FUND 140 Monroe Center NW,

elabvc.com

Ste. 300

1000 S. Old Woodward Ave.,

Grand Rapids 49503

39665 Northwestern

Ste. 105

616-235-3567

Hwy., Ste. 200

Birmingham 48009

maf-1.com

236Â½ W. Front St.

Farmington Hills 48334

248-593-9355

Kalamazoo 49007

Traverse City 49686

248-522-7166

incwell.net

269-349-8999

231-631-1734

envycapital.com

apjohnventures.com

boomerangcatapult.com

MICHIGAN BIOMEDICAL VENTURE FUND

INVEST DETROIT EVERGREEN CAPITAL PARTNERS

COURTSIDEVC

MERCURY FUND 303 Detroit St., Ste. 100

ELAB VENTURES

350 E. Michigan Ave., Ste. 500

ARBOR PARTNERS

106 S. Walnut, Ste. 1

171 Monroe Ave. NW, Ste. 410

206 Bridge St.

APJOHN VENTURES

EIGHTEEN94 CAPITAL One Kellogg Square

734-662-2102

40701 Woodward Ave.

HOPEN LIFE SCIENCE VENTURES

248-489-9000 401 E. Stadium Blvd. Ann Arbor 48104

MCKINLEY TECHNOLOGY GROUP

eiconicacap.com

3350 Duderstadt

600 Renaissance Center,

Ann Arbor 48103

201 W. Big Beaver Rd.

Ste. 1710

cfe.umich.edu/mbdf

130 S. First St., Ste. 200

Detroit

Troy 48084

Detroit 48234

Ann Arbor 48104

courtsidevc.com

248-619-1864

313-259-6368

MICHIGAN CAPITAL NETWORK

evergreencappartners.com

investdetroit.vc

40 Pearl St. NW, Ste. 336

734-668-9000 arborpartners.com

DETROIT VENTURE PARTNERS 1555 Broadway, 3rd Floor

ARBORETUM VENTURES 303 Detroit St., Ste. 301

arboretumvc.com ARIA VENTURES 380 N. Old Woodward Ave.,

19 Clifford St.

detroit.vc

248-766-3040

Detroit 48226

firefoxventures.com

313-727-2500

1411 W. Long Lake Rd.,

419-345-7688

Ste. 100

investmichigan.org

Troy 48098

DOW VENTURE CAPITAL 2030 Dow Center

248-901-1650

One Woodward Ave.,

989-636-1000

Ste. 1600

dow.com/venture

Detroit 48226

6735 Telegraph Rd.

313-432-0321

Bloomfield Hills 48301

fontinalis.com

248-550-0838

2 Towne Square, Ste. 900

jxpcapital.com

Southfield 48076

DRAPER TRIANGLE VENTURES 303 Detroit St., Ste. 100

ariaventures.com

Ann Arbor 48104

JXP CAPITAL

GENERAL MOTORS VENTURES 300 Renaissance Center

drapertriangle.com

Detroit 48265

999 W. Big Beaver Rd.

gmventures.com

Troy 48084

DTE ENERGY VENTURES

kellyservicesinvestments.com GENESIS INNOVATION GROUP

MISSION THROTTLE

missionthrottle.com MK CAPITAL 353 W. William, Ste. 303 Ann Arbor 48103

734-436-1496

414 S. Main St., Ste. 600

arsenalgrowth.com

Ann Arbor 48104

13827 Port Sheldon St.

734-302-5309

Holland 49424

28555 Orchard Lake Rd.,

dteenergyventures.com

616-294-1026

Ste. 100

genesisinnovationgroup.com

Farmington Hills 48334

LIS VENTURES

lisventures.com

46 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

millercapital.com

248-415-1455 KELLY INNOVATION FUND

734-215-7577 303 Detroit St., Ste. 301 Ann Arbor 48104

FONTINALIS PARTNERS

MILLER CAPITAL PARTNERS

Midland 48674

248-766-2903

ARSENAL

michigancapitalnetwork.com

Bloomfield Hills

Ste. 290 Birmingham 48009

INVEST MICHIGAN

Detroit 48226

Ann Arbor 48104 734-998-3688

Grand Rapids 49503 FIREFOX VENTURES

734-663-6500 mkcapital.com

Venture Capital || Cover Story

MONROE-BROWN SEED FUND

RENAISSANCE VENTURE CAPITAL

VOYLET CAPITAL

THE ASCENT GROUP 28 W. Adams, Ste. 800

Detroit 48226

734-997-8661

Ste. 200

734-788-4199

313-908-0476

renvcg.com

Kalamazoo 49007

voyletcapital.com

ascentgroupmi.com

Ann Arbor 48103

Ann Arbor 48104

cfe.umich.edu/mb-seedfund NARROW GAUGE VENTURES

269-553-9588 RESONANT VENTURE PARTNERS

Ann Arbor 48104

425 N. Main St.

narrowgaugeventures.com

Ann Arbor 48104 resonantvc.com

NORTH COAST TECHNOLOGY INVESTORS

FIRST LIFE SCIENCE FUND 261 E. Kalamazoo Ave.,

201 S. Main St., 10th Floor

330 Detroit St., Ste. 200

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

719 Griswold, Ste. 820-101

2281 Bonisteel Ave.

southwestmichiganfirst.com SPECTRUM HEALTH VENTURES 221 N. Michigan St. NE,

WAKESTREAM VENTURES

146 Monroe St. NW

Grand Rapids 49503

wakestreamventures.com

616-980-9810

Ste. 501 RHV CAPITAL INVESTORS

Grand Rapids 49503

AUXO INVESTMENT PARTNERS

40 Pearl St. NW, Ste. 200

auxopartners.com WHITE PINES VENTURES AVENIR GROUP

206 S. Fifth Ave., Ste. 550

38710 Woodward Ave.

616-281-6720

2401 Plymouth Rd., Ste. B

Ann Arbor 48104

Bloomfield Hills 48304

spectrumhealth.org

Ann Arbor 48105

380 N. Old Woodward Ave.,

734-662-7667

248-561-5508

734-747-9401

Ste. 314

northcoastvc.com

rhvcapital.com

whitepines.com

Birmingham 48009

TAMARIND HILL 220 E. Huron St., Ste. 650

NORTHBROOK INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT

Ann Arbor 48104

WOLVERINE VENTURE FUND

260 E. Brown St., Ste. 2500

tamarind-hill.com

701 Tappan Ave., R3200

2149 Jolly Rd., Ste. 500

Birmingham 48009

Okemos 48864

248-594-4751

517-347-0347

rizvitraverse.com

425 N. Main St.

ROCK COS. 6400 Telegraph Rd.,

313-647-5340 Capital Association, DBusiness

Bloomfield Hills 48301

248-430-7712

7171 Stadium Dr.

248-633-8557

rockcompanies.com

Kalamazoo 49009

TGAP VENTURES

190 Monroe Ave. NW

MICHIGAN PRIVATE EQUITY FIRMS

269-217-1999

omergaaccelerator.com RPM VENTURES

tgapvcfunds.com

350 N. Main St., Ste. 400

555 Briarwood Circle,

Ann Arbor 48104

Ste. 210

734-332-1700

Ann Arbor 48108

rpmvc.com SECRET SAUCE CAPITAL

BLUE WATER EQUITY PARTNERS

Metamora 48455

251 E. Merrill St., Ste. 202

25909 Meadowbrook Rd.

248-812-2418

Birmingham 48009

Novi 48375

abundantventures.com

248-792-3644

thirdshoregroup.com

28 W. Adams Ave. Detroit 48226

616-233-3161 blackfordcapital.com

248-291-7758

734-747-9401

Grand Rapids 49503

ABUNDANT VENTURES 390 W. Dryden Rd.

THIRD SHORE GROUP

blackeaglepartners.com BLACKFORD CAPITAL

research

Bloomfield Hills 48301

QUANTUM MEDICAL CONCEPTS

Bloomfield Hills 48301

tappanhillventures.com

Ste. 2500

plymouthgp.com

6905 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 119

zli.umich.edu/programs-funds Sources: Michigan Venture

Ste. 100E

PLYMOUTH GROWTH PARTNERS

734-615-4419

734-355-7399

3707 W. Maple Rd.,

avenirgroupinc.com BLACKEAGLE PARTNERS

Ann Arbor 48109 TAPPAN HILL VENTURES Ann Arbor 48104

northbrookinvestment.com OMEGA ACCELERATOR

248-594-6350

RIZVI TRAVERSE MANAGEMENT

TKM VENTURES MANAGEMENT

bluewaterep.com ALIDADE CAPITAL 40900 Woodward Ave.,

BRIDGE STREET CAPITAL

Ste. 250

PARTNERS

120 W. Saginaw St.

313-818-3260

706 Dornoch Dr.

Bloomfield Hills 48304

171 Monroe Ave. NW, Ste. 410

East Lansing 48823

secretsaucecapital.com

Ann Arbor 48103

248-593-7878

Grand Rapids 49503

734-369-3456

alidadecapital.com

616-732-1051

quantummedicalconcepts.com SI CAPITAL

tkm-ag.com

bridgestreetcapital.com

QUANTUM VENTURES

38955 Hills Tech Dr.

OF MICHIGAN

Farmington Hills 48331

VENTURE INVESTORS

119 Church St., Ste. 236

sicapitalllc.com

HEALTH FUND

Romeo 48065

27725 Stansbury St., Ste. 175

201 S. Main St., Ste. 900

877-745-1976

Farmington Hills 48334

Ann Arbor 48301

amerivestllc.com

248-741-5100

1030 Doris Rd. Auburn Hills 48326 248-292-5680 qvmllc.com RED CEDAR VENTURES 325 E. Grand River Ave.,

SKYPOINT VENTURES 601 Saginaw St.

734-274-2904

Flint 48502

ventureinvestors.com

810-547-5591 skypointventures.com

Ste. 275 East Lansing 48823

AMERIVEST GROUP

SLOAN VENTURES

VINEYARD CAPITAL GROUP

camelotvg.com ANDERTON INDUSTRIES 3001 W. Big Beaver Rd.,

CHESTMORE CAPITAL

Ste. 310

MANAGEMENT

26111 W. 14 Mile Rd.

Troy 48084

43842 W. 12Â½ Mile Rd.,

Franklin 48205

248-430-6650

Ste. 150

andertonindustries.com

Novi 48377

517-256-4040

430 N. Old Woodward Ave.

248-415-8000

msufoundation.org/

Birmingham 48009

vineyardcap.com

redcedarventures

248-540-9660 sloanventures.com

CAMELOT VENTURE GROUP

248-231-0900 AR2

chestmoror.com

3600 Wabeek Dr. W Bloomfield Hills 48302 812-418-0639 ar2.global

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 47

Cover Story || Venture Capital CITG CAPITAL PARTNERS

EVANS INDUSTRIES

JACOB AND ROHN EQUITY

M3 CAPITAL PARTNERS

PENINSULA CAPITAL PARTNERS

354 Indusco Centre

200 Renaissance Center,

1345 Monroe Ave. NW,

5755 New King Dr., Ste. 210

500 Woodward Ave.,

Troy 48083

Ste. 3150

Ste. 410

Troy 48098

Ste. 2800

citgcapital.com

Detroit 48243

Grand Rapids 49505

248-247-3045

Detroit 48226

313-259-2266

616-710-1437

mcubedcp.com

313-237-5100

COLFAX CREEK CAPITAL

LAKE STREET CAPITAL

Birmingham 48009 248-631-4620 colfaxcreek.com

peninsulafunds.com

eiihq.com FRESH WATERS VENTURE FUND 7600 McCain Rd.

MICHIGAN CAPITAL ADVISORS RAINSTAR CAPITAL GROUP

Detroit

39520 Woodward Ave.,

lakestreetcapital.com

Ste. 205

P.O. Box 140991

Bloomfield Hills 48304

Grand Rapids 49504

Parma 49269 CONCURRENCE

517-914-8284

LAKELAND VENTURES

248-590-2275

616-200-8677

CAPITAL HOLDINGS

freshwater.ventures

DEVELOPMENT

michigancapitaladvisors.com

rainstarcapitalgroup.com

410 Lakeland St.

1600 E. Beltline, Ste. 213 Grand Rapids 49525

GAL-MAR

616-649-2510

32255 Northwestern Hwy.,

concaphold.com

Ste. 290 Farmington Hills 48334

CORTEX GROUP 383 Elmington Ct.

answerthink.com

313-886-8370 LEAPFROG HOLDINGS

6400 Telegraph Rd., Ste. 2000

Ste. 100

Bloomfield Hills 48009

Troy 48098

248-430-7961 rgpequity.com

248-901-1650

gal-mar.com

Ste. 1800

millercapital.com ROCKBRIDGE GROWTH EQUITY

West Bloomfield 48323 GR INVESTMENT GROUP 839 N. Rochester Rd. 248-588-3946

1734 Crooks Rd. Troy 48084

RIVERSTONE GROWTH PARTNERS

1441 W. Long Lake Rd.,

4984 Champlain Circle,

248-432-2861

GRAND SAKWA CAPITAL

MOTORING VENTURES

1070 Woodward Ave.

29155 Northwestern Hwy.

Detroit 48226

Southfield 48034

313-373-7000

LONG LAKE CAPITAL

248-795-5469

rbequity.com

MANAGEMENT

motoringventures.com

leapfrogholdings.com

Clawson 48017 COVINGTON PARTNERS

MILLER CAPITAL PARTNERS

248-522-6964

Canton 48188 734-981-1027

Grosse Pointe 48230

SIGMA INVESTMENT

74 E. Long Lake Rd., Ste. 210 NEW CENTURY INVESTMENTS

COUNSELORS

248-450-5900

28470 13 Mile Rd., Ste. 220

Bloomfield Hills 48304

covingtonllc.com

Farmington Hills 48334

248-712-6160

1 Towne Square, Ste. 1690

186 E. Main St.

248-855-5500

longlakecapital.com

Southfield 48076

Northville 48167

248-262-3140

248-223-0122

CRESCENT WAY

grandsakwa.com LONG POINT CAPITAL

CAPITAL PARTNERS

sigmainvestments.com NORTHSTAR CAPITAL

339 E. Liberty St.

GREENSTONE INVESTMENTS

Ann Arbor 48014

2605 Greenstone Blvd.

Royal Oak 48067

100 Jackson St., Ste. 206

734-276-9914

Auburn Hills 48326

248-591-6000

Jackson 49201

335 E. Maple Rd.

crescenwaycapital.com

248-276-0800

longpointcapital.com

517-783-5325

Birmingham 48009

northstar-capital

313-662-3538

DEMPSEY VENTURES

GVD INDUSTRIES

26700 Woodward Ave.

LONGHOUSE PARTNERS

SIMON GROUP HOLDINGS

simongroupholdings.com O2 INVESTMENT PARTNERS

40 Pearl St. NW, Ste. 1000

3440 Windquest Dr.

Detroit

Grand Rapids 49503

Holland 49424

313-618-9735

40900 Woodward Ave.,

SOARING PINE CAPITAL

616-259-8430

616-836-4067

longhousepartners.com

Ste. 200

MANAGEMENT

dempseyventures.com

gvdindustries.com LORIENT CAPITAL

DETROIT VENTURE PARTNERS

HIGHGATE

55 W. Maple Rd.

1555 Broadway St.,

260 E. Brown St.

Birmingham 48009

3rd Floor

Birmingham 48009

248-247-3900

Detroit 48226

248-385-5285

lorientcap.com

detroit.vc HURON CAPITAL PARTNERS ENDURANCE VENTURES

LV2 EQUITY PARTNERS

Bloomfield Hills 48304

335 E. Maple Rd.

248-540-8040

Birmingham 48009

o2investment.com

313-662-3538 simongroupholdings.com

OAKLAND STANDARD CO. 280 W. Maple Rd., Ste. 305

SPEYSIDE EQUITY

Birmingham 48009

Ann Arbor

313-701-7735

212-994-0308

oaklandstandard.com

speysideequity.com

500 Griswold St., Ste. 2700

2013 W. Wackerly St., Ste. 200

121 W. Washington St.,

Detroit 48226

Midland 48640

Ste. 400

313-962-5800

989-631-2687

OTTAWA AVENUE

STAGE 2 INNOVATIONS

Ann Arbor 48104

huroncapital.com

lv2partners.com

PRIVATE CAPITAL

26800 Haggerty Rd.

734-994-3406 enduranceventures.com

INVESTMICHIGAN

M GROUP

126 Ottawa Ave. NW, Ste. 500

Farmington Hills 48331

Grand Rapids 49503

248-536-1970 stage2innovations.com

500 Griswold St., Ste. 1640

805 E. Maple Rd.

616-454-4114

Detroit 48226

Birmingham 48009

linkedin/company/

2701 Cambridge Ct.

313-244-0667

248-540-8843

ottawa-private-capital/

Auburn Hills 48326

investmichigan.org

mgroupinc.com

EQUITY 11

248-377-8012

STONE RIVER CAPITAL PARTNERS 261 E. Maple Rd. Birmingham 48009 248-203-9840 stonerivercap.com

48 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Venture Capital || Cover Story

STRATFORD-CAMBRIDGE GROUP

UNION LAKE MANAGEMENT

BEACONVIEW CAPITAL

PENDO ADVISORS

(DANIEL AND PAMELA) DEVOS FOUNDATION

801 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Ste. 235

7609 Locklin

1002 N. Main St.

400 Renaissance Center,

Plymouth 48170

West Bloomfield Township

Rochester 48307

Ste. 2600

P.O. Box 230257

734-667-1925

48324

248-302-0671

Detroit 48243

Grand Rapids 49523

scgequity.com

248-363-0080

beaconviewadvisors.com

313-309-7134

616-643-4700

pendoadvisors.com

dpdevosfoundation.org

STRENGTH CAPITAL PARTNERS

VALSTONE PARTNERS

350 N. Old Woodward Ave.,

260 E. Brown St.

1668 S. Telegraph Rd., Ste. 250

Ste. 100

Birmingham 48009

Bloomfield Hills 48302

719 Griswold St., Ste. 630

Birmingham 48009

248-646-9200

428-309-3730

Detroit 48226

P.O. Box 230257

248-593-5800

valstonepartners.com

goblueriver.com

313-964-8311

Grand Rapids 49523

uhy-us.com

616-643-4700

BLUE RIVER FINANCIAL GROUP

strengthcapital.com VENTURE INVESTORS STURBRIDGE CAPITAL

BOULEVARD AND CO.

201 S. Main St., Ste. 900

333 W. 7th St., Ste. 280

280 N. Old Woodward Ave.

Ann Arbor 48104

Royal Oak 48967

Birmingham 48009

734-274-2904

313-230-4156

248-220-8400

ventureinvestors.com

boulevardusa.com

sturbridgecapital.com VISION INVESTMENT PARTNERS SUPERIOR CAPITAL PARTNERS

UHY CORPORATE FINANCE

CASCADE PARTNERS

(DICK AND BETSY) DEVOS FOUNDATION

dbdevosfoundation.org Source: DBusiness research

MICHIGAN FAMILY FUNDS

(DOUGLAS AND MARIA) DEVOS FOUNDATION P.O. Box 230257

(TALBERT “TED” AND LEOTA)

Grand Rapids 49523

ABRAMS FOUNDATION

616-643-4700

700 N. Old Woodward Ave.,

29100 Northwestern Hwy.,

271 Woodland Pass

500 Griswold St., Ste. 2320

Ste. 300

Ste. 405

East Lansing 48823

Detroit 48226

Birmingham 48009

Southfield 48034

517-853-6900

(HERBERT H. AND GRACE A.)

313-596-9600

248-865-1515

248-430-6266

the-abrams-foundation.org

DOW FOUNDATION

superiorfund.com

visioninvpartners.com

cascade-partners.com

dmdevosfoundation.org

1018 W. Main St. ALLEN FOUNDATION

TALON GROUP 400 Talon Centre Dr.

VOLUTION CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

CHARTER CAPITAL PARTNERS

989-631-2471

1420 Broadway St.

Midland 48640

hhdowfoundation.org

989-832-5678

Detroit 48207

130 S. First St., Ste. 201

Detroit 48226

313-392-1000

Ann Arbor 48104

313-879-2565

talon.us

734-669-8260

chartercapitalpartners.com

TILLERMAN AND CO.

THE WINDQUEST GROUP

Midland 48640

812 W. Main St.

COWEN

(ALDEN AND VADA) DOW FUND BAIARDI FAMILY FOUNDATION

Midland 48640

Harbor Springs 49740

989-839-2740 avdowfamilyfoundation

59 Baynton Ave. NW

201 Monroe Ave. NW, Ste. 500

300 Park St., Ste. 480

231-526-8395

Grand Rapids 49503

Birmingham 48009

baiardifoundation.org

616-443-8346

616-459-4500

248-594-0400

tillermanco.com

windquest.com

cowen.com

(VERA AND JOSEPH) (GUIDO A. AND ELIZABETH H.) BINDA FOUNDATION

TMW ENTERPRISES

WOLVERINE CAPITAL PARTNERS

FINNEA GROUP

315 Post St.

2328 Pinecrest St.

DRESNER FUND 6960 Orchard Lake Rd.

15 Capital Ave. NE, Ste. 205

West Bloomfield Township

101 W. Big Beaver Rd., Ste. 800

2478 Heronwood Dr.

34977 Woodward Ave.,

Battle Creek 49017

48522

Troy 48084

Bloomfield Hills 48302

Ste. 210

269-968-6171

248-785-0299

248-844-1410

248-220-2200

Birmingham 48009

bindafoundation.org

dresnerfoundation.org

tmwent.com

wolverinecapital.com

248-792-3000 finneagroup.com

TRANSPORTATION

Sources: Michigan Venture

RESOURCE PARTNERS

Capital Association, DBusiness

2555 S. Telegraph Rd.

research

Bloomfield Township 48302 248-648-2101 trpfund.com

METRO DETROIT INVESTMENT BANKS

COOK FAMILY FOUNDATION

215 S. Center St., Ste. 100

Owosso 48867

Royal Oak 48067

189 Townsend St., Ste. 200

989-725-1621

248-498-2503

Birmingham 48009

cookfamilyfoundation.org

erbff.org

GREENWICH CAPITAL GROUP

248-480-2030 greenwichgp.com

(JOHN E.) FETZER INSTITUTE

WILLIAM DAVIDSON FOUNDATION

TRP CAPITAL PARTNERS

AMHERST PARTNERS

ERB FAMILY FOUNDATION

120 W. Exchange St., Ste. 202

P&M CORPORATE FINANCE INC.

9292 W. KL Ave.

P.O. Box 1688

Kalamazoo 49009

2555 S. Telegraph Rd.

255 E. Brown St., Ste. 120

2 Towne Square

Birmingham 48012

269-375-2000

Bloomfield Township 48302

Birmingham 48009

Southfield 48076

248-788-6500

fetzer.org

248-648-2101

248-642-5660

248-223-3300

williamdavidson.org

trpfund.com

amherstpartners.com

pmcf.com

MAX M. AND MARJORIE S. FISHER (DOUGLAS AND MARGARET)

TRUE NORTH EQUITY

ARBOR CAPITAL MARKETS

PAINT CREEK CAPITAL PARTNERS

DECAMP FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION Two Towne Square, Ste. 920

477 S. Main St.

Ann Arbor

755 W. Big Beaver Rd.

3485 W. M 179 Highway

Southfield 48076

Plymouth 48170

734-678-0483

Troy 48084

Hastings 49058

248-415-1444

248-890-3961

arborcapitalmarkets.com

248-792-3544

616-945-4700

mmfisher.org

truenorthequity.com

paintcreekpc.com

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 49

Cover Story || Venture Capital FORD FOUNDATION

MCGREGOR FUND

SCHAAP FOUNDATION

MATILDA R. WILSON FUND

CAPITAL COMMUNITY ANGEL INVESTORS

320 E. 43rd St.

333 W. Fort St., Ste. 2090

P.O. Box 75000, MC 3302

1901 St. Antoine St., 6th Floor

New York, NY 10017

Detroit 48226

Detroit 48275

Detroit 48226

1181 Ridgewood Dr.

212-573-5000

313-963-3495

313-222-3568

313-392-1040

East Lansing 48823

fordfoundation.org

mcgregorfund.org

ccangels.org (CHARLES J.) STROSACKER

FORD MOTOR CO. FUND

MEIJER FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION

RALPH WILSON, JR. FOUNDATION

Mission: Introduce qualified

3101 E. Grand Blvd.

entrepreneurs to member

1 American Rd.

80 Ottawa Ave. NW, Ste. 101

812 W. Main St.

Detroit 48202

investors, focusing on disruptive

Dearborn 48126

Grand Rapids 49503

Midland 48640

313-885-1895

early-stage investments that

fordfund.org

meijercommunity.com

989-832-0066

ralphwilsonjrfoundation.org

offer a sustainable competitive

strosacker.org FREY FOUNDATION

MORLEY FAMILY FOUNDATION

advantage. Source: DBusiness research

TAUBMAN FOUNDATION

40 Pearl St. NW, Ste. 1100

P.O. Box 2485

Grand Rapids 49503

Saginaw 48605

200 E. Long Lake Rd., Ste. 190

616-451-0303

989-753-3438

Bloomfield Hills 48304

freyfdn.org

morleyfdn.org

alfredtaubman.com

MICHIGAN-BASED ANGEL INVESTOR GROUPS

13919 S.W. Bayshore Dr.

440 Burroughs St., Ste. 631 Detroit 48202 communeangels.com

ANN ARBOR ANGELS GENERATIONS MANAGEMENT

COMMUNE ANGELS

Mission: To expand access to

(CHARLES STEWART)

(HARRY A. AND MARGARET)

201 S. Division St., Ste. 430

angel investing and capital

MOTT FOUNDATION

TOWSLEY FUND

Ann Arbor 48104

investing in scalable

Traverse City 49684

503 S. Saginaw St., Ste. 1200

240 W. Main St.

annarborangels.org

consumer, enterprise, and life

231-946-8772

Flint 48502

Midland 48640

Mission: Invest in young

science companies that

generationsmgnt.com

810-238-5651

989-837-1100

companies with breakthrough

transform lives. Diversity is

mott.org

towsleyfoundation.org

products or services while

essential to transformative

sharing expertise, providing

innovation, and members are

TUMMALA CHARITABLE

mentoring, and facilitating

committed to contributing

FOUNDATION

connections to the broader

their experiences, relation-

marketplace.

ships, and resources to drive

HAGERMAN FOUNDATION 601 S. Saginaw St.

RUTH MOTT FOUNDATION

Flint 48502

111 E. Court St., Ste. 3C

810-285-9223

Flint 48502

1240 Woodkrest Dr.

thehagermanfoundation.org

810-233-0170

Flint 48532

ruthmottfoundation.org

810-733-8673

(EDWARD AND JUNE) KELLOGG FOUNDATION

better outcomes for investors, ARK ANGEL FUND 30095 Northwestern Hwy.,

R.E. OLDS FOUNDATION

(HAROLD AND GRACE)

Ste. 101

UPJOHN FUND

Farmington Hills 48334

portfolio companies, and their customers. GRAND ANGELS

1250 Byron Rd.

P.O. Box 4900

Howell 48843

East Lansing 48826

300 S. Westnedge Ave.

248-851-1200

40 Pearl St., Ste. 336

517-546-3330

517-402-1009

Kalamazoo 49007

arkangelfund.com

Grand Rapids 49503

reoldsfoundation.org

269-385-0439

Mission: The fund invests in

616-566-1770

W.K. KELLOGG FOUNDATION Battle Creek

SUZANNE UPJOHN DELANO

wkkf.org

PARISH FOUNDATION 211 S. Rose St.

haroldandgraceupjohnfoun-

early stage, startup, and other

grandangels.org

dation.org

technology-based businesses,

Mission: Invest in new ideas

along with assisting in the

that will have a positive effect

development of such firms.

on the world, focusing on west

VAN ELSLANDER FAMILY FUND

(JAMES S. AND JAMES L.) KNIGHT

Kalamazoo 49007

6500 E. 14 Mile Rd.

FOUNDATION

269-388-9800

Warren 48092 586-939-0800

440 Burroughs, Ste. 380 Detroit 48202

PORTER FAMILY FOUNDATION WALTERS FAMILY FUND

Michigan and border states. BELLE MICHIGAN IMPACT FUND 217 Lake Shore Rd.

GREAT LAKES ANGELS

Grosse Pointe Farms 48236

568 Woodway Court, Ste. 1

bellefunds.com

Bloomfield Hills 48302

305-908-2600

212 W. Summit St.

knightfoundation.org

Ann Arbor 48103

P.O. Box 370

Mission: Provide superior

glangels.org

313-881-0500

Midland 48381

returns for investors while

Mission: Provide funding to

248-205-1390

serving the early-stage capital

capital-efficient, early-stage

waltersffmi.org

needs of companies led by

companies located in the

women.

Midwest.

LAIDLAW FAMILY FOUNDATION 314 Newman St.

REID FAMILY FOUNDATION

East Tawas 48730

3159 Alco Dr.

laidlawfoundation.org

Waterford 48329 reidff.org

(RICHARD AND JANE) MANOOGIAN FOUNDATION

RUSSELL FAMILY FOUNDATION

21001 Van Born Rd.

VIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Taylor 48180

FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

313-792-6246

WILLIAMS FAMILY FUND 380 N. Old Woodward Ave.

BLUEWATER ANGELS

Birmingham 48009

INVESTMENT NETWORK

248-642-0333

1320 N. Michigan Ave., Ste. 6

KA-ZOO ANGELS 40 Pearl St. NW, Ste. 336 Grand Rapids 49503

Saginaw 48602

grandangels.org

KAREN COLINA WILSON

bluewaterangels.com

Mission: Measure impact

FOUNDATION

Mission: Recognize the value

through business growth, job

Detroit 48226

P.O. Box 728

of supporting and nurturing

creation, and the attraction to

313-961-6675, ext. 118

Grosse Ile 48138

the entrepreneurial

and retention of talent in west

cfsem.org/organization/

kcwf.org

community for the economic

Michigan. (This is an affiliate of

benefit of mid-Michigan and

Grand Angels.)

333 W. Fort St., Ste. 2010

Russell-family-foundation

Michigan in general.

50 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Venture Capital || Cover Story

MICHIGAN ANGEL FUND 201 S. Division, Ste. 430

DETROIT ECONOMIC GROWTH

MICHIGAN ECONOMIC

AZIMUTH CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

CORP.

DEVELOPMENT CORP.

200 E. Long Lake Rd., Ste. 160

PLANTE MORAN FINANCIAL ADVISORS

Ann Arbor 48104

500 Griswold St., Ste. 2200

300 N. Washington Square

Bloomfield Hills 48304

27400 Northwestern Hwy.

miangelfund.com

Detroit 48226

Lansing 48913

248-433-4000

Southfield 48034

Mission: Provide funding to

313-963-2940

888-522-0103

azimuthcap.com

248-352-2500

the most promising,

degc.com

michiganbusiness.org

capital-efficient, early-stage

Mission: Design and

Mission: Market Michigan as

companies in Michigan.

implement innovative

the place to do business,

31275 Northwestern Hwy.,

solutions that attract

assist businesses in their

Ste. 145

2175 Cole St.

MUSKEGON ANGELS

investment, create jobs, and

growth strategies, and foster

Farmington Hills 48334

Birmingham 48009

200 Viridian Dr.

advance Detroit’s economy for

the growth of vibrant

248-932-5200

248-566-1122

Muskegon 49440

all residents.

communities across the state.

bloomassetmanagement.com

q3tactical.com

plantemoran.com BLOOM ASSET MANAGEMENT Q3 ASSET MANAGEMENT

muskegonangels.com Mission: Find, fund, and

FLINT COMMUNITY AND

mentor great young companies,

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THE RIGHT PLACE

REHMANN CAPITAL

R.H. BLUESTEIN & CO.

125 Ottawa Ave. NW, Ste. 450

260 E. Brown St., Ste. 100

ADVISORY GROUP

from pitch through successful

1101 S. Saginaw St.

Grand Rapids 49503

Birmingham 48009

1500 W. Big Beaver Rd.

exit, with a priority on job

Flint 48502

616-771-0325

248-646-4000

Troy 48044

creation and development in

810-766-7015

rightplace.org

rhbco.com

866-799-9580

the Muskegon area.

cityofflint.com

Mission: To build the next

Mission: To improve the

chapter in west Michigan’s

quality of life for all residents of

growth story.

POINTE ANGELS Grosse Pointe

the city of Flint through the creation of safe and healthy

WOODWARD ANGELS

STARTUPNATION

neighborhoods, and

34300 Woodward Ave.,

woodwardangels.com

promoting a growing and

Ste. 200

Mission: Invest in tech and

diverse economy.

Birmingham 48009

rehmann.com CLARKSTON CAPITAL PARTNERS RETIREMENT INCOME SOLUTIONS

91 W. Long Lake Rd. Bloomfield Hills 48304

2301 Platt Rd., Ste. 300

248-723-8000

Ann Arbor 48104

clarkstoncapital.com

734-769-7727 risadvisory.com

DEROY & DEVEREAUX

1-866-59-STARTUP

2000 Town Center, Ste. 2850

SCHWARTZ AND CO. INVEST-

and around Detroit at the

GRAND TRAVERSE ECONOMIC

startupnation.com

Southfield 48075

MENT ADVISORS

pre-seed and seed stage.

DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Mission: Provide resources

248-358-3200

3707 W. Maple Rd., Ste. 3212

202 E. Grandview Parkway

and services to start and grow

deroydevereaux.com

Bloomfield Hills 48301

Sources: Michigan Venture

Traverse City 49684

a business.

Capital Association, DBusiness

231-995-7108

research

grandtraverseedc.com

STERLING HEIGHTS ECONOMIC

Mission: To help grow, retain,

DEVELOPMENT

digitally scaling companies in

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS ANN ARBOR SPARK

248-644-2701 JAY A. FISHMAN LTD.

gjsco.com

INVESTMENTS 901 Wilshire Dr., Ste. 555

SEIZERT CAPITAL PARTNERS

and expand business in the

6633 18 Mile Rd.

Troy 48084

34100 Woodward Ave.

Grand Traverse region.

Sterling Heights 48314

2488-740-9400

Birmingham 48009

586-884-9322

jaf-ltd.com

248-593-1500

LANSING ECONOMIC

sterling-heights.net

DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Mission: Attract, expand, and retain business and industry.

seizertcapital.com FORMULAFOLIO INVESTMENTS TELEMUS CAPITAL

330 E. Liberty St.

1000 S. Washington Ave.,

Ann Arbor 48104

Ste. 201

734-761-9317

Lansing 48933

annarborusa.org

517-702-3387

Mission: Advance the

lansingmi.gov

36300 Warren Rd.

economy of the Ann Arbor

Mission: Attract, expand, and

Westland 48185

MAINSTAY CAPITAL MANAGE-

area by establishing it as a

retain business and industry in

734-467-3264

MENT

desired place for innovation

the city of Lansing.

cityofwestland.com

10775 S. Saginaw St.

411 W. Lafayette Blvd.

Mission: To provide leadership

Grand Blanc 48439

Detroit 48226

LIVONIA ECONOMIC

in the retention, expansion,

866-444-6246

313-222-1227

DEVELOPMENT

and attraction of businesses.

mainstaycapital.com

worldasset.com

and growth. DEARBORN ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

89 Ionia NA, Ste. 600 Grand Rapids 49503

2 Towne Square, Ste. 800

WESTLAND ECONOMIC

888-562-8880

Southfield 48076

DEVELOPMENT

formulafolios.com

248-827-1800 telemus.com WORLD ASSET MANAGEMENT

33000 Civic Center Dr.

16901 Michigan Ave., Ste. 6

Livonia 48154

Dearborn 48126

734-466-2200

313-943-2180

livonia.gov

cityofdearborn.org

Mission: The retention and

Mission: Business retention,

expansion of existing Livonia

attraction, and investment,

businesses, and attracting

improving neighborhoods,

new business.

Source: DBusiness research

ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANIES ADVANCE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

MUNDER CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

ZHANG FINANCIAL

480 Pierce St.

101 W. Big Beaver Rd.,

Birmingham 48009

14th Floor

248-647-9200

Troy 48084

vcm.com

269-325-1826 zhangfinancial.com

1 Towne Square, Ste. 800

contributing to a high quality

Southfield 48076

of life.

800-345-4783

Source: DBusiness research

acadviser.com

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 51

THE FLINT SETTLEMENT

THE LEGAL CHALLENGES IN THE WATER CRISIS IN FLINT NEAR AN END AS A FEDERAL COURT REVIEWS A $641.3-MILLION RESOLUTION THAT COULD BE THE LARGEST SUCH DISPOSITION IN MICHIGAN.

52 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

WRITTEN BY

NORM SINCLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY BY

BRITTANY GREESON

SIX Municipal Law || Feature

years after the City of Flint made a disastrous switch from buying safe, treated water from Detroit to pumping its own polluted river water into homes and businesses, the tragedy of a civic poisoning that played out on the national stage is finally winding down. In August, Michigan agreed to pay $600 million to victims of the contaminated water crisis that exposed shoddy governance by local officials and the administration of former Gov. Rick Snyder, one of the named defendants in the case. By the time the agreement was submitted to U.S. Eastern District Court Judge Judith E. Levy for approval in November, the payout had grown to $641.3 million as the City of Flint, McLaren Regional Medical Center, and Rowe Professional Services Co., a Flint city contractor, were joined in the settlement. McLaren will pay $20 million for its link to an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that sickened 91 persons, killing 12 of them. In the 18 months the city used Flint River water, between April 2014 and October 2015, records show that 51 of those cases occurred at McLaren Flint hospital. The financially strapped city’s $20 million share will be paid by its insurers. Meanwhile, Rowe, which advised the city during the water switch, will chip in more than $1.2 million. If approved, the settlement is likely the largest in state government history, affecting tens of thousands of people and resolving more than 100 cases in state, federal, and appellate courts, says Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley says the settlement is long overdue. “While no amount of money will heal the wounds inflicted on this community, we’re glad to see more entities step up and take responsibility,” he says. “The residents of the city of Flint deserve justice and they deserve a resolution to those lawsuits.” The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Department of Health and Human Services, and two emergency managers appointed by Gov. Snyder to run the city during the water crisis are also among the defendants. The announcement of the historic settlement, which consolidated scores of lawsuits, came as a program to replace thousands of corroded or lead water lines connected to homes in Flint was coming to a close. The so-called “Get the Lead Out”

program stemmed from another legal settlement where the state, in 2017, agreed to pay $97 million for remediation. To complete the process, for the past four years work crews have gone door-to-door in Flint’s neighborhoods and inspected, dug up, and replaced lead and corroded lines that brought water into homes from a main distribution pipe running under most streets. As of the first week of October, the city reported that lines into 26,232 homes had been excavated and 9,769 lead or galvanized steel pipes were replaced. Another 16,463 were safe lines that didn’t need replacement. Neeley says restoring the community’s trust and confidence will take time and effort. To that end, the city has been aggressively making several other infrastructure repairs. “I’m proud to say that we’re now making real progress on other water crisis recovery projects,” he says. “We’ve started construction to create a secondary water source, (to) increase capacity of water reservoirs, and upgrade the chemical feed building.” The 71-page settlement before Judge Levy establishes a court-monitored victim’s compensation fund, with 80 percent of the money going to residents who were minors at the time of the water switch. Those who were 6 years old at the time and afflicted with possibly a life-long injury caused by lead in the water will receive the bulk of the money; 2 percent will go to Genesee County for special education services for those children. The rest goes to adult Flint residents, property owners, and businesses for personal injuries and damages to property and companies. Before any money is paid out, however, Levy must find that the proposed settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable. Flint residents will have 60 days to register to participate in the settlement program. After that they will have 120 days to file the documents necessary to support their claims. This process will be managed by a court-appointed claims administrator. As many as 12,000 children may have been permanently harmed by lead poisoning, court records show. The final settlement came out of scores of lawsuits that were first combined into 10 class-action suits representing thousands of Flint residents. In 2017, those class actions were JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 53

Feature || Municipal Law

folded into one massive case. At that time, Levy appointed Theodore J. Leopold of Cohen Millstein, a law firm based in Washington, D.C., and Michael L. Pitt, founding and managing partner of Pitt, McGehee, Palmer, PUBLIC RELIEF Soon after the water crisis Bonanni, and Rivers in Royal Oak, to be lead unfolded, community co-counsel for the combined effort. Retired Sen. leaders and volunteers set Carl Levin (D-Detroit) mediated the settlement. up multiple bottled water What’s more, dozens of lawyers and law firms and filter distribution centers across the city. At involved in the combined cases will share in the the Flint Fire Department, settlement, based on Levy’s direction. residents wait in line to “Without this settlement, which makes affectpick up water filters on ed children a top priority, Flint residents would Jan. 15, 2016. have been provided little assurance that their claims would be successful in court, and ongoing litigation could have prolonged their hardships “WITHOUT THIS SETTLEMENT, for years,” Nessel said in a statement. “Resolving WHICH MAKES AFFECTED these legal disputes against the State and the othCHILDREN A TOP PRIORITY, FLINT er defendants who joined in the settlement is the RESIDENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN best possible outcome for Flint’s future.” But the work isn’t over. Still unsettled are lawPROVIDED LITTLE ASSURANCE suits against water engineering firms Veolia, of THAT THEIR CLAIMS WOULD BE Chicago, and Lockwood, Andrews, and Newman SUCCESSFUL IN COURT...” in Houston, consultants for Flint at the time of the switch to the river water. — DANA NESSEL A third case seeking damages of $722.4 million 54 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

is also pending against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That 2017 case, filed by Pitt and six other lawyers on behalf of 1,703 Flint residents, accuses the EPA of negligence and violations of the federal Safe Drinking Act. In October, yet another lawsuit surfaced in federal court in Detroit, filed by a New York law firm on behalf of 2,600 Flint children. The case alleges that investment banks JPMorgan Chase & Co., Wells Fargo, and Stifel, Nicolaus, and Co. underwrote $220 million in bond sales to finance the city’s plan to switch water suppliers. The move, the suit contends, necessitated using the contaminated Flint River water as a stopgap measure until the new water source came online. The water disaster was the latest blow for the city’s 90,000 predominantly African-American residents, many of whom were impacted either directly or indirectly when General Motors moved out of the city where it was founded more than 100 years ago. In the 1980s, Flint’s population of 200,000 supported a workforce of 35,000 employees in 18 GM auto factories. Today, with only the Flint Assembly plant in operation, half of the city’s residents live below the poverty line.

Municipal Law || Feature

A steady decline in revenue, combined with weak local governance, saw the city flirting with bankruptcy for more than two decades. With no relief in sight, Michigan deployed a controversial state law that permitted a governor to appoint emergency managers to run cash-strapped cities without interference from elected officials. In 2013, Flint and Genesee County officials, along with then Emergency Manager Edward Kurtz, approved a cost-cutting plan to end a 47year relationship with Detroit’s water department and join the newly formed Karegnondi Water Authority, which proposed building a 70-mile-long pipeline from Lake Huron to bring lake water to Genesee County. The pipeline would save Flint $100 million to $300 million over 30 years, officials said at the time. The plan also called for refitting the city’s water plant to treat the heavily polluted Flint River water for use as a stopgap community water source until the new pipeline was operational in 2016. Faced with losing Flint, its largest customer, Detroit raised the cost of an interim deal, causing Flint officials to balk. Instead of having a year to prepare and retrofit the Flint water treatment plant, the pressure was on to get it online by April 2014. Chris Kolb, former president of the Michigan Environmental Council and state budget director, was co-chair of a commission appointed by Gov. Snyder to investigate what went wrong in Flint. He says the Flint Water Department and the MDEQ were understaffed and underfunded as they scrambled to get the treatment plant into operation. “They rushed to do it,” Kolb says. “They moved too quickly. They just put the pedal to the floor and tried to do it with an inexperienced staff.” They also made the most egregious mistake of the crisis — they failed to apply crucial corrosion control chemicals to coat the interior of pipes, to prevent lead from seeping into the water supply. “It was a catastrophic failure by government,” Kolb says. Flint and state officials had due warning that using the Flint River for community water was a bad idea. In a published study of the Flint water crisis, Susan J. Masten, an engineering professor at Michigan State University, cited two red flag warnings that officials ignored. In a March 14, 2014, email to associates in Gov. Snyder’s office, Brian Larkin, then associate director of the governor’s Office of Urban and Metropolitan Initiatives, warned: “The expedited time frame (to switch to the river water) is less than ideal and could lead to some big potential disasters down the road.” Mike Glasgow, a laboratory and water quality supervisor at the Flint plant was even blunter in his April 25, 2014, email to the MDEQ: “I do not

anticipate giving the OK to begin sending water Department of Environment, Great Lakes and out anytime soon. If water is distributed from this Energy, blamed leaking valves and aging cast plant in the next couple of weeks, it will be against iron parts susceptible to buildup of bacteria as probable causes of the problems. Their answer my direction,” he said. That same day, Flint officials, including then was more of the same — flushing pipes and addEmergency Manager Darnell Earley, greenlight- ing more chlorine. As if the water problems weren’t enough, in ed using water from the Flint River. Within days residents began complaining that discolored, October 2014 GM rocked the city with a bombshell announcement. The automaker said it brownish water was flowing out of their taps. Elnora Carthan, whose name appears as a would stop using city water and buy water from plaintiff on one of the larger lawsuits, said she no- an adjacent township because the high level of ticed the difference in the water right away. “It had chlorine in the Flint River water was corroding an odd smell, a really odd smell,” she said in court its engine parts. LeeAnne Walters, a stay-at-home mom with papers. “You knew something was wrong. You turn the shower on, and you could smell it. You four children, was already convinced the dark take a shower, five or 10 minutes later, you begin rust-colored water coming out of her taps was contaminated. Earlier in the summer her twin to itch. You knew there was something wrong.” Complaints about the look, smell, and taste of 3-year-old sons, Gavin and Garrett, developed the water poured into city hall during the sum- scaly patches of skin that peeled after bathing, mer. In fact, residents frequently showed up at while Walters and her teenage daughter were loscity hall and came to public forums toting jugs of ing clumps of hair. It got worse. Walters’ eyelashes their discolored tap water. POLITICAL PRESSURE fell out, and her 14-year-old son sufResidents were further alarmed Over the 18 months that fered repeated bouts of abdominal by several advisories to boil their wathe City tapped water pains. He would later be diagnosed ter because of fecal coliform bacterifrom the Flint River for with lead poisoning. um and other bacteria in the water municipal delivery, citizens complained at city council On Jan. 2, 2015, the city warned that were possible precursors to E. and other public meetings. that byproducts of disinfectants in coli or other disease-causing organDericco Cooper speaks at the water may cause future health isms. At the same time, the City rea meeting at the Flint Youth peatedly flushed the system and Theater on March 22, 2015. problems including cancer, and suggested that the elderly and parents kept adding more and more chloof young children should consult rine, while maintaining the water their doctors. was safe to drink. In Detroit, water department The MDEQ, now known as the

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 55

LEGAL DRIP

NEARLY five years after millions of dollars were spent on investigations and the first of 15 persons was charged with crimes ranging from misconduct to manslaughter, no one has gone to trial and no one has served a day in jail in connection with the Flint water crisis that sickened thousands and resulted in 12 deaths from Legionnaires’ disease. Last April, Todd Flood, the special prosecutor assigned by former Attorney General Bill Schuette to lead the prosecution, was fired by Schuette’s successor, Dana Nessel. Two months later, in June, the attorney general’s office dismissed charges against eight officials, including the highest-ranking officials charged in the case — Nick Lyon, the former director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Eden Wells, the state’s top medical executive. Flood’s handling of the case began fizzling out when he offered deals to seven defendants, reducing felony charges to misdemeanors and allowing them to enter pleas of no contest with the promise that their records would be wiped clean in exchange for testifying against higher-ranking officials. Whether or not their testimony will be needed remains to be seen. Preliminary examinations for Lyons and Wells had been completed, and both were bound over by lower court judges for trial in circuit court when their cases were dismissed. Charles “Chip” Chamberlain, a Grand Rapids lawyer representing Lyon, says the dismissal came the day before a judge was to rule on his argument that the case should be thrown out for lack of evidence. Since then, he’s had no communication with prosecutors. “We maintain there is no basis to go forward. They did the right thing by dumping it at the time, and we remain hopeful they will see the light and not go forward,” Chamberlain says. Michigan Solicitor General Fadwa 56 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Hammoud, assisted by Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, is now overseeing a new team of investigators. The dismissals do not preclude recharging defendants, they said in a statement. “The investigation is absolutely open and active,” says Courtney Covington, a spokeswoman for Nessel’s office. Hammoud says Flood’s investigation failed to pursue all available evidence, and wrongly allowed private law firms representing former Gov. Rick Snyder and other defendants to help decide what information would be turned over to law enforcement. Another reason for dismissing the pending cases was the discovery of potentially more unexplored evidence in millions of documents related to the Flint water crisis that were stored in 23 boxes in the basement of a state-owned building. Those documents include a list of state employees titled “Phones/Wiped,” Hammoud says. Molly Kettler, an assistant Wayne County prosecutor assigned to the Flint team, was critical of the plea deals made by Flood. Two were taken in court the day after Christmas in 2018 without notifying the public or victims — a situation Kettler says she had never encountered in 25 years as a prosecutor. Kettler also was critical of Flood offering plea deals without first evaluating what information each witness could offer, and what a commensurate plea would be in each case. For example, Liane Shekter-Smith, the former chief of the state’s water quality office, was charged with felony misconduct in office and neglect of duty. Flood’s team said they intended to charge her with involuntary manslaughter. Instead, she pled no contest to disturbing a lawful meeting, a 90-day misdemeanor, in exchange for future testimony. Shekter-Smith was fired by Gov. Snyder and is the only official to lose their job over the Flint water crisis. — Norm Sinclair

authorities offered to waive a $4 million hookup fee to restore their service to Flint, an offer that Emergency Manager Jerry Ambrose rejected. Officials in Lansing and Flint continued to say the water was safe to drink. The MDEQ noted there were “hiccups” in the switching of the water supply, including a buildup of trihalomethanes (TTHM), a cancer-causing byproduct of chlorine and organic matter. MDEQ officials said in a background paper sent to Gov. Snyder that higher levels of TTHM were a risk for disease only after years of drinking the water, and it wasn’t an immediate health emergency. Gov. Snyder responded with a $2 million grant to fix pipes and sewers. Taking matters into her own hands, Walters, a former medical assistant whose husband, Dennis, is a U.S. Navy serviceman stationed in the area, decided to do an investigation. First she took a sample of water from her taps and had the city test it. The result showed elevated levels of lead. Walters then obtained a list of chemicals the Flint treatment plant was using and took that list, along with another sample of her tap water, to Miguel Del Torala, a drinking water expert at the EPA. Looking at the list of chemicals, Del Torala was immediately alarmed by the absence of corrosion inhibitors needed to treat river water. He also noted that Walters’ tap water sample showed levels of lead seven times greater than the EPA safety limits. Officials at the MDEQ dismissed those findings as a one-off problem while insisting there was no evidence of citywide lead contamination. On March 23, 2015, the Flint City Council voted 7-1 to stop using river water and restore the service from Detroit. Citing costs, Ambrose, the emergency manager, overruled the council, saying, “water from Detroit is no safer than water from Flint.” With the refusal of local and state officials to take action, Del Torala put Walters in touch with Marc Edwards, a civil engineering and environment professor at Virginia Tech University. Edwards had a growing reputation as a maverick scientist exposing municipal water malfeasance, including a decade-long lead contamination controversy involving the water supply in Washington, D.C. At Edwards’ direction, Walters recruited neighbors and worked more than 100 hours per week for three straight weeks gathering test kits of 800 water samples from every ZIP code in the city. At Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Edwards and his team tested the samples, which showed lead levels as high as 13,200 parts per billion in Walters’ home — more than twice the EPA level for hazardous waste. In a memo, “High Lead Levels in Flint,” the EPA pointed out the water treatment plant’s failure to

Municipal Law || Feature

use corrosion control to knock out the lead in Detroit. The river water’s corrosion of old pipes drinking water. The memo cited the Virginia was causing lead to leach into the water. In follow-up testing, the Virginia Tech team Tech findings of the lead levels in Walters’ home would show lead levels in Elnora Carthan’s home and similar levels in three other homes. Walters gave a copy of that memo to the were 1,050 parts per billion — 70 times as high as ACLU, which produced a video about the lead in the EPA limit for safe usage. On Sept. 24, 2015, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, a the water in her home. In response, Mayor Dayne Walling went on local television and drank a cup pediatrician at Flint’s Hurley Medical Center, along of city water to assure his citizens that it was safe, with her research team, issued an explosive report while the MDEQ continued to insist the problem on the damage the river water switch caused in was localized, saying their initial testing of 170 children — elevated levels of lead in their blood had doubled since the city switched the water suphomes showed no widespread problem. The interagency squabbling drew the atten- ply, and in some neighborhoods the lead levels in tion of Dennis Muchmore, chief of staff to Gov. children tripled, Hanna-Attisha reported. Once those findings were confirmed by the Snyder. In an email to the Department of Community Health on July 22, 2015, Muchmore Michigan Department of Health and Human wrote: “I’m frustrated by the water issue in Flint. Services, the state began testing drinking water I really don’t think people are getting the benefit in schools and distributing free water filters. On Oct. 8, 2015, as the MDEQ reported danof the doubt. Now they are concerned, and rightfully so, about the lead level studies they are re- gerous levels of lead in three Flint schools, Gov. ceiving from MDEQ samples. Can you take a Snyder announced that Flint would cease using moment out of your impossible schedule to per- water from the river. A week later, Flint switched back to Detroit water. sonally look at this?” Looking back at the debacle, Flint’s In September, Edwards and WalEND IN SIGHT ters declared that Flint’s water was not Since 2016, nearly 10,000 miscalculation with its water supply safe for drinking or cooking, as a Vir- lead or galvanized pipes and the state’s reaction to the crisis were ginia Tech study showed 40 percent of have been replaced in Flint. costly to taxpayers. Gov. Snyder and the Flint homes had high levels of lead Some 2,000 pipes remain Legislature approved a payment of to be inspected. $232 million to reconnect Flint to the and the city’s water supply was 19 Detroit water system, to pay for lead times more corrosive than water from

testing and treatment, credits for water bills, filters for water taps, and citywide bottled water distribution by the Michigan National Guard and civic volunteers. In addition, the EPA pledged $100 million to modernize the drinking water infrastructure. Gov. Snyder blamed career bureaucrats at the MDEQ for the water crisis. His mistake was not asking enough questions, he said Jack Sikkema, a former Republican state Senate majority leader and Kolb’s co-chair on the Flint advisory task force, says the crisis in Flint was a clear case of environmental injustice. “It isn’t about racist intent or deliberately violating people’s civil rights,” Sikkema concluded. “It’s really about equal treatment and citizen voices having meaningful impact on decision-making in government. They lacked both in Flint.” The task force recommended a “cultural change” at the MDEQ, improved communication and data-gathering with the governor’s office, and a thorough review of the emergency manager law. For their activist roles in exposing the lead crisis, Hanna-Attisha and Walters received wide recognition. “I’m just one of many who have fought for clean water over the years,” Walters says. “For me, (the awards we received are) a symbol to my kids to fight for what’s right. Even the smallest action can make a difference. One person can make a difference, but a community is unstoppable.”

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 57

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2021

LIGHTING THE WAY CHARTING THE PATH FORWARD, TOGETHER

CONTENTS

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Inside 3 OAKLAND COUNTY BY THE NUMBERS

SERVICES

OAKLAND COUNTY PARKS 2 ROAD COMMISSION FOR

Photo Essay

OAKLAND COUNTY 6

A quick look at the ways Oakland

COMMUNITY TROY 26-27 FERNDALE 28-29 SOUTHFIELD 30 SOUTHFIELD CITY CENTRE 31 ORION TOWNSHIP 32

County excels when it comes to

LAKE ORION 33

business, the economy, quality of

E D U C AT I O N

CLAWSON 34 HAZEL PARK 35

life and more. LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY 48

PONTIAC 36 ROYAL OAK 37

4 Q&A WITH DAVE COULTER

ON THE COVER

BAKER COLLEGE 49

The Oakland County executive

The half-mile Glenlore Trails in Commerce

ROYAL OAK SCHOOLS 50

discusses the county’s new

Township uses lights, projectors and other

economic development strategy

technology to create a family-friendly experience.

to ensure the county supports local businesses, diversifies its

24 WHERE WE LIVE

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP 43

economy and attracts global

A map and listings of Oakland County’s cities,

OAK PARK 44

companies.

townships and villages.

WIXOM 45

Education

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP 38 BIRMINGHAM 39 ROCHESTER HILLS 40 FARMINGTON HILLS 41 WEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP 42

AUBURN HILLS 46

7 PHOTO ESSAY Exploring Oakland County in

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE IN OAKLAND COUNTY PROSPER? Get Prosper updates all year long by subscribing to our biweekly e-newsletter. Sign up at oaklandcountyprosper.com

pictures.

Great Parks for Great People

OAKLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE David Coulter EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Stephen W. Huber NEWSLETTER EDITOR Kristie Everett Zamora L. BROOKS PATTERSON BUILDING 2100 PONTIAC LAKE ROAD WATERFORD, MI 48328-0409 PHONE: 248.858.1000 FAX: 248.858.5111 WEBSITE: OakGov.com INFO: Prosper@oakgov.com FOLLOW US AND LIKE US @OakGov

For more information, comments or to obtain additional copies of this publication, please contact Prosper@oakgov.com. For updates on Oakland County news, subscribe to the biweekly Prosper e-newsletter at OaklandCountyProsper.com.

Discover Your Next Adventure ▪14 Parks ▪ 7,000 acres ▪ 80 miles of trails

Through recreation activities and nature programming, Oakland County Parks and Recreation provides opportunities for fun and fitness while preserving natural resources.

2 Untitled-3 1

oaklandcountyprosper.com

The Oakland County Department of Economic Development works closely with the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to make Oakland County one of the premier counties in the country. The programs of the department are supported and promoted by the 21-member board.

2021

11/23/20 10:55 AM

PUBLISHING PARTNER HOUR CUSTOM PUBLISHING 5750 NEW KING DRIVE, SUITE 100 TROY, MI 48098 PHONE: 248.691.1800 FAX: 248.691.4531 GENERAL MANAGER Ed Peabody MANAGING EDITOR Kathy Gibbons ART DIRECTOR Kevin Martin COPY EDITOR Emily Doran PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jenine Rhoades SENIOR PRODUCTION ARTIST Robert Gorczyca PRODUCTION ARTIST Stephanie Daniel ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Karli Brown and Lauren DeBano ADVERTISING COORDINATION Joe Salafia, Elizabeth Kowalik, Johanna Moriarty

Prosper is published exclusively for the Oakland County Department of Economic Development by Hour Media, L.L.C. Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved. No portion may be copied or published without the express written consent of the publisher. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Oakland County or Hour Media, L.L.C. Products or services mentioned in this publication may be trademarks of their respective companies.

A DIVISION OF HOUR MEDIA, L.L.C. CEO Stefan Wanczyk PRESIDENT John Balardo

Photos: Trever Long and courtesy of Oakland County/micareerquest and Oakland University

Prosper is published annually for the Oakland County Department of Economic Development.

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OA K L A N D C O U N T Y B Y T H E N U M B E R S Highest per-capita income in the state

47.2% of



residents over age 25 have at least a bachelor’s degree Median household income nearly

$80,000  Highest

property values of all counties  Nearly

83 Michigan

750,000 workers employed here — highest

for a Michigan county



Home to more than

international companies from owner-occupied housing units

2ND-most

Photos: Trever Long and courtesy of Oakland County/micareerquest and Oakland University

1,450



More than

populous county in Michigan

lakes, rivers and streams

budget is balanced through



1,000

39 countries  71%

1.25 MILLION residents  

County’s

2023  2,000

research facilities and one of the leading high-tech workforces anywhere 

AAA bond rating every year since

1998

OAKLAND TOGETHER PROSPERS oakland together

2021 3

FEATU R E -- - PH OTO ESSAY Q & A - - - WI TH DAV E COU LTE R

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Oakland County

Our Strategy for Shaping the Future DAVE COULTER has led the county’s

Q: Tell us about the new strategy. A: The mission for Oakland County

efforts during the pandemic, retained

is to be a global destination for world-

the county’s AAA bond rating and

class talent, investment and jobs.

implemented his Oakland Together

Our goal is to act as a catalyst for

agenda — all in just over a year. Here,

innovation, investment and growth.

he shares his vision for the county’s

The strategy will be data driven

new economic development strategy.

through equitable and inclusive

OAKLAND COUNTY EXECUTIVE

development and include responsive

Q: It is often said that Oakland County is the engine that drives the Michigan economy. The county hired two national consulting firms to conduct a review of its economic development department and initiatives, resulting in the recent release of an economic development strategic plan. What prompted the review? A: For Oakland County to continue to

and accountable governance, with the county involved as a catalyst for collaboration locally and across the Detroit region. Key focus areas are educational attainment, mobility, digitizing manufacturing and supporting small businesses.

Q: How does your strategic advantage help southeastern Michigan?

be a top-ranked county regionally and nationally demands that

A: We have more than 2,200 manufacturers employing 69,000 people

we have a strategic plan that is visionary, comprehensive and

and generating $5.7 billion in goods and services in a year. This helps

integrated. Upon discovering the county’s economic development

put our region on the map, which benefits everyone. Engineering

strategy had not been updated since 2004, it became a top focus for

talent in Oakland County is second to none, and it helps ensure

my administration to get a plan in place and align our organization

our status as the mobility capital of the world. In November, Ohio-

to execute against the strategic plan. A plan ensures that our focus

based Lordstown Motors Corp. — a leader in electric light-duty

is intentional and directed, which is critical in a rapidly changing

trucks — announced plans to establish an automotive R&D center

economic landscape.

in Farmington Hills with support from the Michigan Strategic Fund. The project is expected to create 141 jobs and generate $3.6 million in

Q: How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect the strategic planning process? A: The pandemic was certainly disruptive to our efforts in

private investment. Oakland County was chosen over sites in Ohio

completing the plan by the end of May. However, I believe the

It’s a big win for the county and the state.

and California. We have a skilled and educated workforce, which makes our county such an attractive location for investment like this.

their survival for us to invest in the stabilization and recovery of

lucrative aerospace and defense contracts from the U.S. Department

their businesses. We did that by distributing $85 million in grant

of Defense and Homeland Security. Success there will bolster our

funding to more than 15,000 small businesses, which employ 65,000

mobility/autonomous vehicles sector. We’re paying special attention

workers. The pandemic crisis also put us at a unique crossroads

to our small manufacturers through Industry 4.0, which brings them

and helped us realize the county’s assets and get focused on

into the world of digitized manufacturing, 3D printing, advanced

driving a new economy that leverages the R&D know-how and

materials, robotics, cybersecurity and internet of all things. Oakland

manufacturing might that exists here.

County recently invested $10 million in Automation Alley to help the

personal service industries. These industries and the small-business

oaklandcountyprosper.com

2021

Photo: Courtesy of Fanuc

owners were hit hard by COVID-19, and it became critical for

Q: Oakland County has always been strong in automotive R&D. What are some other areas of focus? A: We want to sharpen our efforts to help local companies attract

especially hard on retail trade, leisure and hospitality and other

Photo: Brad Ziegler

pandemic helped to fill out our strategic plan. The pandemic was

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county and small manufacturers become more resilient to pandemics such as COVID-19, and less reliant on foreign manufacturing for

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F EAT U R E - -- PHOTO ESSAY Q & A - - - W I T H DAV E COULTER

make Oakland County a preferred destination for relocation. Industry 4.0: The next industrial revolution is here. We need to

essential goods such as protective equipment for first responders,

ensure that our small manufacturers are ready for the digitization

hospitals and health care workers. We believe this is critical support

of manufacturing, additive manufacturing, 3D printing, advanced

for our small manufacturers and will be instrumental to win efforts

materials, robotics, cybersecurity and the internet of all things.

to bring manufacturing back to the United States — and, more to the point, to Oakland County.

We recently invested $10 million with Automation Alley to promote this effort, but most importantly, it makes us more resilient to a spike in the pandemic or a new pandemic. No

Q: Is there a timetable to put this strategy in motion? A: The strategies and actions in the plan are presented as short-

longer can we turn our backs on overseas manufacturing. We saw

term (next 12 months), intermediate (1-3 years) and long-term

out to equip 300 small manufacturers with 3D printers and block

(3-5 years) goals. Short-term actions focus on the immediate

chain technology to decrease our dependency on China and other

needs of businesses and workers impacted by the pandemic.

foreign manufacturing.

Intermediate helps accelerate the economic recovery once the

firsthand the impact of this dependency. That is why we have set

Mobility: There is a race between Silicon Valley and Detroit to

crisis period ends. Long-term strategies will help us create a

own this space. Oakland County and Southeast Michigan have a

more nimble and resilient economy that capitalizes on emerging

unique opportunity with the highest concentration of engineers to

trends and future opportunities.

play a key part in this race and ensure that we continue to be the mobility and automotive capital of the world. Oakland County will

Q: There are a lot of important initiatives and goals in the strategic plan. Can you outline the top initiatives that will help Oakland County maintain its standing as a global destination for innovation, investment and growth? A: Here are four important initiatives for Oakland County’s future.

Photo: Courtesy of Fanuc

Photo: Brad Ziegler

Oakland 80: Out of 38 peer counties with populations

work with Macomb County and Wayne County to create mobility corridors for autonomous vehicles. Oakland County will also lean in and leverage our Oakland County airports, including Oakland County International Airport, to support initiatives and programs that explore autonomous aerial platforms. Environment & Sustainability: Oakland County has a great

of 900,000 to 1.6 million, Oakland County ranks eighth in

quality of life with over 90,000 acres of parkland; more than 1,400

educational attainment. It is one of the core factors in why

freshwater lakes, streams and rivers; and 65 miles of trails for

Oakland County is a destination for national and international

hiking and biking. We have a fiduciary duty to be stewards in the

firms and one of the main reasons why over 1,000 foreign-owned

management of these natural resources, which means more than just

firms have business locations here. It’s why $1.2 billion of foreign

promoting these resources, but also taking care of them for future

direct investment has been made here over the past five years.

generations to enjoy. Building a green economy and understanding

This initiative will help to sustain and grow that investment and

how to promote this economy will help us.

oakland together

2021 5

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ROAD COMMISSION FOR OAKL AND COUNT Y “The residents and businesses of Oakland County depend on our roads, which provide the main access to neighborhoods, schools, churches, parks and businesses. Our good roads help make Oakland County a premiere place to live and work." — RCOC Chairman Greg Jamian The RCOC Board (L-R): Ron Fowkes, Greg Jamian and Andrea LaLonde.

RCOC: SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY

Nor has the coronavirus slowed RCOC.

MAINTAINING THE LARGEST COUNTY

In fact, RCOC staff are among the many

ROAD SYSTEM IN THE STATE

essential workers who have remained on the

When it comes to getting goods and

job throughout the pandemic.

services to and from the largest market in Michigan, you can count on the roads in

Road Commission staff are out working so

Oakland County.

everyone else can get where they need to go. That also includes the administrative staff

With the state’s second-largest population,

and those in the garages who support and

Oakland County is home to one of the

supply the staff working on the roads, such

most robust residential and commercial

as the supervisors, mechanics, dispatchers,

markets in the United States. And the Road

inspectors and janitors and those in

Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) is

engineering, inventory, purchasing, finance,

a leader in the state in safely and efficiently

human resources and many more.

An example of one of RCOC’s 2020 projects: The widened and reconstructed Baldwin Road between Morgan and Waldon in Orion Township.

moving people, goods and services. This is just some of the critical road work With Michigan’s largest and most essential

that has continued uninterrupted during

county road system, we are a leader in the

the pandemic:

FAST FACTS

state in road safety, road building and road

- Traffic sign installation and repair

Contact RCOC:

maintenance. That’s who we are and what

- Traffic signal installation and repair

› www.rcocweb.org

we do.

- Winter road maintenance

› 877-858-4804

(salting/plowing)

› dcsmail@rcoc.org

A RECOGNIZED LEADER

- Guardrail installation and repair

From the most advanced “smart” traffic-

- Cleaning up storm damage

signal system in the state to the latest

- Drainage repair

The 2020 RCOC Board:

road construction techniques and designs,

- Road paving/resurfacing/widening

Greg Jamian, Ronald Fowkes,

RCOC is widely respected for its leadership

- Culvert replacement and repair

Andrea LaLonde

in the field. For example, RCOC was the

- Gravel road grading

Dennis G. Kolar,

first county road agency in the state

- Pothole patching

PE, Managing Director

to recognize the safety and traffic-flow

- Ditching

Gary Piotrowicz,

benefits of roundabouts. Today, we have 31

- Dust control

PE, PTOE,Deputy Managing Director/

roundabouts in operation on our system —

- Grass mowing for sight distance

County Highway Engineer

the highest concentration in Michigan.

OAK L ANDCOUNT YPROSPER . CO M

2021

› Facebook, Twitter (@oaklandroads) and Instagram (oaklandroads)

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At Home in a New Habitat: The Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak opened the new Devereaux Tiger Forest in 2020, reimagining the $3.5 million habitat to closely mirror its residents’ native landscape of far eastern Russia. That means naturalistic elements that are important to tigers: elevated vantage points, open spaces, wooded areas, pools, a waterfall and a cave for — what else? — catnapping.

oaklandcountyprosper.com

2021

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EXP LO R E - -- PHOTO ESSAY

Under the Sea: The Polk Penguin Conservation Center at the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak offers visitors an up close and personal view of its occupants’ antics as they swim and cavort in the 326,000-gallon, 25-foot-deep aquatic habitat. The center was bestowed an Exhibit Award by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums — the top annual honor for excellence in exhibit design among accredited zoos and aquariums in the U.S. and seven other countries worldwide.

oakland together

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EXP LORE -- - PH OTO ESSAY

â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

Social Distancing Made Easy: Visitors try out the new Holly Oaks off-road vehicle park. Located near Mt. Holly, it opened in 2020 and features 4x4 trails, single-track trails, steep hills, water crossings, rock crawls and other challenging elements for off-road vehicles.

Game Time: The Troy Cricket Association was established in 2014 to advance opportunities for cricket enthusiasts to participate in team competition.

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2021

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2021 11

EXP LORE -- - PH OTO ESSAY

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Music in the Park: Marshbank Park in West Bloomfield hosted several Kids Komotion Free Summer Concerts in the summer of 2020. Here, The Candy Bandits perform to a widely spaced audience — attendance was limited to 100 to adhere to safety recommendations at the time — on a warm and beautiful afternoon.

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Don’t Look Now: Visitors take a drive through Jurassic Quest, an outdoor event held in the parking lot of DTE Energy Music Theatre in Independence Township in 2020. The traveling display featured more than 70 life-size animatronic dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus rex, Spinosaurus and Triceratops. Guests were guided by an informational digital audio tour — and the screams of visitors encountering the huge, all-too-realistic prehistoric creatures.

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Architectural Wonder: Christ Church Cranbrook in Bloomfield Hills, built in the early 1900s and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973, is well known for its stunning beauty. Rich in architectural detail, it includes work by woodcarver John Kirchmayer and silversmith Arthur Nevill Kirk, stained glass designs by G. Owen Bonawit, exterior buttress sculptures by Lee Lawrie and a large fresco by Katherine McEwen.

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Iconic Homes: One of the first Detroit suburbs to develop after World War II, Southfield has two neighborhoods known for houses built in the iconic style of midcentury modern design. Popular at the time, such homes typically had flat roofs, open floor plans, picture windows, sliding glass doors, split-level spaces and partial interior walls. The two neighborhoods — Northland Gardens and Plumbrooke Estates — were both recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Jumping for Joy: It doesn’t take long to go from home to slope with Oakland County’s ski and snowboard resorts. Alpine Valley in White Lake Township is among them, boasting picturesque treelined slopes and a variety of terrain parks. Other favorites are Mt. Holly in Groveland Township and Pine Knob in Independence Township.

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Currier & Ives in Real Life: Gathering at the Riley Park outdoor ice rink is a winter rite of passage for families in downtown Farmington. The rink also hosts various themed events throughout the season; this one, drawing on Disney’s Frozen, drew a sizable crowd.

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Endorsed by Tony Hawk: Ferndale’s Geary Park has been attracting skateboarders of all ages since it opened in 2019. Even celebrity skateboarder Tony Hawk — his foundation contributed $250,000 toward construction — made a surprise appearance and gave it a try shortly after it debuted.

Keep on Rolling: If it’s Tuesday in the summer in Oak Park, it’s E-Z Roll time. Founded in 2015 by Aaron Tobin, who says, “There’s no better way to meet your neighbors,” the event attracts between 150 and 200 riders per week to travel about 8 miles through Oak Park and nearby cities.

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All That: Jazz vocalist, model and actress Kimmie Horne performs for her self-titled “Kimmie Horne Jazz Festival” in Southfield. The Detroit native is related to legendary songstress Lena Horne.

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Screen Time: Huron-Clinton Metroparks hosted pop-up drive-in movies during the summer of 2020, providing safe, socially distanced activities for local residents. Here, movie fans turn out for a showing of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker at Kensington Metropark in Milford.

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To Market, to Market: At 95 years old, the Royal Oak Farmers Market attracts visitors from across the region seeking fresh produce, meats, cheese, baked goods, plants, flowers and more.

A Work in Progress: An experimental arm of Eastern Market Brewing Co., the Ferndale Project in Ferndale opened just weeks before the pandemic changed everything in early 2020. To keep patrons and staff safe, management implemented protocols that included offering food and drinks to go via contactless curbside pickup and expanded patio space to provide more socially distant outdoor seating.

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Keeping the Lights On: Designed by C. Howard Crane, also the architect of the Fox Theatre in Detroit, the Farmington Civic Theater has been a landmark in downtown Farmington since 1940. Turning 80 in 2020, the theater survived pandemic restrictions by selling popcorn, drinks and other concessions several days a week. It also, for the first time in all of its decades, began accepting credit cards.

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make yourself at home in

OAKL AND COUNT Y We’re your kind of place. In Oakland County, there’s a living situation for every preference and budget. From apartments and condominiums to city neighborhoods, rural subdivisions and sprawling, magnificent lakefront estates, housing options are plentiful. So are aesthetics, with cities, villages and townships offering the lifestyle you prefer — whether that is in a lively urban center within walking distance of restaurants

Southfield

Charter Township of

(248) 796-5000

Highland

cityofsouthfield.com

(248) 887-3791

and shops or a country oasis where you can escape and unplug. And you never

highlandtwp.com

have to travel very far to engage in your favorite activities, with more than

Sylvan Lake

1,450 lakes and rivers, 72 public and private golf courses, 89,000 acres of

(248) 682-1440

Holly Township

parkland and miles of trails within the county’s borders. Factor in premier

sylvanlake.org

(248) 634-9331

school districts, shopping, entertainment and restaurants, and you couldn’t find a better place to live.

hollytownship.org Troy (248) 524-3300

Charter Township of

troymi.gov

Independence (248) 625-5111

CITIES

Hazel Park

Oak Park

Walled Lake

Auburn Hills

(248) 546-7000

(248) 691-7400

(248) 624-4847

(248) 370-9400

hazelpark.org

oakparkmi.gov

walledlake.us

Huntington Woods

Orchard Lake Village

Wixom

Berkley

(248) 541-4300

(248) 682-2400

(248) 624-4557

(248) 658-3300

hwmi.org

cityoforchardlake.com

wixomgov.org

Keego Harbor

Pleasant Ridge

(248) 685-8731

Birmingham

(248) 682-1930

TOWNSHIPS

(248) 541-2901

milfordtownship.com

(248) 530-1800

keegoharbor.org

cityofpleasantridge.org

Addison Township

Lake Angelus

Pontiac

Bloomfield Hills

(248) 332-3916

(248) 758-3000

(248) 644-1520

lakeangelus.org

pontiac.mi.us

auburnhills.org

twp.independence.mi.us Charter Township of Lyon (248) 437-2240

berkleymich.org

lyontwp.org Charter Township of Milford

bhamgov.org

(248) 628-5409

twp.addison.mi.us

bloomfieldhillsmi.net

Township of Novi (248) 231-6210

Charter Township of Bloomfield

Charter Township of

(248) 433-7700

Oakland

bloomfieldtwp.org

(248) 651-4440

Lathrup Village

Rochester

Clawson

(248) 557-2600

(248) 733-3700

(248) 435-4500

lathrupvillage.org

rochestermi.org

Brandon

Charter Township of

Madison Heights

Rochester Hills

Orion

Farmington

(248) 588-1200

(248) 627-4918

(248) 656-4600

(248) 391-0304

(248) 474-5500

madison-heights.org

rochesterhills.org

brandontownship.us

cityofclawson.com

farmgov.com

oaklandtownship.org Charter Township of

oriontownship.org Charter Township of

Northville

Royal Oak

(248) 349-1300

Commerce

Charter Township of

Farmington Hills

(248) 246-3000

Oxford

(248) 871-2400

ci.northville.mi.us

romi.gov

(248) 624-0110

commercetwp.com

(248) 628-9787

Novi

South Lyon

Ferndale

(248) 347-0460

Groveland Township

(248) 437-1735

cityofnovi.org

southlyonmi.org

(248) 634-4152

Township of Rose

(248) 546-2525

grovelandtownship.net

(248) 634-7551

fhgov.com

oxfordtownship.org

ferndalemi.gov

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N S

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Oxford Twp.

Ortonville

Leonard

E Brandon Twp.

Addison Twp.

Oxford Holly

Groveland Twp.

Lake Orion

Independence Twp. Rose Twp.

Oakland Twp.

Village of Clarkston

Springfield Twp.

Orion Twp. 24

Lake Angelus Highland Twp.

Auburn Hills

Waterford Twp.

White Lake Twp.

Rochester

Pontiac

Rochester Hills

Sylvan Lake Keego Harbor Milford

Orchard Lake Village

Commerce Twp. Milford Twp.

Bloomfield Twp.

West Bloomfield Twp.

Wolverine Lake

Birmingham Clawson Bingham Beverly Hills Farms Southfield Twp.

Franklin

5 Farmington Hills Lyon Twp. South Lyon

Troy

1 24

Walled Lake

Wixom

Bloomfield Hills

Lathrup Village Huntington Woods

Southfield

Farmington 275

Madison Heights

Berkley

696

Novi Novi Twp.

Royal Oak

Northville

Hazel Park

Pleasant Ridge

Oak Park

Ferndale Royal Oak Twp.

Charter Township of

VILLAGES

Franklin

Milford

Royal Oak

Waterford

Beverly Hills

(248) 626-9666

(248) 684-1515

(248) 547-9800

(248) 674-3111

(248) 646-6404

franklin.mi.us

villageofmilford.org

royaloaktwp.com

waterfordmi.gov

villagebeverlyhills.com Holly

Ortonville

Township of Southfield

Charter Township of

Bingham Farms

(248) 634-9571

(248) 627-4976

(248) 540-3420

West Bloomfield

(248) 644-0044

hollyvillage.org

ortonvillevillage.com

southfieldtownship.org

(248) 451-4800

binghamfarms.org

wbtwp.org Charter Township of

Lake Orion

Oxford

Clarkston

(248) 693-8391

(248) 628-2543

lakeorion.org

thevillageofoxford.org

Springfield

Charter Township of

(248) 625-1559

(248) 846-6500

White Lake

villageofclarkston.org

springfield-twp.us

(248) 698-3300

Leonard

Wolverine Lake

whitelaketwp.com

(248) 628-7380

(248) 624-1710

villageofleonard.org

wolverinelake.com

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C I T Y O F T R OY MICHIGAN’S PREMIER ADDRESS

We believe a strong community embraces

headquarters to Troy, employing 40 people.

The City’s spectrum of shops and restaurants

diversity, promotes innovation and

Aptiv, a global leader in connected vehicle

is as diverse as the City’s population, with

encourages collaboration. We strive to lead

technology, will employ more than 1,000

cuisine and goods representing every corner

by example within the region.

professionals at its Troy campus. Marsh

of the globe. The new Troy City Center project

& McLennan Agency, a major property

at 888 W. Big Beaver Road includes a mix of

PROMOTE INNOVATION

casualty and benefits company, relocated

office, residential, retail and restaurant uses

Troy is home to a wide range of innovative

to expanded space at PNC Tower, where it is

in an easily accessible walkable environment,

businesses and industries including Fortune

employing 130 people.

adding to the vitality of the Big Beaver corridor.

small businesses. Companies in fields such

Troy’s retail and dining options are world

OUTSTANDING LOCATION

as engineering, research and development,

class. The nearly 1.5 million-square-foot

Troy’s unique location in the heart of

product testing and others find that Troy has

Somerset Collection offers a shopping utopia

Oakland County, only 20 minutes from

tremendous assets, including an outstanding

for residents, area workers and visitors alike.

Detroit, boasts easy access to I-75, I-696

500 corporations, global companies and

central location; excellent schools; a talented pool of employees; and a wide array of retail, residential and restaurant options. All these benefits make Troy the perfect place for businesses to launch their success story and continue to grow. Troy keeps pace with the ever-changing times in order to remain attractive and viable to its 84,547 residents and 6,000 businesses that employ more than 129,000 people. A WELCOMING COMMUNITY Troy puts out the welcome mat for businesses of all sizes spanning a variety of sectors. Flex-N-Gate has opened a major assembly facility at 1400 Rochester Road that employs 200 people. Cutting edge software developer Beet Analytics moved its

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and M-59. The City offers residents and businesses a tremendous competitive advantage, including attractive neighborhoods, excellent schools, prime shopping and employment opportunities. GLOBAL TROY The City is home to a vibrant and diverse international community, with 80 different languages spoken in Troy homes and 31% of the population speaking a language other than English at home. About 27% of Troy’s residents are foreign born. More than 200 foreign-based companies, the most in Oakland County, have had great success here in Troy because of the extensive resources and locational advantages we offer. of the safest cities in Michigan and has one LEAD BY EXAMPLE

of the lowest tax rates in Oakland County.

Troy is a place where families and businesses

Its strategic location puts residents and

thrive and is a community recognized for its

visitors within easy reach of a wide variety of

excellent quality of life — WalletHub named

recreational opportunities, including its 1,000

Troy the fourth-best place to raise a family

acres of parkland, two golf courses, nature

in Michigan in 2019. Caring.com ranked Troy

center, historic village, farmers market, dog

as one of the best cities for seniors to live

park, trails and a variety of lakes and streams.

in the U.S. in 2019. Smart Asset ranked Troy the 16th most livable small city in the U.S. based on cost of living, quality of life and quality of economic opportunity. The Troy School District is A+ rated and recognized nationally for excellence in academics and fine arts education. Troy has unsurpassed city services, is consistently ranked as one

FAST FACTS Location: Outstanding central location in Oakland County. Number of Residents: 84,547 What We’re Known For: Best Place to Raise a Family: WalletHub named Troy the fourth-best place to raise a family in Michigan in 2019. Most Livable City: In 2018, Smart Asset ranked Troy the 16th most livable small city in the U.S. based on cost of living, quality of life and availability of economic opportunity. Excellence in Academics: The Troy School District is A+ rated and recognized nationally for excellence in academics and fine arts education. Safest City: Troy continues to be one of the safest cities in Michigan across all population sizes based on the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report statistics. Website: www.troymi.gov

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C I T Y O F F E R N DA L E WELCOME HOME Nestled in the southeast corner of Oakland County, Ferndale is an active community of 20,000 known for its mix of small-town neighborhoods and vibrant downtown districts. Residents and visitors choose Ferndale for its unique shopping and dining, innovative art scene, award-winning schools and services, multiple parks and green spaces and safe homes and neighborhoods. In 2018, the city was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and the Equality Federation with a perfect score for inclusive policies — one of only 78 U.S. cities to earn such a distinction. Ferndale is a community in the truest sense of the word — a place where neighbors, artists, entrepreneurs, friends and families come together to live, work and play.

And if you’re searching for a school district that provides a small community feel,

Downtown Ferndale is home to 350-plus

personalized attention and access to

businesses, most owned and operated

exceptional learning opportunities, look no

by local entrepreneurs who are driven to

further than Ferndale Schools. They offer:

deliver goods and services in engagingly unique ways. Ferndale businesses are consistently recognized as the “Best of”

20-plus AP courses and access to integrated STEM electives

award winners by Hour Detroit, Metro

Top-ranked IMPI Robotics team

Times, Channel 4, Daily Tribune and

Award-winning music, drama and

more. Each year, Ferndale plays host to an incredible variety of events: festivals, parades, celebrations and more. The DIY Street Fair and Funky Ferndale Art Fair are fall favorites, while the summer is filled with

art programs District and state champion MHSAA athletics The ability to earn free college credit up

events like the Ferndale Dream Cruise and

to an associate degree with the Early

Pig and Whiskey Festival.

College Program

bit.ly/ferndale_home

ferndaleschools.org

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How do I open in Ferndale?

Business success stories Startup resources Retention & growth support Co-working spaces Personalized assistance

ferndalemi.gov/open

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CIT Y OF SOUTHFIELD THE CENTER OF IT ALL™ With a wide variety of affordable housing options, outstanding city services and great schools, Southfield is the perfect choice for you and your family as well as businesses large or small. From our abundant natural beauty to our unparalleled recreational options, the City of Southfield truly has something for everyone! Southfield is a unique community that offers a strong mix of cultural, ethnic and economic diversity in addition to more than 780 acres of parkland, a beautiful public golf course, heated-tees driving range and miles of nature and fitness trails. With more than 73,000 residents and a daytime population nearing 175,000, Southfield is truly Michigan’s premier business and residential address. Southfield residents and businesses are proud to be a part of such a family-friendly When it comes to choosing where to live,

and engaged community that offers so many

work or raise your family, we know that

great cultural, recreational and business

you have a lot of options. Let’s face it,

opportunities. Come see today all that

southeastern Michigan is home to many

Southfield has to offer! Learn more at

great communities with much to offer.

www.cityofsouthfield.com or call

While there are several places for you to

(248) 796-5000.

choose from, simply put: Southfield offers advantages that other communities simply don’t! The City of Southfield’s central location is just one of the many reasons why we are home to 25 percent of all of Oakland County’s companies and 25 percent of its international corporations. Southfield’s magnificent golden skyline boasts more than 10,000 businesses and over 100 Fortune 500 companies in virtually every sector. With over 27 million square feet of office space and more to come, we are indeed, “The Center of It All!” We make life easy for our businesses and residents by rolling out the red carpet while cutting the red tape. Whether you’re looking to buy a new home or start a business in Southfield — we’re here to help!

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LIVE. WORK. PLAY. LEARN.

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SOUTHFIELD CITY CENTRE

Where the millennial generation gathers Visit the Southfield City Centre’s modern office buildings, unique retail, cool restaurants and inviting residential developments and you’ll experience a thriving urban environment. Take a closer look and you’ll discover must-have amenities for a generation that recognizes the value of playing and working wherever and whenever. Light-filled office buildings bring natural elements inside — like trees, plants and moving water — all to spark creativity and connection.

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Design, engineering, business and architectural minds are growing nearby at Lawrence Technological University, a residential university with a blossoming varsity sports program. Baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse and softball are just a few of the competitive sports enjoyed by the LTU Blue Devils. Party at a tailgate, then grab a seat at LTU’s new on-campus athletic stadium for a high-energy varsity football game. It’s a great opportunity to make new friends. S-8

@SouthfieldCity

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Grab a Southfield City Centre Trail Map and explore our energy year-round.

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The best part? It’s all connected by a miles-long trail with extra-wide shared-use path — specifically designed for walkers, runners and cyclists — that reveals nature, public art, new business development and plenty of heart-healthy recreation.

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O R I O N T OW N S H I P plant, and located within three miles of two I-75 interchanges. Additionally, the Township’s thriving Corridor Improvement Authority, with only a handful of sites still available for development, saw tremendous movement in 2020, with a number of site plan reviews, sitework preparation, and groundbreakings. Furthermore, with the road expansion and final landscaping on Baldwin Road nearing completion, the southern portion of the Township has become a major business-hub along I-75.

Orion Township is comprised of 36 square

friends, we feature a 24-acre, fence-enclosed

miles of abundant green space, beautiful

dog park at Orion Oaks. This regional

neighborhoods, and locally owned businesses.

attraction draws visitors from all over Metro

Home to over 42 lakes and more than 70

Detroit — one of the many reasons we were

miles of pathways and trails, it’s no wonder

certified in the Better Cities for Pets program

that we were named a Pure Michigan Trail

in 2020.

Town in 2020, one of only seven in the State! In 2020, the Township finished completion

Orion Township has long been known by our

of a pedestrian and bicycle pathway on

motto, ‘Where living is a vacation’, and it’s

Clarkston Road, connecting the Paint Creek

easy to see why. From the miles and miles of

and Polly Ann Trails. This new connection

trails to our lakes and parks featuring camp

takes you high into the trees, at some points

sites, a disc golf course, unique playgrounds,

20 feet from the ground. The showstopper

and so much more, we have something for

on this pathway is the bridge going over the

every outdoor enthusiast. And as a Michigan

Paint Creek, that is 90 feet in length and

Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

weighing in at 50,000 pounds. This pathway

Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC),

is also an important connection to the Iron

we are open for business!

Belle Trail, which spans the entire length Indianwood Lake

FAST FACTS

Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula. In addition to our recreational amenities,

Location: Northern Oakland County,

Combining 11 recreational parks, we offer

we offer a number of opportunities for our

more than 4,200 acres of recreational

business partners. The Township Board

relaxation and unparalleled beauty. The

is supportive of the business community

Population: 39,518 (2018)

Township recently completed an eighteen-

throughout various stages of the planning

Motto: Where Living is a Vacation

hole disc-golf course at Camp Agawam,

and development process, from site plan

and finished one of two pocket parks along

review, to the construction phase, and

Baldwin Road, with The Playful Dragon

even after they open for business. There

welcoming guests as they enter the

are identified sites currently available for

community from I-75. For our four-legged

development near the GM Orion Assembly

OAK L ANDCOUNT YPROSPER . CO M

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approximately 40 minutes north of Detroit

Schools: Blue Ribbon, award-winning school district What’s New: Iron Belle Trail connection

Photo: Courtesy Phil Calvert – Indianwood Lake

of the State, from Belle Isle in Detroit to

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V I L L AG E O F L A K E O R I O N THE HEART & HUB OF THE ORION COMMUNITY WHY LAKE ORION “Dating back to the 1980’s, Anita’s Kitchen has enjoyed developing strong relationships not only with individual patrons and their families, but with the many businesses that make up the communities we serve. Lake Orion has been a special place for our family as both our boys enjoyed their early education at Upland Hills School. Our daily travels to UHS allowed us to watch the development and growth of Lake Orion, as well as take advantage of the many independent shops and businesses that serve this wonderful community. The natural resources that abound in Lake Orion and Oxford are reflective of the food and focus that Anita’s Kitchen has always had for health and wellness. We were excited to find and develop a location in downtown Lake

Anita’s Kitchen

Orion. The small-town charm, the progressive THE HEART & HUB OF THE

THIS IS LAKE ORION

and growing restaurant scene and the

ORION COMMUNITY

We are the “Heart & Hub” of the Orion

walkability of its downtown, make Lake Orion

What began as a playground destination in

Community. Filled with friendly, fun and

a great fit for Anita’s Kitchen”.

the 1800s continues to be a place to come

welcoming people, we’re dedicated to art,

— Joe & Jennifer Wegrzyn

to and enjoy life! It’s where the lakes start

music and preserving our historic heritage.

and your worries end. Where relaxation finds

You can see this rich heritage being realized

its way into everyday life.

today, with a fresh face in our historic downtown, dragons around every corner, and new businesses saying YES to economic development. We invite you to take a stroll through our downtown. Dine with us, listen to music and discover our unique traditions.

FAST FACTS Location: On historic M-24 between Auburn Hills and Oxford in northern Oakland County.

Whether you’re new in town or if you already

What We’re Known For: The infamous

live, work and play here, you’ll love spending

Dragon on the Lake Festival and Boat

time in Lake Orion, where living is a vacation!

Races, home to the Dueling Fireworks, and Jubilee Street Carnival and we host

THRIVING IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

the 2nd largest Lighted Holiday Parade in

2020 has brought forth uncertain times. But

the nation. The Paint Creek Trail extends

even in the midst of a global pandemic Lake

through the Village of Lake Orion, with a

Orion businesses have continued to thrive.

trailhead complete with public restrooms

Downtown Lake Orion welcomed eight new

and parking in downtown.

businesses this year, including Lo’s Beauty Bar + Med Spa, Bitter Tom’s Distillery, Anita’s Kitchen, Vanity Vixen, 313 Pizza

What’s New: Downtown Social Districts allowing for public consumption of alcohol in Village Common areas.

Bar, Oat Soda, Wayne Haney Farm Bureau Insurance, and Jodey Kerr Designs.

Website: downtownlakeorion.org

313 Pizza Bar outdoor dining

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C I T Y O F C L AWS O N THE LITTLE CITY WITH A BIG HEART A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE The City of Clawson is best described as a community of neighbors that offers a friendly, small-town atmosphere where all amenities are within walking distance in our 2.2-square-mile community. We work together to be a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family. We enjoy award-winning dining and the ability to shop locally for our needs and extravagances. Our signature events are annual traditions

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

AWARD WINNING DOWNTOWN

that enrich our community

Community parks abound in the city and offer

Easy access from 1-75. 1-696 and the

many opportunities to walk, picnic and play.

Woodward corridor places downtown

Local civic groups. businesses, and volunteers

Clawson nearly 20 minutes from anywhere

work together, making Clawson a great place

in the metro Detroit area. An eclectic mix

to stay and play.

of dining, shopping, and outdoor cafes along with abundant free parking, bricklined sidewalks, and renovated storefronts invite shoppers to stop, stroll, and explore. Website: downtownclawson.com

A GREAT PLACE TO VISIT

FAST FACTS

Visitors are drawn to our annual events:

A GREAT PLACE FOR FAMILIES

a week-long 4th of July celebration, Fall

Location: Nestled among the cities

Festival, Lions Club Car Show, Cinema in

of Royal Oak. Troy, Birmingham, and

the Street, and many more.

Madison Heights.

Residents enjoy the ability to walk or bike to the library, community center, historical museum. senior center, shops, restaurants, skatepark, parks, schools. and downtown.

Number of Residents: 12,048 What We’re Known For: Clawson sponsors one of Michigan’s

Our quiet tree-lined residential blocks offer

largest week-long 4th of July celebrations.

affordable homes with styles ranging from historic to the latest in design. Our school

Website: cityofclawson.com

district demonstrates leading and learning

Facebook: facebook.comlcityofclawson

with higher test scores and smaller class sizes.

Twitter: @CityofClawsonMI

Clawson’s array of attractions, events,

Contact:

recreation, restaurants, and shops along

425 N. Main Street

with a vibrant downtown make Clawson a

Clawson, MI 48017

perfect place to raise a family.

248.435.4500

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C I T Y O F H A Z E L PA R K A CITY ON THE RISE

Even in challenging times, the City of Hazel Park — its people and businesses – are not only rising to the occasion, but the entire community is a “city on the rise” and in many different ways. Hazel Park continues to see a renaissance in its neighborhoods,

dispensaries, art studios, bright murals,

in its business districts and in the arts.

world-class restaurants and the good ‘ole

Hazel Park is a city where everyone is

fashioned bar burger are all here within a

welcome and where community is a verb

few square miles for everyone to enjoy.

— just like in days gone by, Hazel Parkers roll up their sleeves and put their heads

If you’re looking for the advantages

together about how to best get things done.

of business logistics, you can find it here in Hazel Park. Our geography is

Hazel Park is an eclectic mix of tradition,

second to none as the city borders major

of what’s hip and of what’s happening.

freeways and thoroughfares — and makes

Mixed-use residential, festivals, open-air

transporting materials and products

markets, bustling business parks, cannabis

much easier to destinations that are even hundreds of miles away. We call LG and Amazon corporate citizens and are proud to see Hazel Park as an emerging hot spot for high-tech companies such as Exlterra, Akasol and Dakota. We believe that a community works best when it works together. We see it everyday … we see it in our schools, on the production line, behind the counter and in the care that homeowners demonstrate. Hazel Park is at the intersection of history and vision. We invite you to join us and be a part of the City on the Rise.

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C I T Y O F P O N T I AC THE FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX – AN ALL-AMERICAN CITY for southeastern Michigan, hosting both local and nationally acclaimed acts. Most recently, Mayor Deirdre Waterman hosted the mayor’s annual “Unity in the Community” concert and Pontiac Music Festival featuring awardwinning national acts free to residents. The downtown now bustles with restaurants and bars that are locally owned and operated. Pontiac has also restored youth recreation services in a new facility capable of accommodating every child in the city, providing no-cost programs to participants.

The city of Pontiac has been on a clear

United Shore, a national leader in the

trajectory of economic redevelopment and

mortgage industry; and Auch Construction

growth for nearly a decade, attracting 21

have relocated to Pontiac, bringing

high-tech industries and tech companies

numerous jobs and investing millions of

and becoming known as Oakland County’s

dollars in the economy.

“Emerging High-Tech Hub!” Pontiac is home to the retail behemoth With that, a new narrative for Pontiac

Amazon. The $250 million development

has also emerged — one that takes pride

is projected to be the first Amazon site

in its rich, storied history. Known as the

nationally to have both a fulfillment center

seat of Oakland County the city, once in

and delivery station. Planned at the 127-acre

receivership and fiscal insolvency, has once

former Silverdome site, an area that once

again taken flight as a bastion of economic

was the entertainment catalyst of Pontiac, it

growth and opportunity.

will now become an economic engine for this great city.

It is in this spirit that economists and research scholars from nearby Oakland

Pontiac also recognizes that small

University, with whom the city has formed a

businesses are the backbone of any thriving

dynamic partnership called the OU-Pontiac

American city. Through a pioneering

Initiative, predict a return to the prosperity

public-private partnership, Pontiac and

of years past and an evolution to a greater,

Flagstar Bank have collaborated to invest in

more sustainable economic impact. The

small business and entrepreneurship. As a

energetic administration has drawn the

result, $10 million in grants continues to be

largest companies in their respective fields

awarded to Pontiac small businesses.

FAST FACTS Contact: City of Pontiac 47450 Woodward Ave. Pontiac, MI 48341 Telephone: 248-758-3000 Dr. Deirdre Waterman, Mayor Linnette Phillips, Director Economic and Community Development

from throughout the United States to relocate and build in Pontiac. Companies

Work-life balance is another key to the

pontiac.mi.us

such as Williams International, a U.S.

rebirth of Pontiac. Reopened in 2016 after a

facebook.com/PontiacCityHall

Department of Defense contractor and

$20 million renovation, the Flagstar Strand

PontiConnect.app

leader in aeronautics manufacturing;

Theatre has become an entertainment hub

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C I T Y O F R OYA L OA K LIFE NOW PLAYING

While 2020 brought unprecedent economic

with 245 townhomes and apartments

challenges to Southeast Michigan, it also

and retail space located at the gateway to

reinforced why Royal Oak is one of the

downtown Royal Oak, and tech-focused

region’s most desired cities for businesses

incubator Bamboo, whose expansion into

and families to call home.

a 20,000-square-foot building downtown marks its first project outside of Detroit.

We are a vibrant community of people who

FAST FACTS Named one of the Top 10 Most Exciting Small Cities in America by Movoto, and

care deeply about their neighbors, their

Bamboo joins over 60 creative and

one of the five safest cities in Michigan

neighborhoods, and their small business

technology companies who have located

by Munetrix.

community — a city that has always valued

to Royal Oak since 2010, including Hulu’s

the arts and cultural diversity as engines

Detroit office, Vectorform, Dassault Systems,

Beaumont Hospital, was named the

of progress.

Gongos, and RPM Logistics, who is projected

No. 2 hospital in Michigan by U.S. News

to increase the number of its employees

& World Report.

Named one of Livability’s Top 10 Best Cities

downtown from 100 to over 600 by 2023.

for Kids, Royal Oak boasts an award-winning school district with six public elementary

Royal Oak’s largest employer,

The annual Arts, Beats and Eats summer festival draws nearly half a

This is our Royal Oak.

schools, a public middle school and a public

million visitors to Royal Oak. Home to the Detroit Zoo, the single-

high school that serves 5,000 students. And

Welcome back if it has been a while, and a

sprinkled with close to 50 beautiful parks,

gracious and grateful thank you to all of you

there is always a place to stop and take life

who have supported our friends, businesses

in for the young or young at heart.

and neighbors throughout 2020.

largest paid family attraction in Michigan The Woodward Dream Cruise attracts more than 1 million visitors and more than 40,000 collector and special interest vehicles.

At the start of 2021, over $200 million in new projects were underway or nearing completion. Site work is underway on Baker College’s 27.6 million, 80,000-square-foot facility in downtown Royal Oak, which will serve about 1,500 students and 50 staff when it opens in 2022 A new $70 million state-of-the-art Henry Ford Health Systems outpatient facility is set to open in the first quarter of 2021, as is

More than 2,500 businesses and one of the lowest retail and office vacancy rates in Southeast Michigan. For business inquiries, please contact: Economic Development Manager Todd Fenton at 248.246.3208 or toddf@romi.gov For city inquiries, please contact: Community Engagement Specialist Judy Davids at 248.246.3201 or judyd@romi.gov

The Griffin, a $65 million luxury development

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B L O O M F I E L D T OW N S H I P A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

Buyers searching for the home of their

Four public school systems serve residents,

dreams will discover that Bloomfield

with several excellent private and parochial

Township is the perfect choice. The township

schools located in or near the township.

is known for its large residential lots set among lakes, streams, woodlands and

A WELL-RUN COMMUNITY

hills. From modest, affordable houses to

Thanks to stable leadership, the township has

magnificent mansions, there is plenty to

proactively established business practices

choose from.

to maintain the quality of its public services and preserve the community’s distinction.

Because Bloomfield Township is 95

Bloomfield Township is one of just a few

percent residential, its public services are

municipalities in Michigan that have received a

geared toward protecting and promoting

AAA bond rating from Standard and Poor’s.

quality neighborhoods. Experienced public employees deliver outstanding services

A DESIRABLE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

in a cost-efficient, professional manner.

Bloomfield Township is a great choice for

A state-of-the-art senior center, the highly

business owners. Its corporate community

Location: Centrally located in Oakland

acclaimed Bloomfield Township Public

includes international headquarters as well

County, with easy access to I-75,

Library and more than 70 miles of safety

as small, locally owned businesses. The

Woodward Ave. and Telegraph Rd.

paths are among the amenities valued

township’s location in the heart of Oakland

Number of Residents: 41,000

by residents.

County makes businesses easily accessible from major thoroughfares. Most commercial

Population statistics reveal a median income

properties are located along Telegraph,

that ranks among the highest in the nation.

Woodward, Square Lake and Maple roads.

Seventy percent of adult residents have a bachelor’s degree; half of those also have an

For more information, call Bloomfield

additional graduate or professional degree.

Township at 248-433-7700.

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FAST FACTS

What We’re Known For: Lakes, rolling hills and natural woodlands provide an exceptional setting for homes and businesses Website: bloomfieldtwp.org

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CIT Y OF BIRMINGHAM The city of Birmingham is vibrant and prosperous, with a population of just over 20,000. Located along Woodward Avenue, Birmingham is centrally located within Oakland County and metro Detroit. Covering only 4.73 square miles, the community has charming tree-lined neighborhoods and maintains the feel of a small town, while experiencing the benefits of an affluent urban area. Housing in Birmingham is primarily singlefamily homes of exceptional value in distinctive neighborhoods. Education in Birmingham is also highly valued. Public and private schools offer a tradition of academic

app at all downtown smart meters. Register at

excellence that consistently results in rankings

www.parkmobile.com.

as some of the finest in the country. Birmingham is also home to two top-rated, Birmingham is known for its downtown, where

nine-hole golf courses, a picturesque trail

shopping and entertainment offer residents

system, a dog park, an indoor ice arena and

and visitors the best in fashion and nightlife.

beautiful award-winning parks. The city

A center for business, social and cultural

hosts a variety of special events all year long

activities, downtown Birmingham offers more

including art fairs, parades, live concerts, a

than 300 retailers and a diverse assortment

farmers market, sidewalk sales and a classic

of restaurants, clothing and gift stores, salons,

car show, to name a few.

spas, antique shops and art galleries. Movie theaters and a centrally located park complete

With so much to offer, Birmingham welcomes

the city center. The entire downtown shopping

you as a place to live, shop and play.

district is easily walkable, and patrons enjoy two hours of free parking in any of the five

Call 248-530-1200 or visit

municipal parking structures. Pay by mobile

www.ALLINBirmingham.com.

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CIT Y OF ROCHESTER HILLS INNOVATIVE BY NATURE the best Chambers of Commerce in the state affords an environment that supports the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE The community boasts more than 1,000 acres of parkland including the city’s newest park, Innovation Hills. Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and abilities can enjoy everything from tennis and golf, to boating and fishing, jogging or bicycling at Rochester Hills’ parks. Cultural activities and upscale shopping prove that Rochester Hills truly has it all. Rochester Hills is excited about its future and hopes you choose to visit soon.

Voted one of the top places to live by several

lowest municipal tax rates found in

sources including USA Today and CNN Money

Oakland County.

Magazine, Rochester Hills is committed to sustaining its position among the nation’s

EDUCATIONAL EPICENTER

preeminent places to live, work and raise a

In a community where over 50 percent of

family. Through the city’s focus on health,

adult residents hold a bachelor’s degree

education and technology, the community

or higher, it is no wonder quality education

continues to attract forward-thinking

opportunities are a key element of the city’s

leaders and businesses. Rochester Hills is

reputation. Being home to both Oakland

consistently ranked in the top 5 percent of

University and Rochester University brings

all cities in the state for a desirable financial

diversity and lifelong learning opportunities

position. The city prides itself on providing

to the community. Its school districts —

exceptional support services to its business

Rochester Community Schools and Avondale

community, while maintaining one of the

Schools — routinely rate in the top percentile based on state performance standards, and proudly graduate students who go on to study at universities all over the world. STRONG BUSINESS COMMUNITY Rochester Hills is home to an array

FAST FACTS Location: Northeastern Oakland County; Minutes from I-75, M-59 and M-24

of industries from retail to advanced manufacturing. In the past five years, the city has welcomed many new, high-tech companies and helped others expand their operations, resulting in hundreds of new and retained jobs and over $70 million in

Number of residents: 75,000 What we’re known for: Home to Oakland University and the most outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities in Oakland County

new investment. A city with exceptional real estate options, proximity to a talented workforce, growth in all metrics and one of

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Website: rochesterhills.org

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C I T Y O F FA R M I N GT O N H I L L S GLOBAL FOCUS, LOCAL APPEAL Farmington Hills is a vibrant city with an expanding international business community, yet it remains one of the most family-friendly places in the region. With a central location and easy access to highways, the City is a world-class business center that has positioned itself as an economic powerhouse attracting over 6,000 businesses and counting. As an internationally known center of research and development for the automotive, electronics, mobility technology, and software business sectors, the City is creating job security and economic prosperity for generations to come. Farmington Hills attracts a highly skilled, educated talent pool essential to workforce

Nissan Technical Center North America Headquarters has a new Crash Test Facility currently under construction.

development. The City prides itself on connecting businesses with all the resources

The City’s high quality of life stems from

needed to attain success.

exceptional public services, involved residents, a AAA bond rating, and

Farmington Hills has always been a leader in

responsive City leadership. Farmington

southeast Michigan. From the development

Hills is consistently ranked as one of the

of the first business parks, to the pioneering

Safest Cities in America, thanks to award-

of the open space neighborhood concept,

winning Police and Fire services where

the City takes a creative, forward-thinking

compassionate professionals respond to the

approach when assisting businesses with

needs of all citizens.

their plans for the future.

Farmington Hills City Hall is located at 31555 W. Eleven Mile Road.

Many international corporations have located their headquarters in Farmington Hills and their employees have moved their families here for a reason. The community encourages innovation, nurtures the entrepreneurial spirit, and takes pride in being one of the most hospitable cities in Southeast Michigan. For more information, contact the City Manager’s Office at 248-871-2500 or visit www.fhgov.com. Electric vehicle startup Lordstown Motors Corporation is creating an automotive Research and Development Center in Farmington Hills.

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W E S T B L O O M F I E L D T OW N S H I P BEAUTY ABOUNDS Home to 28 inland lakes, the most of any community in Oakland County, West Bloomfield has adopted regulations to preserve, protect and enhance the natural environment. We feature 12 parks, including the award-winning Marshbank Park, and the first “Wildlife Sanctuary” in Michigan. The Planterra Conservatory is an enclosed botanical garden, voted one of the best wedding venues in the Midwest by Brides magazine. Aerial photo by Motown Digital

DIVERSITY LIVES The township strives to create an environment that embraces both newcomers

Community Center of Metro Detroit and an

and lifelong residents. Our diverse township

Adventure Park with ziplining.

offers a variety of housing options, including starter homes, low-maintenance

BUSINESSES THRIVE

condominiums and waterfront homes for

West Bloomfield Township is a sought-after

active families. Our beautiful neighborhoods

location to live, a popular destination to visit

are served by seven outstanding school

and a thriving area to conduct business. The

districts, many of which are nationally

township is home to world-class medical

recognized. Our nationally acclaimed libraries

facilities, including Henry Ford Hospital and

and our award-winning WB Parks are the

Beaumont Medical Center. The only Ferrari

jewels of our community, providing resources

dealer in Michigan, Cauley Ferrari is situated

and programming to meet the needs of

here. Our bond rating is AA+, which indicates

our diverse resident population, from pre-

a strong economy and a fiscally responsible

school age children to senior citizens. West

government. Prospective business owners

Bloomfield Township also boasts the Jewish

can be assured that their investment in the community is a sound decision.

FAST FACTS › Ranked the safest municipality in the nation by National Council for Home Safety and Security › 1,500 acres of wetlands › 2,500 acres of woodlands › Sixth-largest township in Michigan › Bronze Level MI Green Community › 28 lakes and 580 acres of parks › Over 75 miles of bike/safety paths

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WAT E R F O R D T OW N S H I P Waterford Township is located in the center of Oakland County and boasts 34 lakes, more than a dozen parks, a full-service public library, top-notch municipal services, an award-winning school district, and a strong and active Chamber of Commerce with nearly 600 members. WATERFORD TOWNSHIP The Waterford Police Department’s 65 officers responded to 36,000 calls in 2020. Waterford was named the 10th-safest large community in Michigan and is ranked in the top 25th percentile in the United States. Waterford Regional Fire Department serves

WATERFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT

WATERFORD AREA CHAMBER

three communities covering 131,000 residents

The Waterford School District (WSD) is

OF COMMERCE

with 107 firefighter paramedics responding to

an exemplary district centered on student

The chamber serves as a strong advocate for

approximately 13,000 calls in 2020.

achievement. Focusing on the whole child,

local business, economic development and

we pride ourselves on meeting the needs of

community. Waterford’s desirable location

approximately 7,500 diverse students.

provides excellent access to expressways,

Waterford Parks and Recreation promotes health and wellness for all ages, preserves

rail and aviation serving a wealth of business

green space with 850 acres of parks and

At WSD, our goal is to ensure each student

needs. The township is home to Oakland

hosts a variety of events that bring the

graduates with the high-level skills needed to

County International Airport, with easy

community together.

be successful in a global economy. Guiding

access to U.S. Customs and transportation

our students to achieve their personal

of goods and people globally.

best is a combined effort of over 1,300 staff members, as they maintain a positive

Plentiful green space and waterways

learning environment for our students from

provide outstanding quality of life for young

preschool to graduation.

professionals and active lifestyles. Waterford is also home to the Oakland County Farmers

Throughout the district, our robust

Market, which offers local produce, wares and

curriculum is enhanced by interactive

a variety of community events. The chamber

technology in every classroom, innovative

hosts several business networking events

instructional programs, numerous Advanced

as well as community events that bring

Placement courses, the Waterford STEM

businesses, residents and visitors together.

Academy, college and career readiness

For more information visit,

programs, esteemed fine and performing arts

www.waterfordchamber.org. Concert photo

and competitive athletics.

courtesy of Photography by Mari.

The culmination of exceptional curriculum, dedicated employees and supportive Waterford Township Department of Public

community partners makes Waterford School

Works utilizes state-of-the-art facilities and

District a premier focal point in the township

technology to provide high-quality potable

and the county.

water and maintain a substantial sanitary sewer system.

For more information, visit www.wsdmi.org.

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OA K PA R K INVESTING IN THE FUTURE place to live, work, and do business. Our dedicated city staff supplements business development efforts by supplying key market research data, site selection analysis, and additional assistance to meet critical timelines throughout the entire site plan approval process. We look forward to welcoming you home!

WELCOME TO THE CITY OF OAK PARK!

In a centralized location within 10 minutes

Oak Park may be a well-established

of four major freeways, Oak Park is the ideal

community, but this vibrant, diverse city

home for any business looking to service the

For more information on living, working,

of almost 30,000 residents is hard at work

entire region. A business-friendly community

or conducting business in the City of Oak

making progress for the future.

staffed with a committed Economic

Park, contact Kimberly Marrone, Director of

Development & Planning Department,

Economic Development & Planning, at

Oak Park is quickly becoming a preferred

(248) 691-7404. www.oakparkmi.gov.

As a Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Redevelopment Ready Certified community and an Oakland County One Stop Shop community, we go to great lengths to make development and redevelopment in Oak Park swift, simple, and rewarding. We have become known as a competitive business community. We offer streamlined business processes, consistently update our ordinances, and actively market our most exciting available properties. We recently created vibrant, mixed-use zoning districts and reimagined our public spaces. Our Eleven Mile corridor is getting a facelift as several new businesses are committed to opening there soon. Our Nine Mile Redesign project resulted in a wide array of pedestrian and cyclist amenities. And we continue to invest time and resources into affordable housing developments to attract young families to our growing community. We are well on our way to becoming a destination in Southeast Michigan.

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C I T Y O F W IXO M WELCOMING WIXOM!

In Wixom, being welcoming to residents,

wonderful recreational resources like the

Just as importantly, we are driven to be

businesses and visitors is our priority. We

Michigan Air Line Trail, a wildly popular non-

THE place to start/relocate/expand your

deliver on our promise to provide best in

motorized pathway running east/west just

business. We are always refining our

class services.

north of Pontiac Trail. Phase 1 is complete

permitting and planning processes to be

and we’re developing ambitious plans for

more nimble, timely and collaborative with

Phase 2 on this amazing new amenity. If you

our business partners. We want quality

haven’t yet, check it out; otherwise, we look

companies to come to Wixom, succeed

forward to seeing you on the Trail again soon!

and grow because we are all about MUTUAL success!

We also focus on doing services right. From nearly unheard-of services like curbside leaf

If Wixom sounds like your kind of town,

collection to “you’ll notice the difference in

please contact us (248-624-0894 or

Wixom” snow plowing, our employees go the

citymanager@wixomgov.org) and let’s

extra mile to make residents, businesses and

get started on an exciting future together!

visitors happy to join us in Wixom!

This guides our decision making as a City and is reflected in all our areas of operation. From parks & recreation, to public works, to public safety, we aim to please with the services we provide. We offer fun events that make Wixom the kind of place people want to live and spend time in. Come to Wixom and enjoy our Downtown, parks-based and community center-focused events. We likewise develop and maintain

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F EAT U R E --- EDUCATION

Phorto: Justin Maconochie

education

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Lawrence Technological University

Find Your Path at Lawrence Technological University Innovative programs – L a w r e n c e Technological University is a private, 3,000-student university that offers more than 100 innovative programs in Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, and Engineering. Highly-ranked university – Small classes, led by faculty with industry savvy, and an exceptional focus on theory and practice, contribute to Lawrence Tech’s ranking by U.S. News & World Report and T he

Access to top technology – Lawrence Tech

and an expanded dining center while

Princeton Review as among the nation’s

provides the tools you’ll need to succeed

living on campus in one of LTU’s four

best universities. Your hands-on education

in a technology-driven world, including

residential halls.

in programs like design, nursing, business,

a personal high-end laptop loaded with

or engineering begins on day one.

industry-standard software — worth an

More than just classes – More than 60

average of $75,000. It’s a benefit you’ll only

student clubs and organizations, including

get at LTU.

fraternities, sororities, honor societies, and

Outstanding earning potential – The Brookings Institution ranks Lawrence Tech

student chapters of professional groups, are

fifth among U.S. colleges and universities

Co-ops and internships – LTU’s unique

in preparing graduates for well-paying

location is at the hub of one of the largest

occupations. Also, Payscale.com reports

concentrations of engineering, architecture,

Career power – LTU offers master’s degrees,

alumni salaries are in the top 11 percent

and technology jobs in the world. The

grad certificates, and degree completion for

nationally, and some 92 percent of students

dynamic suburb of Southfield provides

working adults.

are employed or grad school bound by

opportunities for co-ops, internships, and

graduation, above the national average.

professional development with easy access

Financial aid and more – More than

to all the big-city attributes of Detroit.

74 percent of students receive financial

active on campus.

assistance. For more info, contact Lawrence Residential living – Over 1,000 students

Tech’s Office of Admissions at 800.225.5588

experience the latest in green technologies,

or admissions@ltu.edu, watch LTU’s video at

thoughtful design, community engagement,

ltu.edu/mymoment, or visit ltu.edu. Ready to apply now? Go to ltu.edu/applyfree.

New and expanding sports teams – Lawrence Tech also features 30 men’s and women’s athletic teams, including basketball, soccer, women’s softball and men’s football; LTU is also adding new teams such as women’s hockey and competitive cheer, and expanding team rosters in sports such as track and field, and women’s bowling.

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Royal Oak Schools

Academics, Arts and Athletics Every day, Royal Oak Schools works towards its mission to create a world-class system for learning by building active partnerships among students, educators, families and the community to prepare all students to participate in an ever-changing world as responsible lifelong learners. ACADEMICS With state test scores significantly above state and county averages, schools in the district achieve academic excellence. International

Baccalaureate

options

are

available to students through the Primary Years Program, Middle Years Program and Diploma Program, and Royal Oak High School is consistently named one of U.S. News and World Report’s best Michigan public schools. Numerous AP and career-

programs include an a cappella choir,

focused courses are available to high school

concert choir, band, jazz band, marching

students. Nearly 750 students benefit from

band and orchestra, and some of them have

special education services designed to meet

even traveled internationally.

the individual needs of eligible students from birth through 26.

ATHLETICS There is a rich tradition of athletic excellence,

ARTS

which includes academic performance, at

From instrumental music to visual arts to

Royal Oak Schools. More than 28 varsity

drama to everything in between, Royal Oak

sports are available, with many junior

Schools offers a variety of arts programs.

varsity and freshman opportunities.

The school district’s award-winning arts

COMMUNITY AND ENGAGEMENT Students at all levels get involved in the Royal Oak Schools community. Whether through a club or organization related to academics, arts or athletics, students and staff are engaged throughout the district. Churchill Community Education Center also serves the local area. In addition to being a community high school, the facility offers adult education courses, GED prep, GED testing, and hosts the TRAILS adult transition program. 50

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2021

Exec Life

INSIDE || THE HUDSON’S HOUSE | RETURN ON INVESTMENT | PRODUCTION RUN | OPINION

NEED A LIFT?

A Bloomfield Township home was designed around a historic elevator from the former Hudson’s store in downtown Detroit. BY R.J. KING

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 109

Exec Life || Architecture

The Hudson’s House t took more than 20 years, and some encouragement from his wife, before Alex Begin fulfilled his dream of restoring an original elevator from the famed Hudson’s department store in downtown Detroit. In fact, he had a contemporary home designed around the American walnut-lined elevator, complete with pneumatic doors that whoosh every time the lift is put through its paces. It wasn’t easy, as Begin describes “under the radar” measures he undertook to secure what turned out to be a pair of elevators — one from the 1920s and the other built sometime in the 1960s — long before the project crystalized into a two-level residence with a walkout alongside Forest Lake in Bloomfield Township. “I was born and raised on Detroit’s west side, and nearly every week since I was a young boy my parents would take me to Hudson’s,” says Begin, a partner at Gordon Begin Properties, an 110 DBUSINESS || January - February 2021

apartment management and ownership firm in Madison Heights. “It was a giant experience every time, and I just fell in love with the elevators, especially the hissing sound the pneumatic doors make.” When the store closed in 1983, Begin figured it was a matter of time before the icon would be demolished. Starting with the Hudson’s family, he began writing letters to inquire whether one of the elevators would be available for sale. He also contacted Dayton-Hudson Corp., which owned and operated dozens of other Hudson’s department stores, along with several subsequent owners of the Detroit landmark. “I always got a response, but people said I was crazy, it was a stupid dream, they won’t operate, they can’t meet code, and so on,” Begin recalls. “Finally, in 1995, I learned the city was going to take control of the property due to unpaid back taxes, so I called the previous two owners and (they) said they were going to lose the property

within 90 days.” Begin convinced one of the owners to part with a set of keys to the building. He had 30 days to remove whatever he wanted. “That’s when I hired an elevator guy from out of state because I wanted the removal of the elevator to be under the radar,” he says. “I didn’t want the word to get out locally, because overnight I may have become everyone’s best friend, at least among those who wanted one last look inside the store.” After finding and securing a 1920s elevator cab and all of the mechanical equipment, he also removed a 1960s-era elevator, along with extra American walnut panels from the men’s department on the second floor. From there, everything was put in a large storage locker in Troy, where the pieces were preserved for more than 20 years. Following some nudging from his wife, Diane, Begin acquired a lot in 2014, hired DesRosiers

BY JIM HAEFNER

The art of designing a custom home around an elevator from Hudson’s original department store in downtown Detroit. BY R.J. KING.

Architecture || Exec Life

Architects in Bloomfield Hills, and broke ground on the home two years later. In the interim, he began assembling a team to assess the state of the 1920s elevator and whether it could be restored to its original working condition. “Alex wanted to install what I would call a museum piece, and then have us design the house around it,” says DesRosiers, president of DesRosiers Architects. “The caliber of the restoration was like something out of Greenfield Village (the famed historic attraction in Dearborn). The trick was designing the home to accommodate all of the mechanical systems on top of the elevator without it being obvious, so the top of the home has this extended part that looks like a unique glass skylight that masks the machine room access stairs from the attic below.” While designing the plans, DesRosiers says CAB-FORWARD DESIGN Alex Begin, a housing executive, had a home in Bloomfield Township designed around a 1920s-era elevator from the former Hudson’s department store in downtown Detroit.

he had different ideas of how the elevator would be used by the Begin family. “I had this vision that when it was all completed, there would be a birthday party in the lower level of the home and a birthday cake would be set on a table, wheeled into the elevator, and the cake would descend one floor to the party, and when the doors opened, out (it would come) with all the candles burning,” he says. With the home scheduled for occupancy this February, the celebration is a foregone conclusion. Yet the idea of a party may never have come to light without an experienced team to restore a nearly century-old elevator that lacked mechanical drawings and operator instructions. “When I was asked to visit the storage locker, what I saw were these nasty, dirty, and damaged panels stacked against a wall,” says Greg Bartelt, founder and owner of Vogue Furniture in Royal Oak. “Usually with wood that old the veneer starts to lift, but the panels were in OK condition; they were somewhat beat up, and the finish

was in bad shape.” From there, the panels were transported to Vogue Furniture, where most of the wood was stripped, reconditioned, and finished. To fill in the gaps, new American walnut was secured, and Bartelt and his team were able to find veneer that was a near-match to the original material. “We stained the wood, secured a cellulose lacquer that we applied, and matched the grain so closely you can barely tell the difference,” Bartelt says. “We also worked with a metalist, Jim Starr, and his son, Drew. Unfortunately Jim passed away in 2018, but Drew worked on all the metal parts needed for the restoration, including bronze, brass, and steel. The level of detail is amazing.” To bring the mechanical systems back to life, Begin and his contractor, Joe Tasch, project manager at Thomas Sebold and Associates, a luxury homebuilder in Bloomfield Hills, turned to Detroit Elevator Co. in Ferndale. “One of the challenges was that none of the dozens of parts and materials Alex had in his storage locker were inventoried or catalogued,” Tasch says. “We had to figure out what parts we needed, and be mindful that everything we did had to be brought up to code, which we did. It was one of the more amazing projects I’ve worked on.” Everything on the elevator works as it did when operators began transporting shoppers to different floors of the Hudson’s store, including the pneumatic doors, the backlit clock-like floor position indicator, and the floor call light tree in the cab. There’s even a spot where original merchandise sales posters will be reproduced and placed behind two glass cases set on either side of the entrance to the decorative cab. “I give a lot of credit for restoring the elevator to Detroit Elevator Co.,” Begin says. “Opie Stark, their construction manager, was like Dr. Frankenstein, (and) raised this project from the dead. He figured out all of the mechanics and dials. Credit also goes to Andy Koupal, a glassblower at Greenfield Village, who recreated the glass bulb for the pointer. He also made molds and duplicates of all of the glass pieces in case something breaks.” Asked how much he spent on restoring the elevator, Begin pauses before reciting that normally a modern residential elevator could cost around $150,000, including installation. “I spent between $400,000 and $500,000 on the elevator, which includes the storage fees (over 20 years),” he says. “I justify it by realizing that other people spend that kind of money on fancy boats. So this is my toy, and it will work forever. By the way, if you know anyone who wants to buy a 1960s elevator from Hudson’s, let me know.” JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 111

Exec Life || Return on Investment

MODEL FOR SUCCESS Debby Hopkins, then 16, poses on a park bench for a Kay Baum ad in The Highlander, a newspaper at Seaholm High School in Birmingham.

Uptown Girl Debby Hopkins met dozens of celebrities while growing up in Birmingham, and used that knowledge and more to excel at Ford, Boeing, Citibank, Lucent, and General Motors.

112 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

kitchen and says, ‘Who’s that guy sitting in my chair?’ and it was Arnold Schwarzenegger.” Hitch wrote her column every Sunday evening and dropped it off Monday morning at the paper’s office, on her way downtown. “She worked two jobs,” Hopkins remembers. “She was the executive director of the International Visitors Council, and then multiple nights a week she and my father were in black tie. She was the life of the parties, the joie de vivre — just a very powerful human being.” Although Hitch died in 2011, she continues to be a driving force in her daughter’s life. “The first time I was in Fortune for that most powerful women list, they ran a picture of my mother sitting on an alligator,” Hopkins says. “I’m looking at it right now because it goes everywhere with me. And when I’m up to my you-know-what in alligators, I just look at that picture.” Hopkins admits the memories often wash over her — not only of her mother, but of those carefree early years in Birmingham, as well. “I had an incredible childhood, couldn’t have asked for more,” Hopkins says. “Our house was at 646 Kimberly in Birmingham, right behind Quarton Elementary School. We were on our bikes, out all day, but my father had a bell and a very loud voice. And you better get home for

dinner by the time he stopped yelling and the bell stopped ringing. Then we’d eat and be back outside playing kick the can or capture the flag, and nobody ever worried about anybody.” On weekends, Hopkins and her friends could be found on their bikes, heading for what they all knew as “uptown,” to the Hughes Hatcher Suffrin department store in downtown Birmingham. “It was actually where the Townsend Hotel is now,” she says. “That was the big event in fifth grade or sixth grade. We’d all go up and down in this stunning round glass elevator, and then afterward go to Kresge’s and have a cherry coke and French fries.” After elementary school at Quarton, Hopkins moved on to Seaholm High School, where she was the only 16-year-old who wasn’t driving her own car. “My parents weren’t wealthy,” she says. When it came time for collge, Hopkins says Michigan State University had a wonderful scholarship that she qualified for, so she took it and headed to East Lansing. But after just two years at MSU, she moved back home. “My dad was struggling with his startup direct marketing business,” she says. “I said, ‘I’m going to come home and see what I can do to help.’ ” Hopkins enrolled at Walsh College in Troy, and resumed pursuing a degree in accounting.

COURTESY DEBBY HOPKINS

uring a career that spanned 40 years as an executive at the highest levels of a half-dozen corporations, Debby Hopkins was twice designated by Fortune magazine as one of the top 10 most powerful women in business (ranking No. 6 in one year and No. 2 in another). Her name also regularly appeared on the Top 50 list of the Institutional Investor, but as she reflects on her days as a kid growing up in Birmingham, she often wonders how she didn’t follow a very different career path forged by her mother, Gretchen Hitch. “She wrote the Making the Scene column for the Birmingham-Bloomfield Eccentric for 40 years,” Hopkins fondly recalls. “Everybody wanted to be in Gretchen’s column.” And virtually everyone was. Not only the local luminaries who attended nightly parties, benefits, and events of note at venues like Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville Township, but also world-renowned celebrities who were just passing through. “She interviewed Liberace, Liza Minelli, Sophia Loren,” Hopkins says. “Pavarotti once gave her a book, and I came home from school one afternoon and my father pulls me into the

BY TOM MURRAY

Return on Investment || Exec Life

When she lined up an internship at a bank, she says she stayed in touch with the woman who ran the job counseling office at Walsh. “One day I got a call saying she needed me to come over right away,” Hopkins says. “The people from Ford wanted to meet me.” The meeting led to a job for Hopkins at Ford’s tractor plant in Romeo. “I had a role evaluating capital projects, which blessedly had me wandering through the guts of the plant,” she recalls. “I then got promoted to the world headquarters of Tractor Operations, which was at Coolidge and Maple (in Troy). I was the only woman on the finance staff. It was a real-time MBA.” Her job at Ford also provided a mortifying moment for Hopkins, who happened to be present for one of her mother’s events at Meadowbrook Country Club on the same day Ford’s chairman, Henry Ford II, was also in the room. “My mother drags me down to the front row,” Hopkins says, clearly cringing at the memory, “and she said, ‘Henry, I want you to meet my daughter. She works for you.’ ‘Well, young lady,’ he says, ‘what do you do?’ And I tell him I'm on the finance staff, sir. And he says, ‘I’m going to look you up.’ I thought I was going to faint right on the spot.” Hopkins got through it, of course, and pressed ahead to what turned out to be an eclectic career which, over the ensuing decades, took seemingly unpredictable twists and turns, with Hopkins hopscotching from Zurich to Seattle, then Manhattan and Palo Alto. It also featured high-level stints in the automobile industry (Ford and GM), technology (Burroughs/Unisys), aerospace (Boeing), telecommunications (Lucent), and financial services (Citibank and Citi Ventures). How was Hopkins able to thrive in such a wide array of industries? One reason was clearly her aptitude for and innate understanding of what was, at the very beginning of her career, the nascent and unwieldy computer industry — still years away from becoming universally utilized by the masses. “I kind of got into computers,” she says matter-of-factly. “I taught myself at Ford and then took it to Burrows, and it allowed me to turn out stuff faster than any anybody else was doing.”

Solely attributing Hopkins’ mercurial rise to her grasp of computers overlooks an equally important explanation which goes back to her roots. “It turns out I’m a very good storyteller,” she says. “I have a skill to take a very complex problem and simplify it in a way where I can convince others that this is a problem worth fixing, to really kind of break it down. So that’s important.” It also enabled the nimble Hopkins to take a final sharp turn, near the end of her corporate career, into the financial services sector at Citibank. “I was recruited to Citi by CEO Sandy Weill,” Hopkins says. “We were on the board of DuPont together. My initial several years there were in more traditional roles — strategy and

M&A, operations and technology, and investment banking. The big shift came in 2008, when I was appointed Citi’s first chief innovation officer and CEO of Citi Ventures.” With the explosion in digital, Citi was motivated to play a strong role in innovation leadership — specifically in Silicon Valley, where dozens of startups were disrupting traditional ways of doing business. When the 2008 financial crisis hit several months after Hopkins assumed her new roles, she knew immediately where JET SET she needed to be. Hopkins poses “I suggested heading to inside a rotor jet engine of a Boeing the Valley to map out a 777 in 1999. plan of action,” she says. “Leadership was headsdown, saving the bank. I moved to Palo Alto and had the opportunity to jump in the middle of activities with Apple, Google, Stanford, Berkeley, and leading VC firms like Andreesen Horowitz and Greylock. I was in nirvana. “We were creating a network Citi didn’t have. We hired people from eBay, Apple, Target, VC firms, and we mapped a course to drive innovation at scale across Citi. A few years in, we were seeing thousands of early-stage companies each year, and invested in the most promising.” The project at Citi was Hopkins’ last hurrah in the traditional corporate culture, and it was a huge success. “I’m convinced it was because of all the different experiences in my career,” she says. “It allowed me to let the creativity fly while ensuring we were developing something scalable for Citi.” Hopkins and her husband, David, now live full time in Jackson, Wyo., but she still has lifelong friends and strong connections to her hometown, and her brother, Brad Hitch, is still here, at the helm of Deco Real Estate in Troy. Hopkins formally retired four years ago, but she hasn’t slowed down. With her husband, she operates Doublechase Advisors, a management consulting business. She’s also involved in three public companies and two pre-IPO companies. “I love the messiness and chaos of startups, and I adore the passion of the founders,” she admits. “I focus on helping them grow and scale. I’m (also) on the board of trustees of the hospital here, and on the board of Deep Instinct, an Israeli cyber security company. My life is filled up.” JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 113

Exec Life || Production Run

The new owners of Detroit Popcorn Co. in Redford Township eye a national expansion.

BY R.J. KING

s the new decade dawned, Detroit Popcorn Co. was poised for a record year. So, too, was Ken E. Harris, managing director and CEO of The Harris Financial Group in Pontiac. As separate companies owned by different principals, the two enterprises were like sovereign countries. And yet, as strange as life can be at times, by early summer Detroit Popcorn Co. was put up for sale. “If you had told me at the beginning of 2020 that I would own Detroit Popcorn Co. before the year was out, I would have said that would be amazing. I do love popcorn, but buying the company wasn’t on my radar,” Harris says. “It wasn’t for sale. I wasn’t looking to buy it, and I had enough on my plate as it was. “Usually I’m the one facilitating the purchase or sale of a company on behalf of my clients, so 114 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

draw in customers, and was cheap to produce and purchase. As the movie industry blossomed in the 1920s, popcorn stands outside theaters were a common retail offering. As movies became more popular, especially after the debut of sound in the late 1920s, many theater owners refused to sell popcorn inside their movie houses due to the mess it could create. But after witnessing how much outdoor

MAIZE WAVE Reggie Kelley and Ken E. Harris will expand Detroit Popcorn Co. around the country.

J.J. ZIELINSKI

Popcorn Premiere

when a CPA called and told me about Detroit Popcorn, I thought it was another transaction to facilitate. But then the CPA said he thought it would be a good deal for me. We went through all of the due diligence and closed on the deal in early November. Now I’m the majority owner.” In a lesson of how one bad move can close the door on an opportunity and open a window on another, in early June former Detroit Popcorn Co. owner David Farber came out of retirement to reacquire the business after Evan Singer, who had owned the enterprise for a year and a half, posted a racially charged comment on Facebook. Farber said he planned to sell the company to African-American investors. He originally acquired the business in 2005 from Robert Jasgur, who had owned it since 1970. At the time Jasgur bought Detroit Popcorn, it had annual sales of around $120,000 as a seasonal operation. Adding resources and products, Jasgur expanded it to a year-round enterprise, and by 2004 it had annual revenue of around $2.2 million. Farber retooled the business model further and set it up for growth, reaching more than $3 million in annual sales. The company has its roots in 1923, when Greek immigrant Samuel B. Carmas opened a store near McGraw and 24th streets on Detroit’s west side. Carmas would also sell popcorn and other snacks on sidewalks outside fairs, expositions, and theaters. Popcorn’s popularity was propelled by the growth of cities in the 1890s. The light snack was easy to make, produced an aromatic aroma to

Production Run || Exec Life

THE RUNDOWN

Salty snack sales in the U.S. (2019)

THE POP STOP Detroit Popcorn got its start in 1923 on the city’s west side. Today, it’s on Telegraph Road in Redford Township.

snack vendors were taking in, popcorn-popping machines were set up behind refreshment stands inside theater lobbies. Popcorn traces its modern roots to the Aztec culture in the 16th century, when it was used for food as well as decorating ceremonial ornaments, necklaces, and headdresses, especially among women. It also was offered up to their gods, like Tlaloc, who was said to bring rain and fertility. Archeologists have found the popped kernel actually goes back more than 4,000 years to the southern United States, based on cave explorations. Today, Americans consume around 15 billion quarts of popcorn each year. The kernels, which are different from sweet and field corn, are mostly grown in the Midwest, primarily in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ohio. To set Detroit Popcorn up for growth, Harris says he and his partner, Reggie Kelley, a 26-year business consultant who now is COO of the confection enterprise, will expand nationally. “Reggie has great experience and understands plants and manufacturing operations,” says Harris, who is the company’s fifth owner. “We have a lot of runway in front of us. “Right now we’re down three months (in sales) due to COVID-19, and we’re introducing ourselves to all of our customers. We’ll reignite those relationships lost due to the unfortunate incident on Facebook. In 2021, we plan to do between $3.5 million and $4 million in sales.” The company will enter multiple markets in the next three years, including Chicago, Florida,

California, Georgia, Arizona, Washington, D.C., and New York. “There’s a lot of Michiganders in those places, and Detroit has a very good name, and when you add popcorn it’s even better,” says Harris, who earned his MBA at Michigan State University and has more than 25 years of experience in entrepreneurship, finance, and business. Detroit Popcorn distributes a complete line of snack foods, concession equipment, and supplies for popcorn, cotton candy, Sno-Kones, nachos, frozen drinks, corn dogs, candy apples, and more. Its machines are sold or rented for special events. The company’s 32,000-square-foot facility along Telegraph Road in Redford Township consists of two buildings — a showroom, which is open to the public, and plant operations, where flavored popcorn, cotton candy, and syrups are made. It’s part of a six-building complex, which Harris plans to soon acquire. His commercial neighbor, K&M Marine, which operates from four buildings, will remain. As a measure of goodwill, the company formed a partnership with Yesterday’s Negro League Baseball Players Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Milwaukee that’s committed to the preservation of, dedication to, and education about Negro League Baseball. “We’ll continue to offer fundraising programs for schools, churches, and other organizations,” Harris says. “In addition, a percentage of our proceeds will go to the Detroit Public Schools Foundation. Whether it’s urban or suburban dwellings, it’s very important that we educate our children.”

Annual popcorn sales in the U.S. (2019)

Projected 2021 sales for Detroit Popcorn Co.

Number of employees (up to 40 seasonal workers)

Sources: IRI, Chicago; Detroit Popcorn Co. JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 || DBUSINESS.COM 115

Exec Life || Opinion

Biotech Boom

As Ann Arbor begins to fulfill its potential as a dynamic biotech hub, the broader impact could be profound. here are few circumstances that and broader economic impact that’s required to better illustrate the importance elevate a proven startup incubator to a sustainable, of biomedical innovation than biotech-fueled economic engine will take both what’s happening in society commitment and investment. right now. Across the country The goal is to keep startups in the region, and and around the world, the to take the next step on the way to establishing potential for new ideas, new medicines, and new Ann Arbor as the new biotech hub. therapeutic options to, quite literally, change Taking that next step means adding a critical lives has perhaps never been more apparent. new element to the structural assets already in Biotech breakthroughs require not only cut- place (high quality of life, low cost of living, and ting-edge scientific and medical resources and a deep regional talent pool). The missing piece of expertise, but the necessary entrepreneurial the puzzle is space: specifically, the lab space and energy to create and sustain them. It’s a rare and specialized facilities that are a prerequisite for valuable combination. meaningful biomedical startup growth. Which is precisely why Ann Arbor is getting Meeting the growing demand for quality bioso much attention these days. Consider the Uni- tech real estate requires real estate owners and versity of Michigan is one of the most active aca- managers who are willing and able to be flexible demic research centers in the nation, with close and serve as true partners in the sustained to $1.6 billion in annual research investment. growth and success of promising startups. A few Even more profound is the extent to which forward-thinking Michigan-based developers science is making the jump from classrooms and have recognized that reality, and have struclabs into boardrooms and manufacturing facili- tured their portfolios to cater to life sciences ties. The scientific-to-commercial pipeline in users with premium research and technology Ann Arbor is robust and growing, with brain- space in the market. storms and breakthroughs transforming compaBiotech startups need and are looking for nies and capital. partners who understand their specialized and The result is that new testing, dynamic need for space, and “TAKING THAT NEXT drugs, and therapeutic innovations facilities that don’t drain the STEP MEANS ADDING are coming to market. A city that’s budget and can scale withA CRITICAL NEW both a tech mecca (Bloomberg out disruption. ELEMENT TO THE named Ann Arbor the nation’s No. Finding the right real STRUCTURAL ASSETS 3 tech hub) and a commercial estate partners is just the ALREADY IN PLACE.” powerhouse, Ann Arbor is a place beginning. There’s no sinwhere startups are flourishing. U-M alone gle solution to addressing Ann Arbor’s launched 22 companies in 2019 (half in the life growing need for biotech startsciences sector), and signed 232 license and up-friendly real estate. It will take a options agreements. Those numbers have contin- combination of both new construction ued to grow in 2020 as 29 startups launched. and creative repurposing of warehouses “The strong, stable, and dynamic local ecosys- and industrial spaces into state-of-thetem we’re building — with more activity and art labs and tech-friendly facilities. more entrepreneurs — makes it easier for future The good news is there’s real momentum innovators and innovations to find a home and behind the effort to transform Ann Arbor make an impact,” says Kelly Sexton, associate into a true startup hub. For example, nine vice president for research at U-M’s Office of buildings have been acquired since 2017, and an Technology Transfer. Ann Arbor site plan has been approved for a new While the numbers are intriguing, as university $20 million life sciences and tech park project. startups raised $670 million in 2019, achieving the While contributions from the Michigan Bio“critical mass” of mature companies, job growth, medical Venture Fund, Tech Transfer Talent CAMERON McCAUSLAND is a partner at Portage Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm in Plymouth Township that owns and manages 450,000 square feet of high-tech space for the biotech industry. 116 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Network, and Deerfield Management Co. — which recently made a $130-million commitment in partnership with U-M to invest in biomedical research and commercialize therapeutic projects — help the cause, more investment is needed. “Ultimately, you aren’t just investing in startups,” says Phil Santer, a senior vice president at Ann Arbor SPARK. “You’re investing in a vision of Ann Arbor populated with established companies achieving that lucrative next phase of growth, with the potential for dynamic, regionwide economic impact.”

AUSTIN PHILLIPS

BY CAMERON MCCAUSLAND

S P EC I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S EC T I O N

TECHNOLOGY Q&A

HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY TO ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS TODAY, MORE THAN EVER WITH THE PANDEMIC, technology is changing how we live our lives. It allows employees to work from home, yet continue to stay connected and productive. It helps friends and family to see one another virtually and it allows customers to shop for food and necessities safely. It has also been responsible for the development of vaccines and their distribution that will eventually — and hopefully — allow life to return to some normalcy. Even without a pandemic, technology has reached every corner of our world,

with the intent to improve the way we do things, whether in commerce, scientific advancements, or our daily lives. In banking, as with KeyBank, technology has streamlined the support process to the benefit of the company, its employees, and most important, its customers. For Future Grow Solutions, it’s provided them and the growers’ community with the tools to save both money and resources. If you’re wondering what technology can do for your business, read on to learn how these industry experts are using it every day.

Q: Why should organizations consider using automation in their technical support call centers? A: As the first line of contact for technology issues, KeyBank realized its agents were spending a lot of their time handling relatively mundane tasks, such as password resets, that automation — think chatbots and voicebots — could tackle. Using Language Understanding Intelligent Service (LUIS), a natural language processing engine that’s able to carry on a conversation, KeyBank freed up its technical support agents to resolve more complex issues. In fact, automating passwords at KeyBank has actually reduced the call volume into the service desk by 36 percent in the past year.

The beauty of this automation isn’t just the efficiencies it’s created, but also that it allows KeyBank to re-skill those team members whose time is freed up by the bots. KeyBank invests in these teammates by retraining them in other technology fields, such as programming or networking. Automation really is the big next thing — not just for KeyBank, but for many companies — because it couples convenience and fast service for end users with the opportunity to retain talent and create “future-ready” teams.

KeyBank

Amy Russo KeyBank Enterprise Tech Manager 4910 Tiedeman Rd. Brooklyn, OH 44144 1-800-539-2968 key.com Advertisement on page 3

Q: What is The CropTower System and why is it important for my cannabis business? A: With the legalization of recreational cannabis in Michigan, many entrepreneurs are getting in the cultivation game. But, without the correct equipment, it can be a costly endeavor that can quickly eat into profits. The CropTower System was designed to address those challenges and provide businesses with significant savings and efficiencies. The automated, vertical grow and nutrition management solution holds 102 plants per tower in a space of just 8-by-8 square feet. It uses recycled, filtered water and LED lighting, and requires no growing medium. Using vertical growing, facility space is maximized, resulting in triple the yields, or about 120 pounds of cannabis

per tower annually. While the yields are impressive, the reduction in operational and resource costs is even more so. With The CropTower System, growers reap a 90 percent water waste savings and spend 50 percent less on labor, 50 percent less on fertilizer, and 25 percent less on energy. We use The CropTower system at Future Grow Solutions and lease to other cannabis growers, cultivators, and investors who have obtained state and local approval. We also sell supplies and, if needed, offer staffing support and related services.

Future Grow Solutions

Mark Savaya CEO 500 S. Old Woodward, 2nd Fl. Birmingham, MI 48009 833-347-6275 futuregrowsolutions.com info@futuregrowsolutions.com Advertisement on page 7

From the Top || Hotels

Top Hotels in Metro Detroit (Selected by AAA and DBusiness for hospitality excellence) Ann Arbor GRADUATE ANN ARBOR 615 East Huron St. Ann Arbor 734-769-2200 graduateannarbor.com Rooms: 204 Meeting Rooms: 7 Dining: The Allen Rumsey Supper Club, Poindexter Meeting Capacity: 12,975 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly; event planners; catering; fitness center; complimentary pass to nearby recreation building for racquetball, basketball, weight-lifting; complimentary Wi-Fi, Olympic-size pool, bicycle rental

Birmingham DAXTON HOTEL (Opening Feb. 24) 298 S. Old Woodward Ave. Birmingham 248-283-4200 daxtonhotel.com Rooms: 151 Meeting Rooms: 6 Dining: Madam Meeting Capacity: 8,490 sq. ft. Amenities: Lobby bar, more than 400 pieces of art curated by Saatchi Art, fitness center, bedside wireless charging pads, valet parking, free Wi-Fi, laundry and dry cleaning, pet-friendly THE TOWNSEND HOTEL 100 Townsend St. Birmingham 248-642-7900 townsendhotel.com Rooms: 150 Meeting Rooms: 10 Dining: Rugby Grille, afternoon tea, 24-hour room service Meeting Capacity: 17,575 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, iPod docking stations, ATM/ banking, coffee in lobby, complimentary newspapers, event catering, fitness center, concierge services, multilingual staff, seasonal outdoor seating offered by Rugby Grille and The Corner, pet-friendly environment, wedding services

Bloomfield Hills DOUBLETREE BY HILTON BLOOMFIELD HILLS DETROIT 39475 Woodward Ave. Bloomfield Hills 248-644-1400 doubletreebloomfieldhills.com Rooms: 144

Meeting Rooms: 8 Dining: Zalman’s Delicatessen serves breakfast, lunch, and entrees; The Duke Lounge Meeting Capacity: 12,500 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly; plush pillow-top bedding; RFID card or smartphone door locks; in-room laptop safes; balcony suites; complimentary Wi-Fi; modern furnishings; luxuriously appointed guest rooms, serene courtyard; large, flat-screen HDTVs; premium cable; mini fridge; coffeemaker with Starbucks coffee refilled daily; 24-hour fitness facility; on-site business center; shuttle service; valet and self-park; indoor saltwater pool

Dearborn DEARBORN INN 20301 Oakwood Blvd. Dearborn 313-271-2700 marriott.com Rooms: 229 Meeting Rooms: 17 Dining: Edison’s, Ten Eyck Tavern, room service Meeting Capacity: 17,000 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, messenger service, notary public, overnight delivery/pickup, seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center. Guest rooms have plug-in technology for iPods, cameras, game systems, etc. THE HENRY, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION Fairlane Plaza 300 Town Center Dr. Dearborn 313-441-2000 behenry.com Rooms: 308 Meeting Rooms: 13 Dining: TRIA, 24-hour room service Meeting Capacity: 26,295 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, shoe-shine services, fitness center, indoor pool with whirlpool, concierge services, wedding accommodations, notary public, AV equipment, messaging services, overnight delivery/pickup, pet-friendly, post/parcel service

Detroit ALOFT DETROIT AT THE DAVID WHITNEY 1 Park Ave.

118 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Detroit 313-237-1700 marriott.com Rooms: 136 Meeting Rooms: 5 Dining: None on-site Meeting Capacity: 10,262 sq. ft. Amenities: WXYZ Bar, re:charge (SM) gym, pet-friendly, complimentary Wi-Fi, valet parking, beauty shop and barber shop, on-site laundry and dry cleaning ATHENEUM SUITE HOTEL 1000 Brush Ave. Detroit 313-962-2323 atheneumsuites.com Rooms: 174 Meeting Rooms: 11 Dining: Fishbone’s Rhythm Kitchen Café, Pegasus Taverna, A-Bar, 24-hour room service Meeting Capacity: 30,719 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, wedding accommodations, hotel shuttle service, health and fitness facilities, catering services CAMBRIA HOTEL DOWNTOWN DETROIT (Opening summer/fall 2021) 600 W. Lafayette Blvd. Detroit 800-424-6423 choicehotels.com Rooms: 158 Meeting Rooms: Yes Dining: Italian restaurant Meeting Capacity: NA Amenities: Rooftop pool and poolside bar, free Wi-Fi, fitness center and sauna, valet parking, sundry shop COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT 333 E. Jefferson Ave. Detroit 313-222-7700 marriott.com Rooms: 242 Meeting Rooms: 7 Dining: Applebee’s, IHOP Express Meeting Capacity: 6,468 sq. ft. Amenities: Business center, fitness center, Wi-Fi, pool CROWNE PLAZA DETROIT DOWNTOWN RIVERFRONT 2 Washington Blvd. Detroit 313-965-0200 ihg.com/crowneplaza Rooms: 367 Meeting Rooms: 13 Dining: Tabacchi Lounge Café, Urban Cellars

Meeting Capacity: 32,000 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly; wedding accommodations; pool, spa, sauna, fitness center; catering services; business center; valet; short walk to TCF Center DETROIT FOUNDATION HOTEL 250 W. Larned St. Detroit 313-915-4422 detroitfoundationhotel.com Rooms: 100 Meeting Rooms: 2 Dining: The Apparatus Room Meeting Capacity: 869 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, fifth-floor event space, complimentary Wi-Fi, 24-hour fitness center with complimentary workout classes, same-day laundry and dry cleaning, complimentary Detroit Bikes rental, pet-friendly DETROIT MARRIOTT AT THE RENAISSANCE CENTER Renaissance Center 400 Renaissance Dr. Detroit 313-568-8000 marriott.com Rooms: 1,298 Meeting Rooms: 38 Dining: Starbucks, Volt, Motor City Pantry Meeting Capacity: 96,104 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, overnight delivery/pickup, secretarial services, translator, on-site car rental, fitness center DOUBLETREE SUITES BY HILTON HOTEL DETROIT DOWNTOWN – FORT SHELBY 525 W. Lafayette Blvd. Detroit 313-963-5600 doubletree3.hilton.com Rooms: 203 Meeting Rooms: 17 Dining: Motor City Kitchen and Round Bar, room service Meeting Capacity: 21,000 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, complimentary coffee or tea, audio/visual equipment rental, 24-hour business center, complimentary printing service, express mail, secretarial services, video conferencing, catering menus, fitness center ELEMENT DETROIT AT THE METROPOLITAN 33 John R St. Detroit

313-306-2400, ext. 0 marriott.com Rooms: 110 Meeting Rooms: 3 Dining: Monarch Club Meeting Capacity: 2,817 sq. ft. Amenities: Fitness center, bike rentals, pet-friendly, in-room kitchens, complimentary Wi-Fi GREEKTOWN CASINO-HOTEL 555 E. Lafayette Blvd. Detroit 313-223-2999 greektowncasino.com Rooms: 400 Meeting Rooms: 11 Casino Tables: 61 Poker Tables: 13 Dining: Bistro 555, Monroe Market, Noodle Art, PRISM, Stack’d Meeting Capacity: 20,000 sq. ft. Amenities: Business center, fitness center, valet, in-room dining, wireless internet, state-of-the-art meeting/audio/ visual equipment, concierge services HILTON GARDEN INN DETROIT/ DOWNTOWN 351 Gratiot Ave. Detroit 313-967-0900 hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com Rooms: 198 Meeting Rooms: 6 Dining: The Chrome Bar and Grille, The Garden Grille and Bar, room service Meeting Capacity: 3,456 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, audio/visual equipment rental, complimentary printing service, gift shop, express mail services, ATM machine, wedding accommodations, multilingual staff, secretarial services, fitness center, pool MGM GRAND DETROIT 1777 Third St. Detroit 877-888-2121 mgmgranddetroit.com Rooms: 401 Meeting Rooms: Ballroom, 3 meeting rooms, 2 executive board rooms Casino Tables: 140 Slots: 3,500 Dining: Breeze Dining Court, Ignite Sushi Bar and Lounge, Tap at MGM Grand Detroit, D.PRIME Steakhouse, Topgolf Swing Suite, Palette Dining Studio, The Roasted Bean, Starbucks, room service, complimentary food and

Congratulations to Alan Gorosh, Managing Counsel at Ford Motor Company, for being chosen by DBusiness Magazine as the Top Corporate Counsel in the Automaker category for 2020.

Regent Court 6S102 16800 Executive Plaza Dr., Dearborn, MI 48126 313.248.7880 â&#x20AC;˘ agorosh@ford.com

From the Top || Hotels

Top Hotels in Metro Detroit (Selected by AAA and DBusiness for hospitality excellence) nonalcoholic beverages on the concierge level Meeting Capacity: 30,000 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, built-in video and teleconferencing services, fitness center, indoor pool, distinct lounges, meeting and event planning, concierge service, shoe-shine, hotel sundry store, IMMERSE Spa, AXIS Lounge, V Nightclub MOTORCITY CASINO-HOTEL 2901 Grand River Ave. Detroit 866-752-9622 motorcitycasino.com Rooms: 400 Meeting Rooms: 14 Casino Tables: 59 Dining: Assembly Line, Grand River Deli, Iridescence, Little Caesars, Lodge Diner, Pit Stop, Sweet Ride, 24-hour room service Meeting Capacity: 67,500 sq. ft., including 19,604 sq. ft. of pre-function space Amenities: Business-friendly, complimentary printing, 24-hour fitness center, concierge services, wedding accommodations. Smoking is only allowed on the casino gaming floor. The smoke-free gaming area is located at the main casino entrance (a 17-table smoke-free poker room is available). ROBERTS RIVERWALK URBAN RESORT HOTEL 1000 River Place Dr. Detroit 313-259-9500 detroitriverwalkhotel.com Rooms: 106 Meeting Rooms: Yes Dining: Roberts Bistro Meeting Capacity: 12,000 sq. ft. Amenities: River views, business center, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool, high-speed Wi-Fi, parking SHINOLA HOTEL 1400 Woodward Ave. Detroit 313-356-1400 shinolahotel.com Rooms: 129 Meeting Rooms: 5 Dining: Penny Reds, San Morello, The Brakeman, Evening bar Meeting Capacity: 22,205 sq. ft. Amenities: Wi-Fi, Parker’s Alley shopping, HDTV, fitness center, pet-friendly, mini bars, Shinola turntables and record library in

select rooms THE INN @ 97 WINDER 97 Winder St. Detroit 313-832-4348 theinnat97winder.com Rooms: 10 Meeting Rooms: NA Dining: None on-site Meeting Capacity: NA Amenities: Continental breakfast, antique furnishings, spa, private fenced parking, European-style garden and walkways, high-speed Wi-Fi THE SIREN HOTEL 1509 Broadway St. Detroit 313-277-4736 thesirenhotel.com Rooms: 106 Meeting Rooms: NA Dining: The Siren Café, Karl’s, Candy Bar, Albena Meeting Capacity: NA Amenities: Social Club Grooming, Sid Gold, Paramita, The Siren Shop THE WESTIN BOOK CADILLAC DETROIT 1114 Washington Blvd. Detroit 313-442-1600 marriott.com Rooms: 453 Meeting Rooms: 20 Dining: Michael Symon’s Roast, 24 Grille, The Boulevard Room, The Motor Bar, Starbucks Reserve Café Meeting Capacity: 35,000 sq. ft. Amenities: Meeting and catering services, wedding specialist, audio/visual and production services, video conferencing, Service Express, concierge desk, WestinWorkout Studio, heated pool and spa, Spa Book Cadillac, complimentary daily national newspaper, laundry/dry cleaning, shoe-shine, luggage storage, in-room iPod docking station, high-speed internet

Farmington Hills DELTA HOTELS DETROIT NOVI 37529 Grand River Ave. Farmington Hills 248-653-6060 delta-hotels.marriott.com Rooms: 139 Meeting Rooms: NA Dining: Founders Tavern Meeting Capacity: 2,000 sq. ft.

120 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Amenities: Indoor pool, fitness center, free Wi-Fi, coffee shop

Livonia DETROIT MARRIOTT LIVONIA 17100 Laurel Park Dr. North Livonia 734-462-3100 marriott.com Rooms: 221 Meeting Rooms: 5 Dining: FINS Kitchen and Bar Meeting Capacity: 5,769 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, coffee in the lobby, indoor pool and whirlpool, concierge services, 70+ retailers and restaurants (hotel is attached to Laurel Park Place Mall), fitness center, overnight delivery/pickup, wedding accommodations, post/ parcel services

Novi THE BARONETTE RENAISSANCE DETROIT–NOVI HOTEL 27790 Novi Rd. Novi 248-349-7800 thebaronette.com Rooms: 155 Meeting Rooms: 7 Dining: Toasted Oak Grill & Market, room service Meeting Capacity: 8,213 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, data port in each room, concierge services, ATM, outdoor garden terrace, wedding accommodations, near Twelve Oaks Mall, West Oaks, and Fountain Walk

Plymouth Township THE INN AT ST. JOHN’S 44045 Five Mile Rd. Plymouth 734-414-0600 stjohnsgolfconference.com Rooms: 118 Meeting Rooms: 22 Dining: 5ive Steakhouse, The Burger Loft Meeting Capacity: 48,000 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, 27-hole championship golf course, heated driving range and retail outlet at Carl’s Golfland, fitness center, complimentary weekday newspaper, Jacuzzi, wedding accommodations, chapel, food and beverage services, indoor pool with waterfall and bubble lounge

Pontiac AUBURN HILLS MARRIOTT PONTIAC AT CENTERPOINT 3600 Centerpoint Pkwy. Pontiac 248-253-9800 marriott.com Rooms: 290 Meeting Rooms: 13 Dining: Woodward’s, Starbucks, room service Meeting Capacity: 23,283 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, messenger service, overnight delivery, translation services, wedding accommodations, indoor and outdoor pools, cocktail terrace, fitness center

Rochester ROYAL PARK HOTEL 600 East University Dr. Rochester 248-652-2600 royalparkhotel.net Rooms: 143 Meeting Rooms: 12 Dining: Park 600, Royalty Tea, 24-hour room service, seasonal outdoor seating on the terrace Meeting Capacity: 17,486 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, audio/visual services, bicycle rental, wedding accommodations, seasonal fly-fishing equipment rental, putting green, 24-hour fitness center, spa services, outdoor bocce and croquet courts, concierge services, 21 miles of jogging trails

Romulus THE WESTIN DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT 2501 Worldgateway Pl. Detroit 734-942-6500 westindetroitmetroairport.com Rooms: 404 Meeting Rooms: 35 Dining: Reflections Restaurant & Lounge, 24-hour room service Meeting Capacity: 28,844 sq. ft. Amenities: Lobby access to the McNamara Terminal’s 90 shops and services, perfect meeting location without leaving the airport, 24-hour shuttle service to the North Terminal, complimentary fitness center, indoor heated pool

Southfield BEST WESTERN PREMIER DETROIT 26555 Telegraph Rd. Southfield

248-356-7600 bestwestern.com Rooms: 206 Meeting Rooms: 9 Dining: Nomad Grill and Bar Meeting Capacity: 40,000 sq. ft. Amenities: Complimentary full breakfast, hot tub, exercise facility, wedding services, free Wi-Fi, 24-hour business center DETROIT MARRIOTT SOUTHFIELD 27033 Northwestern Hwy. Southfield 248-356-7400 marriott.com Rooms: 226 Meeting Rooms: 8 Dining: Fire Iron Grill, Lobby Lounge, room service Meeting Capacity: 7,099 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, overnight delivery/pickup, wedding accommodations, indoor pool, full-service bar, concierge services, fitness center THE WESTIN SOUTHFIELD DETROIT 1500 Town Center Southfield 248-827-4000 westinsouthfielddetroit.com Rooms: 388 Meeting Rooms: 31 Dining: Jamocha’s Coffee Shop, Tango’s Restaurant, Level 1 Lounge, 24-hour room service Meeting Capacity: 47,700 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, wedding accommodations, allergy-friendly rooms, concierge services, pet-friendly environment, indoor heated pool, whirlpool, fitness center

Troy DETROIT MARRIOTT TROY 200 W Big Beaver Rd. Troy 248-680-9797 marriott.com Rooms: 350 Meeting Rooms: 21 Dining: 200 West Restaurant and Lounge, room service Meeting Capacity: 16,881 sq. ft. Amenities: Business-friendly, catering, concierge lounge, indoor pool, safety deposit boxes, complimentary daily newspapers, shuttle within five-mile radius of hotel, post/ parcel services, fitness center Sources: DBusiness Research, AAA

Supporting Success Foley is proud to work alongside the honorees for Top Corporate Counsel. Detroit’s business landscape will continue to excel thanks to the knowledge and skill that earned each of them this accomplishment. For more information about Foley, please contact: Phil Phillips | Detroit | pphillips@foley.com

FOLEY.COM

CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Stephanie Barr, Counsel –Commercial Contracts; Jeffrey Dobson, Practice Group Leader and Senior Counsel - Business Operations, Contracts and Technology; and Gabriel Valle, Assistant General Counsel - Legal Services upon being selected by their peers to DBusiness magazine’s 2021Top Corporate Counsel list. Together, their work helps ITC continue its efforts to energize Michigan’s future by improving electric reliability, increasing electric transmission capacity, and keeping efficient, reliable energy flowing to communities, homes and businesses across the state.

www.itc-holdings.com @ITCHoldingsCorp @ITCGrid ITC Holdings Corp

From the Top || Law

Top Corporate Counsel in Michigan Randy M. Awdish Bedrock Management Services Patrice L. Baker Flagstar Bank Monica M. Barbour University of Detroit Mercy Stephanie L. Barr ITC Holdings Corp. Lise A. Barrera Rock Central Rachel G. Baxter Kongsberg Automotive Kenton Bednarz Shiloh Industries Inc. Erin Behler Quicken Loans Inc. (Now Rock Cos. Inc.) Heather A. Betts DTE Energy Paul Borja Flagstar Bank Daniel Byrne Ford Motor Co.

Michael Farley Daifuku North America Holding Co. MaryAnn C. Fick Delphi Technologies Michael Fitzpatrick Phillips Service Industries Inc. Bryant M. Frank Soave Enterprises Tamika A. Frimpong BorgWarner Inc. Kenneth Gold General Motors Co. Alan S. Gorosh Ford Motor Co. Jason Gourley Quicken Loans Inc. (Now Rocket Cos. Inc.) Michael A. Gruskin General Motors Co. John Gullen AAA — The Auto Club Group Frank A. Hamidi General Motors Co.

Daniel J. Canine Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance (U.S.A.) Inc.

Alan N. Harris Atwell

Marla Schwaller Carew Brose North America Inc.

Anna M. Inch Carhartt Inc.

Matt Cohn BMTS Technology

Dan Israel Goldfish Swim School Franchising

Michele Compton Delphi Technologies Amanda L. Conti-Duhaime Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Frank A. Damiano Magna International Tim Devine Detroit Land Bank Authority Jeff Dobson ITC Holdings Corp. Carmen Dorris Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Brian Doughty HARMAN International Eric L. Doyle BorgWarner Inc.

(Selected by private attorneys in metro Detroit via DBusiness’ 2021 Top Lawyers survey)

Kyle M. H. Jones Fiat Chrysler Automobiles MaryAnn P. Kanary Barton Malow Holdings Harry A. Kemp Lear Corp. Deanna J. Kossaras HARMAN International Eric Kurtycz Valeo Terrence B. Larkin Lear Corp. Kimberly LaRochelle Flagstar Bank Kiley LePage Compuware Corp.

Bob Evans Freudenberg North America

122 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Lance Lis Inteva Products

Kenneth J. Phillips Gentherm Inc.

Mark Sparschu Lear Corp.

Bernie Lourim FANUC America Corp.

Heather R. Pillot Rivian Automotive

Jennifer M. Stout Flagstar Bank

Marc Luddy Magna International

Jasmine Pizana Lear Corp.

Mark A. Sturing Beztak Cos.

Rachel Manos BELFOR USA Group Inc.

Kevin M. Plumstead General Motors Co.

Mario Tabone Plastipak Holdings Inc.

Erin Martin Little Caesars Enterprises Inc.

Amanda J. Pontes Lear Corp.

Satyam Talati Mahindra Automotive North America

Christopher Mazzoli Lear Corp.

Antoinette Porter DTE Energy

Michael Minna BorgWarner Inc.

Michael Qaqish IAC Group

Justin (“J.P.”) Morgan Freidman Real Estate

Lawrence D. Rosenstock Beaumont Health —Oakwood Healthcare

Edward Walton Ameriprise Financial

Linda Ross Trinity Health

Adam West Visteon Corp.

Maureen T. Shannon Rivian Automotive

David Willoughby General Motors Co.

Joshua Sherbin TriMas Corp.

Ian Wilson Beaumont Health

Emily E. Smith-Sulfaro Ford Motor Credit Co.

Adam Wolfe United Shore Financial Services

Laurine Parmely Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Tara Smrchek Clarience Technologies

Marla Zwas Truck Hero Inc.

Daniel Phillips Ally Financial Inc.

Lawrence A. Sommers Comerica Bank

Joseph Muzingo ApexHealth John E. Ortoleva Atlas Oil Co. Miyuki Oshima BorgWarner Inc. Jay Paranjpe Magna International

Louis Theros MGM Grand Detroit Gabriel B. Valle ITC Holdings Corp.

Kitch-TopCorporateCounsel.pdf 1 12/10/2020 2:55:30 PM

Being the captain of the ship during the storm of 2020 requires a true leader. Congratulations to all of the Top Corporate Counsel nominees!

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Congratulations, honorees!

Tamika Frimpong Vice President, Deputy General Counsel

Eric Doyle Senior Intellectual Property Counsel

Miyuki Oshima Corporate Counsel, Compliance, Labor and Employment

Michael Minna Senior Intellectual Property Counsel

Thank you to the incredibly hard-working members of our Legal team, whose excellence is recognized in the 2021 Top Corporate Counsel Awards. Your efforts continue to propel BorgWarner into the future.

Closing Bell || Logistics

Market Play Before grocery stores, open-air markets were the major source of food in Detroit.

126 DBUSINESS || JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021

Central Market wasn’t Detroit’s first public market. In the early 1800s, as George Catlin records in “The Story of Detroit,” a market building went up in the middle of Woodward Avenue “just below Jefferson Avenue.” Tuesdays and Saturdays were the big days. Police ordered hucksters’ wagons away in order to eliminate competition against vendors who rented stalls. A weighmaster ensured that measures were true, anyone purveying “unwholesome” meats was cited, and the “sale of produce at any other place than the market, on market days, was punishable by a fine of $5.” The Berthelet Market, apparently a successor to the Woodward market, stood at the foot of Randolph Street. It burned down in 1848, and trade shifted to Washington Market on Larned Street. But Central Market emerged as the primary venue, especially after accommodations improved in 1875. Four shed-like buildings stretched eastward for 100 yards from the foot of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, finished in 1872 in what became Cadillac Square. Vendors learned to cater to disparate ethnic groups, and the city pushed for improvements such as sewer lines to each stall, allowing the sale of fish for the first time. Heat from stoves, and later from steam, further improved conditions. Lighting came first from candles, then gas lamps, and finally electric bulbs in 1882.

SCENTS OF A CITY Western Market, left, was located west of Michigan Central Station and was active until the I-75 and I-96 freeway interchange was built in the 1960s. Central Market sprung from butcher stalls set beneath City Hall starting in 1835.

Drovers brought cattle into the city for sale and slaughter. A July 27, 1875, newspaper records 21 drovers that day with 398 cattle, while “sundry persons” accounted for another 19 head. In the years before rail, drovers walked their herds into the city. Slaughter was sometimes conducted on an informal basis in alleys and neighborhoods, but the activity was generally centralized in abattoirs. Central Market was congested, stinky, and rat-infested. The city council decided in 1891 to close it and disperse business to the new 43-acre Eastern Market and the Western Market, at 18th Street and Michigan Avenue. Furious butchers squatted in Central Market for a couple of years, but the city finally thwarted them, and the public adapted to the newer markets — including the Chene-Ferry Market. Western Market gave way to a Fisher Freeway interchange in 1965. Chene-Ferry closed in the 1980s, leaving Eastern Market as the only extant public market in Detroit. Old Western Market, LLC was incorporated in 2019, with an eye toward re-establishing the former market, but development has yet to move forward.

COURTESY OF WALTER P. REUTHER LIBRARY

ack in the 1880s, a snowy winter benefited Detroiters by expediting commerce. “An open winter, in which frost and snow were mysteriously absent, was regarded as a menace to health and a curse to business,” George W. Stark wrote in his 1939 historical collection, “In Old Detroit.” Frost and snow, meanwhile, let farmers dash right into the city in their horse-drawn sleighs, and they headed for Cadillac Square. “(It) would be their Mecca,” Stark wrote, “and there is still a vision of the old market on the square piled high with venison, rabbits, and wild turkeys.” He referred to Central Market, also known as Farmer’s Market. “Saturday was the big day when the city folks went to market to haggle for the produce of the fields, the woods, and the farms brought in by the bob sleigh route.” For five decades starting in 1841, Central Market operated weekdays and Saturdays at Woodward Avenue at Cadillac Square. Grocers arrived early to select choice items for resale; up to 15,000 patrons were the norm after 8 a.m. on Saturday. In his recent book, “Detroit: Engine of America,” author R.J. King calls the market “a natural offspring from the butchers who occupied the lower level of city hall when it opened in 1835.”

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