DBusiness Daily Update: Michigan Israel Business Accelerator Helps Israeli Company Land in Michigan, and More

Michigan Israel Business Accelerator Helps Israeli Company Land in Michigan

The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA), the nonprofit international trade organization committed to accelerating Michigan’s economic growth through Israeli corporate connections, assisted Israeli technology company SkillReal with its plans to establish its U.S. headquarters, SkillReal North America, in Michigan, creating 20 jobs near Detroit.

After more than a year in the works, this project is the MIBA’s largest single foreign direct investment win in its history.

“We are particularly proud of the effort that went into working to bring SkillReal here, as it leveraged several different tools in our toolbox,” says Bernard Bourgeois, managing director and Michigan Ecosystem Leader for the MIBA. “We thank our partners at MEDC, Newlab, and especially Northstar Vision for coming together to make this happen.”

During the selection process, the MIBA provided introductions, resources, investment connections, and information about incentives and grants as SkillReal considered Michigan and other regions of the country for expansion into the North American market. These efforts resulted in a combination of state incentives, implementation grant, strategic partnership, and investment that helped convince SkillReal to choose Michigan. SkillReal also is one of three charter members of the MIBA’s Elevator, the MIBA’s landing zone in Downtown Detroit for Israeli companies.

SkillReal North America brings the innovative technology that detects assembly line defects from Israel to the U.S. market.

“The MIBA has been an invaluable partner, connecting us with the resources we’ve needed to build our team, identify customers, and secure the funding that helped make SkillReal North America a reality in Michigan,” says Shai Newman, founder and CEO of SkillReal.

MEDC Creates Michigan’s Growth Office to Lead Population Growth Initiatives

Today, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) announced the creation of Michigan’s Growth Office, tasked with implementing the Growing Michigan Together Council’s blueprint for growth, passed 19-1 in December 2023.

Michigan’s Growth Office will lead the state’s population growth work to retain current and attract future Michiganders. The office, led by Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, will build on the council’s recommendations by engaging Michiganders in the effort, launching pilots and programs to spark growth as well as leading storytelling, research, and policy initiatives, all functioning together to grow the state’s population.

Approximately $45.5 million will support talent and growth efforts at the MEDC and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. This funding will support Michigan’s population growth efforts as well as current and future workforce needs, including strategic talent retention and customized solutions to fill identified talent gaps.

Doe oversees the state’s growth strategy, as well as growth and marketing at the MEDC. She also served as executive director of the Growing Michigan Together Council.

The three pillars of the blueprint for growth and examples of corresponding budget items that represent progress towards those goals, include:

Establishing Michigan as the Innovation Hub of the Midwest and America’s Scale-Up State while tackling barriers to labor force participation.

• $60 million to establish an Innovation Fund to invest in scalable startups and help launch hundreds of new Michigan-based companies, creating thousands of jobs.
• $24 million to support new technology and mobility projects, including drone infrastructure projects, e-bike incentives and an inductive charging pilot project.

Building a lifelong learning system focused on future-ready skills and competencies to ensure all Michiganders have access to 21st-century opportunities.

• $30 million investment to increase funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, the state’s flagship scholarship program, providing a pathway to community college, tuition guaranteed.
• Scholarships ensure every Michigan high school graduate can receive an associate degree or skilled certificate tuition-free at a community college, saving more than 18,000 students up to $4,820 on tuition each year.
• $181 million to help students reach their full academic potential, including continuation of payments for literacy grants and literacy coaches.

Creating thriving communities that are magnets for young talent, including places that are climate-resilient, transit-rich and housing-accessible.

• $100 million to construct more affordable housing, building on the historic $1.4 billion investment to build or rehabilitate almost 10,000 homes and the unprecedented $50 million set aside for housing.
• $75 million of additional funding to support transit, including local transit operating expenses, federal transit capital grants, marine passenger services, rail operations and transit capital matching funds.

Macomb Township’s Triumph Awarded F404 Auxiliary Gearbox Contract from GE Aerospace

Triumph Group Inc. announced its Geared Solutions business has been awarded a contract to provide the auxiliary gearbox from GE Aerospace for the F404 afterburning turbofan engine with potential future use on multiple applications, including the T7-A, T-50, and TAI Hurjet platforms.

Triumph, headquartered in Pennsylvania, is a long-standing engineering and manufacturing partner with GE on military and commercial gearbox applications. This work will be performed at its Macomb Township facility.

Triumph Geared Solutions specializes in the design and manufacture of commercial and defense complex aerospace gearing components, integrated gearboxes and housings for fixed wing, rotorcraft, aircraft engine and ground vehicle applications.

DMC Hospitals Among 57 in Michigan Recognized Nationally for Stroke Care

Four DMC hospitals are among the 57 Michigan hospitals nationally recognized for excellence by the American Heart Association for stroke care.

The honored DMC facilities were:

• DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital
• DMC Harper University Hospital
• DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital
• DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital

“This national recognition by the American Heart Association is a tribute to our dedicated care teams and a reflection of the high-quality stroke programs that we have in place at our hospitals,” says Brittany Lavis, CEO of the Detroit Medical Center. “Patients can rest assured that when they arrive at one of our Emergency Departments in need of stroke treatment, our specialists will be ready to rapidly deliver the high-quality lifesaving care they have come to expect from the DMC.”

For a complete list of Michigan award winners, visit here .

Meijer Recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion

Meijer in Grand Rapids was recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by the Disability Equality Index (DEI) for the eighth year in a row.

The DEI is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. It is a joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) that measures key performance indicators across organizational culture, leadership, accessibility, employment, community engagement, support services, and supplier inclusion.

Documentary Chronicles Collision of Civil Rights Movement with Detroit’s Olympic Bid

The University of Michigan’s Center for Race and Ethnicity in Sport, its Arts Initiative, and the U-M Detroit Center are hosting a screening of the film “Detroit’s Olympic Uprising” at 5 p.m. July 23 at the U-M Detroit Center (3633 Woodward Ave.).

The film is a collaboration between Detroit filmmaker Aaron Schillinger and University of Michigan professors Stefan Szymanski and Silke-Maria Weineck. It covers Detroit’s 1963 bid to host the 1968 Olympics and the collision between the bid and the Civil Rights Movement.

The screening is free and open to the public. Registration here reserves a seat and includes parking and refreshments.

Laser Eye Institute in Troy Introduces VISUMAX 800 with SMILE Pro Software

The Laser Eye Institute in Troy is introducing what it’s calling the latest breakthrough in vision correction technology — a cutting-edge solution that redefines how it addresses nearsightedness, with or without astigmatism.

The VISUMAX 800 with SMILE Pro Software from ZEISS, recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), provides faster and more precise treatments. The advanced laser can create the lenticule in fewer than 10 seconds, making the procedure not only quicker but also more comfortable.

Gorman’s Elevates Visibility of Artists with Disabilities During August

Farmington Hills-based Gorman’s Home Furnishings & Interior Design announced a partnership with three local nonprofit organizations dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities through the arts.

This collaboration will be highlighted by an opening artists’ reception on the evening of July 31, at Gorman’s Southfield store and then artwork will be available for purchase in its Novi, Southfield, and Troy showrooms for the month of August.

Participating nonprofits organizations whose artists are participating include Soul Studio, a Division of Friendship Circle, Paint A Miracle, and Progressive Art Studio Collective (PASC).

The reception will showcase the talents of approximately 30 artists with about 10 artists representing each organization. The event is open to the public and attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists and view their work, which will be available for purchase. Proceeds from the art sales will go toward the respective supporting organizations.

In addition to artwork being available for purchase during the event, Gorman’s will auction three pieces of Hooker Furniture donated as part of its Hooker’s “100 Acts of Kindness” initiative. The funds raised from each auctioned piece will be donated to the corresponding arts organization.

The opening reception is free and no RSVP is required, but space is limited. Gorman’s Home Furnishings & Interior Design is located at 29145 Telegraph Roa in Southfield.

Butzel in Detroit Partners with MEMA OE Suppliers to Present Update Sept. 12

The Butzel law firm in Detroit is partnering with MEMA OE Suppliers to present the 2024 OEM Terms and Conditions Update on Sept. 12 at the MSU Management Education Center in Troy and virtually via Zoom.

The event begins with registration and breakfast at 7 a.m.; the program starts at 8 a.m.; lunch and networking will follow at noon. To register, visit here .

Attorneys from Butzel’s Global Automotive Practice will discuss the following:

• OEM Terms and Conditions and Legal Update
• Recent Injunction Case Law Overview
• Emerging Issues
• Protecting Confidential Information Under New Enforcement Environment
• “Living on the [Cutting] Edge” – Identifying and Mitigating Risks in AI, Driverless and Software Defined Vehicles
• Material Breach – Do You Know it When You See it?
• Automotive Alternative Dispute Resolution

Farbman Group Promotes Three Interns to Full-time Employees

Farbman Group in Southfield announced the addition of three new team members transitioning from internships into full-time positions with the firm.

“Our company puts a strong emphasis on nurturing future commercial real estate professionals through our internship and mentorship programs across several different departments of the company,” says Andrew V. Farbman, CEO of Farbman Group. “These three young men have proven that they have what it takes to succeed in our fast-paced industry. I’m thrilled to offer them full-time positions at Farbman Group to continue to chart their path to success.”

Jacob Brown joins Farbman Group full-time as sales associate after previously completing an internship in the firm’s brokerage department. Brown is a graduate of Central Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship.

Jake Wiseman joins Farbman Group as a full-time sales associate after previously completing an internship in the firm’s property management department. Wiseman is a graduate of Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business.

Elliot Kaftan joins Farbman Group full-time as a property manager in Chicago after previously completing an internship at the firm. Kaftan is a recent graduate of the University of Michigan where he earned a degree in economics and Spanish.

“We strongly believe that the best internship programs are much more than just a glorified way to get busy work done,” says Farbman. “Our team encourage interns to participate fully in a wide range of civic and professional programs both inside and outside the office. The goal is to give them every opportunity to really dive in and learn about the industry.”

For more information on Farbman Group’s internship program or mentorship initiatives, visit farbman.com .

SMART’s New Route 759 Provides Mobility and Access to the Community

SMART, the leading transit provider in southeast Michigan, celebrated four successful weeks of operation for its new Route 759 Highland. Since its launch on June 24, the fixed route has improved connectivity for communities in Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Waterford Township, and White Lake Township, offering residents more convenient access to work, school, shopping, and essential services, including health care.

McLaren Oakland, a frequented stop on multiple SMART routes, is included in ‘Route 759’. This addition is expected to significantly enhance the community’s access to the high level of care provided at McLaren Oakland, particularly for those for whom transportation has been a barrier to health care.

The introduction of Route 759 is a direct response to the community’s demand for improved mobility and access within Oakland County. With stops at key destinations such as Oakland University, Michigan Works! Waterford Township, Pontiac High School, and McLaren Oakland Hospital, Route 759 is simplifying daily commutes and supporting the diverse transit needs of the region.

For more information about Route 759 Highland and other expanded services, visit smartmovesus.org .

Schoolcraft College Graduate Named 2024 National Student Pastry Chef of the Year

A recent Schoolcraft College graduate has been awarded the 2024 National Student Pastry Chef of the Year through the American Culinary Federation.

Allison White competed earlier this week at the ACF’s national competition in Phoenix against three other chefs for the title. She was named the winner after creating a pair of dishes using the required ingredients. The winning dishes were:

• A Contemporary Sacher Torte made with pistachio shortbread, gluten-free chocolate cake, apricot mousse, a chocolate glaze and an apricot sorbet.
• A Warm Peach and Plum Strudel, made with blueberry balsamic compote, pecan cookie crumble, sour cream and brown sugar ice cream.

White won a competition in May at the Culinary Institute of Michigan in Port Huron, which enabled her the chance to compete on the national stage. She has spent the past several months honing her dishes in the kitchens at Schoolcraft College, returning several days a week to perfect her entries.

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