Hummer is looking for a new home in Metro Detroit, and its headquarters is set to go in either Detroit or Auburn Hills.

General Motors sold the automotive brand to Sichuan Tenzhong. The China-based automaker is looking to establish a North American headquarters in Metro Detroit, which equals a $9.4 million investment and 300 new jobs. Hummer also looked at locations in South Carolina, Louisiana, and Tennessee.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation offered a 100 percent employment tax credit for 10 years. Both Detroit and Auburn Hills are planning to offer tax incentives to make the deal happen. A decision on which city is expected by Halloween.

General Motors acquired the Hummer brand from AM General in 2000. The all-terrain, military-style vehicles have a reputation for not only being the most rugged vehicles for sale to the general public, but also the most fuel inefficient.

Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Writer: Jon Zemke

Forty years ago, Herbert W. Kaufman started Burns & Wilcox in a Southfield office with 20 people. Today, the same family owned wholesale insurance firm hires about 20 per year.

"We're always hiring," says Suzie Mitchell, a corporate communications consultant for Burns & Wilcox. "We're expanding."

The company employs 800 worldwide, including 200 in Farmington Hills. It routinely posts 10-20 open positions, and expects to hire another 20 or so people within the next year.

Kaufman's son bought back the company in 1996, when revenues were $250 million, and converted it back to a private family business that now takes in $900 million annually. The firm has recently acquired new companies in California and opened an Environmental Center for Excellence, and has also grown by focusing on operational improvements.

"Technology has helped us streamline our costs," Mitchell says. "We have gone paperless in the last year."

Source: Suzie Mitchell, a corporate communications consultant for Burns & Wilcox
Writer: Jon Zemke

Automation Alley is sinking $350,000 into two local tech businesses, with plans to make a few more investments before the year is out.

"It's definitely a certainty," says Michelle Zellen, spokeswoman for Automation Alley. "We have companies in the pipeline."

The two feeding at the venture capital trough are Ventech and Critical Signal Technologies. The former will receive $250,000 in seed money while the latter  takes in $100,000. This latest round of financing brings Automation Alley's total investment in Critical Signal Technologies to $450,000.

Ventech develops, manufactures, and distributes a rapid heater technology called Liquid Heat Generator, which is used to heat the interiors of school buses, cars and military vehicles. The $250,000 allows the Wixom-based company to pump up its production capacity and inventory.

Farmington Hills-based Critical Signal Technologies provides 24-hour personal emergency response monitoring services for elderly or disabled individuals, allowing those suffering from medical conditions to continue living at home.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation recently awarded Automation Alley $1.5 million to invest in start-up technology based companies across Southeast Michigan. This funding is used to encourage the commercialization of technologies and support their growth through investments of up to $250,000 per company.

Source: Michelle Zellen, spokeswoman for Automation Alley
Writer: Jon Zemke

Grosse Pointe's newest entrepreneur isn't some middle-aged automotive engineer dealing with a layoff or a retiree looking for something to do. Meet Elizabeth Turner, the 26-year-old owner of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Grosse Pointe.

Kumon is a nationwide after-school math and reading program founded in Japan in 1958. The new Grosse Pointe spot is in the Pointe Plaza shopping center on Moross Ave. Turner, who had worked with it before, couldn't wait to go into business for herself with the help of some savings and a bank loan.

"I love the teaching method. I love working with the kids," Turner says. "It's working really well for me."

The learning method uses a systematic individualized approach that helps children develop a solid command of math and reading skills through year-round daily practice.

Kumon centers have been popping up throughout Metro Detroit in recent years. This is the first one to open in Grosse Pointe.

"Most Grosse Pointers don't know about Kumon yet," Turner says.

For information, contact Turner at (313) 281-1364 or elizabethturner@ikumon.com.

Source: Elizabeth Turner, instructor and owner of Kumon Math and Reading Center of Grosse Pointe
Writer: Jon Zemke

Another link is appearing between Detroit and Grand Rapids, now that Cornerstone Architects is expanding to Metro Detroit.

The Grand Rapids-based firm also has an office in Traverse City. It employs 13 in all of its locations, including one employee in St. Clair Shores. The plan is to grow that branch to 2-3 people within the next year.

"We're testing things out right now," says Jennifer Sutton, manager of the Detroit office for Cornerstone Architects. "Our hope is to expand and find office space here."

The 20-year-old architecture firm has a lot of experience with historic preservation projects. Rehabs on its resume include the DA Blodgett building just outside of downtown Grand Rapids.

Source: Jennifer Sutton, manager of the Detroit office for Cornerstone Architects
Writer: Jon Zemke

Awecomm Technologies is in the midst of a nice little growth spurt since the last time we checked in with the Troy-based firm a year ago.

Last September, the company employed 15 people and a couple of interns. Today, that number is 20, plus full-time interns. The web-services firm plans to double its staff within the next year.

"We're really growing and branching out," says Brent Yax, CEO of Awecomm Technologies.

The web-development firm started out with six staffers 10 years ago, hosting websites for small- to medium-sized businesses. The launch of Awecomm Technologies Web Strategies Group in recent years helped send the company's revenue into triple-digit growth.

Yax expects good word of mouth to drive future sales. That strategy is what the company depended on to get where it is today.

Source: Brent Yax, CEO of Awecomm Technologies
Writer: Jon Zemke

Paragon Leadership International, a Novi-based corporate coaching and training outfit, is launching Epprentice, where rising leaders put their minds together to solve energy and food issues in the state of Michigan -- and have the opportunity to have their ideas judged by some of the area's top executives in that field.

On October 1, the Food Epprentice Experience will be held, focusing on food safety, nutrition, and the agriculture economy. On October 15, the Environment and Energy Epprentice Experience will take on energy efficiency, sustainability, alternative energy, and energy economy. Two teams will take on a challenge in each given topic -- such as designing a social media plan for the WARM Training Center -- which will be judged by top names in the field. The winning teams will be feted. "We're working on some high visibility recognition," says Paragon's Diane Ring.

Ring says Paragon was motivated to develop Epprentice to take action on what the group sees as "challenges to our region." As an example she cites DTE Energy, a client since the firm's inception in 2001, which has a mandate to develop alternative energy while still having to deliver electricity on the grid it currently operates. It is onto issues like this that Paragon is hoping that Epprentice can shed light.

Ring expects Epprentice days to be "high energy, very busy, very intense days" with much "innovation, imagination and collaboration." Find out more here.

Source: Diane Ring, Paragon
Writer: Kelli B. Kavanaugh

Adult Well Being is doing quite well in Detroit, where it continues to grow at a rapid pace.

Excerpt:

Adult Well Being is growing rapidly in Detroit, doubling its staff to 160 people within the last two years.

"We have gotten quite big over the last two years," says Ed Mischel, vice president of programming for Adult Well Being.

Read the rest of the story here.

A big IT start-up from California is making a big investment in Ann Arbor.

Excerpt:

One of Silicon Valley's start-ups on a fast track for growth has chosen Ann Arbor as the place to make its first investment.

Systems in Motion plans to invest $15 million and create 1,084 jobs at a new IT support center in Ann Arbor over the next five years. The IT firm also looked at making its first investment in other marquee college towns, like Austin, Texas and Durham, North Carolina before deciding on Ann Arbor.

"I think Ann Arbor is a marquee name in college towns as well," says Debashish Sinha, chief marketing officer for Systems in Motion.

Read the rest of the story here.

The Media Onion is just starting to peel back in Dexter as it gets ready for some big growth.

Excerpt:

Susan Hardin and her new employees are just starting to peel back the layers of Media Onion.

The Dexter-based company provides online conference management services, and is in the midst of a product redesign. That has forced Hardin to change from a one-person consulting firm to employing three people, with plans to add interns this fall. More hires are likely as the 6-year-old start-up prepares to launch its new product in January.

"I'd like to keep it small but there is a lot of room for development," Hardin says.

Read the rest of the story here.

What was once a sign of the current contraction of the U.S. auto industry is about to become a symbol of Michigan's new economy.

Ford is selling its closed factory in Wixom (the big one that looms over I-96) to Xtreme Power and Clairvoyant Energy. The Texas and California-based firms plan to redevelop the massive complex into one of the nation's largest renewable energy manufacturing parks. That equals $725 million in investment and 4,000 new jobs.

"This is a giant step forward for Oakland County and the state as we become a global leader in renewable energy," Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said in a statement.

The 52-year-old facility will manufacture energy storage systems and high-efficiency solar panels at the site. That could mean a lot of alternative energy assembly because the 320-acre site has 4.7 million square feet of space.

The three companies have been working with local and state officials to come up with a redevelopment plan to make the deal a reality. These details are still being worked out.

Source: Ford and Oakland County
Writer: Jon Zemke

Michigan's new film incentives sparked a good bit of entrepreneurialism in Metro Detroit and one of the fires that is just getting started is at FilmingInDetroit.com.

The Clawson-based firm launched in January with the idea of connecting filmmakers with local talent and resources, such as shooting locations. FilmInDetroit.com's website aims to make that easier by providing pictures and descriptions of these resources so filmmakers don't have to drive all over Metro Detroit to find a place to shoot.

"We saw an opportunity and did something different than the conventional ways these things are done," says Jenny Feterovich, managing partner with FilmingInDetroit.com.

Right now the website has 5,500 listings of local people, locations, and transportation options. It's now working on a city showcase where cities will be allowed to show off their assets.

Since its founding, the company expanded to three staffers and a handful of contractors. Feterovich hopes to add more people within the next year as the company takes on more listings and expands into videos and commercial work.

"We see growth on both ends, picking up more projects and adding more people to our site," Feterovich says.

Source: Jenny Feterovich, managing partner with FilmingInDetroit.com
Writer: Jon Zemke

Business is good for the Engineering Society of Detroit. The 114-year-old non-profit has watched its membership skyrocket in the last year by over 20 percent.

That means 1,302 new members since last summer, bringing membership to 6,264. It is also retaining 99 percent of its professional members, on top of high retention rates of corporate (86 percent), retired (93 percent) and student (98 percent) members.

One of the big things working for the society is its efforts to retrain members, many of whom have automotive backgrounds, for new economy jobs. ESD has been working with the likes of Michigan Technological University to retrain some of its membership for green economy jobs, like engineering work associated with wind turbines. The society has already held two of these programs so far this year and expects to have at least one more before year-end.

"It all depends on the collaborations we have," says Della Cassia, director of public relations and marketing for the Engineering Society of Detroit.

ESD is works across several industries in the engineering world, including scientific and allied professions. It also works to develop and foster excitement in math and science for future generations.

Source: Della Cassia, director of public relations and marketing for the Engineering Society of Detroit
Writer: Jon Zemke

Beringea isn't just growing here in Metro Detroit, but around the world as it brings more capital under management.

The Farmington Hills-based firm also has offices in London, Los Angeles, and China. The venture capital firm recently locked down $20 million pounds in government funding from the United Kingdom, along with another $10 million pounds from private investors.

"We can invest in more companies," says Andrea Wilmes, director of marketing and communications for Beringea. "It affirms our strength in the digital sector."

Beringea employs 30 people. Its Farmington Hills office has eight staffers and a few summer interns. The company brought on three new hires within the last two years.

Source: Andrea Wilmes, director of marketing and communications for Beringea
Writer: Jon Zemke

Lawrence Technological and Oakland universities are showing a little regional cooperation in joining forces for one big job fair on Tuesday, September 22.

The Tech x 2 Expo = OU + LTU job fair will be for college students at the two universities who are majoring in engineering, computer science, and technology disciplines or have recently graduated with degrees in those fields.

"It's a convenience for the employers," says Eric Pope, a spokesman for Lawrence Tech. "Instead of going to two job fairs they can go to one."

Both schools have held a variety of jobs fairs for both students and regular workers this year.

To register, companies should go to and click on the employer icon. Companies already on CareerQuest should visit the Lawrence Tech site and log on to their accounts.

The job fair will be held at Oakland University in Auburn Hills (a map is available here) between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There will also be a lunch from 1-2 p.m. Registration for employers starts at 8 a.m. and costs $225.

For information, call Lawrence Tech's Office of Career Services at (248) 204-3140 or the Office of Career Services at Oakland University at (248) 370-3250, or send an email to ltuocs@ltu.edu or ketelsen@oakland.edu.

Source: Eric Pope, spokesman for Lawrence Technological University
Writer: Jon Zemke

Attendance on Demand is going through quite a growth spurt and now it has an office big enough to facilitate it.

The Farmington Hills-based firm is moving into new offices in Livonia. The 40,000-square-foot space is expected to house 45 of the start-up's 50 employees. The company expects to employ up to 100 by 2010 to meet its demand.

"We've had a lot of growth in the last year and a half," says Jennifer Simich, vice president of corporate communications for Attendance on Demand.

The 3-year-old firm provides employee time tracking software throughout North America. Its new home is double the size of its old Farmington Hills facility, and will house its engineering, development, and administrative departments.

Making this growth possible is the company's expansion of the new subscription-based model of its software. That has proven quite popular with its customers, prompting Attendance on Demand to go on a hiring spree to meet the new demand.

Source: Jennifer Simich, vice president of corporate communications for Attendance on Demand
Writer: Jon Zemke

The bizarre bazaar that is Detroit's Russell Bazaar is filling and becoming more organized as it hits its first anniversary.

Excerpt:

The Russell Bazaar continues to fill up. The flea market-style bazaar is now home to 124 businesses at the anniversary of its first year in business.

The bazaar can get up to 140 businesses on weekends, which means it's about 80 percent occupied. There is still room for 40 more businesses, which bazaar organizers hope to fill within the next year. They plan to hold more weekend events, like job fairs and a health clinic, to drive up foot traffic.

"We want to expand it and do a lot more work with the local non-profits in the area," says Jim Chapman, general manager of the Russell Bazaar.

Read the rest of the story here.

Zingerman's is going all Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory with its latest venture, a Candy Manufactory, in Ann Arbor.

Excerpt:

Zingerman's latest venture, Candy Manufactory, is reminiscent of Willy Wonka in more than just name.

The latest member of the Zingerman's family of businesses specializes in making old-fashioned candy through traditional methods, methods that have gotten lost in today's industrial agriculture culture.

"We're playing with sugar," says Charlie Frank, managing partner of Zingerman's Candy Manufactory. "We're doing things the way they should be done. The way they were done a long time ago."

Read the rest of the story here.

The University of Michigan hit a big milestone this week when it surpassed $1 billion in research funding for this year.

Excerpt:

The University of Michigan has hit the $1 billion mark for research funding this year for the first time.

Research spending is up 9.4 percent over last year for a total of $1.02 billion. About two thirds of that money comes from federal funding, which is also up 7.1 percent from the previous year. These numbers cement U-M as one of the premier economic engines in Metro Detroit, Michigan, and even the Midwest region.

"That number ($1 billion) represents hundreds of faculty and students who are very entrepreneurial," says Marvin Parnes, associated vice president of research for the University of Michigan.

Read the rest of the story here.

The Intern In Michigan program got a big bump this week when the W.K. Kellogg Foundation pledged $1.2 million to support it.

The funding will keep the program up and running through 2012. The program intends to encourage more businesses, big and small, in the state to create and expand internship programs to help staunch Michigan's brain drain.

"Basically it adds up to about a third of our budget over three years," says Britany Affolter-Caine, director of Intern In Michigan.

The Detroit Regional Chamber is partnering with the West Michigan Strategic Alliance to push the program forward. Grants from the U.S. Department of Labor's Workforce Innovations in Regional Economic Development program and the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan helped it gain traction in Metro Detroit earlier this year. This new money will help spread the program across the state.

"It makes this a truly Michigan initiative," Affolter-Caine says.

The conventional wisdom is that college students who intern are more likely to stay in the region where the internship is located. It often serves as a portal for the first job for Michigan's youngest and brightest talent.

Intern In Michigan has created a website to facilitate this matchmaking. More than 4,400 students and 450 employers have created profiles. About 230 internships have been listed and/or filled through the site.

Source: Britany Affolter-Caine, director of Intern In Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke