DBusiness Daily Update: Report: More That 1,000 Tech Jobs Added in Metro Detroit During 2022, and More

Our roundup of the latest news from metro Detroit and Michigan businesses as well as announcements from government agencies. To share a business or nonprofit story, please send us a message.

Report: More That 1,000 Tech Jobs Added in Metro Detroit During 2022

 The metro Detroit tech workforce grew by 1,060 new jobs in 2022, according to the State of the Workforce report from CompTIA, the Illinois-based nonprofit Computing Technology Industry Association.

CompTIA’s annual State of the Tech Workforce report reveals that although net tech employment in the Detroit metro area grew by more than 1,000 in 2022, a more modest increase of nearly 500 net new positions is projected for 2023.

Nearly 104,000 people work in technology jobs in the Detroit metro area, accounting for 5 percent of the region’s total workforce, according to the report. The estimated median wage of $90,215 for a tech worker in Detroit is 100 percent higher than the median wage for all occupations in the region.

“In a year of even more uncertainty than usual, the tech labor market routinely defied expectations,” says Tim Herbert, chief research officer for CompTIA. “The data continues to confirm the degree to which technology underpins so many facets of business activity across the economy and the breadth of employers reliant on technical and digital skills.”

Detroit’s tech sector delivers an economic impact of $13.9 billion – 5 percent of the region’s economy. There are approximately 3,700 tech business establishments in the Detroit area.

Among other highlights from the new report:

Occupations poised for growth – Positions in database, data science, and analytics (2.8 percent) and software development, engineering, programming, web development, and quality assurance (1.8 percent) are projected to see the most growth in the Detroit market this year.

Emerging tech employment opportunities – 31.2 percent of all 2022 tech jobs postings in the market were for occupations related to emerging technologies or for positions that required emerging tech skills.

Workforce diversity – Detroit is in the third quartile in the report’s diversity index, a measurement of the depth and breadth of diversity in the tech workforce for seven primary race and ethnicity groups, as defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Women account for 26% of the region’s tech workforce; Black or African American workers, 10 percent; and Hispanic or Latino workers, 3 percent.

To access the full report, visit here.

Consumers Energy Installing More Than 120 New Automatic Transfer Reclosers

 Consumers Energy in Jackson says it plans to install 123 new automatic transfer reclosers (ATRs) in 2023 to help prevent power outages and improve electric reliability for customers. The energy provider’s investment in automation is a key part of the company’s overall electric reliability plan that aims to reduce both the number and length of power outages.

ATRs are cutting-edge reliability technologies that isolate problems on electric lines and transfer power automatically. This technology improves public safety and reduces the number of customers impacted by outages. Consumers Energy has nearly 470 of these 800-pound devices currently on the electric system. The 2023 ATR deployment plan will target areas that have been most impacted by outages over the past several years.

“After the February ice storms, we know customers are asking for a stronger and smarter power grid,” says Chris Laird, vice president of electric operations at Consumers Energy. “By focusing on tree trimming, upgrading our electric grid, and using automation and other technology to quickly detect and resolve problems, we can drastically improve the electric grid and make it more reliable for all our customers.

“ATRs — sometimes referred to as the traffic light of the power grid — are one of many valuable tools that help reduce the number of outages our customers face. The ATRs are programmed to detect power loss and follow predetermined actions to help reroute power in another direction. We remain committed to doing more to update the grid and make it work better for our customers.”

The majority of the 2023 ATRs are expected to be complete and online this summer.

Acrisure Enters Central and Eastern Europe with Acquisition of Unilink Group

 Grand Rapids-based fintech company Acrisure has acquired Unilink Group, the largest insurance distribution platform in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Through this partnership, Acrisure adds more than 1,300 colleagues across Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Moldova and clients in the same geography.

Unilink Group provides non-life and life products through a network of 15,000 external agents and 2,500 points of sale and places almost seven million policies per year. The group also acts as an MGA through its Polish and Romanian businesses. Unilink Group CEO Igor Rusinowski and its current management team will continue leading the business.

“Unilink Group provides Acrisure with a strong presence in central and eastern Europe,” says Greg Williams, co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Acrisure. “Igor and team have built a high-performing business that advances Acrisure’s broader global ambitions to capture more of the insurance value chain while expanding our client base. We’ll achieve great things together so I’m grateful to Igor for his vision and the incredible effort of our international team to complete this transaction.”

Unilink Group was founded in 2002 as a consumer finance products distributor. By 2010, the business had diversified to an insurance distribution strategy with CEO Igor Rusinowski joining the business.

Bedrock, Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone Sponsoring Job Fair April 19

Bedrock in Detroit and the Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone are sponsoring a Downtown Detroit Job fair from 11 a.m-2 p.m. on April 19 at 1001 Woodward Ave.

There are more than 1,000 job openings that will be represented at the fair from security, retail, restaurants, childcare, gaming, maintenance, environmental services, and more. Positions may be full time, part time, seasonal or for special events.

Candidates are encouraged to bring their resume, dress to impress, and be prepared for on-the-spot interviews. Free parking validations are available at the One Campus Martius Garage (1140 Farmer St.).

Sizeland Medicare Strategies in Brighton Acquired by Nebraska Company

 Sizeland Medicare Strategies, a Brighton-based health and life insurance agency focusing on Medicare plans, has been acquired by Senior Market Sales (SMS) of Omaha, Neb. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Sizeland has utilized the SMS platform, which includes proprietary technology, proven marketing systems, industry-leading back-office support, and a comprehensive product portfolio of health and wealth solutions from top carriers.

“(SMS) has a lot of experience, and they’re people you can feel comfortable leaning on when you need to,” says Paul A. Sizeland Sr., founder and owner of Sizeland. “I feel like we just got a really knowledgeable and powerful friend on our side.”

SMS President Jim Summers says, “This partnership provides Sizeland with resources to continue serving its 15,000 customers with the meticulous care that has fueled its success, and to accelerate its growth even more. SMS is proud to expand our national presence with a valued partner who shares our long-term vision for growth.”

Telemus in Southfield Named Finalist for FCS Awards for U-M NIL Campaign

 Telemus Capital, an independent wealth advisory firm in Southfield, was named a finalist for the Financial Communications Society Portfolio Awards 2023 for its first marketing campaign using the Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) deals with players of the University of Michigan football team.

Finalists were chosen by a judging panel of 40 senior marketing and creative executives from financial services firms and agencies who reviewed work from a total of 81 brands that showcased financial services marketing and communications work. Finalists have the opportunity to take home gold, silver, and bronze trophies.

Telemus collaborated with five offensive linemen for the Wolverines, including tackles Ryan Hayes and Giovanni El-Hadi, guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, and center Olu Oluwatimi. As part of the NIL deal, the five players were part of a marketing campaign on social media that shares how Telemus protects client wealth, just like Michigan’s offensive line protects its quarterback.

“This was our first NIL deal, so to be recognized as a finalist for our marketing work is an honor for Telemus,” says Lyle Wolberg, CEO and partner at Telemus Capital. “We’re all excited to support one of the nation’s elite offensive lines and are proud that our work for them is being recognized. Our team is grateful for this nomination and anxiously awaiting the winner’s announcement.”

Telemus currently manages and advises on approximately $3 billion in investment assets for wealthy individuals, families and their related interests. The firm has more than 40 experienced team members and nearly two decades of serving clients.

Winners will be announced Thursday, May 4 at the Portfolio 29 Awards Gala event.

Lineage Foundation for Good Launches New Grant Application Program

Lineage Foundation for Good, the independent philanthropic arm of Lineage Logistics in Novi, has launched its first grant application program for qualified organizations to receive grant awards in 2023.

The program will support organizations and initiatives dedicated to addressing hunger, food waste reduction and community development, including workforce development, educational success, financial literacy, housing stabilization programs, and other efforts focused on the social determinants of health related to hunger and poverty.

“As we approach year two of the foundation, we are extremely excited to amplify our community impact by supporting organizations that align with our mission to reduce food waste and fight food insecurity,” says Christine Rees-Zecha, board president for Lineage Foundation for Good. “This grant program will allow us to expand our reach and diversify our partnerships to establish more relationships with organizations from all over who want to reduce food waste and fight food insecurity.”

From now through May 25, all applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with award notifications completed by June 19. The grant sizes will vary depending on the needs of the organizations applying, the types of programs, and available funding. The funding guidance ranges from $2,500 to $200,000.

To apply for a grant from the Foundation, applicants must:

• Submit an application via the online portal.
• Be a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing with the IRS or an international non-governmental organization (NGO).
• Demonstrate a strategy to accomplish its mission, successfully operate programs and evaluate and/or learn from the program’s outcome.

For more information and to apply for a grant, please visit the foundation’s website.

LTU, American University in Iraq to Collaborate on Engineering Programs

Lawrence Technological University in Southfield has signed an agreement with the American University in Iraq-Baghdad (AUIB) that aims to establish both student exchanges and an LTU engineering program in Iraq.

The agreement was signed March 29 during a visit of AUIB officials to LTU’s Southfield campus.

The memorandum of understanding seeks to explore, develop, and shape a framework for an LTU-affiliated College of Engineering at AUIB. Undergraduate students of this program who achieve a grade point average of 3.0 would gain automatic acceptance into LTU’s Master of Science and Ph.D. engineering programs.

The agreement also aims to create 2-plus-2-year programs to bachelor’s engineering degrees where students would spend time on both campuses, as well as a 2-plus-2o-plus-1-year program for an LTU engineering master’s degree.

As well as the new program, the agreement seeks to “facilitate institutional exchanges of bachelor and master students, teachers, and researchers for limited periods of time in the form of online seminars, workshops, etc. prior to the full agreement being in place.”

Finally, the agreement has the two universities working toward cooperation in training and research-and-development programs, as well as collaboration in providing technical advice to enterprises and conducting technology-transfer efforts.

“We are happy to be starting this relationship with AUIB,” says LTU President Tarek Sobh. “LTU is always seeking to grow and expand its global presence, and to bring the unique advantages of our Theory and Practice educational philosophy to more and more students around the world.”

The American University of Iraq – Baghdad is a private, not-for-profit university established in 2018. It started its teaching activities in February 2021 with 260 students in three colleges: Arts and Sciences, International Studies, and Business. The campus has grown quickly with the addition of five more colleges (Pharmacy, Dentistry, Health Technologies, Nursing, and Law). It models itself on other regional American-style universities such as American University of Beirut and American University of Cairo. It does not currently offer engineering degrees.

Trailways Launches Service Connecting Toronto and Detroit

New York-based Trailways has added a new international service connecting Toronto and Detroit. The route, which had been abandoned by other ground transportation providers during the COVID-19 pandemic, will feature seven-day-a-week service with stops in Chatham, London, and Windsor.

“We are incredibly excited to bring Trailways’ affordable, comfortable, and eco-friendly service to the communities across Ontario and Michigan,” says Alex Berardi, president of Trailways.ca. “Canadians across Ontario deserve a quality and affordable means of mobility — and we are proud to fill that void.”

For additional information about the service, schedules, fares, or to purchase tickets, visit Trailways.ca.

Andiamo Celebrity Showroom to Host Cabaret-style Wine Tasting Dinner

 Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren will welcome Ben Sharkey and Adobe Road Winery at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 16, for a cabaret-style wine tasting dinner.

The evening will include a five-course dinner with wine pairings selected by Adobe Road Winemaker Garret Martin, music by singer Ben Sharkey, and dancing.

Tickets are $150 and can be purchased here.

Sharkey, a Michigan native, fuses old-school cool and contemporary jazz, soul, and pop, and has been casually compared to Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Dean Martin, Mel Torme, and Harry Connick Jr.

Gesher Human Services Offers Free Financial Advice April 19

 Reality Day, a free, interactive, game-of-life financial simulation program to assist metro Detroiters in making sound financial decisions will take place at Gesher Human Services (29699 Southfield Road) in Southfield from 11 a.m.-2-p.m. on April 19.

The event is taking place during April, which is National Financial Literacy Month, a time when Americans are encouraged to learn financial skills to improve fiscal wellness and achieve a more secure economic future for themselves and their families.

Huntington National Bank loan officers also will be on site to assist participants who are looking for home down payment assistance or other loans. Light refreshments and giveaways will be provided. The program had been offered twice before but was previously geared to teens and young adults. This year it has been expanded to reach all ages. Registration is preferred but walk-ins are welcome too. Individuals interested in participating in this event can register here.

“This important program allows people to experience the many ways in which they can navigate life’s financial challenges,” says Laltsha Cunningham, financial capabilities manager at Gesher. “Individuals are provided with a life scenario, which includes job, family status and credit score, and then they are asked to deal with the many financial demands we are all faced with including housing, childcare, transportation, and utilities.

“By budgeting and retaining control of their money, they will see how their financial situation will remain healthier and why they are better able to plan for their family’s future.”