Features

Development News Downtown Northville turns city streets into The Twist

Downtown Northville opens The Twist, a social district that allows cocktails-to-go on city streets

It’s called The Twist. The social district expands already-closed city streets to become an even bigger district where visitors can walk the city streets with "cocktails to-go" from participating businesses.

Feature Story The historic facade

Take a peek inside the redevelopment of the historic Farmington State Savings Bank building

The discovery of an old speakeasy is the kind of thing that makes a project like the historic Farmington State Savings Bank so enjoyable for GLP Financial Group. The company purchased the building at the beginning of the year and has been working on it ever since. It will eventually become home to their new headquarters.

Feature Story Supercuts, Chaldean Community Foundation, Sterling Heights

Photos: New mini village to help visitors with special needs learn life skills

A new center in Sterling Heights will provide valuable ways for residents with special needs to interact with retail, banking and even hairdressing services. The $5 million expansion of the Chaldean Community Foundation recently opened to the public and includes a gym, art studio, and primary care facility.

Development News Alisa Petronski and her daughter running a fitness class online, live from their home for Studio Z Fitness in Sterling Heights.

Women-owned businesses dominate Macomb COVID-19 relief grants

Over 95% of Macomb County's 18,000 businesses have less than 50 employees, which is why small restaurants, salons, and studios—particularly those owned by women—was the focus of the latest funding round from a $20 million COVID-19 relief grant program.

Feature Story Youth play soccer at a Ferndale Parks & Rec event.

Voices of Youth: Ferndale Parks & Rec teens open up about pandemic life and the coming school year

Life during the pandemic hasn't been easy, but these Ferndale Parks and Recreation volunteer youth are persevering as they anticipate a new school year.

Feature Story Khalilah Burt Gaston

Share the Mic Now: Detroit aims to amplify voices of Black women, center their experiences

Modeled after the national Share the Mic Now campaign that launched in June, the Detroit initiative kicked off Monday, Aug. 17 and runs until Aug. 26, featuring pairs of Black and White women in discussions that center the experiences of Black women in the current moment we're living in as well as explore how race and gender shape personal and professional experiences.


Feature Story Nawal Denard, House of African Prints, Detroit

Immigrant entrepreneur draws on business support systems to brighten Detroit's wardrobe

An innovative industrial engineer from Ghana is bringing West African-inspired prints to Detroit's fashion scene, despite COVID-19 creating roadblocks for her budding business.

Feature Story The Biergarten was closed until the city offered the adjacent lot for outdoor seating

Small businesses take advantage of city's new policies for outdoor options in downtown Dearborn

Whether it’s streamlining the permit process or instituting social districts, cities like Dearborn aren’t only thinking about using these tools to boost business during the COVID-19 pandemic, but after it, too. As is often the case, through adversity comes innovation.

Development News BatterUpResized

Waffle company re-opens at Lakeside Mall, despite COVID-19 setbacks

What's it like opening a business during COVID-19? Just ask the owner of Batter Up, a new waffle store in Sterling Heights' Lakeside Mall. 

Development News Sterling Heights City Manager Mark Vanderpool says small businesses are the "backbone" of his city.

Sterling Heights announces new grant program for micro-businesses

A new grant program has been launched in Sterling Heights to assist businesses with under five employees face COVID-19 challenges. 

Development News Anton Art Center. photo by David Lewinski.

Market study to reveal demand for Artspace development in downtown Mt. Clemens

The study could reveal the potential size and scope for an Artspace development in Mt. Clemens.

Feature Story ACCESS Mobile test site for COVID-19.

Dearborn's ACCESS supports vulnerable members of community through pandemic

As a nonprofit offering a comprehensive slate of social, economic, health, and educational services in Metro Detroit, ACCESS did some heavy lifting to adapt its operations to the "new normal" of COVID-19.

Feature Story Members of the Royal Oak Multicultural Parents Association meet via Zoom.

Royal Oak parents work to promote diversity and inclusion in Royal Oak Schools

Established in 2017, ROMPA has been working to improve three main focus areas — a complete and culturally competent curriculum for all levels, racial disparities in academic achievement and discipline, and diverse staff.

Development News Dodge Park has re-opened.

Sterling Heights forms new sustainability commission

Sterling Heights has formed a new resident advisory group to help shape sustainability plans for the city. 

Development News Care packages, Macomb, Meals on Wheels, COVID, Coronavirus, Seniors

500 essential care packages delivered to seniors in Macomb County

For senior residents in Macomb County, the 500 care packages recently delivered to house-bound Meals on Wheels participants is a way to feel supported through COVID-19. 

Development News Artist MaryLou Stillwagon Stropoli and the beginnings of her mural

Witness 'Art in Action' at community art fair in downtown Farmington

There are two new murals going up in downtown Farmington. And for those curious to check in on their progress, a two-day art fair serves as even more of a reason to come and see them in person. Art in Action is a community art fair designed by the community itself.

Development News A moment from BGCSM Summer Camp

Boys & Girls Club returns to Pontiac, offers free memberships to city youth

Thousands of Pontiac youth, ranging in ages from 4- to 21-years-old, will be provided free memberships to the Club.

Detroit and Ferndale face needs of homeless as they look to improve 8 Mile and Woodward

As local governments of Ferndale and Detroit team up to improve the 8 Mile and Woodward area, homeless people who stay there weigh in on what that future looks like.

Feature Story Ford, robots, Sterling Heights, dog

Ford to introduce four-legged robots to Sterling Heights plant

Ford is introducing two four-legged robots, nicknamed Fluffy and Spot, to a Sterling Heights plant in early August, to help engineers scan the facility for retooling. The dog-like designs can also roll over and shake hands.

Feature Story Pine Coast Cafe

Pine Coast Cafe opens in Dearborn amid pandemic, plans for socially distant service

"We put a ton of thought into every ingredient, into every sandwich, the way it's layered, the way it's built, the breads."

 
Nonprofit leaders across southeast Michigan are contributing their thoughts via journal entries on how COVID-19 is affecting their organization. 
This series is made possible with the generous support of our partners, the Michigan Nonprofit Association and Co.ACT. Click here to read the journal entries.