Features

Partner Content George M Hull Memorial Fund

50 years, 50 stories: Ypsilanti's Rutherford PoolAnn Arbor Area Community Foundation

For 30 years Ypsilanti’s Rutherford Pool provided a community gathering spot for people of all ages and backgrounds. Closed in 2011, Friends of the Rutherford Pool set out to raise more than $1 million to build a new state-of-the-art facility. With help from a $50,000 grant from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the brand new pool will open Mary 23 - just in time for summer!

Feature Story David Blanchard

To Compete or Non-Compete: Contracts That Make Michigan Less Competitive

States known for tech innovation and new economy success have shed their old school non-compete contracts to attract the best and brightest talent while fostering greater cross pollination of ideas and inventions. So with all the noise Michigan is making about creating a 21st-century economy why are we clinging to a 20th-century business practice?

Feature Story bikearch

Stories from Across the IMG Network

Issue Media Group publications cover "what's next" for urban centers. Check out the top stories in urban innovation from cities like Toronto, Memphis, Cleveland and Denver. 

Local violin maker proves modern violins can outclass legendary Stradivarius

Ann Arbor violin-maker Joseph Curtin (who we've covered in this magazine) shows ina research study that much like the blind Coke-Pepsi test, worldclass violinists prefer newer instruments to the classics. We at Concentrate strive to show that sometimes the common wisdom of the past isn't really the best choice for the future. That applies to business, urban design and, now, world-class instruments.
 
Excerpt:
 
"In actuality, expert soloists pick new violins over antiques in blind tests, the research finds. What's more, the soloists performed no better than chance at guessing whether a given violin is newly manufactured or more than a century old."
 
Read the rest here.

Big House to host Real Madrid-Manchester United soccer match

You'd think in a nation where half the elementary school kids play soccer that we'd embrace the sport the rest of the world loves so deeply. For a brief moment this summer - August 2nd to be exact - Ann Arborites can get a taste of the that action.
 
Excerpt:
 
"This match promises to be an exciting event for players and fans alike. Tour matches of this nature provide great preparation for the team as we look forward to the 2014/15 season," said Manchester United Group managing director, Richard Arnold. "This will be the team's first ever match in Michigan and playing at the iconic Big House will be a memorable experience for all involved. United has over eight million followers in the US and I look forward to welcoming many of these fans to this historic fixture.""
 
Read the rest here.

The enormous benefits of setting the right parking price

Less congestion, increased transit use and more tax revenue - who wouldn't want that for their community? Well, smarter pricing policies about pdowntown parking can provide those things.
 
Excerpt:
 
"First comes a close evaluation of SFpark, San Francisco's world-class effort to match the price of parking with real-time demand. SFpark changes the cost of street spaces in commercial areas to maintain an average occupancy of 60 to 80 percent. By making sure the streets are never completely full, the program hopes to reduce circling and thus congestion on city streets."
 
Read the rest here.

Cinetopia Film Festival to link Ann Arbor and Detroit through movies

Where political leaders fail, art organizations hope to succeed. AnnArbor and Detroit have long maintained their separate cultural bubbles. Russ Collins and Elliot Wilhelm (of the Michigan Theater and Detroit Film Theater respectively) hope to bridge the I-94 gap by bringing world-class cinema to both cities under a single film festival: Cinetopia.
 
Excerpt:
 
More than 100 screenings of 45 films are planned. "We will be expanding the Cinetopia Film Festival to at least five screens in Ann Arbor, and at least four screens in Detroit," the event site says."
 
Read the rest here. Check out the Cinetopia website here.

Dusty's Collision HQ to double in size with new $3M building

It's part of Dusty Whitney's business model to own the properties that house his six Dusty's Collision locations, and after 15 years, he'll be applying that model to his headquarters on S. Industrial. He plans to start construction on a new, 30,000 square foot facility right next door to his existing headquarters later this year. 
 
"It's really about growing our existing location," Whitney says. "We have three separate buildings now, and at the new building we'll be all under one roof."
 
He'll be able to fit a lot more under than roof as well. As he's now operating with 15,000 square feet, the new, $3 million facility will double his space. With the additional room he plans to upgrade his equipment, expand his aluminum repair operations, grow his staff and have three car lanes dedicated to insurance companies processing claims. 
 
"It's a way to capture some customers, but it also helps the insurance companies," says Whitney. "Now all the cars have to sit outside for estimates, which isn't fun when it's winter for six months like this year."
 
After planning the project for more than a year, Whitney hopes to begin construction in August and move to the new location in spring of 2015. Dusty's Collision currently operates three Ann Arbor locations and one each in Canton, Temperance and Grand Blanc. After the new headquarters is up and running, Whitney plans to continue to grow with new locations. 
Source: Dusty Whitney, Dusty's Collision Writer: Natalie Burg

Local artist finds a vehicle for his designs with Flophouse Skateboards

It's not easy for artists to find a way to make a living through their art, but Ben Thompson has found a way to combine two of his passions into one business. The fine artist and graphic designer recently launched Flophouse Skateboards where he designs custom art for skateboards by hand. 
 
"My designs are very eastern inspired. I spend a lot of time in tattoo parlors, that is an influence in my work," Thompson says. "I have also people come to me with their own idea, and I come up with something and show them a design." 
 
After studying fine art at Eastern Michigan University, Thompson started working as a graphic designer for a local sign company. When he had the idea to apply his art to skateboards, his boos helped him come up with a process for making it work. When a warehouse in the same building as the sign shop became available, Thompson decided to give his skateboard art a go as a business. 
 
"I'm an artist, first and foremost," he says. "This is a bridge for me to make a living between my art and something I like doing." 
 
Thompson renovated the space and opened Flophouse Skateboards in January. Though most of their sales take place online, Thompson says he welcomes people into his shop if they wish to visit. He and two employees create their designs and apply them to skateboards by hand. Eventually, he hopes to purchase equipment that will mechanize the process so he and his workers can create their custom skateboards more efficiently.
Source: Ben Thompson, Flophouse Skateboards Writer: Natalie Burg

ArborBike aims to launch 14 bikeshare stations in June

The first 14 ArborBike station locations have been chosen, and according to the Clean Energy Coalition, June is the target date for getting the bike share program on the road.  "The stations we have selected were chosen based on data and practicality," says Kevin Mulder of the Clean Energy Coalition. "We’re very excited to have had [The University of Michigan's] support from the beginning of this project, and we believe the integration of downtown and campus station locations is crucial to offering a comprehensive service area to residents, employees, students, and visitors To chose the 14 locations, ArborBike organized analyzed housing density, job density, student populations, existing bike infrastructure and destination spot. After narrowing down these locations, they searched for available space where the bike station equipment would fit. Solar and wireless access were also taken into consideration. The finalist list of stations will service downtown, Central Campus and North Campus.  "The main feedback we've received about the station locations is a request for additional stations outside of the first 14 proposed sites," Mulder says. "People are asking about Park & Ride lots, the west side, and the Washtenaw corridor toward Ypsilanti." Requests for additional stations is not a bad way to launch the program, and Mulder says expansion is a part of the program's long term plan. As other bike share programs have found value in keeping stations in somewhat close proximity, the Clean Energy Coalition feels confident the public will have a positive experience with the program. An ArborBike sponsorship campaign was recently launched for continued support of the project. More information about sponsorships can be found on the new Arborbike website. Source:  Kevin Mulder, Clean Energy Coalitin Writer: Natalie Burg

$2.2M S. Fourth renovation to bring Ruth's Chris Steak House to Ann Arbor

The S. Fourth Ave. building that housed the former Dream Nite Club is getting a major renovation, and the south side of downtown Ann Arbor will be getting a new restaurant with the $2.2 million development of a Ruth's Chris Steak House. The project came together after the development team that worked on a Ruth's Chris in Grand Rapids decided to give the franchise another go. "It was very successful and well received and that team decided tot look for another market that was similar," says Steve Fry of Concept Design, the architectural firm working on the project. "Ann Arbor sort of stood out as a good possibility."  Finding the right size building available downtown was a challenge, but the vacant nightclub was selected for its potential to become the structure they need. The one-story, approximately 8,200 square foot building will be totally renovated, including the addition of a 1,700 square foot second level.  "This building did fit for size, shape good location," Fry says. 'We basically approached this as having potential by completely renovating and bring it back to life." Fry also hopes the timing of the renovation will coincide with the neighboring properties coming back to life a well. He believes residential or hotel use of the recently sold city property across the street would be a great complement to the restaurant.  The project is pending approval by the Ann Arbor city council next month. Should it be approved, Fry says the plan is to move quickly, with a goal of opening the new Ruth's Chris by end of the year. Source: Steve Fry, Concept Design Writer: Natalie Burg

NeuMoDx Molecular scores $21M in Series B round

NeuMoDx Molecular has $21 million more in its coffers now that the Ann Arbor-based startup has secured a Series B round of financing. The investment round in the diagnostics company was led by Pfizer Ventures. Other local venture capital investors included Baird Capital, Venture InvestorsArboretum Ventures and the Wolverine Venture Fund. The startup, helmed by veteran local CEO Jeff Williams, also secured $5 million in a Series A in 2012. "It helps to have an experienced CEO," says Erik Gordon, a professor of entrepreneurship and strategy who oversees the student-run Wolverine Venture Fund at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. "We also did a lot of research in the molecular science space." NeuMoDx Molecular is developing a new platform for high volume, low-cost molecular testing. The company’s patent-pending technology integrates magnetic particle affinity capture and real time polymerase chain reaction chemistry in a multi-sample microfluidic cartridge. That enables NeuMoDx Molecular’s platform to speed up molecular testing, processing about 500 samples every eight hours. NeuMoDx Molecular is currently going through clinical trials and working to secure regulatory approval, which the new round of funding will make possible. Source: Erik Gordon, professor of entrepreneurship and strategy at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business Writer: Jon Zemke

Arbormoon Software moves to new downtown office

Arbormoon Software has a new home that feels, well, more homey for the growing software firm. The downtown Ann Arbor-based firm’s new office at 123 N Ashley is large,  to accommodate the company's growing staff, and a better place for them to collaborate and work together. "It has a much better layout for us," says Dave Koziol, president of Arbormoon Software. "Our old space had two separate spaces that weren’t contiguous. This new space is contiguous. It’s also a nicer building with better management." The 11-year-old software company has moved aggressively into the mobile space in recent years. It has hired three people in the last year (two mobile app developers and one design professional), growing its staff to a little more than a dozen employees. The company has also grown its revenue from an increased workload from existing clients and new customers. One of its more notable achievements in the last year was a a mobile app it created for Weather Underground that received some attention on social media. "It's an app we’re particularly proud of," Koziol says. "It was nice to be noticed by someone." Arbormoon Software's revenue has been growing significantly in recent years. It has won two Ann Arbor SPARK FasTrack Awards, which recognize firms with 20 percent revenue growth, and Kozoil is optimistic his team can do it again. "We expect to keep growing at that healthy fastrack award rate," Koziol says. Source: Dave Koziol, president of Arbormoon Software Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Business and staff is up at Motawi Tileworks

Motawi Tileworks acquired its clay supplier three years ago, an investment that is paying off in spades now. "Rovin Ceramics at this point is growing by leaps and bounds," says Nawal Motawi, founder & artistic director of Motawi Tileworks. "The brand is totally reinvigorated." The Ann Arbor-based company specializes in arts-and-craft ceramic tiles. Think the ceramic pieces of art people like to put on kitchen back splashes or around a fireplace. Motawi Tileworks acquired Rovin Ceramics when it was on its way to liquidation instead of letting the locally based company disappear. Since then Motawi Tileworks has focused on improving the company's customer service and creating a shopping experience at its store. That enabled Rovin Ceramics and Motawi Tileworks to spike their revenues and make some hires over the last year. Both companies have each created one new job in the last 12 months. "We have been focusing very much on corporate process and execution," Motawi says. "We're becoming very intentional in how we monitor our production." Source: Nawal Motawi, founder & artistic director of Motawi Tileworks Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

SimuQuest expands as it leverages work with Ford

SimuQuest is accelerating its growth and the Ann Arbor-based company can thank a few major clients like Ford for it. SimuQuest specializes in software and data management services. It has been working on its UniPhi for Ford for several years now, launching it earlier this year. UniPhi is a model-based development tool for centralized data management. It moves everything to the cloud and helps streamline the data management and analysis process for the user. "This really changes the game for them," says John Mills, president & CEO of SimuQuest. Another software platform SimuQuest is bringing to market is QuantiPhi, a chip configuration and driver integration tool. The tool provides a full complement of configurable low-level drivers that guides the user through the intricacies of successfully configuring the chip and driver settings. Developing these platforms has prompted SimuQuest to hire two people in the last year. It has added a business development professional and an engineer to round its staff of eight people. It is also looking to add summer interns. "We're expecting a pretty major growth in the company," Mills says. "There are no guarantees but I would be really surprised if we don’t double our revenue in the next year." Source: John Mills, president & CEO of SimuQuest Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Damian Farrell Design Group adds to staff in Ann Arbor

Damian Farrell Design Group is riding the rebound of the architecture sector as the company attract more and more projects. The Ann Arbor-based firm has experienced an increase in both commercial and residential projects, spiking its revenue by 20 percent The commercial projects have trended toward new construction while the residential projects are more renovations. "It's all local right now," says Damian Farrell, owner of Damian Farrell Design Group. "We have one project in Pennsylvania but otherwise it’s all local." That has allowed Damian Farrell Design Group to make a new hire over the last year. The new studio manager brings the firm's staff to four employees and one intern. Farrell expects his company to continue growing as more and more projects come up in 2014. "People are getting more confident," Farrell says. "Money is a little bit more available right now." Source: Damian Farrell, owner of Damian Farrell Design Group Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

PWB Marketing Communications keeps growth streak going

PWB Marketing Communications isn't measuring its growth over the last year in terms of new hires. It is looking at how much it has built out its network of partners and independent contractors. "I'm cautious about that (hiring)," says Sean Hickey, COO of PWB Marketing Communications. "We have a core group of (six) people that are pretty flexible and knowledgeable." The Ann Arbor-based firm now has a dependable stable of contractors it can tap for the growing number of projects its handling. The network of partners handles everything from market research to salesforce automation. The network allows PWB Marketing Communications to stay flexible and ready to take on more work. "The nature of what clients want us to do is evolving," Hickey says. "I want to be able to say yes to that." Hickey adds that most of the firm's work has turned digital over the last few years. It's reached the point that customers that want brochures only want them for emerging markets. They don't even take them to make pitches in the First World. "Even the traditional work is done with an eye toward digital," Hickey says. "We don't do six-page brochures anymore because how are you going to fit six pages into a PDF?" Source: Sean Hickey, COO of PWB Marketing Communications Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Partner Content George M Hull Memorial Fund

50 years, 50 stories: George M. Hull Memorial FundAnn Arbor Area Community Foundation

Ypsilanti physician Dr. George Hull believed that quality health care should be available to all residents. Back in 1926, a $50,000 memorial foundation was established in his honor. In 2006, the Foundation’s Board transferred those assets to the Ypsilanti Area Community Fund to provide ongoing support to local health and human service agencies.

Feature Story Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory

Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory: Building a Business One Chip at a Time

If you've had chips made by the Ann Arbor Tortilla Factory you know that calling them "addictive" would be an understatement. So, how did this hand-made tortilla and chip company spring up in a town as unlikely as Ann Arbor? Read on and the truth will be revealed.

Feature Story Matthew Altruda at Tree Town Sound

Cool Jobs: Matthew Altruda - Music Impresario

With bands like Tally Hall, Mayer Hawthorne and Michelle Chamuel grabbing the national spotlight, Ann Arbor has been quietly producing first-rate music for a while now. If it was up to Matthew Altruda we'd be a lot louder about it. As the city's unofficial rock impresario and biggest booster, Altruda is the big brains behind Sonic Lunch, The Puck Drops Here, and Tree Town Sounds.

Hasini and Harshini Anand are members of Corner Health Center's Youth Leadership Council and mental health advocates.

 


   Voices of Youth
Concentrate's Voices of Youth series features content created by Washtenaw County youth in partnership with Concentrate mentors, as well as feature stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. Click here for a full list of the latest content from this series.