Features

Construction in the future performance space at Cahoots

Economic Development

Take a look inside Cahoots, downtown Ann Arbor's elaborate new coworking space

Sarah RiggWednesday, January 10, 2018

The new business takes up nearly an entire downtown block and is set to include a public cafe and a bocce ball court.

Office space in downtown Ann Arbor at 301 E. Liberty.

Economic Development

5 surprising takeaways from Swisher Commercial's annual report on Ann Arbor real estate vacancies

Sarah RiggWednesday, January 10, 2018

Believe it or not, vacancies downtown actually grew last year.

Entrepreneurship

Pitch Ypsi competition addresses criticism through community feedback forum

Sarah RiggWednesday, January 10, 2018

The nonprofit drew huge interest and awarded $10,000 to local entrepreneurs last year, but also attracted criticism regarding its representation of the community it aims to serve.

ADI CEO Scott James with ADI's flight simulator behind him.

Economic Development

Continuing decade of turnaround, ADI set to invest $4m and create 100 jobs in Ann Arbor

Sarah RiggWednesday, January 10, 2018

The software company, known for its flight simulator platform used by Boeing and the U.S. Air Force, received a $650,000 performance-based grant to add jobs in Michigan.

UMS will present "Us/Them" Jan. 24 and 28 as part of its "No Safety Net" series.

Community Development

What are you most excited for in Washtenaw County in 2018?

Concentrate StaffWednesday, December 20, 2017

We asked each of our staffers to weigh in, and the results ranged from new restaurants to autonomous vehicles to new outdoor recreation opportunities.

Community Development

VIDEO: On the Ground Ypsi's closing panel discussion on Ypsi's past and future

Jesse MillerWednesday, December 20, 2017

We wrapped up the initial five-month run of On the Ground Ypsi with a panel discussion at the Ypsi Freighthouse. View the full discussion here, featuring moderator David Rutledge and panelists Decky Alexander, Bryan Foley, Mark Maynard, and Lynne Settles.

list-Huron-River-at-Gallup-Park-Ann-Arbor-2-by-HRWC.jpg

Economic Development

What’s a river worth? New report sets economic value on the Huron River

Nina Misuraca IgnaczakWednesday, December 20, 2017

The study estimates that the river contributes $53.5 million in economic output annually, and more than $150 million annually in ecosystem services.

Students at the Wayne State University campus

Healthy Communities

Metro Detroit's colleges work to develop a culture of care for students' mental health

Claire CharltonWednesday, December 20, 2017

With the goal of early detection and treatment, Metro Detroit schools, colleges, and foundations are working to raise awareness, erase stigma, and support every student struggling with these treatable disorders.

Technology and Innovation

What Michiganders need to know to stay on top of identity theft

David SandsWednesday, December 20, 2017

With news of the breach at credit reporting agency Equifax, we decided to look into the identity theft threats people are facing in Michigan, which state organizations are protecting them, and what they can do to prevent or recover from a hack.

Economic Development

Behind the scenes of the plot to save the Blind Pig

Doug CoombeWednesday, December 20, 2017

Although fans feared that the fabled venue might be doomed when it was listed for sale earlier this year, its talent buyer and a local tech CEO banded together to preserve it. We chatted with them about that effort and their plans for the future.

Entrepreneurship

New recording studio opens in Willis church

Sarah RiggWednesday, December 20, 2017

Ben Lorenz and Jason Magee have played in several local bands and they wanted to build a recording space to their own specifications. Their new studio offers high-end equipment and video production services.

Little Flower Soap Co. owners Holly and Justin Rutt.

Entrepreneurship

Chelsea couple turns soapmaking hobby into full-time business, with help from Etsy and Amazon

Sarah RiggWednesday, December 20, 2017

Since 2010, Little Flower Soap Co. has grown steadily to employ three people year-round, in addition to founders Holly and Justin Rutt.

Entrepreneurship

Ypsi crowdfunding statistics reveal startling disparity

Angela BarbashWednesday, December 13, 2017

Ypsi residents have raised a whopping $670,000 through crowdfunding over the past five years, yet only 5 percent of those funds were raised by people of color.

Technology and Innovation

Ann Arbor's many musically inclined tech employees are putting a band together

Brianna KellyWednesday, December 13, 2017

Ann Arbor's tech-sector employees say they share a proclivity not just for coding, but also for playing music.

A safety technician inspects a child's car seat

Healthy Communities

Video: Why car seat checks keep Michigan's children safe

Christopher SlatWednesday, December 13, 2017

It's surprisingly complex to properly install a child's safety seat. We visited a seat check day at a local dealership to learn about the many things required to do it correctly.

Black Ypsi sign on the First Ward School.

Community Development

Black Ypsilanti Historical Signage Project moves toward spring kickoff

Sarah RiggWednesday, December 13, 2017

Four signs commemorating various elements of Ypsi's black history have been completed, and organizers hope to finalize three more in the next few months.

Entrepreneurship

U-M launches nonprofit to help entrepreneurs in developing countries

Sarah RiggWednesday, December 13, 2017

The new organization, a partnership between two U-M institutes and a charitable trust, is based on a concept of mutual learning.

Boot Camp coach Lee Gorman, SPARK director of operations Jonathan Goldstein, and CampGig.com founders Brooke and Curtis McFall.

Entrepreneurship

Platform for hiring camp counselors wins $25,000 SPARK Boot Camp award

Sarah RiggWednesday, December 13, 2017

Having managed a summer camp, Curtis and Brooke McFall knew the pain of trying to recruit suitable camp counselors. So they created a new system to ease the process.

Bryan Foley at the Parkridge Community Center

Community Development

What are Ypsi's greatest strengths and challenges?

Brianna KellyWednesday, December 6, 2017

We're wrapping up the initial five-month run of On the Ground Ypsi with a panel discussion on Ypsi's past and future. We asked the community leaders on our panel to weigh in on Ypsi's greatest strengths and challenges.