Quicken Case Not End of OT Battle

Home , Cass Corridor, Dan Gilbert, Maccabees Building

20110321-NEWS--0001-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 5:26 PM Page 1

www.crainsdetroit.com Vol. 27, No. 12 MARCH 21 – 27, 2011 $2 a copy; $59 a year

Page 3 Response to Japan disaster Quicken case not starts with money Robot Town? Interest high for plan to create robotics research center in Detroit by 2014 end of OT battle

BY CHAD HALCOM been coordinating discussions on CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS the concept in recent months with local industry and research National controversy rages on Is Motown soon to become Ro- leaders and with the U.S. Army bot Town? Tank-Automotive Research, Develop- BY DANIEL DUGGAN While he said he was pleased to That’s the working title of a ment and Engineering Center in CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS see Quicken’s victory, it won’t proposed robot- Warren, among others. change Ross’ policy just yet. A courtroom victory by Quicken ics research con- “The exploratory discussions “We’ll be waiting for some con- MASCOT? Loans Inc. defending a policy not to sortium, labora- right now are supposed to be sensus on this as it goes forward, pay overtime tory/test center RoboCop: helping to find some leadership and we’ll be watching the appeal to loan offi- and possible local Statue could roles for people or companies. closely,” said Ross. Amping up e-records: have a place, OT AT QUICKEN cers is yet tourist attraction There are members of the Detroit Page 29 another twist Henry Ford spends $100M under discussion business community that seem New policy: Federal guidelines prompt in a national Lawsuits, rulings and fights among industry ideally suited to this and have change — for now, controversy leaders in Southeast Michigan. It real interest,” said Jim Overholt, Battle lines were drawn over Page 27 of loan offi- could become reality by late 2014. the senior research scientist for loan officer compensation after the Inside cer compen- Management at TechTown, the robotics at TARDEC who con- Department of Labor issued an sation. Wayne State University technology ceived the idea of Robot Town opinion in March 2010 stating that The Detroit-based mortgage com- ‘Imported from Detroit’: park and business incubator, has last fall. officers should be paid overtime. pany prevailed after it was sued by “It doesn’t have to be leader- The Washington, D.C.-based 350 former employ- Are you allowed to say that? ship all from one industry. It Mortgage Bankers ees who said they could involve people in intelli- Association then Page 25 should have been gent communications, the auto- filed a lawsuit paid overtime after We’ll be waiting motive industry, city planners — against the depart- being forced “ anyone who has the sense of that ment and Secre- to work more for some Crain’s List vision.” tary of Labor Hil- than 40 hours consensus da Solis on Jan. 12 See Robot Town, Page 29 per week. in U.S. District Largest general contractors, The 2004 on this ... Court in Washing- Page 15 case has been ton, asking to REVVING UP FOR ROBOTS watched and we’ll be have the opinion Ⅲ Researcher Jim Overholt sees closely in the overturned. The possible redevelopment of a industry, es- watching case is pending. This Just In building or campus into a testing pecially be- Further compli- and research center. cause it the appeal cating the matter Report: More than 200 firms Ⅲ Robots would control some comes at the nexus is the Minneapo- operations, such as directing of two other events: closely. lis-based law firm in state wind, solar industries visitors or even urban farming. A U.S. Department of ” that took Quicken Ⅲ A preliminary version could be in A report to be released Labor opinion from Tim Ross, Ross Mortgage Inc. to court on the place by October 2014, in time for Tuesday finds that there are last year confirm- overtime issue: the Intelligent Transportation ing overtime requirements for Nichols Kaster Attorneys at Law, nearly 200 businesses — in- Systems World Congress at Cobo loan officers and an upcoming Fed- which has made a name for itself on cluding about 50 in Southeast Center. eral Reserve Board deadline to the topic. The firm has 65 pending Michigan — and 10,000 jobs in Ⅲ Proposed locations include change the compensation struc- overtime cases listed on the web- the solar and wind industries Midtown near TechTown, in Michigan, according to re- downtown, the waterfront or near ture for loan officers. site it created for the niche: search developed by Chicago- Detroit Metropolitan Airport and “Coast to coast, if there is a www.overtimecases.com. based Environmental Law & Poli- Willow Run Airport. lender that didn’t pay overtime in Don Nichols, a partner with cy Center. the past, they’re incorporating Nichols Kaster, said the Quicken The companies range from some kind of time-tracking poli- case was a loss based on rulings automobile manufacturers cy,” said Tim Ross, president of retooling to build clean ener- Royal Oak-based Ross Mortgage Inc. See Quicken, Page 27 JEFF JOHNSTON/CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS gy components to startup companies that are developing energy technologies. The preliminary report found 121 solar power supply chain businesses with 6,300 Still trapped in Qatar: Can diplomacy free Beydoun? jobs and 120 wind power supply chain businesses with BY NANCY KAFFER Beydoun, a metro Detroit busi- a U.S. citizen who has served as ex- nothing you can do about it,” he 4,000 jobs. More than 50 of the CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS nessman who has been trapped in ecutive director of the American said. companies supply both indus- the Persian Gulf Arab Chamber of Commerce and as a Beydoun’s story began in 2007, U.S. elected officials and busi- tries. nation for 15 board member of New Detroit, the when he accepted a job with ness leaders hope diplomacy can months. Detroit Economic Growth Corp., the Wataniya Restaurants QSC, a Qatari See This Just In, Page 2 succeed where the Qatari legal sys- On Sunday, Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Au- investment group that aimed to in- tem failed in the case of Nasser Beydoun expect- thority, the Detroit Zoological Society, troduce American restaurant ed to meet with Harper/Hutzel Hospital, the National chains to the Middle East. the U.S. ambas- Arab American Museum and as a At first all seemed well. But Bey- sador to Qatar. trustee of the Henry Ford Community doun said his relationship with And U.S. Sen. College Foundation. Wataniya soured in 2009 when he Debbie Staben- With Beydoun’s connections, it discovered that the company’s fi- ow, D-Mich., has seemed he would be the last person nances were shaky. When he Beydoun urged the Qatari who could land in this predica- brought his concerns to the compa- ambassador to the United States to ment. ny’s board, Beydoun said he was

NEWSPAPER intervene on Beydoun’s behalf. “But when you get caught up Beydoun, a native of Lebanon, is with the wrong people, there’s See Trapped, Page 26 20110321-NEWS--0002-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 5:40 PM Page 1

Page 2 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011

disciplinary Craniofacial and Cleft partner at Mt. Clemens commer- Jan. 23. mensurate with wages at compa- THIS JUST IN Palate Clinic. cial real estate firm Anton, Zorn & “The response was so great rable departments around the The clinic is for children born Sowerby Inc. from customers, people were — country. ■ From Page 1 with craniofacial conditions in- — Daniel Duggan quite literally — insisting the Mercado has since been indict- cluding cleft lip or palate, as well store not close,” said Ed Nakfoor, ed in the federal corruption case A similar report earlier this as for adults with facial deformi- public relations representative for involving former Mayor Kwame month found 150 companies oper- ties from various causes. Communities in Schools’ the mall. Kilpatrick. ating in Ohio. Beaumont’s other multidiscipli- founding CEO stepping down — Daniel Duggan — Nancy Kaffer The environmental policy cen- nary clinics offer cardiovascular Charlie Anderson, founding CEO ter did not release names of the and oncology care. of Detroit-based Communities in Michigan companies in its prelim- Ian Jackson, M.D., a retired plas- Council to consider raising Navistar Defense adds jobs Schools, said he plans to step inary report. tic surgeon, will assist the team as Navistar Defense is about two- down at the end of this year. pay range for water director Other findings included: educator and medical director. thirds of the way toward its goal of Anderson, 60, founded Commu- The Detroit City Council is consid- Ⅲ Michigan businesses spent Jackson and his wife, Marjorie, creating 87 new jobs in Madison nities in Schools in 1995, building ering a motion to raise the salary more than $15 billion last year on have founded the Ian Jackson Cran- Heights. on its work as a program of New of the head of the Detroit Water and research and development, more iofacial and Cleft Palate Clinic Fund to The jobs were announced last Detroit for the two previous years. Sewerage Department. than any state as a percent of gross provide treatment scholarships fall under a state tax incentives The board has launched a na- The existing pay range, $95,200 state product. and help with the education of fu- deal approved through the Michi- tional search for a new CEO; it to $156,100, “has proven inade- Ⅲ Michigan also ranks fourth in ture craniofacial specialists. gan Economic Growth Authority. the country for engineering gradu- — Jay Greene hopes to have a new CEO in place quate to attract candidates with by October to allow for a two- the skill set and competencies re- The division of a Navistar Interna- ates with 4,000 degrees granted an- tional Corp. subsidiary and a nually. month transition, he said. quired” to run a department of — Sherri Welch ground vehicle defense contractor, More than 25 companies in Light-pole manufacturer buys such size and complexity, according to notes in the agenda for the Navistar Defense has hired 56 peo- Michigan have been identified as building from school district ple since it obtained tax credits in manufacturers and component council’s Tuesday session. A building at 58233 Gratiot Ave. The Detroit Shoppe reopens September for a planned $4 mil- makers for wind farms and anoth- The new proposed pay range is in North Haven will embark on its In what was supposed to be a lion investment in the former er 900 companies provide design, $93,300 to $250,000. third life now that a Roseville temporary holiday store, The De- Valenite LLC headquarters in Madi- engineering, machining, automa- The top spot at the department manufacturing company has pur- troit Shoppe in the Somerset Collec- son Heights. The company plans a tion or assembly services, said the has been open since Director North Haven tion grand opening today at the new lo- Michigan Economic Development chased it from the will reopen on Thursday. Pamela Turner retired last year. School District. Open for roughly 12 weeks, the cations, where it recently consoli- Corp. The salary of the department’s Originally used by a seed manu- store sold Detroit-themed retail dated two groups of defense em- For more information on the director has been the topic of some facturing company, the 22,000- items as well as locally made items ployees, from Sterling Heights and report, visit www.elpc.org/ controversy in the past. Former square-foot building was convert- such as Faygo soda and Sanders hot Victor Merca- Inkster. michiganenergy. department Director “We’re not finished yet, but — Jay Greene ed by the school district to be used fudge and Pewabic Pottery. The do was hired in 2002 on a three- as its administrative offices as show also showcased local history year contract that topped out at we’re actually pretty far and have well as for vocational programs. through display of items from the $240,000 annually, making him the made a dent into it,” said Sam Beaumont Hospitals opens JMA Manufacturing has acquired Detroit Historical Society. highest paid city official. Homsy, director of Army pro- the building for its light-pole man- The store was intended to be a Some criticized Mercado’s grams for Navistar Defense and its clinic to treat facial deformities ufacturing. It will also run a voca- holiday store, and it was then ex- salary, saying it wasn’t appropri- site executive in Southeast Michi- William Beaumont Hospitals in tional education program with the tended for the North American Inter- ate for the cash-strapped city, but gan. Royal Oak has created the multi- school district, said Joe Sowerby, a national Auto Show then closed others said that salary was com- — Chad Halcom

K_\Y\jki\cXk`fej_`gj Zfd\n`k_gc\ekpf]îfnèîffd%

L ocally, regionally and nationally, when it comes to real estate development, Dawda Mann is your partner for growth. Trusted by the world’s largest and most successful retail companies, Fortune 500 companies, developers, ﬁnancial institutions, and mid-size and emerging businesses, our expertise includes: s Shopping center development s Ofﬁce, industrial and retail development & leasing s Big box & junior box development s Residential development s Financing – borrower & lender representation s Environmental assessment 2011 DETROIT AREA TOP TEN MIDWEST s Landlord & tenant representation s Land use matters REAL ESTATE REAL ESTATELAW FIRMS LAWYER of the YEAR Midwest Real Estate News No matter your current size, we’ll help you reach your goals for growth. Call Dawda Mann today. Ed Dawda ~ Best Lawyers 2010 Best of the Best

39533 Woodward Avenue, Suite 200 | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304 | (248) 642-3700 | www.DawdaMann.com

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 3 Henry Ford Health Aid response Second Stage Extra to Japan begins amps up e-records with money Agencies await requests $100 million Cloud computing can be before sending supplies a key to biz growth, Page 19 spent on BY SHERRI WELCH CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS upgrades Things were surprisingly quiet at the Company index World Medical Relief warehouse in Detroit These organizations appear in this week’s Crain’s BY JAY GREENE last week. Detroit Business: CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS While other local businesses and organi- 6 Zulu ...... 29 zations ramped up financial support for hu- Advocate Commercial Advisors ...... 12 A new $100 million electron- manitarian aid to Japan after the 8.9-magni- American Red Cross-Southeastern Michigan . . . . . 28 ic health record system is be- tude quake and tsunami that struck the American Society of Employers ...... 20 ing installed over the next six northern part of the country March 11, BBDO Detroit ...... 12 months at Detroit-based Henry World Medical Re- Big Fuel ...... 12 Ford Health System’s six hospi- lief waited. Biotronic NeuroNetwork ...... 19 Blue Cross Blue Shield ...... 14 tals and 30 outpatient medical WHAT ABOUT HERE? “We don’t act un- centers. Chrysler Group ...... 25 Fermi 2: Nuke plant less there (are) spe- Compuware ...... 19 The system, called CarePlus has more safeguards, cific requests com- Crittenton Hospital Medical Center ...... 29 DTE says, Page 28 Next Generation, is expected ing in,” said Detroit International Bridge ...... 4 to give physicians, nurses, ad- Josephine Jabara, Detroit Medical Center ...... 29 ministrators and other care- director of development and community af- Detroit Public Television ...... 13 givers more timely informa- fairs. “Right now, we do not have any re- Detroit Venture Partners ...... 16 tion on patients, saving money quests, … so this is an unusual situation.” Dobrusin Thennisch ...... 25 and improving quality of care. When an earthquake struck Haiti last DTE Energy ...... 28 Dynamic Edge ...... 21 Most other hospitals in year, the phones started ringing the same Effortless 24/7 ...... 21 Southeast Michigan are in- night, and doctors and nurses en route to stalling or using sophisticated Entrepreneurs’ Organization ...... 19 Haiti came through the World Medical Re- Fallon Worldwide ...... 12 electronic health record sys- lief warehouse to get surgical instruments Goldstar Mortgage Financial Group ...... 27 tems to improve quality, re- immediately, she said. Goodby Silverstein & Partners ...... 12 duce medical costs and comply The University of Michigan Health System Henry Ford Health System ...... 3 with federal requirements for and others called last week to see how they Identity Marketing ...... 20 “meaningful use” of EHRs by could help, but there’d been no call for med- John Adams Mortgage ...... 27 2015. ical supplies from Japan, Jabara said. Jones Lang LaSalle ...... 14 Kresge Foundation ...... 3 “In the exam room, when I Given World Medical Relief’s established Loveland Technologies ...... 29 see a patient, I am looking at BRENDAN ROSS relationships with Japanese relief agencies, Ludlow Ventures ...... 16 the screen with the patient, David Allard, M.D., Henry Ford Health System’s chief medical “we could marshal medical supplies real and we are talking about the information officer, uses a tablet computer when he makes rounds. Michigan Department of Transportation ...... 4 quickly — once we get the call,” she said. Michigan Economic Growth Authority ...... 25 labs and radiology together,” Plans call for CarePlus to be The financial and humanitarian aid re- Michigan State University College of Law ...... 27 said David Allard, M.D., the sponse to the recent disasters in Japan is Microsoft ...... 20 system’s chief medical infor- installed at Henry Ford Wyan- dotte Hospital in mid-April, Hen- rolling out differently than those to other re- Miller Canfield Paddock & Stone ...... 20 mation officer. When I see a Moda Group ...... 25 ry Ford Hospital in June and Hen- “ cent disasters. “No matter where the pa- Japan, the world’s third-largest economy, Moosejaw Mountaineering ...... 20 ry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital patient, I am MRM Worldwide ...... 11 tient goes within the Henry is better equipped than Third World coun- Ford system, the electronic in July. The EHR would be in- Nemeth Burwell ...... 27 stalled first at the outpatient looking at the tries like Haiti to respond to emergencies, Newmark Knight Frank ...... 11 record is available and the but it is asking for financial donations. data is in real time,” Allard medical centers that are clos- Online Tech ...... 19 screen with the Perhaps because of the economy, dona- Pure Visibility ...... 20 said. est to the hospitals. tions appear to be lagging past disasters. The Quicken Loans ...... 1 Last week, Henry Ford’s Over the following few patient. Chronicle of Philanthropy late last week re- RelWare ...... 29 CarePlus EHR went live at Hen- months, CarePlus would be installed at Henry Ford’s three ” ported that Americans had contributed more Robotic Industries Association ...... 29 ry Ford Medical Center-Ann Arbor, Ross Mortgage ...... 1 other hospitals and surround- David Allard, M.D., than $87 million for relief, most of it to the Allard said. CarePlus is a more Henry Ford Health System American Red Cross. SapientNitro ...... 11 robust version of the system’s St. John Providence Health System ...... 29 22-year-old current EHR. See Henry Ford, Page 29 See Japan, Page 28 Sue Ellen Eisenberg & Associates ...... 27 TechTown ...... 1 Trinity Health ...... 29 U.S. Army TARDEC ...... 1 UGL Equis ...... 14 Universal McCann ...... 11 University of Michigan Law School ...... 27 LEAP’s look: Community groups eye east-side land use Warren/Conner Development Coalition ...... 26 Wayne State University ...... 13 BY NANCY KAFFER active land back into productive idate residents into the most vi- they’re unhappy with some ele- Wayne State University Law School ...... 27 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS use. able parts of the city. Critics say ments of Detroit Works. They say World Medical Relief ...... 3 The Lower Eastside Action the community engagement por- the expiration of Griffin’s contract Detroit’s lower east side is Plan, or LEAP, isn’t opposing the tion of the project lacks credibili- provides a natural point at which among the most rundown parts of city’s Detroit Works Project, orga- ty, pointing to meetings that have to refine the scope of the project. the city. But the 10 square miles nizers say. devolved into chaos and a limited Meanwhile, work on LEAP be- Department index riddled with blighted buildings Rather, the outcomes of the plan audience interaction format. gan last spring. It builds on Com- and vacant land also is home to could be incorporated into the city- The Troy-based Kresge Founda- munity Development Advocates of De- BANKRUPTCIES ...... 16 some of the city’s most stable wide land use plan the Detroit tion, which is funding Detroit troit’s strategic framework for land BUSINESS DIARY ...... 22 neighborhoods: Indian Village, Works Project is developing, and Works, recently said it and the city use, released last year, and cate- CALENDAR ...... 24 English Village and the Berry Sub- advocates say the LEAP model are renegotiating the contract of gories of neighborhoods that CAPITOL BRIEFINGS...... 6 division. could be replicated in other parts Toni Griffin, the nationally re- group developed with the idea of CAREERWORKS ...... 23 Now, community-driven plan- of the city. nowned urban planner brought in making vacant land productive. CLASSIFIED ADS ...... 24 ning is developing a long-term But the Detroit Works Project is to lead the process. plan that would put the area’s in- in flux. The project aims to consol- Kresge representatives say See LEAP, Page 26 KEITH CRAIN...... 8 LETTERS...... 8 MARY KRAMER ...... 9 Statewide roundup CRAIN’S Business events OPINION ...... 8 Sign up for the news, delivered During any given week, useful events tailored THIS WEEK @ PEOPLE ...... 23 to e-mail inboxes every Wednesday: MICHIGAN to business are held throughout the region. WWW.CRAINSDETROIT.COM crainsdetroit.com/getemail BUSINESS Go to crainsdetroit.com/section/events RUMBLINGS ...... 30 WEEK ON THE WEB ...... 30 20110321-NEWS--0004-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 3:41 PM Page 1

Page 4 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011

UM-Dearborn and Crain’s Detroit Business present Keeping Detroit Sustainable Construction likely 2 years away Join us as we explore how government, non-government, community, industry and academic leaders are incorporating sustainable practices as they plan and implement the revitalization of the city. even if bridge bill passes quickly

As the anchor city of Michigan, Breakfast and Discussion BY BILL SHEA Detroit is the center of March 29, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS First on shopping list: Land economic, social and cultural 7:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m. It could take up to two years af- activities in the state. Fairlane Center North ter passage of enabling legislation A Michigan bridge authority stave off some potential lawsuits Quad E before the private sector begins that would oversee a new Detroit or holdouts. Panelists will discuss how 19000 Hubbard Drive construction of a publicly owned River bridge would acquire land “We expect, given the nature of federal, state and local policies Dearborn, MI 48126 Detroit River bridge, Michigan’s for the span in what is now the in- the area and amount of publicly and programs are influencing lieutenant governor said. dustrial Delray neighborhood — owned land, that we’ll have a sig- the economic vitality of the $35 per person If the bill gets passed by summer, spending that would represent nificantly easier time acquiring city through implementation bridge construction potentially the state’s first construction-re- land compared to what other pro- lated expenditures on the project. jects would require,” he said. of sustainable practices. could start by mid-2013 and the span would open after 48 to 52 months of Money for land purchases is ex- Ambassador Bridge owner work — or by 2017 at the latest. pected to come from Canada’s offer Manuel “Matty” Moroun owns the Lt. Gov. Brian Calley said he ex- of $550 million to cover Michigan 42-acre Yellow Freight truck ter- pects a prelimi- for anything not paid for by the pri- minal at 7701 W. Jefferson, which For more info or to register online, nary bill autho- vate sector or U.S. government. is partially in the bridge project’s visit umd.umich.edu/sustainability_lecture rizing the The mechanics of how the Cana- footprint. That means there likely project to circu- dian money would be used, howev- would be a legal battle over the late among leg- er, remain to be worked out. land. Moroun bought the site in islative leaders The bridge is expected to require January 2010 and moved some of this week, but a plaza on about 160 acres, which his trucking operations there. doesn’t know currently is home to 43 businesses, The state has said it would use when it will be 257 homes and five churches. eminent domain laws to secure the officially intro- A large percentage of the land property it needs for the bridge. Calley duced. already is publicly owned from Michigan has spent about “We have a draft that is basically tax foreclosures, said Lt. Gov. $40 million on studies for the pro- completed already, but we’re work- Brian Calley. That will make ac- ject in the past decade. ing with our partners in the Legisla- quiring all of the land easier and — Bill Shea ture on some decision points,” said Calley, Gov. Rick Snyder’s point der traffic remains at 1987 levels. The private sector is expected to man on the project. While MDOT will no longer lead sell bonds to fund construction, and The bill would authorize the the state’s involvement in a new investors will be aware the Ambas- state to establish an authority to bridge — a move seen as a conces- sador Bridge is a factor in revenue oversee its half of the proposed sion to GOP lawmakers critical of projections. Firms bidding on the $3.8 billion New International Trade the agency — concern remains that project will develop their own traf- Crossing that would connect I-75 in NITC is unneeded and unfair com- fic and revenue estimates. Detroit to Windsor’s Highway 401. petition for the Ambassador Bridge. The NITC project bases its prof- The new legislation would allow The bridge company, which itability estimates on the Ambas- the authority to enter into a joint claims a congressionally approved sador Bridge’s toll prices. agreement with a to-be-created monopoly on Detroit-Windsor “(The project bidders) are not go- Canadian bridge authority. Togeth- bridge traffic, said the traffic ing to rely on our studies or the er, they would offer a concession to growth estimates used to justify a bridge company’s studies,” Calley a private company to build and op- new bridge are flawed and the pro- said. “Before they invest capital, erate the span, which would link ject will end up costing taxpayers they’re going to do all their own leg- the highways between Detroit’s in- $100 million in subsidies annually. work and come to their own conclu- dustrial Delray neighborhood and “It makes no sense to be trying sion. They’re going to have confi- Windsor’s Brighton Beach area. to pass a bill based on an illusion,” dence in it, or the project won’t go.” Once the bill is approved, the said bridge company President Calley also said the new law and process to bid the project, select a Dan Stamper. the agreements to create the joint concessionaire, design the bridge The Ambassador Bridge could project with Canada would ensure and be ready to start work should lower tolls to maintain its share of Michigan taxpayers never are at take one to two years, Calley said. traffic, a move that could jeopar- risk for cost overruns or any de- A bill died last year in a Senate dize toll revenue the NITC needs to fault on debt from the project. committee that would have autho- pay its debt and operational costs. The preliminary interest bids on rized the Michigan Department of “It’s technically possible some- the project mostly recommended a Transportation to enter into public- body could say ‘I’m going to bank- public subsidy, called availability private partnerships. That bill did- rupt my operation just out of spite,’ payments, to finance the project’s n’t specifically mention the bridge ” Calley said. “Even if the Ambas- capital and operations costs instead project and worried many lawmak- sador Bridge is a low-cost option, of a pure toll revenue concession. ers because it was seen as giving the it’ll be competing with a toll plaza Michigan won’t allow that for its agency too much unsupervised abil- with a modern footprint. That’s go- half of the project, Calley said. ity to enter into P3 projects. ing to make it competitive.” “There will be an explicit prohi- The new bill addresses some of Insiders have said the Ambas- bition from the authority obligat- those worries, Calley said. sador Bridge collects about $100 mil- ing availability payments for the “We’ve narrowed the scope lion annually in toll revenue, and project,” he said. “We will not al- down very substantially. This will about 55 percent of that is needed for low any of the liability to come be a specific purpose and loca- maintenance and operational costs. back on Michigan.” tion,” he said. A traffic study for DRIC estimat- Canada has said it will consider The old bill drew most of its op- ed that the new span would collect the subsidy payments in lieu of position because it would have au- about $60 million annually. tolls, he added. thorized MDOT to begin work on Theoretically, Moroun could However, limiting Michigan’s ex- what was then called the Detroit slash tolls 45 percent, break even, posure also potentially limits the River International Crossing bridge and jeopardize the public bridge fi- number of bidders on the project, project, which is opposed by the nancially. said Peter Samuel, editor of Freder- Detroit International Bridge Co. that “We’re going to protect our busi- ick, Md.-based Tollroad News. runs the Ambassador Bridge for ness,” Stamper said. “Whatever “I’m sure that leaving it open (to owner Manuel “Matty” Moroun. we’ve got to do as competition to availability payments) would at- Many Republican lawmakers keep our business, we’re going to tract more of the private sector be- expressed worry that DRIC would do.” cause a lot of people out there don’t harm the bridge company finan- The toll concession language will see the thing being financially vi- cially and is unnecessary because protect Michigan taxpayers even if able entirely on tolls,” he said. “Not of a privately funded plan — there’s a toll war, Calley said. having availability payments will stalled by lack of government ap- “The safeguard is that the pri- reduce the number (of bidders).” provals — to add a second span to vate sector has to put up the mon- Bill Shea: (313) 446-1626, the Ambassador Bridge. Also, bor- ey to make it happen,” he said. [email protected] DBpageAD.qxp 3/16/2011 2:48 PM Page 1

Over 3 million businesses have gone Google.

“Going Google” means switching your business to Google Apps: an email, calendar, and document suite hosted 100% in the web so you can share and access your data on any device from anywhere. Learn more at www.google.com/gonegoogle.

© 2011 Google Inc. All rights reserved. Google and the Google logo are trademarks of Google Inc. Apps All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. 20110321-NEWS--0006-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 3:39 PM Page 1

Page 6 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 Biz groups, Snyder split over UI extension

LANSING – A down-to- availability for an esti- liance, a statewide business-labor revenue. people on both sides of the aisle in the-wire press to change mated 115,000 additional coalition. “It’s an employer-financed ac- Washington,” he said. Michigan law before Capitol people who could qualify But individual business organi- count, it’s borrowing money, it “I think it’s an incorrect as- thousands of unem- Briefings by the end of the year. zations, including the Michigan doesn’t have any money and there- sumption to say FUTA taxes will ployed workers lose fed- Time is short — the Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan fore it will trigger higher taxes increase because Michigan took eral jobless benefits Legislature is slated to Manufacturers Association, the Na- somewhere down the road to repay this money. There’s no direct link- April 2 has major busi- leave at the end of this tional Federation of Independent-Busi- (the borrowing) and pay for this age at all.” ness groups opposing a week for its two-week ness and the Small Business Associa- program,” said Wendy Block, direc- The alliance estimates a $350 stand-alone fix that Gov. spring recess, and if it tion of Michigan say continuing the tor of health policy and human re- million cost of the benefits contin- Rick Snyder, Democrats takes no action the extended benefits bears a $500 mil- sources at the Michigan chamber. uation, based on information it re- and the Economic Alliance 35,000 people receiving lion to $900 million price tag and Jackson disputed that employ- ceived from the Michigan Unemploy- for Michigan support. extended benefits would would ultimately lead to higher ers would end up paying higher ment Insurance Agency. The legislative change lose them as of April 2. federal UI taxes. Federal Unemployment Tax Act, At the heart of the issue is that Amy Lane would retain federally “If the Legislature The benefits are paid out of a or FUTA, taxes as a result of con- Michigan has become ineligible for funded unemployment insurance doesn’t make a change by Thurs- federal account that collects em- tinuing the benefits. the extended benefit program and extended benefits for 35,000 people day, that’s it. It’s game over for ployers’ federal unemployment “I don’t think there’s any appetite no longer meets one of two criteria currently receiving those benefits these benefits,” said Bret Jackson, taxes, but the account is in deficit in Congress to increase FUTA taxes to qualify for the final 20 weeks of and continue extended benefit president of the Economic Al- and has borrowed other federal on businesses, and I’ve talked to benefits that are available. A state must have an unemployment rate that is at or above 6.5 percent and that is 110 percent of what the rate was three years ago. The look-back period had been two years, but Congress changed it to three years in December, and states must pass conforming legislation if they want to continue to qualify. An unemployment fraud bill passed Thursday by the state House is a likely target for incorporating the change if lawmakers act, but late last week it was unclear what might occur in the Senate. Block said the chamber and other business groups feel that if lawmakers want to continue the federal benefits, they should at the same time pass cost-saving reforms in the state UI system. While saving money in the state UI system would not address the deficit in the federal account, the idea is that “if you’re going to add strain in one area, like the federal unemployment extension, reduce strain in another area of the system,” Block said. She said she remains hopeful that a deal can be reached “to bring balance and to create a situation where it’s a win-win for job providers and claimants alike.” Jackson, at the Economic Al- liance, said the Legislature “should always look at ways to improve the unemployment system,” but “given the time that we have to enact this, the Legislature should make passing the extension a priority.” He said the benefits are important both to unemployed workers and the state economy. “These benefits are spent in our local businesses. People don’t put this money away; it’s money they spend to take care of their families, to take care of themselves, and it flows directly into the local economy.” The alliance also says that many who would lose benefits would turn to other state programs, adding more strain to those areas. Comings & goings Ⅲ Marc Corriveau, former Democ- ratic state representative from Northville, is now of counsel at Lansing government relations firm Kelley Cawthorne. Ⅲ John Bursch, previously chairman of the appellate practice and public affairs litigation groups at law firm Warner Norcross & Judd LLP, was tapped in February by Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette to become state solicitor general. Eric Restuccia, previous solicitor general, became deputy solicitor general. Amy Lane: (517) 371-5355, [email protected] DBpageAD.qxp 3/11/2011 3:04 PM Page 1

3 employees

Web site

High- volume Large graphic Wants to e-mail attachments and be home by streaming video 5:30 pm

Basic phone service

WE ALWAYS SIZE UP YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS TO TAILOR THE PERFECT FIT.

%ULJKW+RXVH1HWZRUNV%XVLQHVV6ROXWLRQVRIIHUVFXVWRPL]HGVROXWLRQVWRPHHWWKHXQLTXHFRPPXQLFDWLRQQHHGVRI\RXUEXVLQHVV 0DNLQJVXUHRXU%XVLQHVV3KRQH%URDGEDQG,QWHUQHWDQG%XVLQHVV79VHUYLFHVÀWSHUIHFWO\ZLWKEXQGOHVWKDWXSJUDGH\RXU FDSDELOLWLHVZKLOHFXWWLQJFRVWV$OOZLWKWKHSHUVRQDOORFDOO\EDVHGVHUYLFHDQGVXSSRUW\RXUEXVLQHVVGHVHUYHV

%URDGEDQG,QWHUQHWDQG %XVLQHVV3KRQH6HUYLFH DVORZDV &DOO RUYLVLWXVDWEULJKWKRXVHFRPEXVLQHVV SHUPRQWK

$TKIJV*QWUG0GVYQTMU5GTXKEGCDNGCTGCUQPN[5QOGTGUVTKEVKQPUOC[CRRN[ 2TKEGUGZENWFGVCZGUCPFIQXGTPOGPVHGGU(GCVWTGFTCVGTGSWKTGUC[GCTEQPVTCEV 5GTXKEGURTQXKFGFCVVJGFKUETGVKQPQH$TKIJV*QWUG0GVYQTMU1HHGTGZRKTGU 1HHGTUWDLGEVVQEJCPIGYKVJQWVPQVKEG 20110321-NEWS--0008-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 5:15 PM Page 1

Page 8 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 OPINION LETTERS Bet on Quicken boss Note immigration differences Editor: to taxes on individuals will upset Crain’s Detroit Business I am weary of those who speak or even outrage many, but it relies welcomes letters to the editor. out about immigration without on a very common and persistent All letters will be considered for differentiating between legal and publication, provided they are false dichotomy. to keep on fighting illegal immigration. signed and do not defame All taxes are taxes on individu- Anika Fassia, in her Feb. 28 Oth- individuals or organizations. als. “Business” taxes are taxes col- ou have to hand it to Dan Gilbert: He does what he er Voices, “Our state should wel- Letters may be edited for length lected for the state by businesses come immigrants,” continues the and clarity. from individuals. Business taxes thinks is right and he doesn’t worry much about the pattern of not acknowledging the are irrational and unfair because Write: Editor, Crain’s Detroit court of public opinion. significance of this difference. She we never know which individuals Y Business, 1155 Gratiot Ave., And the court of public opinion seemed to have Gilbert los- cites the new Arizona immigra- Detroit, MI 48207-2997. are paying the tax, and we do not tion law as anti-immigrant, when know the circumstances of the in- ing the 2004 lawsuit filed against him by former loan officers, E-mail: [email protected] who argued that they should be paid overtime in addition to it is, in fact, an anti-illegal-immi- dividuals paying the tax. grant bill. A successful business passes the commissions. I am happy about the legal entre- cessing our country illegally, and tax on to its customers, and there- And Gilbert’s court testimony regarding e-mails that preneurs who have come to Michi- they still viewed the opportunities fore it is a regressive tax, like a seemed to encourage employees to promote mortgages to rela- gan and have started up business- here in America as worth not being sales tax. Weaker businesses col- tives over Thanksgiving dinner and then compared Quicken es that can grow and employ fellow able to collect the benefits. lect the tax from their employees I fault the employer who hires employment to the birth of a child wasn’t widely thought to Michiganders. I also agree with or from the business owners, some Ms. Fassia’s comment about an ed- them and the federal government of whom may be rich or middle have weighed in his favor. ucated workforce. If the millions that allows the illegal invasion to class, others of whom may be poor. But when the jury ruled on Thursday, it was Gilbert who of illegal immigrants rolling into continue to the detriment of legal A better headline would be came out on the winning side. The verdict is certain to be ap- this country were like she de- immigrants who are in line around “Snyder shifts from irrational to pealed, if for no other reason than the law firm for the former scribes — more likely to possess a the world trying to come here the rational tax.” Every economist right way, as well as unemployed Quicken employees has made a business of trolling for over- four-year degree than native-born knows this. When will the busi- residents — I doubt that she would citizens looking for work. ness writers get it? time-case plaintiffs. have needed to write her editorial, We have already lost congres- It might be possible to argue for Expect Gilbert to continue to see the litigation through. nor would I have felt the need to sional representation to states that business taxes on businesses locat- respond. are the main destinations for illegal ed in Michigan and selling their Unfortunately, this is not the immigration. I hope that Ms. Fassia goods all over the country. That Motown could use a Robot Town case. The vast majority are under- doesn’t want Michigan to become a tax at least has the merit of falling educated and not coming here to sanctuary state as a way to grow on people who don’t live in Michi- First it was RoboCop, now it’s Robot Town. become Americans, but solely to out of our economic doldrums. gan. But it is also a tax that would As Chad Halcom reports on Page 1, a consortium that in- work. Assimilating into the Amer- Mike Hayes drive and has driven such busi- cludes TechTown, Wayne State University and the U.S. Army ican melting pot, to the politically Livonia ness from our state. That kind of Tank-Automotive Research, Development and Engineering correct, is a relic of legal immigra- business has to compete with busi- Center have been discussing the creation of a robotics re- tion from Europe. ‘Business’ tax flawed nesses in other states, which do Ms. Fassia notes that illegal im- not impose such taxes, and it can- search consortium and laboratory/test center that could be- migrants pay Social Security and Editor: not stay here even if it wants to. come a reality by late 2014. other taxes, though they will not be Your March 14 article, “Snyder Edward Kickham The discussions are still preliminary, but it’s the kind of able to collect these benefits. I am tax break for businesses: 60%,” Kickham Hanley PLLC about a shift from business taxes Royal Oak collaborative venture that makes real sense for Southeast sure that they knew this prior to ac- Michigan. We hope the idea becomes reality — and we also like the idea of making the now-inevitable RoboCop statue part of the project. The imagery is controversial, but it isn’t going away, so it makes sense to use it in a way that sends an af- firmative message. TALK ON THE WEB From www.crainsdetroit.com tion in sales, not for time spent. Start land use plan at grass roots? Re: Capitol protesters arrested Reader responses to stories and Albert Connor A coalition on Detroit’s far-east side is making progress on Businesses are getting a $1.8 bil- blogs that appeared on Crain’s lion (tax) cut under the unproven as- Web site. Comments may be a land use plan that so far has eluded the Detroit Works Pro- Re: What happened to democracy? ject. sumption that somehow this will cre- edited for length and clarity. ate jobs. It’s all BS. Maybe it’s because the Lower Eastside Action Plan — People in the streets? Well, of Charles Parrish course it’s not enough. But it’s sweatshop. Too bad for these young LEAP — is being created by people who have a direct stake in promising. kids. Hey, now Dan Gilbert can buy their particular geography and so have managed to avoid the I give Gov. Snyder a highly posi- Frank Joyce another hockey team. winners-and-losers reaction that so far has bedeviled the larg- tive rating. Keep up the good work. Rock er citywide land use project. (See story, Page 3.) Wayne Those without means use protest and civil disobedience. … If so, a strategy of similar community-driven processes Since when do commission- Breaking the law in the name of a throughout the city might yield better results than a broader Re: Quicken Loans wins trial earning employees qualify for plan that unintentionally sows seeds of dissension and mistrust. My son … said it was a real overtime? … You get paid for produc- See Talk, Page 9 KEITH CRAIN: We can’t ignore benefits of nuclear power I don’t know if anyone bothers have to do is stop using oil prove during the next opment of nuclear power. understand for decades. The nu- to count up the fatalities in coal to generate electricity. We half century. Sadly, there are many deaths clear accident in Russia was very mining. There are plenty. have to prioritize the use In the meantime, we each year related to coal or oil pro- real, and although it was thought to I don’t know if anyone bothers of oil for planes and ships, need to include nuclear duction. But for some reason, that be a disaster for thousands, it was to count up the fatalities in the ex- which simply don’t have power as an important hasn’t stopped anyone from using responsible for about 50 deaths. ploration and pumping of both oil an alternative today. part of our energy mix. these energy sources. We can’t let No one knows what will be the and natural gas. It’s a significant Stationary power We have learned a this happen with nuclear power. final outcome in Japan. If only one number as well. plants can convert from great deal about build- Nuclear has many advantages life is lost, it will be a tragedy. No one died at Three Mile Is- oil to many different en- ing nuclear power over other energy sources, but it But there are a lot of safety fea- land, the nuclear power plant that ergy sources. plants since the Japan- desperately needs a better public tures built into newer nuclear had an accident more than 30 Eventually automo- ese plants were built 40 image. power plants. years ago. That accident created biles, over the next half century, years ago. (See story, Page 28.) The experience in Japan is not The question is whether the an environment of fear that made will in all probability gradually They are safer and more reliable going to do anything positive for world will be able to take advan- it impossible to build any new nu- shift to other forms of energy be- than at any time in history, and we the image of nuclear as a safe, tage of this very environmentally clear power plants. sides gasoline. And we are starting cannot let the hysteria that is sur- clean energy source for the future. safe energy source, or will the me- If we want to lower our dependen- to see the development of electric rounding the tragedy in Japan The fear of nuclear is something dia and public opinion stall devel- cy on foreign oil, the first thing we systems that will evolve and im- stop us from the continual devel- that the energy industry has had to opment for many more decades? 20110321-NEWS--0009-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 10:49 AM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 9 MARY KRAMER: Lawsuit may cost Chrysler some good will

Long before the Cass Corridor wiches at the Rowland they had done with trademark that phrase. Chrysler beef?” three decades ago. Cooper, was reinvented and christened Café and Stella Interna- dozens of products cele- applied for a trademark before the who is communications director Midtown and Detroit’s vibe started tional Café. The shops brating Detroit, they Super Bowl spot ran, but it has not for the conservative Heritage to attract 20-somethings to set up are popular with locals commissioned produc- yet been granted. Foundation, concluded: “To con- shop, Shawn Santo and Kevin Bor- and visitors because tion of T-shirts with It’s not like Chrysler wants to tinue a campaign based on reviv- say plunged into Detroit retail. they are full of Detroit- “Imported from De- start a new revenue line on T-shirt ing a city while simultaneously They saw Detroit in a way that branded items, many of troit” across the top. sales. It has set up its own imprint- going after the small businesses few people were seeing the city in them made by Detroit Their lawyer assured ed apparel to benefit charities. But that actually inhabit that city is a the mid-1990s. T-shirts, CDs, artists and crafters. them that a geographic- like many companies, trademarks terrible way to go about restoring mugs, posters — anything that cel- When I first saw specific trademark are key to protecting their brands. a tarnished brand.” ebrated Detroit — could be found Chrysler’s edgy, two- wouldn’t be granted They defend them to avoid setting in the tiny original Pure Detroit minute commercial Chrysler because it a precedent. Mary Kramer is publisher of shop. The Vernors gnome sign on during Super Bowl, I was too broad. But Chrysler might take a hit in Crain's Detroit Business. Catch her the wall was almost as big as the thought: “Wow. They Last week, Chrysler public opinion. Rory Cooper, a take on business news at 6:10 a.m. retail space itself. That first store really got Detroit.” sued Santo, Borsay and their com- blogger for The Daily Caller web- Mondays on the Paul W. Smith show was kind of a last-man-standing in Kind of like Santo and Borsay. pany in federal court. site, chastised Chrysler for not let- on WJR AM 760 and in her blog at the David Whitney Building be- And there’s the irony. Santo and That’s where a judge likely will ting the phrase go viral as www.crainsdetroit.com/kramer. fore the heat and lights were Borsay saw the spot, too, and, like figure out if Chrysler can actually Wendy’s did with “where’s the E-mail her at [email protected]. turned off. From those small digs, the by- then married couple grew a retail network of Pure Detroit shops in the Renaissance Center, Fisher Building and Guardian Building, branching into coffee and sand-

TALK CONTINUED ■ From Page 8 deeply held political stance is a time-honored American tradition. Timothy Schacht

Re: Ending item pricing mandate I’m sure some union jobs were lost when electric street lights replaced manually lit gas lights. CMC1978

Re: Job cuts at AnnArbor.com I seriously doubt that the Ann Arbor News wasn’t making money. They just weren’t making enough money to satisfy the Newhouses. ... It’s hard to imagine that (profits will) be big enough at AnnArbor.com in the lifetimes of most of the New- houses. Old Newsie

Re: Proposed winery on Belle Isle Given the amount of wine, beer and spirits consumed on the isle, this would be the first step toward in- dependence. Now they need to bot- tle it there, too. Timothy Dinan Isn’t it time your working capital Any natural, productive, self- supported improvement is much better than city expenses for vacant lot worked as hard as you? maintenance. I can’t imagine how the beauty of vineyard rows could have a negative impact. Leo Artil

Leave Belle Isle alone. Especial- ly don’t take away the great little hiking area around the lighthouse and east end of the island. Choose some available acreage along the riverfront that is not on the island. Mary Beth Improve your cash flow and strengthen your business. My big question is how many jobs Cash flow is essential to the success of your business. Fifth Third’s comprehensive suite of Cash will be Detroiters’, and will they be more than just laborers? Management solutions can help maximize your receivables for quicker access to capital. Our North Rosedale Park business bankers will take the time to listen, so we can recommend a customized solution for Re: Bing team turnover questioned your specific business needs. So, let’s start the conversation today. Stop in your local Fifth Third The musical chairs approach Bank, call us at 1-877-804-2091, or visit 53.com/workingcapital. will lead to defeat. There is no sub- stitute for strong and able directors Fifth Third Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. and deputy directors for individual departments. Saulius Simoliunas DBpageAD.qxp 3/11/2011 10:41 AM Page 1

Chronomat 01 $12,070

Breitling has created the chronograph par excellence

A perfect fuselage, an exceptional engine: Breitling has Breitling proprietary Caliber 01. Chronograph movement with launched a highly exclusive instrument set to establish itself column wheel and vertical clutch. Chronometer-certified (COSC). Selfwinding mechanism guaranteeing over 70 hours of power as the benchmark among mechanical chronographs. A strong, reserve. Patented zero-reset system. Instant calendar adjustable unique and quintessential design. A fine blend of power at any time. 47 jewels. and elegance. Built to provide maximum sturdiness and functionality, the Chronomat 01 is designed for devotees of great accomplishments. This top-notch sports model is equipped with Caliber 01, entirely developed and produced by Breitling: a reliable and ultra-precise motor with an original and innovative architecture. By uniting refined aesthetics and raw performance in the Chronomat 01, Breitling has redefined the mechanical chronograph.

WWW.BREITLING.COM 20110321-NEWS--0011-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 9:52 AM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 11

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

Daniel Duggan PUBLIC TV RETURNS TO DETROIT covers retail, Midtown satellite studio once real estate and hospitality. housed WXYZ-TV Channel 7, Call (313) Page 13 446-0414 or write dduggan @crain.com. real estate

Daniel Duggan Brokers wary about uptick Is it safe to let my guard down yet? That’s what industrial brokers are wondering. After a long drought of real estate deals, momentum started to pick up in the local industrial market at the end of last year and into this year — for the first time in a while. In fact, the industrial market showed positive absorption in the fourth quarter, marking the first time the region showed a positive quarter in 10, according to the year-end Grubb & Ellis market report. Just over 291,000 square feet was absorbed during the quarter, a small amount. But when considering that 2009 ended with 6.6 million square feet of negative absorption, small amounts are still victories. Grubb & Ellis’ report is similar to other forecasts of stronger industrial activity as automotive production COURTESY OF SAPIENTNITRO Brad Simms of SapientNitro had worker appeal in mind when he chose this office space on Old Woodward Avenue in Birmingham. ramps up. However, rental rates remain low. In the report, CB Richard Ellis takes the approach that at least rates are not going down. “This apparent stagnancy in prices Image-conscious advertising makes is a positive sign compared with the dramatic decreases that have occurred in the past few years. Since 2005, the average lease rates have had a net change of almost one dollar to the negative. its move – to Detroit, Birmingham “It is probable that the rates have bottomed out, which means that the BY DANIEL DUGGAN market is in the midst of a sluggish CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS recovery. Any improvement is better When people come in, we want to create an image than none, and the fourth quarter s General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group “ holds true to that statement.” LLC have reshuffled their advertising that they can see themselves working in. But many people close to the deals A contracts, the companies have ” say that the region’s numbers would prompted a reshuffling of ad company Brad Simms, SapientNitro be looking even better if it wasn’t for real estate in metro Detroit. the small spaces holding the market Through a series of deals, tled on 8,600 square feet at 135 and 165 back. HE DEALS Detroit and Birmingham SHIFTING SPACE Old Woodward Ave. in Birmingham. Large blocks of space have been T emerged as the go-to places for Outfitted with a full bar, including a picked up by automotive-related Ad offices: Six the incoming ad companies, When it comes to advertising office space beer tap, the space is in the middle of in Southeast Michigan, Troy’s loss has suppliers, making it harder to find comings and leaving vacant space in Troy. Birmingham’s walkable downtown. been Birmingham’s and Detroit’s gain: space requirements in the larger goings, Page 12 According to a Crain’s The image of the office is crucial in re- building supply of more than 50,000 analysis of the presence of ad 2009 cruiting, Simms said. square feet, said Kris Pawlowski, an companies city by city, Troy went from “When I was interviewing people, one industrial broker who specializes in having 37 percent of the total advertising of the first questions they had was the I-75 corridor with Southfield-based office space in the region to 19 percent. ‘where is the office going to be,’ ” he Signature Associates. Other* Troy 37% Birmingham jumped from 10 percent of said. “We wanted a space that is aligned 49% Birmingham 10% “Space in the higher range of the space to 16 percent and Detroit from with the type of people we want to hire. 50,000 square feet and up has been, 4 percent to 13. Detroit 4% “When people come in, we want to cre- or is being, absorbed right now,” he The moves speak volumes about the ate an image that they can see them- said. “Though we’re already starting preferences of the highly cov- Today selves working in.” to see things trickle down to the eted creative companies, said The city of Birmingham has also bene- smaller users below that range, the Brian Schwartz, a director in Troy 19% fitted from the expansion of the firms af- larger suppliers are releasing work to the Southfield office of New- filiated with McCann Worldgroup under the smaller guys, so those 20,000- to Other* mark Knight Frank, who has Birmingham 16% the corporate umbrella of New York- 40,000-square-foot spaces are seeing worked on two recent adver- 52% based Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. deals as well.” tising deals and has several Detroit 13% MRM Worldwide took 20,000 square feet Positive signs are there, Pawlowski pending. at 280 Old Woodward Ave. and Universal said, but after weathering such tough Large open spaces for col- * Ann Arbor, Bloomfield Hills, Dearborn, Redford McCann took 23,000 square feet in the for- times, it’s hard to let your guard down laboration, and amenities Township, Royal Oak, Southfield and Warren mer Observer Eccentric building at 805 E. again. such as coffee bars, food sta- Maple Road. “There is activity out there; my book Schwartz tions and break spaces, are most as important as compensation.” Schwartz, who represented IPG in of business for the next year and a all key, he said. When Boston-based SapientNitro won a both deals, said the firms needed to be in half is looking good,” he said. “But “When they hire, the environment social media account from Chrysler, proximity to each other, but remained with all that’s happened, I just keep plays a key role,” said Schwartz. “They’re Brad Simms was dispatched to metro De- committed to Birmingham. wondering, when does the rug come looking for an office that can include a lot troit to find an office space and hire a “There are challenges in Birmingham, out?” of amenities for employees, because these staff of 35 to 40 people. firms see offering amenities as being al- After touring dozens of offices, he set- See Move, Page 12 20110321-NEWS--0012-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 9:53 AM Page 1

Page 12 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 Focus: Real Estate

RECENT AD REAL ESTATE DEALS Decisions by Chrysler Group LLC and General Motors Co. to shake up their advertising contracts last year have prompted a series of real estate deals across metro Detroit: 6WDUW6DYLQJ Universal McCann MRM Worldwide (a division of the New York-based (a division of the New York-based Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc.) Interpublic Group of Cos. Inc.) 7RGD\ZLWK(QHUJ\ Ⅲ Size: 23,000 square feet Ⅲ Size: 20,000 square feet Ⅲ Location: 280 E. Maple Road, Ⅲ Location: 280 Old Woodward (IÀFLHQF\,QFHQWLYHV Birmingham Ave., Birmingham Ⅲ Broker: Brian Schwartz, Ⅲ Broker: Brian Schwartz, Newmark Newmark Knight Frank Knight Frank (tenant), Brendan ITH COLDER TEMPERATURES, now is the Ⅲ Ad shuffle: Hired by Chrysler Group George, CB Richard Ellis (landlord) time to start saving energy and saving LLC for media buying, forced to move Ⅲ Ad shuffle: Picked up some of W to a new office because an affiliated General Motors’ digital advertising money by boosting the energy efﬁciency of your company, McCann Erickson, does work from competitor Digitas’ natural gas heating system. work for General Motors. Detroit office. Incentives are available for: SapientNitro • &URNACEANDBoiler tune-ups Boston • Boiler modulating burner control retroﬁts Ⅲ Size: 8,600 square feet • Steam trap repairs Ⅲ Location: 135 and 165 N. Old • Programmable thermostats Woodward Ave., Birmingham Special programs offered for large and small businesses. Ⅲ Broker: Casey Powell, Transwestern Ⅲ Ad shuffle: Hired as interactive For more information agency of record for Chrysler after San Francisco-based Organic Inc. related to your business: was fired. www.consumersenergy.com Big Fuel New York (877) 607-0737 Ⅲ Size: 7,000 square feet e-mail: [email protected] Ⅲ Location: 150 W. Jefferson Ave., Detroit Ⅲ Brokers: Dave Miller, Signature COSTAR GROUP Associates (tenant); Transwestern Francis Palms building, 2111 (landlord) Woodward Ave., Detroit Ⅲ Ad shuffle: Hired to take on Goodby Silverstein & Partners social media work for GM San Francisco BBDO Detroit 5220-C Ⅲ Size: 13,500 square feet Ⅲ Size: 186,000 square feet Ⅲ Location: 2111 Woodward Ave., vacated; lease with BBDO runs Detroit through 2020. Litigation is ongoing Ⅲ Broker: John Gordy, Signature on terms of the lease. Associates Ⅲ Location: 880 W. Long Lake Ⅲ Ad shuffle: Hired by GM to do Road, Troy Chevy advertising work after Warren- Ⅲ Ad shuffle: Fired by Chrysler as based Campbell-Ewald was fired. advertising agency Move: Ad offices shift ■ From Page 11 such as parking,” he said. “But the Goodby has said moving to Troy environment they’re creating is wasn’t an option even though the crucial.” parent company Likewise, companies have been is still tied to the overcoming the challenges of De- building. troit in choosing a home for their Also moving firms. The city has taken a large to Detroit was share of the advertising compa- Minneapolis- nies that are new to the area. based Fallon A big move came from the San Worldwide, BUSINESS PROPERTY OWNERS: Francisco-based ad firm Goodby Sil- which took verstein & Partners. space in the Re- ARE YOU PAYING TOO MUCH While its major client, General naissance Cen- Motors, encouraged the firm to be in Goodby ter and is doing Detroit, the city’s image fits the firm the Cadillac advertising work. IN PROPERTY TAXES? well, agency co-founder Jeff Goodby New York-based social media said in a past Crain’s interview. company Big Fuel, doing social me- Settling on space in the historic dia work for GM, has signed a lease Francis Palms building across to take space at 150 W. Jefferson. With the recent decline in Michigan property values, many owners, tenants and managers are now in Woodward from Comerica Park, Places like Detroit and Birming- a position to appeal their inflated tax assessments and reduce their property tax burdens. SPC can Goodby said it’s exciting to be part ham will continue to fare well with help. Our specialized attorneys have the legal knowledge and valuation expertise to successfully of Detroit’s rebirth. creative companies interested in Goodby Silverstein’s move is nontraditional buildings, said Sam represent clients in all types of commercial, office, multi-tenant, and industrial property tax appeals loosely tied to the loss of advertis- Munaco, president of Southfield- and disputes. For more information, contact: ing space in Troy. based Advocate Commercial Advisors of New York-based Omnicom Inc. Michigan, who has consulted firms Jerome P. Pesick [email protected] H. Adam Cohen [email protected] owns Goodby Silverstein and also such as Goodby on site selection. owned BBDO Detroit, which was “When you show them a more fired from the Chrysler advertis- traditional office such as One De- ing account in July 2009. troit Center, they say ‘stop, that’s BBDO also has a 186,000-square- not even close to what we’re look- foot lease at Crooks and Long Lake ing for,’ ” Munaco said. “These roads in Troy, running until 2020. firms are looking for high ceilings, The space is currently vacant exposed brick, something that 380 North Old Woodward Avenue, Suite 120, Birmingham, MI 48009 Contact SPC for a free preliminary review and the lease is part of a lawsuit in looks like loft space. The kind of t: (248) 646-0888 f: (248) 646-0887 e: [email protected] www.spclaw.com of your property tax assessment! U.S. District Court to resolve the space that is abundant in Detroit.” question of whether BBDO should Daniel Duggan: (313) 446-0414, be released early from the lease. [email protected] 20110321-NEWS--0013-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 11:27 AM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 13 Focus: Real Estate Public TV starts Midtown studio, revives WSU relationship

BY SHERRI WELCH decades,” he “This is an effort to move back CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS said, but the re- to some of those ties … and almost Clearly, Midtown is really lationship less- like a blank canvas. Five years after leaving Detroit “ ened as WSU “We really envision in partner- for Wixom, Detroit Public Television emerging as ground zero for the faculty associat- ship with Channel 56 that there is returning to the city with a new ed with the sta- will be a lot of innovative program- satellite studio in Midtown. renaissance of Detroit. tion retired and ming developed, bringing together The Woodward Avenue studio, ” Channel 56 be- the incredible creativity and ener- which is in Wayne State University’s Rich Homberg, gan to rely more gy of these students along with the historic Maccabees Building, pre- Detroit Public Television on its own staff professional organizational re- viously housed WXYZ-Channel 7 and and less on WSU Seeger sources that (Channel) 56 brings to the “Soupy Sales Show.” public affairs shows such as “Am Fine, Performing and Communica- students. “Cer- Detroit Public Television and I Right” and “American Black tion Arts. tainly, that was accelerated when bear.” WSU plan to move taping of “Lead- Journal,” said Matthew Seeger, in- “We have had some relationship they relocated their facilities,” to Sherri Welch: (313) 446-1694, ers on Leadership” to the new stu- terim dean of the WSU College of with Channel 56 (for) many Wixom, Seeger said. [email protected] dio on Friday with a live taping featuring WSU President Allan Gilmour and the backing of De- troit Public Television’s 35-foot high-definition truck. The station had produced the show for the past four years from St. Andrew’s Hall on WSU’s campus. The host was Larry Fobes, director of the WSU School of Busi- ness Administration’s Institute for Organizational and Industrial Competitiveness. “We knew we wanted to have a studio in Detroit,” said DPTV President and General Manager Rich Homberg. “Clearly, Midtown is really emerging as ground zero for the renaissance of Detroit.” DPTV just completed last year its state-of-the-art studios and offices in the former Clover Technolo- gy building off of I-96 in Wixom, and it plans to maintain those as well, Homberg said. “We had literally the perfect headquarters facility handed to us michigan.gov/mshda … in 2004,” he said. “But the De- troit studio … gives us a perma- nent, physical presence in the city.” The studio will give Detroit Public Television a soundproof “place to land” while making it easier to create programming with people in the city and with Detroit institutions such as WSU, the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Homberg said. DPTV operates WTVS-Channel 56, three digital broadcast television channels and You’ve got a partner. Your MSHDA. Detroit Public Schools’ classical and jazz station WRCJ 90.9 FM. Preventing foreclosure? The agreement between the station and WSU is “an in-kind, sweat-equity agreement,” he said. We help. “We’re both going to work together to bring students into our process and DPTV into WSU’s ef- Resurrecting Main Streets? forts and other efforts in Mid- town.” We’re there. WSU already has invested about $100,000 in renovations in the studio, he said. “Our expectation is to use the Fixing up the neighborhood? truck to get started and then ramp up (equipment in studio) as we Call us. fundraise … probably totaling about $500,000 in equipment.” Detroit Public Television, which broke even on its finances Helping to build affordable housing? last year, is operating on a slight- ly larger budget of about $18 mil- We’re on it. lion this year, according to Homberg. With its return to Detroit, DPTV We’re working to make Michigan vibrant, by utilizing cutting edge housing and community programs is revitalizing its historic relationship with WSU, providing educa- andproviding sound advice. If you’re interested in improving your home, neighborhood or community, tional and internship opportuni- you’ve got a partner. Your MSHDA. ties for the university’s media arts students, including access to state- TTY 800.382.4568 Equal Housing Employer/Lender of-the-art digital equipment, the high-definition truck and expanded co-production of DPTV’s local 20110321-NEWS--0014-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 10:18 AM Page 1

Page 14 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 Focus: Real Estate Selling Blue Cross’ large former headquarters a healthy challenge

BY DANIEL DUGGAN CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Plan. Invest. Extend a legacy. After representing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in its move Find us at PMFA.com. to Detroit, Brian Piergentili gets his next big challenge: Selling the company’s former headquarters. Selling a nearly 700,000-square- foot complex is a trick; in a down UPCOMING BREAKFAST ROUNDTABLE: market, it’s even harder. But Piergentili, managing director of the UGL Equis Corp. office in April 12 Southfield, said the complex could The Tax Laws Have Changed: Are You Properly Insured? be a boon for the region. At 688,000 square All roundtables will be held from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at feet, the three- COURTESY OF BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN 27400 Northwestern Hwy., Southﬁeld, MI 48034. building cam- The Blues former headquarters in Southfield occupies almost 700,000 square pus on 11 Mile feet and is listed with an asking price of $13.8 million. roundtables.pmfa.com Visit to register. Seating is limited. Road east of Inkster Road “Working with start in early represents the clients nationally, 2012. largest “realis- it’s surprising how Nationally, it’s Steve Morris, tic” office cam- Piergentili few blocks “ managing direc- pus being sold of space of surprising tor of the South- in the state right now. that size field office of “The Steelcase campus in Grand INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT I *TRUST SERVICES are out how few Newmark Knight Rapids, the Kmart buildings in there,” he Frank, said the *INSURANCE SERVICES I *TAX PLANNING Troy: There really aren’t a lot of said. blocks of building needs ESTATE PLANNING I WEALTH MANAGEMENT places with 700,000 square feet that There’s to be sold to ei- BUSINESS TRANSITION I PHILANTHROPIC PLANNING can draw one large user,” said space of that incentive ther a user or an Piergentili. QHHGTGFVJTQWIJCHſNKCVGUQH2/(# on the side investor who The asking price of $13.8 mil- size are out of local has a user lined lion, or $20 per square foot, is a govern- up. While it’s a fraction of the estimated $180 per there. ment to see the challenge to find square foot — or $123.8 million — ” building sold as such a large it would cost to build a comparable Ron Gantner, Jones Lang LaSalle well in terms of tax- user, it would building. es. If the building make sense for a “They’re not looking to make a sold for $15 million, it would gener- local company to consolidate mul- great profit on this,” Piergentili ate roughly $400,000 annually in tiple offices into one large cam- said of Blue Cross. “They under- 800-292-3831 city, county and school taxes, ac- pus. stood the market when the price cording to an analysis by the South- “As a user, it could be a low-cost indiantrails.com was set.” field treasurer’s office based on a opportunity to consolidate offices Tricia Keith, taxable value of $7.5 million. How- onto one site,” he said. vice president, ever, the city has the buildings as- Buying the building and waiting corporate secre- sessed at $58 million. to lease it will be costly, he said. tary and ser- Keith said the company still ex- “You could easily be looking at vices for Blue pects to find $30 million in opera- $2.5 million each year in taxes and Cross, said the ONE HU tions savings through the move by maintenance,” he said. “That’s a G ND IN R building is be- T E A D having employees in the same lot of money to spend while you’re R Y ing marketed B E E A area. The company will begin mov- waiting.” L R

E for lease as well, S C ing employees in the first phase in Daniel Duggan: (313) 446-0414, 100 but long term April, with the second stage to [email protected] Keith “we don’t want to be landlords.” A lease would be done only to make the building marketable to an investor. She said the health care company has engaged local, county and state economic development groups to help find a buyer. “For one large user, this could be a very unique product,” she said. Maureen Krauss, director of economic development and community affairs for Oakland Coun- Comfort and ty, said her office and staff at the Michigan Economic Development Corp. are keeping the building in t$IBSUFST Luxury mind with business recruitment efforts. t5PVST “It’s a building that’s in a good condition, well-maintained with t4IVUUMFT 00 room for expansion,” she said. $100 “We’ll be doing our best to get it t$POWFOUJPO4FSWJDFT SAVE OFF filled sooner rather than later.” Ron Gantner, executive vice t$PSQPSBUF&WFOUT president in the Detroit office of Contact Indian Trails for details. Must use this Jones Lang LaSalle, said such a large t4DIFEVMFE4FSWJDF promotional code at time of booking: 2011CDB-MAR block of space on the market could be a catalyst to the region. 20110321-NEWS--0015-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 11:53 AM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 15

CRAIN'SCRAIN'S LIST:LIST: LARGESTLARGEST GENERALGENERAL CONTRACTORSCONTRACTORSRankedRanked byby 20102010 revenuerevenue

ValueValue ofof CompanyCompany RevenueRevenue newnew contractscontracts LocalLocal TotalTotal Detroit-areaDetroit-area AddressAddress ($000,000)($000,000) ($000,000)($000,000) employeesemployees newnew projectsprojects projectsprojects RankRank Phone;Phone; websitewebsite Top Top locallocal executiveexecutive 2010/2009/20082010/2009/2008 2010/20092010/2009 Jan.Jan. 20112011 2010/20092010/2009 startedstarted 20102010 BartonBarton MalowMalow Co.Co. LesterLester SnyderSnyder IIIIII $1,122.3$1,122.3 $1,248.8$1,248.8 485485 327 327 3030 1.1. 2650026500 AmericanAmerican Drive,Drive, SouthfieldSouthfield 4803448034 presidentpresident andand COOCOO $1,246.9$1,246.9 $1,435.9$1,435.9 515515 (248)(248)(248) 436-5000;436-5000;436-5000; www.bartonmalow.comwww.bartonmalow.comwww.bartonmalow.com $1,653.1$1,653.1

BelforBelfor HoldingsHoldings Inc.Inc.BB SheldonSheldon YellenYellen 1,087.21,032.91,032.9 1,016.71,016.7 1,3711,371 51,564 51,564 1,9941,994 2.2. 185185 OaklandOakland Ave.,Ave., SuiteSuite 150,150, BirminghamBirmingham 4800948009 CEOCEO 948.2924.5924.5 889.6889.6 45,22645,226 (248)(248)(248) 594-1144;594-1144;594-1144; www.belfor.comwww.belfor.comwww.belfor.com 976.7NANA

WalbridgeWalbridge AldingerAldinger Co.Co. JohnJohnJohn RakoltaRakoltaRakolta Jr.Jr.Jr. 1,001.51,001.5 1,473.01,473.0 316316 57 57 44 3.3. 777777 WoodwardWoodward Ave.,Ave., SuiteSuite 300,300, DetroitDetroit 4822648226 chairmanchairman andand CEOCEO 1,000.01,000.0 1,020.01,020.0 6060 (313)(313)(313) 963-8000;963-8000;963-8000; www.walbridge.comwww.walbridge.comwww.walbridge.com 1,325.01,325.0

LakeshoreLakeshore EngineeringEngineering ServicesServices AvinashAvinash RachmaleRachmale 430.0430.0 471.0471.0 109109 189 189 5757 4.4. 73107310 WoodwardWoodward Ave.,Ave., SuiteSuite 500,500, DetroitDetroit 4820248202 presidentpresident andand CEOCEO 250.0250.0CC 452.0452.0 201201 (313)(313)(313) 875-4115;875-4115;875-4115; www.lakeshoreeng.comwww.lakeshoreeng.comwww.lakeshoreeng.com 150.0150.0

TurnerTurner ConstructionConstruction Co.Co. StevenSteven BerlageBerlage 279.0279.0 314.0314.0 7575 43 43 3131 5.5. 535535 GriswoldGriswold St.,St., SuiteSuite 200,200, DetroitDetroit 4822648226 vicevice presidentpresident andand generalgeneral managermanager 175.0175.0 269.0269.0 2929 (313)(313)(313) 596-0500;596-0500;596-0500; www.turnerconstruction.com/michiganwww.turnerconstruction.com/michiganwww.turnerconstruction.com/michigan 178.0178.0

SkanskaSkanska USAUSA BuildingBuilding Inc.Inc. JasonJasonJason KoppKoppKopp 267.0267.0 449.9449.9 114114 9 9 11 6.6. 2610026100 AmericanAmerican Drive,Drive, SuiteSuite 100,100, SouthfieldSouthfield 48034-236748034-2367 seniorsenior vicevice presidentpresident 327.5327.5 289.0289.0 99 (248)(248)(248) 351-8300;351-8300;351-8300; www.skanska.comwww.skanska.comwww.skanska.com 382.5382.5

CommercialCommercial ContractingContracting GroupGroup WilliamWilliam PettibonePettibone 224.0224.0 145.0145.0 122122 167 167 134134 7.7. 42604260 N.N. AtlanticAtlantic Blvd.,Blvd., AuburnAuburn HillsHills 4843948439 chairmanchairman 135.0135.0 105.0105.0 148148 (248)(248)(248) 209-0500;209-0500;209-0500; www.cccnetwork.comwww.cccnetwork.comwww.cccnetwork.com 245.0245.0

AristeoAristeo ConstructionConstruction Co.Co. JosephJosephJoseph AristeoAristeoAristeo 206.0206.0 243.5243.5 410410 NA NA NA NA president 103.0 104.0 8. 1281112811 FarmingtonFarmington Road,Road, LivoniaLivonia 4815048150 presidentpresident 103.0103.0 104.0104.0 8.8. 186.0 (734)(734)(734) 427-9111;427-9111;427-9111; www.aristeo.comwww.aristeo.comwww.aristeo.com 186.0186.0

Roncelli Inc. Gary Roncelli 176.0 152.0 187 47 43 RoncelliRoncelli Inc.Inc. GaryGary RoncelliRoncelli 176.0176.0 152.0152.0 187187 47 47 4343 6471 Metropolitan Parkway, Sterling Heights 48312 chairman and CEO 139.0 113.0 48 9. 64716471 MetropolitanMetropolitan Parkway,Parkway, SterlingSterling HeightsHeights 4831248312 chairmanchairman andand CEOCEO 139.0139.0 113.0113.0 4848 9.9. (586) 264-2060; www.roncelli-inc.com Thomas Wickersham 182.0 (586)(586) 264-2060;264-2060; www.roncelli-inc.comwww.roncelli-inc.com ThomasThomas WickershamWickersham 182.0182.0 president and COO presidentpresident andand COOCOO Sam Bahou 106.5 50.1 52 84 3 WalshWalsh ConstructionConstruction Co.Co. SamSam BahouBahou 106.5106.5 50.150.1 5252 84 84 33 program manager 104.1 142.3 65 10. 30113011 W.W. GrandGrand Blvd.,Blvd., SuiteSuite 2300,2300, DetroitDetroit 4820248202 programprogram managermanager 104.1104.1 142.3142.3 6565 10.10. 62.0 (313)(313)(313) 873-6600;873-6600;873-6600; www.walshgroup.comwww.walshgroup.comwww.walshgroup.com 62.062.0

DeMaria Building Co. Inc. Richard DeMaria 102.0 111.5 135 62 62 DeMaria Building Co. Inc. RichardRichard DeMariaDeMaria 102.0102.0 111.5111.5 135135 62 62 6262 DeMaria3031 W. Grand Building Blvd., Co. Suite Inc. 624, Detroit 48202 CEO 91.3 110.5 51 11. 30313031 W.W. GrandGrand Blvd.,Blvd., SuiteSuite 624,624, DetroitDetroit 4820248202 CEOCEO 91.391.3 110.5110.5 5151 11.11. (313) 870-2800; www.demariabuild.com Joseph DeMaria Jr. 108.6 (313) 870-2800; www.demariabuild.com JosephJoseph DeMariaDeMaria Jr.Jr. 108.6108.6 (313) 870-2800; www.demariabuild.com president presidentpresident George W. Auch Co. Vincent DeLeonardis 92.2 124.3 81 153 153 GeorgeGeorge W.W. AuchAuch Co.Co. VincentVincent DeLeonardisDeLeonardis 92.292.2 124.3124.3 8181 153 153 153153 735 S. Paddock St., Pontiac 48341 president and CEO 104.1 101.3 101 12. 735735 S.S. PaddockPaddock St.,St., PontiacPontiac 4834148341 presidentpresident andand CEOCEO 104.1104.1 101.3101.3 101101 12.12. (248) 334-2000; www.auchconstruction.com 148.2 (248)(248) 334-2000;334-2000; www.auchconstruction.comwww.auchconstruction.com 148.2148.2 Ideal Contracting LLC Frank Venegas Jr. 85.0 NA NA NA NA FrankFrank VenegasVenegas Jr.Jr. 85.085.0 NANA NANA NA NA NANA Ideal2525Ideal Clark ContractingContracting St., Detroit LLCLLC 48209 chairman and owner 59.3 78.0 226 13. chairmanchairman andand ownerowner 59.359.3 78.078.0 226226 13.13. 2525(313)2525 Clark843-8000;Clark St.,St., DetroitDetroit www.idealcontracting.com 4820948209 123.0 (313)(313) 843-8000;843-8000; www.idealcontracting.comwww.idealcontracting.com 123.0123.0 Alberici Constructors Inc. Mark Okroy 82.4 90.4 30 20 4 14. Alberici13040Alberici Merriman ConstructorsConstructors Road, Livonia Inc.Inc. 48150 MarkviceMark president OkroyOkroy and general manager 82.431.382.4 90.431.990.4 3030 2067 20 44 14.14. 13040(734)13040 367-2500; MerrimanMerriman www.alberici.com Road,Road, LivoniaLivonia 4815048150 vicevice presidentpresident andand generalgeneral managermanager 31.389.031.3 31.931.9 6767 (734)(734) 367-2500;367-2500; www.alberici.comwww.alberici.com 89.089.0 Clayco Kurt Jaeger 68.0 75.0 13 3 1 15. Clayco19500Clayco Victor Parkway, Suite 375, Livonia 48152 KurtregionalKurt JaegerJaeger vice president 68.075.068.0 75.083.075.0 1313 35 3 11 15.15. 19500(734)19500 462-0200; VictorVictor Parkway,Parkway, www.claycorp.com SuiteSuite 375,375, LivoniaLivonia 4815248152 regionalregional vicevice presidentpresident 75.075.0 83.083.0 55 (734)(734) 462-0200;462-0200; www.claycorp.comwww.claycorp.com 75.075.0 Synergy Group Inc. Ennio "Pete" Petrella 65.3 50.0 22 NA NA 16. Synergy39400Synergy Woodward GroupGroup Inc.Inc. Ave., Suite 190, Bloomfield Hills 48304 EnnioprincipalEnnio "Pete""Pete" PetrellaPetrella 65.381.265.3 50.064.550.0 2222 NA NA NA NA 16.16. 39400(248)39400 740-7400; WoodwardWoodward www.synergygroup.biz Ave.,Ave., SuiteSuite 190,190, BloomfieldBloomfield HillsHills 4830448304 principalprincipal 140.081.281.2 64.564.5 (248)(248) 740-7400;740-7400; www.synergygroup.bizwww.synergygroup.biz 140.0140.0 Frank Rewold and Son Inc. Frank Rewold 58.3 NA NA NA NA 17. Frank333Frank E. RewoldSecondRewold St., andand Rochester SonSon Inc.Inc. 48307 FrankpresidentFrank RewoldRewold and CEO 58.344.958.3 62.4NANA NANA NA20 NA NANA 17.17. 333(248)333 E.E. 601-1215; SecondSecond St.,St., www.frankrewold.com RochesterRochester 4830748307 presidentpresident andand CEOCEO 44.976.244.9 62.462.4 2020 (248)(248) 601-1215;601-1215; www.frankrewold.comwww.frankrewold.com 76.276.2 T.H. Marsh Construction Co. Ryan Marsh 54.0 68.0 NA NA NA 18. T.H.300T.H. Balmoral MarshMarsh Construction ConstructionCentre, 32121 Co.WoodwardCo. Ave., Royal Oak 48073 RyanpresidentRyan MarshMarsh and COO 54.065.054.0 68.075.068.0 NANA NA NA NA NA 18.18. 300(248)300 BalmoralBalmoral 586-4130; Centre,Centre, www.thmarsh.com 3212132121 WoodwardWoodward Ave.,Ave., RoyalRoyal OakOak 4807348073 presidentpresident andand COOCOO 65.052.065.0 75.075.0 (248)(248) 586-4130;586-4130; www.thmarsh.comwww.thmarsh.com 52.052.0 Colasanti Cos. Christopher Colasanti 51.9 NA NA NA 19. Colasanti672Colasanti Woodbridge, Cos.Cos. Suite 100, Detroit 48226 ChristopherpresidentChristopher ColasantiColasanti 51.947.551.9 96.0NANA NANA NA NANA 19.19. 672(313)672 Woodbridge,Woodbridge, 567-0060; www.colasantigroup.com SuiteSuite 100,100, DetroitDetroit 4822648226 presidentpresident 152.947.547.5 96.096.0 NANA (313)(313) 567-0060;567-0060; www.colasantigroup.comwww.colasantigroup.com 152.9152.9 Micco Construction LLC Robert Washer 38.2 NA 22 11 9 20. MICCO715Micco Auburn Construction Construction Road, Pontiac LLC LLC 48342 RobertpresidentRobert WasherWasher 38.243.338.2 NANA 2222 1113 11 99 20.20. 715(248)715 AuburnAuburn 334-7753; Road,Road, www.miccoconstruction.com PontiacPontiac 4834248342 presidentpresident 43.341.343.3 NANA 1313 (248)(248) 334-7753;334-7753; www.miccoconstruction.comwww.miccoconstruction.com 41.341.3

This list of general contractors is a compilation of the largest such companies in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and Livingston counties. It is not a complete listing but the most comprehensive available. Companies with headquarters in the Detroit area are ThislistedThis list list with of of general theirgeneral total contractors contractors company is revenue,is a a compilation compilation and companies of of the the largest largest with such headquarterssuch companies companies outside in in Wayne, Wayne, the area Oakland, Oakland, are listed Macomb, Macomb, with the Washtenaw Washtenaw revenue of and andtheir Living Living localstonston operations counties. counties. only. It It is is Unlessnot not a a complete completeotherwise listing listingnoted, but but information the the most most comprehensive wascomprehensive provided by available. available.the companies. Companies Companies NA = with withnot headquarters available.headquarters in in the the Detroit Detroit ar areaea are are listedBlistedNew with with to their thetheir list total total is Belforcompany company Holdings revenue, revenue, Inc., and and a general companies companies contractor with with headquarters headquartersspecializing inoutside outside disaster the the restoration area area are are listed listedwork. with withBelfor the the is revenue revenueranked of onof their their95 percent local local operations operations of its total only. only. revenue, Unless Unless which otherwise otherwise represents noted, noted, its information informationrevenue generated was was provided provided from constructionby by the the companies. companies. management. NA NA = = not not Given available. available. the nature of the jobs completed, BmanyBNewNew are to to smallerthe the list list thanis is Belfor Belfor the Holdingsmultimillion Holdings Inc., Inc., dollar a a general general construction contractor contractor projects specializing specializing done by in in traditional disaster disaster restoration restorationfirms. As awork. work.result, Given Given Belfor the the has nature nature a much of of th thheighere jobs jobs numbercompleted, completed, of projects. many many are are smaller smaller than than the the multimillion multimillion dollar dollar construction construction projects projects done done by by traditional traditional firms. firms. As As a a result, result, B Belforelfor has has a a much much higherChigherCompany number number estimate. of of projects. projects. CC Company estimate. LISTCompany RESEARCHED estimate. BY ANNE MARKS LISTLIST RESEARCHED RESEARCHED BY BY ANNE ANNE MARKS MARKS 20110321-NEWS--0016-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 11:26 AM Page 1

Page 16 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 $100K note up for grabs in FutureMidwest’s high-tech startup contest

BY TOM HENDERSON Companies can apply to make a tion by the U.S. Securities and Ex- CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS presentation online at www.fund- change Commission against seek- We can show ... this is a good edbynight.com. The top 25 compa- ing publicity. “Bring it. Kill it. Get paid.” “ nies will be chosen to make their Ludlow Ventures is a family op- That’s the motto of a new compe- place to start a business. They pitches in person, and they won’t eration founded late in 2009 by tition this year at the third annual have to wait long to find out who managing partner Jonathon Tri- FutureMidwest Conference that will can have much lower costs here, won. The winner will get a check est. An early-stage investor in award a convertible note of that night. technology companies, it doesn’t $100,000 to the winner of the best and the talent is insane here. There is no fee to enter the con- have a dedicated fund, raising pitch by a high-tech startup. ” test, although contestants must money as needed to make invest- Funded By Night is the name of Jonathon Triest, Ludlow Ventures LLC pay their own way to Detroit. ments. the contest. The convertible note is The terms of the convertible It has had an active 2011, mak- an effort by two of Southeast the founder of Quicken Loans Inc., April 28-29 in Shed 5 at Detroit’s note are posted on the website. ing investments in six portfolio Michigan’s newest venture capital Josh Linker, the founder of ePrize Eastern Market, with the business Detroit Venture Partners is companies since the beginning of firms, Ludlow Ventures LLC of South- Inc., and Brian Hermelin, founder pitch held Thursday afternoon. still raising its fund, and officials the year, one in Michigan, the oth- field and Detroit Venture Partners and chairman of Rockbridge Growth About 700 people attended the con- can’t discuss details, including ers in San Francisco; Boulder, LLC, the new venture capital firm Equity. ference last year; nearly 1,000 are its target size, during fundrais- Colo.; and New York. The Michi- whose principals are Dan Gilbert, FutureMidwest will be held expected this year. ing for fear of violating a prohibi- gan investment was in Birming- ham-based www.zferral.com, a business-to-business company that manages custom referral programs. A seventh deal is pending. Ludlow typically invests $25,000 to $75,000, with an ability to do larger rounds later as the company grows. HELPING YOU BUILD ON YOUR Warren Coville, who co-founded Guardian Industries Inc. with Bill Davidson and was president of the Guardian Photo division from 1955- 1985, is Triest’s grandfather and Success one of the investors in Ludlow. Another is Brent Triest, Jonathon’s father, an attorney who manages several private equity firms out of the Southfield offices shared by Ludlow Ventures. Jonathon, 28, previously was a strategic marketing consultant for Sony-BMG. “Our goal at FutureMidwest is to get as many companies outside Michigan as we can to come here. We can show them this is a good place to start a business. They can have much lower costs here, and the talent is insane here,” he said. “A company will make its pitch and walk out three hours later with a check, which is cool,” said Triest. “We hope to make it an annual event.” Details of the agenda for the two- day conference are still being worked out, but there will be a variety of presentations, workshops and panel discussions on growing technology businesses and creating cultural transformations in the Midwest, beginning at 9 a.m. Thursday and running through 4 p.m. Friday. As Michigan’s largest construction accounting and For information or to register consulting practice, Doeren Mayhew provides for the conference, go to www.futuremidwest.com. Registration broad-based resources and in-depth construction through April 1 is $175; it’s $250 af- industry expertise to contractors of all sizes. ter. Whether you’re a mid-size specialty company or a Tom Henderson: (313) 446-0337, general contractor doing business globally, we can [email protected] help you achieve your goals more efficiently. Call Doeren Mayhew’s Construction Group today and put 80 years of industry experience to work for you. BANKRUPTCIES The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit March 11- 17. Under Chapter 11, a company files for reorganization. Chapter 7 involves liquidation. Troy, Michigan 248.244.3000 www.doeren.com Orlando Design & Strategic Marketing Inc., 6950 Dixie Highway, Clarkston, voluntary chapter 7. Assets: $0; liabilities: $81,189. Stout Industries LLC, 30987 Industrial Road, Livonia, voluntary chapter 11. Assets: $150,200; liabilities: Tax Deferral Strategies Surety Bonding Job Costing Internal Control and Fraud Analysis $242,909. Cost Management Cost Certifications System Restructuring Real Estate Project Review and Analysis Wyandotte Printing Co., 17830 Fox Glen, Riverview, voluntary chapter 7. Assets and liabilities not available. DBpageAD.qxp 2/22/2011 12:31 PM Page 1 DBpageAD.qxp 2/11/2011 10:55 AM Page 1

THE FASTEST, MOST ADVANCED 4G NETWORK IN AMERICA.

Hyper-speed. Hyper-productivity. With speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G and an abundance of bandwidth, you can now download a 5-megabyte presentation in less than 5 seconds. And get real-time responses on video conferences. Verizon 4G LTE Mobile Broadband will revolutionize the way you do business.

DO BUSINESS AT 4G LTE SPEED IN OR OUT OF THE OFFICE. $9999 EACH $149.99 2-yr. price – $50 mail-in rebate debit card. New 2-yr. activation on a 4G Mobile Broadband plan required.

PANTECH UML290 LG VL 600 USB MODEM USB MODEM

VISIT A VERIZON WIRELESS STORE AND ASK FOR A SMALL BUSINESS SPECIALIST TODAY.

7;8#*; q7&3*;0/8*3&-&44$0.(-5&q7;8$0.4503&-0$"503

Activation fee/line: $35. IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION:Subject to Cust Agmt, Data Plan, rebate form & credit approval. Up to $175 early termination fee/line. Offers & coverage, varying by svc, not available everywhere; see vzw.com. While supplies last. Restocking fee may apply. Rebate debit card takes up to 6 wks & expires in 12 months. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. © 2011 Verizon Wireless. D3255 20110321-NEWS--0019-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 9:54 AM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 19 Extra CONSIDERING TECH UPGRADES? ‘The less risk you want, the more you have to pay,’ Page 21

growing small businesses

A CONVERSATION WITH

Rom LaPointe, i3Logic, Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Rom LaPointe is president of i3Logic, a software training and consulting business based in Pontiac that made it into Inc. magazine’s 2010 list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies, based on the past three years. He is also president of the Detroit Cloud on the horizon chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. A key EO feature is its forums of eight to 10 members who meet regularly to learn from each other’s Offsite computing helps companies grow IT without draining the bank experiences as business owners. An emphasis is placed on not giving advice BY NANCY KAFFER but on confidentially sharing CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS experiences about difficulties members have faced and how they overcame hen Ann Arbor-based Biotronic Neu- them. Soliciting is not allowed. roNetwork wanted to expand its data The Detroit chapter’s 120 members W center, there was a problem: The have average annual revenue of space the company occupies just couldn’t $7 million. LaPointe shared some of accommodate an addition. the view from his vantage point with “We didn’t have proper air condition- Second Stage Editor Gary Anglebrandt. ing, there was no way to get proper elec- What are some of the main issues trical in there, we didn’t have the raised members have been raising? Credit to floor — all the things you expect from a run and grow the business is a data center,” said Judson Pitt, chief in- challenge for many of the folks, formation officer at Biotronic, which pro- especially when it’s needed to grow and take advantage of the vides monitoring of the brain’s signals opportunities that are coming back, during surgery. as opposed to maybe a year or two So Biotronic moved to the cloud. ago when it was to survive. Cloud computing is shorthand for taking a company’s IT systems or functions Anything else? I know a number of and converting them to a Web-based sys- people are looking at different ways to tem, usually with the help of an outside partner or acquire ... because they’ve gone through and they’ve learned some company. Public cloud services are of- lessons about the need to be growing. fered widely and often freely, whereas private cloud systems are purchased at a Any industries that are particular to that, higher price in exchange for dedicated or is it across the board? I’ve heard (it’s customer service and privacy. happening in) the staffing and recruiting Biotronic used the services of Ann Ar- world. I’ve heard that from insurance bor-based Online Tech Inc., to build a private and the financial services side, as well. If you think of businesses that have a cloud — using servers dedicated to client base that ... they renew their Biotronic — housing its data center offsite insurance every year, or they continue while securing its information in compli- to invest in their portfolio — they have ance with federal privacy requirements. some book of business, if you will — it For second-stage businesses, cloud can be difficult to grow that organically. computing may be the next big thing, of- But if you just add another one that’s fering a way to ramp up quickly at a low- similar (in) size or smaller than yours, er cost. you’ve taken a big step forward and you In the purest form of cloud computing, can refine your systems to get some more synergies. Or if you have a really the applications a user accesses aren’t good back-office approach to doing that, hosted on a local hard drive but offsite on you can add a bunch more clients the Internet — think Web-based e-mail through an acquisition. applications like Gmail or Hotmail — with computing cycles performed by off- Things are starting to look up, people premises servers. Mainte- are saying. Are they? It’s still mixed. It’s nance and upgrades are han- not like I’ve done a survey or statistical thing, but anecdotally ... (most) are dled by the cloud provider, looking up (in the EO membership). and the client pays on a per- user or per-cycle basis. Do your members generally favor or Startup costs for a cloud sys- oppose state incentives such as the tem are small and don’t rely (Michigan Economic Growth Authority) on the purchase, installation BOB CHASE Judson Pitt, chief information officer, said Biotronic NeuroNetwork built a private cloud off-site, grants and brownfield grants? I would or maintenance of hard- say, and this is not necessarily my through Ann Arbor-based Online Tech Inc., to get around limitations at Biotronic’s offices. opinion, but most of our members do ware. Detroit-based Compuware essentially a utility model, not dissimilar to turn on your dryer. You’re buying feel that those incentives are not as Hillman helpful to them. ... The tax climate is Corp. offers health care-fo- to how you think of utilities at home,” what you need and can turn it off and on the lament. ... We have professional cused cloud services through its Covisint said Mark Hillman, Compuware’s vice when needed.” advisers that sponsor EO, (and they say) arm and tracks cloud efficiency through president of vice president of strategy Cloud computing started getting more it’s very hard to predict what your tax its Gomez division. and product line management. “You liability is going to be. “This whole idea of cloud computing is don’t call DTE (Energy Co.) if you’re going See Cloud, Page 20 20110321-NEWS--0020-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 9:55 AM Page 1

Page 20 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 Second Stage Extra Ban Facebook? Give it a second thought

LAURA BLODGETT thing, whether they are talking as SPECIAL TO CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS themselves or identified as employees of the company,” Burns said. At some point, a growing small Employers should explain what business is going to have to reckon falls under social media and the with employees’ use of social me- company’s position on it, as well dia — and they might talk about as issues such as confidentiality, their job while they’re at it. rules of copyright and defamation. Although the first reaction might Proprietary information, such as be to ban work talk at social media sales lists and revenue, should also outlets such as Facebook, LinkedIn Bowles Burns be addressed. and blogs or forums, that can be a Some organizations, such as mistake, local experts warn. information, you need to be where technology companies, may have a While social media can carry your audience is,” Bowles said. very open approach; others in a gossip about coworkers, employees He said one company that does a conservative or highly regulated could very well use that same ca- good job with social media is industry like insurance may be pacity to say positive things about Moosejaw Mountaineering and Back- more restrictive. the company and its offerings. country Travel Inc., an outerwear re- Whether a single employee or a “If you give employees the op- tailer based in Madison Heights. group manages a business’ social portunity to talk on behalf of the “They have a single person who media, it should be clear whether brand with some basic guidelines handles Twitter and (is) the voice of they are to respond in their own for engaging online, you’ll find Moosejaw. Other people use the voice or a single company voice. that some of the most passionate voice of the company. For example, “As a company, especially if you and vocal fans of an organization we speak as Pure Visibility on Twit- have multiple people providing in- — regardless if it’s a startup, sec- ter, with the logo as our icon, and put, you want to remain consis- ond stage or Fortune 500 company not as individuals,” Bowles said. tent,” said Bowles. “The way you — (are) its employees,” said Bran- Employees need specific guide- portray yourself online is an ex- don Chesnutt, social media direc- lines and the understanding that tension of how you do business.” tor at Identity Marketing & Public Re- what they say in social media can The team may decide to meet THE MILLER LAW FIRM lations in Bingham Farms. have ramifications, said Mike weekly to discuss topics and ap- Brent Bowles, analyst at Inter- Burns, executive vice president at prove text to ensure the account a professional corporation net marketing company Pure Visi- the American Society of Employers, doesn’t fall stagnant. They may bility Inc. in Ann Arbor, said social headquartered in Livonia. also want to develop a catalog of media no longer can be ignored. “You don’t want employees who responses on frequent topics. “Social media is an extension of are active with social media to come Burns said it is also good to talk public relations, and if this is back and say they didn’t know they to an attorney who understands in- where people are looking now for weren’t supposed to share some- dustry exposure risks.

Cloud: Off-site computing aids growth ■ From Page 19 Our firm specializes in litigation: • Complex Commercial and Business attention about five years ago when the amount of computing stuff I ment, obviously there are savings online retail giant Amazon.com behave by turning some dials with a associated with that. But — just • Shareholder and Partnership gan selling computing cycles and mouse,’ and at first you go, ‘Well like if you’re buying an insurance • Automotive Supplier capacity, Hillman said. The reces- that’s cool, it saves me a bunch of policy — the more expensive it is, • Class Actions sion expanded its use, he said. time from having to buy hardware the better coverage you have,” she “It’s pretty simple to under- and deploy hardware.’ Then it be- said. “The fact that you’re saving • Employment stand,” he said. “Companies were comes an enabler for doing things money means you might be agree- • Family Law and Probate Litigation being extremely careful about in (new) ways. … If you had an air- ing to some greater risks.” (248) 841-2200 costs. … The idea that you can line, the struggle they have is Many companies might over- 950 West University Drive, Suite 300 have expense for IT follow your every plane has 200 seats, (they) look the legal requirements to pre- millerlawpc.com Rochester, Michigan 48307 growth, that’s an awesome thing.” have to sell exactly 200, and if they serve records. Hillman said hiring cloud ser- have 10 people that don’t want to “Where are the records?” Ossian vices can take as little as 10 min- go, the flight’s not profitable. said. “If they’re in the cloud, utes, but the question is whether Every morning they wish they you’re going to have to jump companies really need to invest could get up and redesign the through some hoops to maintain time and money in a physical tech- plane to make it profitable, and if your data in the cloud and, nology infrastructure. they could do that it would not frankly, you may not be able to do Sherri Hoy, a solutions special- only make them more efficient, it. But if the court views that as ist in Microsoft Corp.’s Southfield but they’d be able to do stuff they something under your control, by office, said cloud systems free in- never thought of before.” discovery rules you could be sanc- house IT staff to work on more But a cloud system might not be tioned.” profitable tasks. a good fit for every business. A Another thing to be wary of is “I’m growing, I’m growing fast. company that recently invested in the terms of the contract regarding How do I free up my IT people or IT hardware, for example, would- default, she said. person to focus on projects that fo- n’t be right for a switch, Hoy said. “I’ve seen contracts drafted by cus on the bottom line?” Hoy said. And any such decision should cloud computing providers that “That’s where cloud computing always align with a company’s say if you’re in default, and some- comes in. Rather than them setting mission, Hillman said. times with very short time frames, up services themselves, negotiat- “You need to figure out what they can cut off access and delete ing contracts with many, many your goals are,” he said. “Is it cost? your information,” she said. “So it vendors, (they have) that in the ... Do you just need additional ca- is very important to read all of that Microsoft cloud,” she said.” pacity during peak times? ... Do you and make sure you’re (not) agree- Some businesses, like Biotronic, need to have great flexibility on ca- ing to something that is going to choose a hybrid model that hosts pacity … to be able to ramp up to put you in position to devastate some services in the cloud while very huge numbers in a short your business.” keeping certain data and applica- amount of time?” Companies should read the fine tions local. Companies should watch for a print and get legal advice when If done correctly, cost savings few things when signing a contract necessary in order to balance risks are just the tip of the iceberg, said with a cloud services provider, said with cost savings, she said — “at Yan Ness, CEO of Online Tech. Kathryn Ossian, a principal and least understanding what risks “It dramatically increased the leader of the information technolo- you are signing up for so you’re pace at which we can do things for gy group at Detroit-based Miller, not going to be surprised later our clients. It was as unique to me Canfield, Paddock and Stone PLC. when something else happens.” as the Internet,” he said. “You be- “The fact that you’re on a virtu- Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, gin to realize that, ‘I can expand al server and in a shared environ- [email protected] 20110321-NEWS--0021-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 9:56 AM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 21 Second Stage Extra Take care when considering upgrade

BY NANCY KAFFER budget for a four-year replace- there enough features in the new CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS ment cycle. ... The real risk is version? ... What is my return for downtime — when it comes to a making the upgrade?” Rasheed For a business owner with a company with 10 employees, re- said. growing company, investing in placing a $3,000 part every four And in some upgrades isn’t always the best use years to guarantee you don’t have cases, it’s a bad of money, but leav- downtime.” idea to upgrade, ing older equip- If a server McCully said — ment and software One perspective fails, recovering like moving in place too long “ data is expen- from Windows can expose a is to look at sive and can XP to Windows company to take weeks, he 7. risk. the risk. said. “A lot of The first “For a laptop printers and McCully step in deter- The less computer, it older equip- mining costs $3,000 to ment around your office run 32-bit whether it’s risk you $5,000 to have a drivers,” he said, while those as- time to up- drive recovered, sociated with Windows 7 are 64- grade is to want, the so for a server, it bit. evaluate the is magnitudes Having a technology consultant impact on the more you more,” he said. do an analysis of equipment in the business, said Upgrading in- Abizer Rasheed, have to pay. office takes about an afternoon, he dividual office said, and is recommended before president of Keego ” computers is Abizer Rasheed, upgrading. Harbor-based Ef- something busi- fortless 24/7, Effortless 24/7 However, moving to the newer ness owners are operating system isn’t necessarily which provides IT often reluctant equipment and support to small a bad idea. to do, Rasheed said — so much so and midsize businesses. “A lot of businesses are consid- that his company began offering a “One perspective is to look at ering moving to Windows 7,” he leasing program for office comput- the risk,” Rasheed said. “The less said. “It’s a considerable upgrade ers. risk you want, the more you have over (Windows) Vista, but the His company provides the to pay. For example, an airline, thing is, you have to verify that equipment and maintenance, they’re doing thousands of trans- your software will work on Win- swapping for new equipment ac- actions an hour, so if they’re dows 7. ... Order maybe one or two cording to whatever timetable is down even for a second, they have machines and put those on to peo- agreed is necessary to grow the lost a lot of revenue. For them, ple who are savvy users. Give business. spending a lot of money to make them a chance to find the prob- “The biggest challenge with sure their systems never go down lems before everyone in the office that is, do you know how much is a worthwhile investment. If is running into them.” productivity you’re losing?” he you’re a small business and With any equipment upgrade, said. “It’s easy to get focused on you’re down for a day, is that ac- training is a good idea, he said. spreadsheets and numbers and ceptable?” Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, not realize someone in the back By determining the ramifica- [email protected] tions of downtime, the business corner is waiting a half hour while owner can determine the risk — Microsoft Word opens up.” and how much to spend to lessen McCully recommends replacing the risk. computers every four years and “It becomes an equation that encourages customers to buy a each business has to answer three-year warranty. for themselves based on their He also suggests that CEOs in- business goals and metrics,” he vest in a laptop with a solid-state said. drive that has no moving parts, Sometimes, said Bruce McCul- making it less fragile than tradi- ly, owner of Ann Arbor-based Dy- tional hard drives. namic Edge Inc., a relatively small When it comes to software and investment can save thousands operating systems, Rasheed and down the road. McCully said there’s no need to A hard drive, he said, has a life immediately buy the newest ver- of about five years. sions. “We usually push our clients to “Is it worth the upgrade? Are

CRAIN’S SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR COOL PLACES TO WORK Working Capital Love your job? Love your company? nominations. After that, the heads Feel sorry for all those people who, of companies with the best from the view at your nominations will be amazing post, appear invited to take a survey to be stuck in a administered by the IN ACTION soulless work American Society of environment? Employers. Crain’s is seeking Nominations will be We offer working capital to help second stage companies succeed beyond nominations for its accepted through April 2011 Crain’s Cool 1. Winners will be expectations. Our growth capital allows entrepreneurs to say “yes” to Places to Work awards. featured in the Sept. 5 Communicating with issue of Crain’s Detroit new opportunities and creates ﬂexibility to expand. employees, attracting Business, and Crain’s talent and creating a will hold an event in positive environment November to celebrate Let us help you create additional are among the the winners. Only determining factors for companies based or cash ﬂow in your business! these awards. with offices in Wayne, Important note: Nominations Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw and submitted by human resources or Livingston counties are eligible. senior management will not be Questions? Contact Gary considered. We’re looking for Anglebrandt, Web editor, at (313) 248.658.1100 HennesseyCap.com candidates from the front lines. 446-1621 or Crain’s staff will evaluate the [email protected]. 20110321-NEWS--0022-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 9:56 AM Page 1

Page 22 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 ShowShow Them Them What What BUSINESS DIARY YouYou StandStand For For ACQUISITIONS a store at the Somerset Collection, for automatic matching of Troy. Website: www.gnc.com. appraisal requests with qualified ser- BorgWarner, Auburn Hills, a global vice providers. Websites: www.dart powertrain supplier, completed its ac- National Airlines, Ypsilanti, a sub- appraisal.com; www.cimulus.com. quisition of the Plymouth-based Trac- sidiary of National Air Cargo Holdings, is a commitment tion Systems division of Haldex Orchard Park, N.Y., has been granted VendTek Wholesale Equipment Inc., BBB Accreditation Group, Stockholm, Sweden. new international passenger charter Wixom, released a vending machine authority by the U.S. Department of used to supply EMS drivers with nec- Soil and Materials Engineers Inc., Ply- to fairness and honesty that lets Transportation, Washington, D.C., al- essary medical supplies to manage in- mouth, acquired EDP Consultants lowing National to expand its global ventories. Its first placement in Michi- Inc., Kirtland, Ohio, and formed EDP consumers know you are a business reach. gan is with Universal Macomb Geosciences, Cleveland, Ohio, a divi- Resort and Golf Marketing, Bloom- Ambulance in Sterling Heights. Web- they can trust - a business that sion of SME. site: www.vendtek.com. GreenPath Inc., Farmington Hills, a field Hills, a golf public relations firm, has expanded its services to include honors its promises and embodies nonprofit consumer credit counseling NEW SERVICES agency doing business as GreenPath real estate and property tax manage- Debt Solutions, acquired the assets of ment. It also signed a new client, Hos- Stout Systems, Ann Arbor, is offering confidence they deserve. Consumer Credit Counseling Service pitality Asset Advisors LLC, Clarkston, a new technical assessment service of New Hampshire and Vermont. a national property tax and project for companies that develop, use, sup- management firm. port or provide proprietary software Your customers start with Phillips Service Industries Inc., Livo- applications, websites or databases. nia, a global manufacturing and ser- Federal-Mogul Corp., Southfield, an bbb.org. vice corporation, acquired Skytronics auto supplier, has opened a new after- Ann Arbor Spark, Ann Arbor, Inc., an aircraft component manufac- market distribution center in Madrid, launched a new talent portal on its Shouldn’t you? turer and maintenance repair organi- Spain. Website: www.federalmogul. website designed to help skilled pro- zation, El Segundo, Calif. com. fessionals connect with employers. The Epitec Group, Southfield, a technol- Website: www.annarborusa.org/ talent. CALL FOR NOMINATIONS ogy services and staffing provider, has Bright House Networks, Livonia, re- The Northville Art House, Northville, expanded its managed services division. Also, customers recently acquired leased Road Runner Lightning, a next- is accepting short films that are generation cable modem technology Michigan-made, Michigan-themed or include GlobalHue, Southfield, and Meadowbrook Insurance Group, South- using wideband. Website: by Michigan filmmakers for its Reel www.brighthouse.com/rrlightning. Michigan Film Festival. Deadline for field. Website: www.epitecgroup.com. nominations is April 1. Telephone: Crestmark Bank, Troy, a provider to (248) 344-0497. Website: businesses of asset-based and ac- OTHER ci.northville.mi.us/community/arts counts-receivable lending and factor- The Dearborn Inn, Dearborn, has com- commission/artsandacts.asp. ing, opened a sales office in Palo Alto, pleted renovations to its restaurant Brogan & Partners, Birmingham, is Calif. and lounge. Edison’s is the new accepting nominations for its Michi- Art Van Furniture, Warren, opened an restaurant; Ten Eyck Tavern is the new ® gan Business Reboot Contest. Dead- Art Van PureSleep free-standing mat- lounge. Telephone: (313) 271-2700. line is April 8. Website: tress store at 1735 Big Beaver Road, Website: dearborninnmarriott. Start With Trust www.brogan.com/mibusinessreboot. Troy. Website: www.artvan.com. com/dining. The International Association of Busi- Plumbing Professors, Canton Town- ness Communicators, Detroit, is seek- ship, a plumbing, sewer repair and STARTUPS Better Business Bureau ing nominations for its Detroit Re- epoxy pipe lining company, has opened Fink + Associates Law at 100 W. Long Serving Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninula naissance Awards program, which a service center in Toledo, Ohio. Web- Lake Road, Suite 111, Bloomfield Hills. focuses on communications manage- site: www.plumbingprofessors.com. Telephone: (248) 971-2500. Website: Call 248-223-9400 to learn more ment, skills and creativity. The con- American Broach & Machine Co., www.finkandassociateslaw.com. test is open to all communications Ypsilanti, a designer and builder of Financial Matters Tax and Bookkeep- or go to bbb.org professionals in Southeast Michigan, machine tools for the auto and defense ing Solutions at 559 E. Nine Mile Road, Northwest Ohio and Southwest On- sectors, will establish a new research Ferndale. Telephone: (248) 545-1040. tario, and you need not be an IABC and development center in the Ann Website: www.financialmatterstax. member. There is also a student divi- Arbor region. Website: www. com. sion. Deadline is March 25. For infor- americanbroach.com. mation, visit www.iabcdetroit.com. Rockin’ Cupcakes at 6390 N. Rochester Kumon Learning Centers, Teaneck, Road, Rochester Hills. Telephone: THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING ... CONTRACTS N.J., opened a location at 37005 Gra- (248) 656-2253. Website: www. tiot Ave., Clinton Township. Website: rockincupcakesrochester.com. Gregory J. Schwartz & Co. Inc., Bloom- www.kumon.com. field Hills, an investment advisory firm, has been retained by MOVES DIARY GUIDELINES priceline.com Inc., Norwalk, Conn., and by Dura Automotive Systems, Fenn & Associates Inc., a land survey- Send news releases for Business Rochester Hills, as investment coun- ing and civil engineering firm, from Diary to Departments, Crain’s selor to their 401(k) defined contribu- 13399 W. Star Drive, Shelby Township Detroit Business, 1155 Gratiot tion retirement plans. to 14933 Commercial Drive, Shelby Ave., Detroit, MI 48207-2997 or Township. Telephone: (586) 254-9577. send e-mail to cdbdepartments@ Samoco Industries, Hazel Park, was Website: www.fennsurveying.com. chosen by the University of Illinois, crain.com. Use any Business Diary Champaign, Ill., to design and develop item as a model for your release, the embedded microprocessor controls NEW PRODUCTS and look for the appropriate and handle systems integration in a fed- DartAppraisal.com, Troy, a provider of category. Without complete eral renewable energy grant project. nationwide real estate valuations, and information, your item will not run. Azure Dynamics Corp., Oak Park, Cimulus, Ann Arbor, a provider of cus- Photos are welcome, but we cannot signed agreements with 76 dealer- tom business software, launched preci- guarantee they will be used. ships to represent its products, includ- sion assignment technology that allows ing: Gorno Ford, Woodhaven; Subur- ban Ford, Sterling Heights; and Village Ford, Dearborn. Testing Engineers & Consultants Inc., Troy, has been selected by the Michi- gan State Housing Development Au- thority, Lansing, to be included on its preferred list of prequalified environmental consulting firms eligible to provide as-needed environmental review and statewide professional environmental services and peer review for two years. The University of Michigan, Ann Ar- bor, has become a community partner of the Southeast Michigan program of Leave A Legacy through the Planned Giving Roundtable of Southeast Michi- gan, Metamora. C&B Machinery, Livonia, has been selected by Eston Manufacturing, Guelph, Ontario, the powertrain group of Linamar Corp., to supply a double disc grinder for grinding the faces of automotive connecting rods. C&B also has been selected by the Emerson Professional Tools division of Ridge Tool Co., Elyria, Ohio, to supply a double disc grinder for grinding Call 313-471-BALL (2255) the faces of pipe dies. EXPANSIONS GNC, Pittsburgh, Pa., a specialty retailer of nutritional products, opened 20110321-NEWS--0023-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 9:57 AM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 23

CareerWorks online Visit www.crainsdetroit.com /careerworks to search for jobs, post a résumé or find talent.

PEOPLE from new business consultant, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, South- IN THE SPOTLIGHT field. West Bloomfield Township-based Crypton Inc., which makes stain-, LAW odor- and germ-resistant fabrics, has named Alan Barr CFO and COO. He succeeds David Littleson. Barr, 49, had been a financial adviser at Rochester- based management Luttman Hauser advisory Roy Luttman to partner, Frasco Barr company Sitko Caponigro Wineman & Scheible PC, & Co. Bloomfield Hills, from partner and Barr earned a Bachelor of Arts board member, Giarmarco Mullins & degree from Princeton University Horton PC, Troy; and Christian and an MBA from the University of Hauser to partner, from associate. Texas in Austin. Elaine Pohl to shareholder, Plunkett Cooney PC, Bloomfield Hills, from se- ENGINEERING nior attorney. Dennis Baran to Sarah Williams to engineering mar- member, Bodman ket segment PLC, Ann Arbor, leader for Michi- from associate; gan operations, and David URS Corp., South- Nowaczewski to field, from princi- member, Detroit, pal and vice presi- from associate. dent, Wolf Mark Harper to Wineman Inc., principal and Farmington Hills. shareholder, Gif- Baran Williams ford, Krass, Sprin- FINANCE kle, Anderson & Rob Spellman to Citkowski PC, Troy, from associate. senior vice presi- Jason Yert and Timothy Bliss to mem- dent, national ber, Kerr, Russell and Weber PLC, De- production man- troit, from associate. ager, Flagstar Bank, Troy, from senior vice presi- NONPROFITS dent, special pro- Nabeleh Ghareeb jects, OneWest to chief strategic Bank, Pasadena, and administra- Calif. tive officer, The Spellman Terrence Solomon Children’s Center to vice president and commercial rela- of Wayne County, tionship manager, middle market, Detroit, from as- Fifth Third Bank, Southfield, from leas- sociate vice presi- ing officer, Comerica Leasing Corp., dent of auxiliary Detroit. and business op- Christopher Bouschet to account di- Ghareeb eration, Wayne rector, McGraw Wentworth, Troy, State University, Detroit.

CAREER CALENDAR WCC hosts job fair budding entrepreneur. The event is at TechTown, 440 Burroughs St., Washtenaw Community College is Detroit. hosting a job fair 1-4 p.m. Tuesday. Cost is free to Thrive clients, About 50 employers are expected. $10 for the general public. For more Bring them to Buca...or Bring Buca to them! The fair will be held in the Morris information, visit www.techtown Lawrence Building on the WCC wsu.org/event-listings and click on campus, 4800 E. Huron River Dri- “Intro to Entrepreneurship” or con- ve, Ann Arbor, and is free and tact Sha’Kara Mack at (313) 879-4486 open to the community. or [email protected]. Contact: (734) 677-5155 or Buca di Beppo is your answer to one fabulous group dining experience. Our staff [email protected] for more information. Learn to write a business plan will organize and plan your events with one of our family-style banquet packages. Detroit SCORE Chapter 18, in Our Italian specialties are also available in Extra Large Party Pans To Go. TechTown workshop targets partnership with Jewish Vocational budding entrepreneurs Services, shows potential entrepreneurs what is required for their LIVONIA | 38888 SIX MILE ROAD s TechTown is hosting a workshop business plan with examples and 9-11 a.m. Tuesday during which en- templates for the marketing, man- UTICA |(!,,2/!$s trepreneur Ocie Irons, partner at agement and financial sections. SenseAide LLC and principal at Iron- The meeting is 8:45 a.m.-noon bucadibeppo.com/corporate bridge Development, will discuss the Wednesday at JVS, 29699 Southfield lessons he learned on his startup Road, Southfield. Cost is $45. Call journeys and what to expect as a (313) 226-7947 to register. 20110321-NEWS--0024-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 10:00 AM Page 1

Page 24 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 UPCOMING CALENDAR members, $75 nonmembers. Contact: gan-Dearborn; Crain’s Detroit Busi- PARTNER EVENTS APACC TO HOST SUPPLIER (877) 633-3500; website: www.inforum ness. With John Hertel, general manag- michigan.org. er, SMART Transportation; Chris Uhl, MEETING ON THURSDAY vice president, Comerica Bank; oth- Crain’s partners with a variety of organizations on ers. UM-Dearborn. $35, $30 groups of The Asian Pacific American Chamber FRIDAY 10 or more or UM faculty and stu- of Commerce will host an East-West dents, $50 at the door. Contact: (313) events and special subscription offers for their MARCH 25 members. Please visit their Web sites below. business meeting for suppliers 446-0300; e-mail: cdbevents@crain. looking to connect with potential Canada-U.S. Business Association and com; website: www.crainsdetroit. buyers Thursday, 5-9 p.m., at the the Detroit Regional Chamber Busi- com/events. Troy Restaurant Week. Make your reservations today! Auburn Hills Marriott Pontiac at ness Luncheon. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. De- Fifteen of Troy’s fine dining restaurants are offering Centerpoint. troit Regional Chamber. With Perrin Detroit Economic Club. 9-11 a.m. $15 lunches/$25 or $35 dinners Guest speaker will be Dan Knott, Beatty, president and CEO, Canadian March 29. With Detroit Red Wings coach Mike Babcock and Ken Holland, March 20– March 25 senior vice Chamber of Commerce. Detroit Mar- riott Renaissance Center. $45. Con- executive vice president and general www.troyrestaurantweek.com president, purchasing and tact: (313) 596-0336; e-mail: manager. MotorCity Casino Hotel, De- Give a Hoot--Learn to Tweet! Keeping Up with the supplier quality, [email protected]; web- troit. $45 DEC members, $55 guests, Twitter Revolution Presented by Julie Atty of Media Chrysler Group site: www.detroitchamber.com. $75 nonmembers. Contact: (313) 963- Genesis. Sponsored by T-Mobile. Who should use LLC. 8547; e-mail: [email protected]; website: www.econclub.org. Twitter and why? How can Twitter play a role in Tickets for marketing or branding? APACC COMING EVENTS March 29 • 8 – 9:30 a.m. members and Communities & Companies in the Protecting Corporate Information. 2:30-5 p.m. March 29 and April 5. Au- University of Phoenix, 5480 Corporate Dr., Room 117 strategic Resurging Automotive Economy. 12:30- tomation Alley. March 29 with $22 Troy Chamber members/$27 Non-members partner level 7 p.m. March 29; 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. March 30. Center for Automotive Re- Stephanie Scheuermann, senior secu- (cancel by 3/22) Knott one members rity and control engineer, Ford Motor are $65, search. With Sandy Baruah, president RSVP to 248-641-8151, [email protected] or and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber; Co.; others. April 5 with Bob Brietman, www.troychamber.com/calendar. nonmember tickets are $75. Exhibit president, IT That Works; others. tables, which include two tickets, are Dan Kildee, president and CEO, Cen- ter for Community Progress; others. Automation Alley, Troy. Members Marketing & Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) $300 for APACC members and preregistration $20, nonmembers strategic partner level one members, Dearborn Hyatt Regency. $300. Con- March Meeting“Igniting Your Company’s Creativity: tact: (734) 662-1287; e-mail: preregistration $40, $10 more for ei- and $400 for nonmembers. ther at the door. Preregistration for Finding New Routes to Growth & Profitability through [email protected]; website: road For registration and more storenewal.cargroup.org. first session closes March 25, second Innovation”Speaker: Josh Linkner, Chairman & session preregistration closes April 1. Founder, ePrize information, call (248) 844-4100 or visit apacc.net. Contact: (800) 427-5100; e-mail: March 24, 2011 Keeping Detroit Sustainable. 7:30-10 [email protected]; website: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. - Networking, Hors d’oeuvres a.m. March 29. University of Michi- www.automationalley.com. 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. - Speaker Presentation WEDNESDAY 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. - Desserts, Book Signing MARCH 23 The Townsend Hotel,, Birmingham Detroit Economic Club. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 MSED & PRSA Members $45 • Non-Members $60 CAREER M p.m. With Brian Moynihan, president ARKET Register at www.msedetroit.org and CEO, Bank of America. Detroit or call (248) 643-6590 Marriott Renaissance Center. $45 members, $55 guests of members, $75 MOVES PLACE nonmembers. Contact: (313) 963-8547; How to Become a Government Contractor e-mail: [email protected]; website: FINANCE TELECOMMUNICATIONS Live Webinar! www.econclub.org. Did you know the federal government purchases more AVAYA . . . NORTEL . . . IP OFFICE . . . BCM than $524 Billion of goods and services a year, and Financial Services Consultant Forum on Small Business Lending. PARTNER . . . NORSTAR This position establishes value-added relationships Wire and Install Services . . . Systems/Parts that the State of Michigan has a diverse portfolio 9 a.m.-noon. U.S. Small Business Ad- valued at billions of dollars? Find out what it takes to with members of Credit Union ONE (CUO) to [email protected] (800) 342-5666 ministration and Michigan Small understand their financial needs and to offer sell your goods and services to the Federal Government Business and Technology Develop- solutions for those needs. Call Us For Personalized and to the State of Michigan. ment Center. Learn about the SBA Successful candidates should have at least 5yrs Service: (313) 446-6068 April 7 • 9 a.m. – Noon guaranty loan program and the crite- experience and ensure compliance with FINRA, Live Webinar – View from the comfort of your own desk ria used to evaluate a loan request. SEC and broker/dealer rules and regulations. A FAX: (313) 446-1757 Series 7, Series 66 (or Series 65/63) and Life $40 per person TechTown, Detroit. Free; preregistra- E-MAIL: [email protected] tion required, no walk-ins allowed. Insurance licensing is required. CFP designation is preferred. Registration required: (734) 462-4438 Contact: (313) 967-9295; website: INTERNET: www.misbtdc.org/training. This position is based out of CUO’s corporate www.crainsdetroit.com/section/classifieds CEED 27th Annual Award Celebration office in Ferndale, MI and is responsible for servicing members at multiple Metro Detroit branch See Keynote Speaker Lynn Tilton of Patriarch Partners, LLC Digital Marketing Experts Sharing In- locations. Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) and PTO. Crainsdetroit.com/Section/Classifieds April 7, 2011 sights. 6-8 p.m. American Marketing Some travel is required. Apply at www.cuone.org/employment for more classified advertisements MotorCity Casino Hotel Association, Detroit chapter. With Avi Visit www.miceed.org for more event details. Savar, founder and CEO, Big Fuel Communications, New York; others. Coffee & Controversy “The Eyes Have It” This session University of Michigan-Dearborn. $35 will reveal the importance of eye health. Sponsored by members, $45 guests, $35 first-time guests, $20 students, $280 table of REAL ESTATE Davis Vision eight, $750 sponsorship. Contact: (313) April 28• 7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. 583-6476; e-mail: cmsam@umd. Members: $35, Non Members $50. umich.edu; website: detroit.market STRIP MALL SPACE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY Register at www.gdahc.org. For more information, contact ingpower2.com. Pam Wong, 313-965-4123, e-mail at [email protected]. Bloomfield Management Pontiac Warehouse for Lease Best Deal in Town! Greater Detroit Area Health Council Annual Health IDEA: Detroit Conference. 8 a.m.-4:30 Inkster & Maple - Bloomfield Hills Futures Conference – Focus on Reducing Obesity: p.m. Crain’s Detroit Business; Adver- Information, Action, Results. Join this unprecedented, tising Age. With Toby Barlow, chief • FOR LEASE • creative officer, Team Detroit; Josh interactive, experiential symposium to combat obesity, Linkner, founder and chairman, Move-in Ready share best practices and facilitate change to improve the ePrize; others. College for Creative 1800 sq. ft. health of Southeast Michigan. Studies, Detroit. $99, $125 on-site. Con- • Warehousing, Machine/Die Storage, May 11 • 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. tact: (313) 446-0300; e-mail: Perfect for Personal Trainer, Manufacturing Conference & Event Center (Ford Motor Company), [email protected]; website: www. Physical Therapy or Yoga Studio • M/59, Widetrack, and Woodward Area 1151 Village Road, Dearborn crainsdetroit.com/events. • 5,000 to 200,000 Sq. Ft Available AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY! with Offices, Short or Long Term Members $125, Non-members $150. Leases Contact: 313-965-4123; e-mail: [email protected]; Call Pam at 248-865-8550 • 8 Interior Truck Wells, 16 Ft. Ceiling www.gdahc.org. THURSDAY Heights, Sprinklers, Heated, Buss Duct, MARCH 24 [email protected] and Air Lines. 248-496-3405 The Michigan Society of Association Executives Social Media Boot Camp. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. OFFICE SPACE Featuring Chief Staff Executive Conference March 24; 8 a.m.-noon March 25. MISCELLANEOUS Speaker: Barbara Collins, SMP, Global Partner, Haines American Marketing Association, De- Flint Township Office Building Centre for Strategic Management troit chapter. With Dana VanDen 83 acres R1 zoning Macomb Twp. $700K Association Management 3.0 is designed to show Heuvel, Internet marketing specialist. 60 residential lots. Pine Knob area. 1.25 nonprofit leaders how to use performance strategies University of Michigan-Dearborn. acres each. Ready to build. $600K OBO and measurement to enhance the effectiveness of their $600 members, $960 nonmembers. Subdivision - Fenton Twp. 100 lots. organization. Contact: (586) 620-4080; e-mail: Water, sewer, roads. Ready to build. [email protected]; web- July 19• 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. $950K OBO. Owner wants it sold! • Class A Office Building site: detroit.marketingpower2.com. Shanty Creek Resorts • I-69 / I-75 / US23 near Bishop Airport Bill McMachen 586-915-4441 Visit www.orgpro.info for more information and to • Up to 20,000 Sq. Ft. Available - 300 car parking [email protected] • Fully Furnished with 100 pre-wired workstations register. The Secret to Being Highly Effective Every Day. 7:30-10:30 a.m. Inforum. • 800 kw backup generator With Suzann Foerster, leadership • General Offices, Call Center, Data Center or Medical Offices Visit crainsdetroit.com/events for information on Crain’s 2011 events coach, Corporate Coach University. Crain’s Classifieds Gets Results Walsh College, Troy. $50 Inforum 248-496-3405 20110321-NEWS--0025-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 4:44 PM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 25 Lawsuit to test Chrysler’s claim to ‘Imported from Detroit’

BY CHAD HALCOM said. “We are being vigilant about Wieden + Kennedy coined for Nike CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS brands and marks, and we will Inc. pursue anyone with the same vig- Spink thinks the false market- Could Pure Detroit and its owners or on the same issue.” ing and unfair trade practice have a case? The automaker also claims in claims by Chrysler may get better The answer may depend on the lawsuit that Pure Detroit im- traction in court. He also noted whether “Imported from Detroit” plied that it had a licensing agree- that the automaker can prove it in- is already definitively linked with ment or business relationship tended to market “Imported from Chrysler Group LLC and its 6-week- with Chrysler when it did not, by Detroit” merchandise first, in a old advertising campaign or is offering the shirts as a “Pure De- patent office application filed Jan. merely a geographic reference for One of Pure Detroit’s shirts Borsay Santo troit exclusive” and by referencing 18 for clothing and other uses. consumers, attorneys said. the “tagline that is making head- “But (Pure Detroit)’s defense on The Auburn Hills automaker rejected us each time,” Borsay said we found the phrase ‘imported lines across America” after the Su- the trademark probably would be filed a lawsuit last week against in an e-mail to Crain’s last week. from fill-in-the-blank’ was not proper Bowl ad. a better one if the goods at issue Detroit-based Moda Group LLC and “We offered to sit down with them tectable. It’s a descriptive geo- Santo said the retailer never were vehicles. Detroit is known for its owners, Kevin Borsay and face to face to work through the graphic reference,” said John mentioned Chrysler on its website exporting vehicles. The use of De- Shawn Santo, alleging trademark matter — a reasonable request VanOphem, shareholder at Ponti- and uses the phrase “A Pure De- troit that way on clothing is more infringement, unfair competition, when you have a business dis- ac-based Dobrusin & Thennisch PC troit Exclusive” for much of its arbitrary — it doesn’t have the deceptive trade practices, unjust pute. and attorney for Santo and Borsay. merchandise. same generic connotation in a con- enrichment and other claims. “It was Chrysler’s decision For example, Red Bell Brewing Chrysler may be able to prove it sumer’s mind.” Chrysler is crying foul over T- alone to pull the trigger to bring Co. had to abandon a trademark has a trademark claim if it can Mark Sparschu, shareholder shirts the retailer began selling this dispute into the public realm. for “Imported from Philadelphia” show that its campaign has already and head of the trademark prac- within hours after the ad cam- Pure Detroit has never wavered, in 1997 after the patent office re- caused the public to equate the tice Brooks Kushman PC in South- paign launch and days before even while under threats and ex- jected an application related to its phrase with the brand, said Michael field, echoed Chrysler’s position Chrysler could bring its own mer- treme pressure, from our desire to beer brands in 1997. So did Labatt Spink, shareholder and trademark that juxtaposing two contradictory chandise to market. settle.” Brewing Co. Ltd., which sought to attorney at Brinks Hofer Gilson & Li- ideas in a phrase — Detroit prod- The company has said it is try- Borsay and Santo said they con- trademark the phrase “Imported one in its Ann Arbor office. ucts are domestic, not imported, in ing to protect a valuable trade- tacted a printer and an intellectual Daily From Canada” in 2006 and “It’s probably too early to tell. the United States — could be mark and offered to settle the case property attorney shortly after the dropped its request later the same There is precedent that a continu- enough to make “Imported from for no damages if Pure Detroit automaker’s ad campaign debuted year. ous and effective use is recognized Detroit” more than a geographic would halt its sales and give a during Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6. Michael Palese of Chrysler’s by the consuming public, and it’s reference. share of the proceeds to charity. Garment production orders began corporate communications office possible that Chrysler has accom- “If Chrysler were encountering But Borsay and Santo say they the very next day — the couple said the automaker has “made plished more than most in a much this controversy (with a company) made sure they were on solid legal found a printer who was sleeping some extremely reasonable offers shorter time,” he said. “But in in Germany, then you might have ground, never made much money at his shop after working all night in this process” to settle the case, terms of using a statement of geo- to worry more about a descriptive- from sales — total revenue was on merchandise tied to the game, but ultimately must protect a po- graphic descriptiveness, that’s ness defense, as to the imported as- less than $15,000 — and that slo- Santo said. tentially valuable trademark. generally not trademarkable.” pect of the phrase,” he said. “But gans similar to Chrysler’s have al- Chrysler began selling its own “Brands and trademarks are VanOphem said Chrysler would here, in fact, the phrase is not de- ready failed as applications before shirts and related merchandise among the most valuable things a have to show that the phrase has a scriptive — it’s a uniquely ex- the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Feb. 11, according to its March 15 company can own. You have to pervasive and long-standing brand pressed idea by Chrysler.” “Pure Detroit reached out to lawsuit. protect them with vigilance or you association — something like the Chad Halcom: (313) 446-6796, Chrysler on many levels and they “About 98 percent of the time, can lose the rights to them,” Palese “Just Do It” slogan that ad agency [email protected]

DUSKY N A $13M in tax credits aim to support 1,000 jobs S OH IO BY AMY LANE logue Marketing, said the compa- Hills and also locate operations in CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS ny has 1,100 employees; the expan- downtown Ann Arbor, creating a sion will allow it to continue to total of 198 jobs. It received a The Michigan Economic Growth grow its customer relationship $731,244 state tax credit. I was just voted CFO. Authority has approved more than marketing services. The jobs that Daniel Salinas, Lakeside’s vice Officer) $13 million in tax credits to help will be added include customer president of business develop- (Chief Fun fund $308 million in investment care and technical support. The 30- ment, said the newly created jobs All the credit went to me for planning an incredible and create more than 1,000 jobs. year-old company’s specializa- are focused around software pack- outing, even though Cedar Point did most of the The jobs largely revolve around tions include lead generation, cus- aging, technical support, quality work. Thanks to them, our entire group had manufacturing infrastructure up- tomer care, technical support and assurance and software engineer- a blast. Cedar Point had something for dates and growing high-tech com- building long-term customer rela- ing, growth areas for the company. panies. tionships, among others. Local assistance includes a com- everyone: tasty food, sizzling shows, a Aided by a $1.1 million state tax Ⅲ Health Business Solutions LLC mitment from Oakland County for beach, and of course the best rides credit, Northville Township-based plans to hire 261 people and open a job training assistance valued at in the universe. auto supplier Key Plastics LLC is $2.6 million center in Dearborn for $1.9 million, payment of the $1,000 w The friendly staff took care of planning a $10.3 million invest- troubleshooting health claims. MEGA application fee by Ann Arbor Ne er! eek dS ment that will relocate products The Davie, Fla.-based company Spark, one-year bus passes provid- Win everything; from making sure we got the from an Indiana plant to Howell plans to open a center where em- ed by the Ann Arbor Downtown Devel- absolute best deal on tickets, to catering an and also send some work to a plant ployees will work with health care opment Authority and a three-year all-you-can-eat meal. The planning went by in Cascade Township near Grand providers to resolve denied claims membership in Automation Alley. Rapids, creating 297 total jobs, the portfolios and recommend Ⅲ A $4.6 million investment by just as fast as some of the rides. state said. processes to reduce such claims. It Detroit Heavy Truck Engineering LLC Cedar Point also has a discounted ticket The project, one of several that received an $816,218 tax credit, and to expand at its Novi location, cre- program that’s good any day! Just visit went before the MEGA board, also the city of Dearborn expects to ap- ating 49 jobs. It received a $234,152 would have some engineering sup- prove an estimated $50,000 in tax tax credit. The city of Novi paid cedarpoint.com/groups or call 1-800-448-2428 port related to the relocations go- abatements. The state tax credit is the company’s $1,000 MEGA appli- to get all the details on both programs. ing to the Northville headquarters, for 206 of the projected jobs over cation fee. You’ll have the time best time ever! a MEGA board briefing memo five years. Ⅲ A $280 million investment by Later, said. Health Business plans to ac- steelmaker Severstal Dearborn Inc. Linda The Howell City Council has ap- quire the old AAA Michigan office for a high-speed line to heat and proved a personal property tax building at 18800 Hubbard Drive in cool steel strips. The project is ex- abatement valued at about the next few months, said Renee pected to create 70 jobs and was $303,000. Axt, a consultant with Detroit- awarded a $10 million brownfield Other Southeast Michigan pro- based RCP Associates, who is work- tax credit. In addition, the MEGA jects to receive tax breaks from the ing with the company. board approved a plan to capture MEGA board: Axt said the 10-year-old compa- $97.3 million in local and school Ⅲ Auburn Hills-based Dialogue ny’s goal is to hire the new employ- taxes to support the project’s Marketing Inc. plans to add 230 jobs ees at an average pay of $17 per brownfield redevelopment activi- as part of a $5 million expansion of hour. ties. its call center operations in Troy. Ⅲ A $6.1 million investment by Amy Lane: (517) 371-5355, The company was awarded a Lakeside Software Inc. to expand [email protected] $474,012 tax credit. software development operations Roger Castillo and Jay Greene Alejandro Vargas, CEO of Dia- at its headquarters in Bloomfield contributed to this story. ©2011 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. Peanuts.com 20110321-NEWS--0026-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 4:23 PM Page 1

Page 26 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 Trapped: Stuck in Qatar, Beydoun pins hopes on diplomacy ■ From Page 1 accused of mismanagement. plete most transactions, like rent- ordinator’s resulted in a message “I have no timeframe,” he said. ny, then soon after he was dis- After he filed a complaint with ing a house, buying a car, opening saying the number had been dis- “I’ve given up hope on time. My charged, three hours after, they Qatar’s labor department, seeking a checking account — or traveling connected; a website at a domain bags are packed and I’m ready to brought more charges against to recoup unpaid salary — Bey- outside the country. name registered to the company is go, but when it happens I don’t him,” he said. “Apparently the doun was unpaid for six months — While embroiled in a legal bat- no longer available. know. Every time you build up company is trying to harass him.” Wataniya filed a countersuit. tle, Beydoun couldn’t leave Qatar, Beydoun thought the end was in your expectations that you’re go- Beydoun’s story is a cautionary And that’s when his troubles re- or have his sponsorship trans- sight last June when the Qatari ing to be allowed to leave and tale to which those hoping to work ally started. ferred to another company. civil court found in his favor, or- you’re disappointed, the downside overseas should pay heed. Qatar is In Qatar, like other Persian Gulf Attempts to reach Wataniya for dering Wataniya to pay back is just too …” hosting the 2022 World Cup, and nations, a foreign national work- comment last week were unsuc- wages, and another company Stabenow’s letter to the Qatari Crain’s reported last year that a ing in the country must have the cessful. A call placed to a number agreed to sponsor him. The travel ambassador notes that his family Qatari engineering firm with local backing of an employer to com- listed as a Wataniya marketing co- ban was officially lifted at the end has been divided as a result of the offices, PAT Engineering, will do of January, and Beydoun thought situation. much of the work to prep for the he was finally coming home. “Mr. Beydoun has contacted the game — potentially sending more But now Wataniya has brought senator for assistance,” Matt Americans overseas to work in the criminal charges against him Williams, Stabenow’s Michigan emirate. Help us celebrate our based on the civil allegations, with press secretary, wrote in an e-mail Beydoun said until there’s a way the end effect of reinstating the to Crain’s. “She has expressed her to safely negotiate the sponsorship travel ban. concern, asking that his situation system, he’d advise foreign work- Sweet 16th irthday! That means he still can’t leave. be reviewed and for favorable con- ers to stay home. “When this all started, it was ba- sideration of his request to have “Not until the region changes its BIGGBY COFFEE born March 15, 1995 in East Lansing, MI sically a legal issue,” Beydoun said travel restrictions lifted so that he sponsorship system and treats ex- last week. “But after I overcame can return home to his wife and patriates as valued people who the legal hurdles they placed in my family.” contribute to society — and not as way and got a judgment against Beydoun’s wife and three chil- a possession or commodity.” them, they appealed it twice. I won dren, ages 10, 8 and 3, had been liv- Chebbani said it’s important to 15 months of the appeal twice, but when they fi- ing with him in Qatar, but re- understand the implications of the nally lifted the travel ban and I turned to metro Detroit in sponsorship system. growth was able to leave, they used their October. “If you are granted a work per- political connections and imposed “In five months, I’ve missed 20 mit in Qatar, you have to under- It’s time for you to a travel ban on me through the percent of his life,” Beydoun said stand your rights,” he said. “Once join the fun! prosecutor’s office on a case that’s of his youngest son. you are there, you are under the unsubstantiated.” The criminal case could take six mercy of your employer, and you Beydoun hopes U.S. Ambas- months or more to move through are not fully free to behave the way sador Joseph LaBaron can inter- the court system, Beydoun said. you want to or express your opin- BIGGBY COFFEE cede with Qatar’s emir, the It’s a distressing situation, said ion the way you want to.” monarch who rules the nation. Ahmad Chebbani, co-founder of Chebbani said when individual Franchise Info “I think if he goes to the emir the American Arab Chamber of Com- rights aren’t respected, court deci- and explains to him my situation, I merce and head of Dearborn-based sions don’t make much difference. www.biggby.com think that will help,” Beydoun Omnex Accounting & Tax. “If you win, you lose. If you lose, said. “Obviously Nasser recently has you lose. Either way, you lose.” But there’s no indication when won his case and the charges Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, that might happen. brought against him by the compa- [email protected] LEAP: Neighborhoods eye land use ■ From Page 3 “When you look around and re- what types of land uses those data are probably going to be tougher alize the community you’re work- suggest, said Kurt Metzger, execu- conversations,” DeSantis said. ing in is losing population and tive director of Data Driven Detroit, “We hope to come out in August there’s more and more vacant which is working on the project. with a master plan.” land, if you’re a community devel- “We’re putting data to those ty- The plan organizers are also opment organization you’re either pologies and feeding it back to the hearing proposals from entrepre- deaf, dumb and blind, or you say community to say, ‘Is this how you neurs who want to start job-creat- you have to figure this out,” said see your neighborhood? Does this ing businesses that would repur- Maggie DeSantis, president of the make sense?’ Understanding pose the land, she said, like a Warren/Conner what’s there, trying to use that, hydroponic farm, a winery and a Development what’s the trajectory, what would tree farm. They’re also meeting Coalition, one of you like to see the neighborhood with Hantz Farms, which aims to the eight com- become?” he said. create a large commercial farm on munity develop- In the east-side process, resi- the east side. ment corpora- dents play a key role, said Khalil DeSantis said it’s not enough to tions driving Ligon, LEAP’s urban planner. bolster stable neighborhoods — the process. “We’ve trained surveyors who there has to be a plan for vacant LEAP is fund- are residents of the target area to land, as well. ed by The Erb go out and take inventory of all the “You can’t really get people com- Family Founda- DeSantis target areas,” she said. “What con- fortable with the changes you have tion, the Commu- dition the commercial areas are in to make unless you have both,” she nity Foundation for Southeast Michi- — are they vacant, have they said. “You can’t just say, ‘We’re not gan and the Local Initiatives Support changed use? We’re asking them to doing anything with vacant land. Coalition. give us an inventory of what’s on We may just shut it down.’ People “It’s about strategy, it’s very the ground, because there’s noth- aren’t stupid. They know it’s going data-based, and it’s not entirely ing like that out there. Then we’re to invite crime and environmental based on numerical data,” DeSan- having meetings, getting residents disaster, and it may cost money.” tis said. “The major difference to basically vet this information The LEAP model is scalable city- from our process and the city’s against what’s on their block. wide, Metzger said. process is that our going-in as- Then comparing this information “It’s a small area, it’s one of the sumption is that if the data and its to maps and datasets” that have most blighted in the city, but it has implications are translated in a been made public. variety in terms of the housing way everyday people can under- DeSantis said another element stock, in terms of the commercial stand, it’s very understandable. of the plan is perception surveys: strips,” he said. “Really, it is a mi- Not to mention that we live there, five-minute street-level interviews crocosm of the city. It has every- and we see every single day what’s with residents of the area. thing every other part of city has going on.” After all the information is com- and could be a great example of LEAP has gathered data that de- piled, a two-to-three month delib- how it could be done in other scribe the neighborhoods on the eration period begins, with more neighborhoods.” lower east side and is asking resi- community meetings set for July Nancy Kaffer: (313) 446-0412, dents to weigh in on the data and and August “to start having what [email protected] 20110321-NEWS--0027-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 3:40 PM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 27 Quicken: Pending cases to shape loan officer overtime policies ■ From Page 1 made early in the trial as well as are. How are they trained? How tactics by defense attorneys to cast are they evaluated? In the indus- his clients as greedy. try, those things need to be looked Federal guidelines prompt He said he expects to win on ap- at carefully.” peal and has no plans to pull back on the other cases pending. “This is absolutely a winnable More changes coming Quicken to pay loan officers OT case,” he said. On April 1, yet another loan offi- In the past six months, Nichols cer change is set to take effect. On the heels of a seven-year ion in March 2010, saying that Kaster has filed overtime cases The Federal Reserve Board is- defense of its policy to deny over- loan officers should be paid overtime to loan officers, Quicken time, Quicken changed its poli- against Troy-based Flagstar Ban- Eisenberg Nemeth sued a rule on loan originators, de- corp Inc., Cincinnati-based Fifth claring that the commissions paid Loans Inc. Chairman Dan Gilbert cy, Gilbert said. Third Bank, Green Bay-based Associ- “Now it’s interpreted that they to loan originators cannot change confirmed that the policy is no “It’s nothing more than a ated Banc-Corp, Minneapolis-based need to be working on the finan- based on the interest rate or struc- longer in place and employees change in how we classify Cascade Mortgage Inc., Murray, cial analysis of the company,” said ture of the loan. are now paid overtime. things,” Gilbert said. “We con- Utah-based Republic Mortgage Home Eisenberg. Many loan originators were During a press conference af- tinue to pay a salary plus com- Loans and Franklin, Tenn.-based Between the government opin- criticized for pushing mortgages ter the courtroom victory, mission. That part has not Franklin American Mortgage Co. ion and the Quicken case, nearly with terms unfavorable to con- Gilbert and CEO Bill Emerson changed.” all loan officers are paid some sumers because the higher com- said that the company changed But that could change, Emer- form of overtime, Ross said. missions made the products more its policy last year to be in line son said. Primary duties Even Quicken Loans, which has lucrative. with new national guidelines. Asked directly if the court- At the heart of the issue is the spent seven years defending a poli- Dan Milstein, CEO of Ann Ar- “It’s, net, the same amount of room victory means Quicken primary duty of a loan officer. cy of not paying overtime, changed bor-based Goldstar Mortgage Finan- money being paid,” Gilbert said, might change back to the origi- Labor laws indicate that an em- its policy in 2010. (See story at right.) cial Group, said the new regulations with Emerson adding, “It’s actu- nal policy it defended, he said ployee with a primary duty of fi- Loan officers at John Adams Mort- are difficult to implement in a way ally an increase in compensa- that’s under consideration. nancial analysis is owed overtime. gage Co. are paid overtime when that is fair to the loan officers and tion.” “The ruling could change If the job is primarily sales, then they need to work more than 40 does nothing more than make it The case Quicken won focused that,” he said. “We don’t know. overtime is not owed. hours, said Stuart Elsea, president harder to run a business. on the company’s policies from We’ll have to take a good look at In 2006, the Department of Labor of financial services for the loan He added, however, that there 2002 to 2006. But when the U.S. De- all of this.” issued an opinion stating loan offi- company’s owner, Southfield- have been a lot of positive regula- partment of Labor issued an opin- — Daniel Duggan cers are not owed overtime. But based Real Estate One. tions put in place on the industry that decision was reversed last “The way we do it, it’s not much recently as well. March. of a problem,” he said. “It doesn’t “Consumer awareness, shop- Companies relied on the 2006 de- cost us a lot, and it’s a little more ping for rates, and the licensing cision for their policies and are bookkeeping.” laws that ensure you have good Is Social Media On Your Mind? now subject to lawsuits and could credit and no criminal record are face costly changes and legal bills, good things,” he said. The top 5 questions you should be asking. said MBA president and CEO John Ruling won’t have impact ... yet “But the bad people are out of Courson in a press release an- Patricia Nemeth, founder of the the business now. The people who nouncing its lawsuit. Detroit-based labor and employ- can’t sell a glass of water in the Webcast Event “This abrupt reversal by the de- ment law firm Nemeth Burwell PC, desert are out of the business.” Wednesday, partment not only opens lenders said the Quicken ruling isn’t likely up to lawsuits for past actions, but to impact decision-making on loan April 6, 2011 also could require them to make officer compensation. A lesson to be careful Noon to 1:00 p.m. EDT costly changes to their internal op- She said that the case may have All the changes boil down to RSVP: Call 1.800.847.6424 or erations and compensation struc- evoked anger on the part of the ju- smart companies being careful, visit www.mcdonaldhopkins.com ture, costs that will ultimately be rors, who saw some plaintiffs who Ross said. borne by the consumer,” Courson made $300,000 in one year and Tracking employee hours is a ® said. were asking for more money. must, he said, based on the Quick- Attorneys on a Mission An opinion from the Depart- “They might have been angry by en case and the Department of La- Your mission is our mission. We never lose sight of it. ment of Labor doesn’t mean a how much these people were mak- bor regulations. court has to side that way, said Sue ing,” she said. “Then looking for “If a suit is brought and a com- Ellen Eisenberg, president and overtime on top of that.” pany can’t prove that employees principal of Sue Ellen Eisenberg & Given that emotions may have didn’t work overtime, they will ® Associates PC. been at play, Nemeth said it will be side with the employees,” he said. A business advisory and advocacy law firm “It’s like with the Equal Employ- interesting to see how an appellate “It’s fairly inflexible.” 39533 Woodward Avenue, Suite 318, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 • 248.646.5070 ment Opportunity Commission, it is court rules on the matter. Employers should see a lesson Carl J. Grassi Stephen M. Gross an administrative opinion that is She said loan companies looking in being active with compliance, President Detroit Managing Member entitled to deference,” she said. to take the conservative route will said Eisenberg, who helped write Chicago • Cleveland • Columbus • Detroit • West Palm Beach “So it doesn’t mean the courts likely continue to pay overtime laws on sexual harassment during www.mcdonaldhopkins.com have to rubber-stamp cases.” and be mindful of employees’ job her time at the EEOC. The change in opinion is largely descriptions. “Compliance, like prevention, is based on seeing loan officers as “Look at the job description, the more cost advantageous than the more like analysts, but in the earli- written description,” she said. “Is cure,” she said. “You need to be er interpretation it was assumed that what the person actually proactive and not wait for the shoe that their work as financial analy- does? The courts, the Department to drop.” sis satisfied the exemption when of Labor, they look past those de- Daniel Duggan: (313) 446-0414, they were working with clients. scriptions to what the duties really [email protected]

UM moves up in law school ranks; MSU, WSU make list

Michigan’s law schools moved School in Philadelphia. sion Test scores for admitted stu- up or placed for the first time The Michigan State University Col- dents, grade point average, evalua- among the best nationwide, while lege of Law and Wayne State Universi- tion by attorneys and judges, rates holding ground among their county Law School made the list for the of passage on state bar examina- terparts on tuition, in the 2011 Best first time — at No. 95 and No. 121, tions, selectivity and employment Law Schools ranking by U.S. News respectively — because of changes rates of 2009 graduates. In past sur- and World Report. in the magazine’s list format. veys, MSU and Wayne State were The University of Michigan Law U.S. News had listed only the top unranked third-tier law schools. School ranks No. 7 out of 190 ac- 100 schools by competitive rank, Still unranked in the new sec- credited U.S. law schools in the grouping other schools within its ond tier are Thomas M. Cooley Law new report, released Tuesday, survey into unranked third and School, which has campuses in compared with a consistent No. 9 fourth tiers. This year, the ranking Lansing and Grand Rapids, and from 2008 to 2010. This year, the extends to 145 schools, with a sec- the University of Detroit Mercy Law Ann Arbor school moved ahead of ond tier of 45 schools listed alpha- School, both of which were previ- the University of California at Berke- betically but unranked. ously in the magazine’s fourth tier ley School of Law and is tied with The rank is based in part on a of unranked schools. the University of Pennsylvania Law composite of Law School Admis- — Chad Halcom 20110321-NEWS--0028-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 4:22 PM Page 1

Page 28 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 DTE: Fermi 2 has more safety systems than Japan plant

BY AMY LANE tors of similar design. But Fermi is and mobile generators that can be sess the lessons of the Japan situa- of water instead of through active CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT a newer plant for which designs brought in to keep the core cool, he tion and look at whether there are pumps.” had evolved, and it opened post- said. any design modifications that He said the design would be LANSING — DTE Energy Co.’s Fer- Three Mile Island, the 1979 acci- There’s a seawall designed to need to be made in U.S. nuclear op- much less susceptible to a “station mi 2 nuclear plant isn’t in danger of dent in Pennsylvania that protect against large waves and erations. blackout event” that entails the a tsunami, and it’s built to with- spawned rigorous federal review surges from Lake Erie, and if there “I do think it will cause a round loss of generators, offsite power stand earthquakes far exceeding and required upgrades of safety is flooding in the area, electrical of review,” he said. from the electrical grid and all oth- any historic levels for the region. systems, Anderson said. equipment isn’t in the basement or He could not say if that could af- er power sources. And Fermi 2 near Monroe and For example, Fermi 2 backup at ground level where it could be fect current NRC examination of Anderson said he expects the others in the U.S. do have design generators that can supply electric- damaged, Anderson said. Detroit Edison Co.’s federal license NRC to complete its review of the features to help ity for reactor cooling are housed The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Com- application to construct and oper- company’s license for the new them handle in a large, elevated concrete bunker mission requires U.S. nuclear ate what could be a $10 billion, plant in late 2012 or 2013. Once the natural phe- to ensure that if conditions like plants to be built to withstand en- 1,520 megawatt nuclear plant at company receives its license, “we nomena that can flooding or a tornado occurred, the vironmental hazards including the Fermi site. step back and take stock of every- pose problems generators would be operational. earthquakes and tsunamis. All One of the design features of the thing in our environment,” includ- — some features Anderson said that in Japan the safety-significant structures, sys- new plant would be “passive” safe- ing the demand for electricity, reg- that Japan’s tsunami washed away the backup tems and components must be de- ty systems that require no electric- ulations that could decrease the Fukushima Dai- generators’ fuel tanks, and electri- signed to take into account the ity and run off the heat of the core, number of coal plants in the U.S., ichi nuclear cal equipment that would have almost severe natural phenomena so no backup or offsite power gen- and environmental requirements, plant site lacked lowed temporary generators to con- historically estimated for the site eration is needed to keep the core he said. and that would nect was also flooded. At Fermi, and surrounding area. cool in the event of a shutdown. He could not say if DTE would have left it bet- Anderson such equipment, called switch gear, For example, Fermi is designed John Lee, professor of nuclear proceed with a nuclear plant or ter equipped to handle its disaster, is a couple of stories off the ground. to withstand seismic activity that engineering at the University of when construction might begin. said DTE President and CEO Ger- All told, Fermi has three levels has energy levels of more than 10 Michigan, said such design “is “It’s too early,” Anderson said. ard Anderson. of backup power sources: the gen- times any earthquake in the area much safer, primarily because the “Time is a good thing to have right Both the Fermi and the initially erators inside hardened struc- since the 1800s, Anderson said. shutdown and cooling of the power now.” stricken Japan reactors are Gener- tures, combustion turbines that He said he expects the Nuclear plant relies on passive features, Amy Lane: (517) 371-5355, al Electric Co. boiling water reac- are like a stationary jet engine, Regulatory Commission will as- namely the gravitational delivery [email protected] Japan: Response begins with money ■ From Page 3 But the 7.0-magnitude earth- nations to all of its members and to quake in Haiti last year brought in Suppliers look at options other business groups, including $210 million six days afterward, the Detroit Regional Chamber, Asian and Hurricane Katrina brought in Local suppliers are preparing Pacific Chamber and the Original $457 million by the same number contingency plans based on the Equipment Suppliers Association. of days following the 2005 disaster. logistics fallout of the Japan Many of its largest members, “The Japanese Red Cross is real- earthquake. which include Toyota Motor Co., Nis- ly on its game. They are … experts Significant numbers of tier- san Motor Co., Denso International in response,” with 2 million volun- two and tier-three suppliers American Inc., Yazaki North America teers and their own hospitals, said were damaged in the disaster or Inc. and Hitachi’s local North Amer- Allison Koenigbauer, marketing remain without power and wa- ican units, have made donations manager for the American Red Cross- ter, leaving Southeast Michi- directly to the Japanese Red Cross, Southeastern Michigan Chapter. gan’s tier-ones drafting plans to Nakahama said. The Japanese Red Cross de- source product elsewhere — pos- “But I have heard from some of ployed nearly 135 medical teams sibly from other suppliers. those member corporations … that comprising more than 800 doctors Read the story and continuing they are (also) asking their em- and nurses, she said. coverage at crainsdetroit.com. ployees to donate, and that will Following the Haiti earthquake come directly to us or the company last year, the American Red Cross Inc., $1 million; General Motors Foun- will collect (the employee dona- sent volunteers to assist with hu- dation, $500,000; Chrysler Foundation, tions) and send them to us.” manitarian response. $100,000; BorgWarner Inc., $100,000; The society has also been get- “This time is different because TK Holdings Inc., $300,000; Ford Motor ting inquiries from local Japanese the Japanese Red Cross is so well- Co. matching employee gifts up to or Asian businesses that want to equipped and they are not asking $50,000; and Visteon Corp. with a help, Nakahama said, such as One for us to help,” Koenigbauer said. $31,000 donation. World Market in Novi and Bi Bim The Japanese Red Cross has “We have not had an active cor- Bab restaurant in Novi. asked for donations, however, and porate program since entering The society’s foundation, which the American Red Cross is passing bankruptcy, but we did feel this plans to match all individual dona- WIXOM them directly to its counterpart. was an appropriate donation,” tions, is also trying to find out what MICHIGAN The Southfield-based Red Cross said Jim Fisher, director of corpo- supplies are needed before collect- chapter was still processing dona- rate communications ing and sending any- I-96 at tions and pledges late last week. at Visteon. thing, he said. “Japan BECK RD “There are people from the Other local non- The supplies is so busy, it’s not Southeast Michigan area who may profits and business- “ easy to reach any or- be donating directly to the Nation- es are also raising are our second ganization that is col- al Red Cross donation sites and not money for humani- lectively doing those Enterprise directly through our chapter,” tarian aid in Japan. step. efforts.” Koenigbauer said. The Japanese Busi- ” The logistics of Business Park “Therefore, the donations to the ness Society of Detroit Sho Nakahama, sending supplies will Red Cross coming from this area Foundation last week Japanese Business Society also take time to work are most likely much greater than launched a campaign of Detroit out, he said. The soci- Great Image & Location RIGHT PRICE Join Industry we could report on.” to raise money for hu- ety needs to investi- Leaders The American Red Cross is en- manitarian aid to Japan. gate how it would collect and trans- From 4,000 to 28,000 Sq Ft RIGHT SIZE couraging people who want to do- Calls offering prayers and con- port supplies, which agencies in Konica Minolta nate $10 to text REDCROSS to dolences and donations for the Japan could receive the donations New Construction WILL FINISH TO SUIT Business Solutions 90999, with those donations going families of Japanese victims began and how they would get past cus- directly to the national office. toms into Japan, he said. Combine Office, Warehouse & Hi-Tech coming in to the society and to the Henry Schein As of late last week, more than Consul General of Japan in Detroit. “Money is easy, so we’re starting Dental Centers Ground Monument & Building Signage 4 percent of the $64 million the “We are so grateful … to see so (with) the money,” Nakahama said. Smith & Nephew American Red Cross had collected many people, local American peo- “The supplies are our second Grade Level Doors & Loading Docks Orthopedics had come through texts, the Chron- ple, who have called … about this step. … We need to get the actual icle of Philanthropy reported. to encourage us and worry about need from the recipients.” Locally, more than $2.5 million our families,” said Sho Nakahama, Sherri Welch: (313) 446-1694, For Leasing Information ... Call: has come in from corporations, ac- executive director of the Japanese [email protected] cording to statements they issued. Business Society of Detroit. Dustin Walsh contributed to this John Fricke 248-948-9000 THE TEAM No Signature. No Results. Among the gifts: Johnson Controls The society put out a call for do- report. 20110321-NEWS--0029-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 5:18 PM Page 1

March 21, 2011 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS Page 29 Robot Town: Research center plan draws interest www.crainsdetroit.com ■ From Page 1 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Keith E. Crain PUBLISHER Mary Kramer, (313) 446-0399 or [email protected] Overholt first presented the idea applications. It would like to par- EXECUTIVE EDITOR Cindy Goodaker, (313) 446- at a meeting in Troy with various ticipate as a research partner with 0460 or [email protected] robotics industry leaders and ex- Will RoboCop guard Robot Town? private industry and as a prospec- DEPUTY MANAGING EDITOR Jennette Smith, (313) 446-1622 or [email protected] perts about four months ago. tive buyer of robotics technology. SENIOR EDITOR Bob Allen, (313) 446-0344 or Since then, he said, TechTown Robot Town has yet to develop came around after discussing it “Some ideas have been percolat- [email protected] and the Michigan Economic Develop- a formal structure, set a location with a friend. ing like this for a while. But there WEST MICHIGAN EDITOR Matt Gryczan, (616) 916- 8158 or [email protected] ment Corp., along with Troy soft- or blueprint — but organizers “The film does not exactly will be more emphasis on robotics COPY DESK CHIEF Gary Piatek, (313) 446-0357 or ware technology and government say the project may already have paint Detroit in a good light,” he in the current administration than [email protected] contracting consultant firm 6 Zulu a mascot. said. “But after considering it, in the past,” said Jeff Burnstein, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Jeff Johnston, (313) 446-1608 or [email protected] Inc., have held discussions with “They have definitely reached you have a hero who dies and president of the Robotic Industries DATA EDITOR Anne Marks, (313) 446-0418 or more than 70 businesses and re- out to us,” said Jerry Paffendorf then experiences a rebirth Association in Ann Arbor. “It’s [email protected] search organizations about partic- of Loveland Technologies Inc., the through technology. He comes clear that our government sees it WEB DEVELOPER Steve Williams, (313) 446- 6059, [email protected] ipating — including about 50 from startup company behind the on- back better than ever and man- as a critical technology.” WEB EDITOR Gary Anglebrandt, (313) 446-1621, Southeast Michigan. Interest so line fundraising initiative to ages to keep his own humanity in Burnstein and Overholt both said [email protected] far has been high. build a 10-foot cast metal Robo- the process. And that’s really a a local test center could help the EDITORIAL SUPPORT Robertta Reiff (313) 446- 0419, YahNica Crawford, (313) 446-0329 An initial team of project partic- Cop statue in the city of Detroit. story of Detroit, so maybe it fits.” U.S. robot industry stay competi- Paffendorf said he was in con- — Chad NEWSROOM (313) 446-0329, FAX (313) 446- ipants and a leadership structure tive with Asia — Japan is consid- 1687 TIP LINE (313) 446-6766 tact earlier this month with rep- Halcom could be in place within six ered the world’s largest consumer REPORTERS resentatives of 6 Zulu Inc., a Troy months, Overholt said. of industrial robots with more than Daniel Duggan: Covers retail, real estate and After that, organizers could turn technology and government con- 250,000 active units, compared with hospitality. (313) 446-0414 or tracting consultant firm, about [email protected] to development funding through around 200,000 in the U.S., and orga- Jay Greene, senior reporter: Covers health care, Robot Town as a possible statue insurance and the environment. (313) 446-0325 or federal grants, private investment nizers said South Korea has begun [email protected]. site. or both. A preliminary version of to emerge as a global leader. Chad Halcom: Covers law, non-automotive “It’s just discussion right manufacturing, defense contracting and Oakland Robot Town could be in place by Less than 10 percent of the RIA’s and Macomb counties. (313) 446-6796 or now,” said Marty Tibbitts, [email protected]. October 2014 as a local showpiece member companies make robot president of 6 Zulu and its Tom Henderson: Covers banking, finance, for guests attending the Intelligent technology for military applica- technology and biotechnology. (313) 446-0337 or parent company Bossdev Inc. [email protected]. Transportation Systems World tions, but Burnstein and Overholt “(But) the film is a story Nancy Kaffer: Covers small business, the city of Congress at Cobo Center. said keeping the nation’s robot Detroit, Wayne County government. (313) 446- Michigan won a bid late last where justice prevails in the 0412 or [email protected]. technology competitive could Bill Shea, enterprise editor: Covers media, worst of times — and it in- year to host that event, which is serve economic and national secu- advertising and marketing, the business of sports, expected to draw more than 10,000 volves robots, which are and transportation. (313) 446-1626 or rity interests. [email protected]. global employees of the trans- cool.” Nathan Skid: Multimedia reporter. Also covers the North American robot supplier portation technology industry. Jim Overholt, the senior food industry and entertainment. (313) 446-1654, companies reported more than [email protected]. “It’s early in the talk, so some of research scientist for Sherri Welch: Covers nonprofits and services. 15,860 global product orders valued the details would be speculative,” TARDEC who conceived the (313) 446-1694 or [email protected] at $993.2 million in 2010, a 39 per- Dustin Walsh: Covers auto suppliers, steel, higher Overholt said. “Before we know idea for Robot Town, said he was education and Livingston and Washtenaw cent increase over 2009 and the best counties. (313) 446-6042 or [email protected] exactly what makes up Robot cool at first toward the idea but year since 2007, according to Robot- LANSING BUREAU Town, it’s hard to get a sense of the ics Industry Association data. Amy Lane: Covers business issues at the Capitol, governing structure or member- Robots also would control some know exactly what it will cost, but telecommunications and utilities. (517) 371-5355, Burnstein said he hasn’t seen FAX (517) 371-2492, [email protected]. or 115 W. ship that will be needed.” of the center’s daily operations, like we are definitely receiving signifi- Allegan, Suite 220, Lansing 48933. Overholt’s proposal, but local com- TechTown General Manager directing visitors or even robot- cant interest, and much less resis- ADVERTISING pany interest in robotic research Leslie Smith is courting other po- controlled urban farming, he said. tance than I expected from busi- ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Marla Downs, (313) is on the rise. 446-6032 or [email protected] tential participants, said Tech- In that way, the proposal has nesses and even from the city of “In general I’d be supportive, SALES INQUIRIES: (313) 446-6052; FAX (313) Town marketing and communica- parallels with Robot Land, a 110- Detroit,” said Marty Tibbitts, pres- 393-0997 tions director Nichole Christian. acre theme park and mixed-use de- ident of 6 Zulu and it’d be good if local organiza- ADVERTISING SALES Christine Galasso, Matthew tions collaborated more on trying J. Langan, Lori Tournay Liggett, Tamara Rokowski, “Robots are such a part of our velopment in Incheon, South Ko- and its parent Cheryl Rothe, Dale Smolinski culture right now that however rea, scheduled for completion in company, Boss- to make Michigan a premier au- CLASSIFIED SALES (313)-446-0351 (project organizers) work out the 2013. Robots will hold perfor- gov Inc. in Troy. tomation research center,” he MARKETING MANAGER Irma Clark said. “Other areas (of the country) EVENTS MANAGER Nicole LaPointe finer details, there could be an as- mances and serve as clerks in re- “There is sig- MARKETING ARTIST Sylvia Kolaski pect that fits well with the local en- tail shops. But Overholt said Robot nificant traction are already trying to do this, and SALES SUPPORT Suzanne Janik, YahNica Crawford trepreneur (climate) and Mid- Town removes the amusement for this, com- there’s no reason why Michigan CIRCULATION Candice Yopp, Manager. town,” she said. “We are interested park component and focuses more pared with some can’t do it too.” MARKETING COORDINATOR Kim Winkler Midtown Detroit near the Tech- PRODUCTION MANAGER Wendy Kobylarz in being a place for anyone that on production robots, public edu- proposals for PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR Larry Williams makes Detroit a hub for innova- cation and tourism. the city.” Town incubator seems like a feasi- tion, and we could help with some A key focus would be moving The test cen- ble location for Robot Town, Over- CUSTOMER SERVICE of its initial planning steps.” the American robotics industry Tibbitts ter could also holt said, although other areas he MAIN NUMBER: Call (877) 824-9374 or write has considered are downtown, the [email protected] Overholt sees Robot Town as a past those predominantly con- help with military procurement, SUBSCRIPTIONS $59 one year, $98 two years. possible redevelopment, to turn a trolled by remote human opera- Overholt said. waterfront area of Detroit or near Out of state, $79 one year, $138 for two years. Outside U.S.A., add $48 per year to out-of-state building or campus into a safe test- tors toward robots with superviso- By law, TARDEC can’t oversee Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Wil- rate for surface mail. Call (313) 446-0450 or ing and research center for compa- ry or task-level control, or even the project directly because it is a low Run Airport. (877) 824-9374. nies with experimental robotic Chad Halcom: (313) 446-6796, SINGLE COPIES: (877) 824-9374. full autonomy. for-profit enterprise and most of REPRINTS: (800) 290-5460, ext. 125; (717) 505- systems and prototypes. “We’re not at the stage where we its testing would have commercial [email protected] 9701, ext. 125; or ashley.zander@theygsgroup .com. TO FIND A DATE A STORY WAS PUBLISHED: (313) 446-0367 or e-mail [email protected].

CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS IS PUBLISHED BY CRAIN COMMUNICATIONS INC. Henry Ford: CHAIRMAN Keith E. Crain System amps up electronic records PRESIDENT Rance Crain SECRETARY Merrilee Crain ■ From Page 3 TREASURER Mary Kay Crain Executive Vice President/Operations ing medical centers. than 14 medical specialties at Hen- “We are targeting small and crit- “Clinical information systems William A. Morrow Group Vice President/Technology, Working with the base software ry Ford. ical-access hospitals, but the EHR help improve quality and safety, Manufacturing, Circulation application of an EHR developed “If I am an endocrinologist, I get is scalable to any size system,” and Trinity has been able to Robert C. Adams Vice President/Production & Manufacturing with Farmington Hills-based Re- different data points (on the initial Brown said. demonstrate this,” Brown said. Dave Kamis liance Software Systems Inc., which screen) than a family physician” Other health care systems that While the initial installation for Chief Information Officer Paul Dalpiaz does business as RelWare, Henry or oncologist, Allard said. “We are using EHRs include St. John Genesis cost $400 million, Brown Corporate Circulation/Audience Development Ford’s information team of six ex- worked with physicians to make Providence Health System, Detroit said upgrades and maintenance Director Kathy Henry ecutives and 150 coders, including sure we made the right revisions.” Medical Center, Crittenton Hospital have cost Trinity about $1 billion. G.D. Crain Jr. Founder (1885-1973) a mix of employees and consul- The other improvement is that Medical Center and Novi-based Trini- In June, Trinity will apply for Mrs. G.D. Crain Jr. Chairman (1911-1996) tants, developed CarePlus over six CarePlus will allow medical care ty Health. about $175 million in federal incen- EDITORIAL & BUSINESS OFFICES: 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit MI 48207-2732; (313) years, Allard said. teams of doctors, nurses and other Trinity, which includes seven- tive funds to help pay for its sys- 446-6000 “We hoped to go live by early providers to jointly view the med- hospital St. Joseph Mercy Health Sys- tem, Brown said. Cable address: TWX 248-221-5122 AUTNEW DET CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS ISSN # 0882-1992 2010, but we stopped because we ical records of patients. tem in Ann Arbor, began installing William Beaumont Hospitals in is published weekly, except for a special issue the third week of January, a special issue the fourth needed to make some information “There are real cost savings by its Genesis EHR system 10 years Royal Oak also expects to receive week of August, and no issue the third week of system infrastructure improve- allowing teams to share informa- ago, said Paul Brown, Trinity’s $10.3 million in federal stimulus December by Crain Communications Inc. at 1155 Gratiot Ave., Detroit MI 48207-2732. Periodicals ments,” including larger computer tion and coordinate care on a real- chief information officer. funds to cover some costs of its postage paid at Detroit, MI and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to servers, Allard said. time basis,” said Alicia Brown, By late 2012, all 40 of Trinity’s OneChart EHR. CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS, Circulation The new CarePlus EHR has two CEO of RelWare. owned hospitals will have the EHR Beaumont’s OneChart system Department, P.O. Box 07925, Detroit, MI 48207- 9732. GST # 136760444. Printed in U.S.A. main improvements over the first- Brown said RelWare, founded in installed. A companion EHR, cost the three-hospital system Entire contents copyright 2011 by Crain generation system, Allard said. 1999, has begun commercially mar- NextGen, will be installed in Trini- $100 million. Communications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial content in any First, the EHR has been custom keting the CarePlus Next Genera- ty’s physician offices over the next Jay Greene: (313) 446-0325, manner without permission is strictly prohibited. designed to be used by the more tion EHR to hospitals nationally. two years, Brown said. [email protected] 20110321-NEWS--0030-NAT-CCI-CD_-- 3/18/2011 4:46 PM Page 1

Page 30 CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS March 21, 2011 RUMBLINGS WEEK ON THE WEB FROM WWW.CRAINSDETROIT.COM, WEEK OF MARCH 12-18

off an online campaign NIVERSITIES electing most council mem- aimed at educating small Bill signing, U bers by district instead of business owners about Gov. Wayne State University at-large, starting in 2013, B’field Park Rick Snyder ’s proposed re- is launching a two-year fel- AP reported. The nine cur- peal of the unpopular tax. protests keep lowship program for up to rent council members SBAM has created a web- 25 midcareer professionals would draw the district page, www.sbam.org/MBT- Snyder busy from around the country borders. Voters will decide developer goes RIP, where visitors can sign who want to contribute to on the revisions in Novem- ber. an online petition, donate to ov. Rick Snyder signed Detroit’s revitalization. The United Auto Work- the repeal effort, take a sur- six bills Wednesday They will be placed in full- ers union will hold its qua- vey on the impact of elimi- G giving new powers to time jobs to help build pub- drennial bargaining con- nating the tax and partici- emergency financial man- lic, for-profit, nonprofit and to Ann Arbor pate in a discussion forum. quasi-public organizations vention at Cobo Center this agers appointed by the The Facebook page can working to revitalize De- week to create its strategy raig Schubiner, the de- ship advertiser — and the state to run struggling be found by visiting the troit. for negotiating a new con- veloper behind the subsequent resignation of cities and schools, includ- anti-MBT page on SBAM’s The Troy-based Kresge tract with U.S. automakers, C massive Bloomfield the newspaper’s auto critic ing the ability to terminate website. Foundation is providing Bloomberg News Service Park retail and condo ven- — has drawn national at- contracts with unions, AP $500,000 in funds and De- reported. ture that failed in 2008, is tention. By SBAM’s tally, more reported. troit-based Hudson-Webber The overall median set to bring a more modest Most of it is scorn for The than 95,000 companies The move came after a Foundation is considering a sale price of homes in mixed-use project before News, mainly from car in- wouldn’t have to file a state day that saw at least 3,000 proposal for $450,000. The metro Detroit dropped in the Ann Arbor City Council in dustry wonks and journal- business tax return if the union members and others Detroit Revitalization Fel- February to $54,850 com- May. ism ethics commentators, MBT were repealed. rally at the Capitol against Snyder’s pension-tax and lows Program will begin in pared with January’s The project, to be built on but reader comments also $60,000, but up from $54,000 the site of the former criticize Scott Burgess for emergency financial man- August; the deadline to ap- BITS & PIECES ager proposals. Fourteen ply is April 15. For more in- in February 2010, according Georgetown Mall on Packard what they say was an over- to Farmington Hills-based Detroit ABC affiliated arrests were made. formation, visit Road north of Eisenhower the-top snarky review of the MLS Realcomp II Ltd. In Feb- Parkway, is for 230 apart- car that’s the centerpiece of WXYZ-Ch. 7 was named the Another bill that soon www.wayne.edu/detroitfel- could be headed for Sny- lows. ruary, 3,389 homes were ments and 24,000 square feet Chrysler’s “Imported From market’s Station of the Year sold in Oakland, Wayne, of retail. Detroit” advertising cam- in the Michigan Association der’s approval is one to re- Season tickets for the peal Michigan’s law requir- Livingston and Macomb The mall has been vacant paign. of Broadcasters’ recent annu- University of Michigan’s eight ing individual price tags on counties, up from 3,265 in since a 2007 retail project The changes to the real Broadcast Excellence home football games this most retail items. The Sen- fall will cost $480, a 12 per- January. failed on the site. view were first reported on Awards for 2010. ate approved the bill Tues- cent increase in the per- Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Financing is not yet com- Thursday by the national The Small Business Ad- day. The House already has game price over last year’s Vice Chairman Charles plete, however. Schubiner auto blog Jalopnik.com, ministration’s Michigan dis- approved the bill. shorter schedule. For de- Munger is donating $20 mil- told the city’s Planning which had before and after trict is looking for senior tails, visit MGoBlue.com. lion to the University of Commission that the versions of the review. executives of small busi- state’s potential loss of the By Friday, the situation Michigan’s law school to nesses to participate in this COMPANY NEWS renovate a housing com- brownfield tax credits adds earned write-ups in car year’s Emerging 200 initia- Detroit City Cellars, the COURTS plex in the law quadrangle, challenges to the financing, blogs in The New York tive. The free six months of according to Times, Wall Street Journal group hoping to build a 10- Bloomberg News Service training, which begins The Michigan Supreme AnnArbor.com. The plan- and CBS MoneyWatch.com. acre vineyard and winery reported. Munger, who April 18, is aimed at helping Court ruled that Wayne ning commission approved It also got a brief mention on Detroit’s Belle Isle, is County does not have to studied math at Michigan businesses grow and in- Schubiner’s plan. on MSNBC’s “Rachel Mad- getting support from the comply with a lower court as an undergraduate, has cludes topics such as fi- Snarky suggestion: Per- dow Show.” Michigan Economic Develop- order to increase Wayne lectured at the university nance, marketing and haps some money can be The News initially issued ment Corp., which says the County Circuit Court funding and acted as its investment growth strategies. For de- saved by transporting to an explanation defending winery and vineyard will until an appeal has been adviser, according to a tails, contact Constance Lo- Ann Arbor the unfinished its actions, then reversed it- bring tourism to the city. heard. The court and coun- statement. parking structure and re- self and admitted the gan at (313) 226-6075, ext. Ann Arbor-based Bor- ty have been embroiled in a The Detroit Symphony tail spaces from the $350 retroactive editing was a 279, or at constance.lo- ders Group Inc. will get ap- legal dispute over the Orchestra is losing the head [email protected]. of its flute section. Philip million Bloomfield Park mistake. proval for a $505 million court’s budget. that’s near Telegraph and The News on Thursday Detroit’s chronicler of loan to fund operations in Michael McGuinness, for- Dikeman is taking a teach- the dearly departed, Free Square Lake roads. That replaced the neutered ver- bankruptcy after the agree- mer chairman of the Oakland ing position at Vanderbilt Press columnist and author development effort fell vic- sion with the original on its ment is changed, U.S. County Democratic Party, and University, The Detroit News Mitch Albom, has written a tim to the economy. website. Bankruptcy Judge Martin Jason Bauer, former opera- reported. Dikeman, who’s stage play about iconic De- Glenn said. Borders previ- tions director have been been with the DSO since troit Tigers broadcaster Ernie ously received permission charged in a scheme to try 1992, has been acting-prin- Review redo puts SBAM takes anti-MBT Harwell, who died last May. to draw $400 million on an to fool voters into support- cipal flutist for the past Albom’s play “Ernie” is The News in the news effort to Facebook interim basis from the loan ing third-party candidates year. scheduled for 38 perfor- in last year’s election, AP re- The deadline has been The imbroglio created by Hate the Michigan Busi- mances at Detroit’s City from lenders led by GE Capi- ported. They’re accused of extended to March 31 to The Detroit News’ decision ness Tax? There’s finally a Theatre starting April 28 tal Corp. Glenn said he will forging documents and slat- submit nominations for the to tone down a review of the Facebook group for you. and running through June give final approval after ing candidates under the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepre- Chrysler 200 after a com- The Small Business Associ- 28. Tickets, pegged at $20 changes to the initial agree- name of the Independent Tea neur of the Year Awards, plaint by a Chrysler dealer- ation of Michigan has kicked and $25, are on sale now. ment are approved and en- tered into court documents, Party. The candidates didn’t which honors entrepre- Bloomberg News Service re- know their names were be- neurs who have demon- ported. In related news, ing used. strated excellence and ex- Borders plans to close an The U.S. Commodity Fu- traordinary success in such additional 28 stores, none tures Trading Commission has areas as innovation, finan- in Michigan, bringing the charged Cash Flow Financial cial performance and per- total closings to 228, as it LLC of Clinton Township sonal commitment to their EST FROM THE LOGS tries to reorganize under and its registered agent, businesses and communi- B B Alan James Watson, and ties. To nominate, go to bankruptcy protection, AP READ THESE POSTS AND MORE AT WWW.CRAINSDETROIT.COM/BLOGS reported. Michael Potts of Mountville, www.ey.com and click on Evangelical Homes of Pa., with fraudulently solic- Entrepreneur of the Year Of salsa and ... cupcakes? Be smart with donations Michigan has signed a 15- iting and accepting $45 mil- under “Most Popular” in year lease to rent a 21,000- lion from more than 600 the right-hand column. Little did I know the While nonprofits are square-foot section of St. people and entities to par- parting“ comment I made increasingly“ using Joseph Mercy Saline to ex- ticipate in a pool to trade at the end of a electronic means such pand its short-term rehabil- commodity futures con- OBITUARIES conversation some six as Twitter, Facebook and itation unit and support tracts and securities, ac- John Butsicaris, co-own- months ago would lead texting to solicit or take cording to a complaint filed er of the landmark Lindell to major deal for a local donations, (Michigan services at Evangelical company. Attorney General Bill) Homes Saline. While the by the commission in U.S. AC sports bar, died March Schuette urged amount of the lease was not District Court. 12 from a long illness. He ” caution. disclosed, CEO Denise Ra- was 91. bidoux said Evangelical Joseph Genovesi, retired ” Homes plans to spend more OTHER NEWS vice president of Detroit- Reporter Nathan Skid’s Detroit-area restaurant blog Reporter Sherri Begin Welch’s blog than $2.5 million on the Detroit’s charter revi- based Borman Food Stores can be found at www.crainsdetroit.com/skid about Southeast Michigan nonprofits can be found lease and major capital im- sion commission is recom- Inc., died of natural causes at www.crainsdetroit.com/welch provements. mending that voters begin March 12. He was 89. DBpageAD.qxp 3/9/2011 2:00 PM Page 1

special treatment

At Greektown Casino-Hotel, every guest is entitled to the highest level of customer service, no exceptions! OOurur sstafftaff propromises to greet you with courtesy, hospitality aandnd respectrespect everyevery timetime youʼreyouʼre a gguestuest iinn oourur hhome.ome TThat’shat’s tthehe GGreektownreektown wway!ay!

555555 EastEast LafayetteLaafayette AAve,ve, DeDetroit,etrooit, MIMI 48226482226 | greektowncasinohotel.comgrreektowncasinohotel.com DBpageAD.qxd 10/29/2010 10:35 AM Page 1

CAN YOUR CARD HELP LOWER BUSINESS COSTS WITH FREE CHECKED BAGS?

FIRST CHECKED BAG FREE FOR UP TO NINE PEOPLE IN YOUR DELTA RESERVATION.1

1.866.609.MILES or MYCARDCAN.COM — get up to 25,000 bonus miles.2 THE OFFICIAL CARD OF DELTA AIR LINES

1 Benefit is limited to Basic Cardmembers (not Additional Cardmembers) with the Gold, Platinum, or Delta Reserve SkyMiles® Business Credit Cards. Reservation must include the Basic Cardmember’s SkyMiles® number. Fee waiver also available for passengers traveling in the same reservation as the Basic Cardmember. Maximum nine waivers per reservation. New Cardmembers and Cardmembers upgrading from another Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card product will be eligible for the checked baggage fee waiver benefit after receiving their Card from American Express. Benefit available only on Delta and Delta Connection® carrier flight segments. Waiver does not apply to overweight or oversized bags. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply. See delta.com/firstbagfree for details. 2 20,000 bonus miles awarded within 2–4 weeks of first purchase; 15,000 miles awarded if upgrading from classic Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card. Additional 2,500 bonus miles awarded for each approved Additional Card submitted with application — up to 5,000 bonus miles. Offer subject to terms, conditions, and restrictions. See MyCardCan.com for details. American Express is the exclusive U.S. Credit Card partner of Delta. © 2010 American Express. All rights reserved. MCC_BBIZ