Transportation

AATA to take over WALLY commuter rail project

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October 30, 2008

The proposed commuter rail project north of Ann Arbor took a major step forward last night when the AATA decided to take it over. Excerpt: The commuter rail project WALLY is set to take some serious steps forward now that its future is no longer up for grabs. The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority took control of the project last night and will serve as the agency to take it forward. Proponents of WALLY have been pushing to set up a new authority consisting of Washtenaw and Livingston counties, but officials from Livingston County (where most of the stations will be located) have balked at the idea. "There's lot to be done but this really gives it some firm ground to stand on," says Terri Blackmore, executive director of the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study. Read the rest of the story here.

Latest in Transportation

Birmingham, Troy move forward with transit center plans

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Arts & Culture

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October 30, 2008

The slow train of mass transit reform may still be a bit in the distance, but it's picking up steam in Birmingham.The city is working with Troy to create a $6 million transit center just on the Birmingham side of the border between the cities. Although still in the planning stages, the cities hope line up funding for it soon and start putting shovels in the ground within a few years.The transit center building will cost about $4 million and will facilitate a variety of modes of transportation. It will be built along heavy rail tracks that will eventually become part of the proposed northern leg of the Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter rail line. It will also facilitate buses, cabs, bicyclists and pedestrians. There has also been talk of building a streetcar line in an east-west direction from the transit center. Such a line would connect Troy's Somerset Collection and Pavilions of Troy to Birmingham's booming downtown, Rail District and Triangle District.The other $2 million would pay for a tunnel underneath the tracks that could connect both communities.Source: Mark Nickita, member of the Birmingham Planning BoardWriter: Jon Zemke

ANXeBusiness double its size, expects to double again

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Arts & Culture

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October 30, 2008

A couple of years ago, ANXeBusiness was half the size it is today. That's a good thing for the Southfield-based firm software developer.Then it was just under 40 employees. Today it has 90 people and an intern thanks to the acquisition of four companies mixed in with some organic growth. ANXeBusiness hopes to repeat that feat again sometime soon."In the next year to 18 months we will probably double the size of the company again," says Jim Michels, vice president of marketing and sales for ANXeBusiness.That's come a long way from the company that started with 20 people in 1999. Then it was part of an initiative to streamline information sharing between car manufacturers and their suppliers. It designed some software that Science Applications International deemed worthy of pursuing. It has since evolved its product lineup beyond the automotive sector. It has customers in areas such as health-care and retail. Major League Baseball even uses one of ANXeBusiness' software products to help keep its statistics.The company now has offices in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, Philadelphia, Cleveland, San Diego and Toronto.Source: Jim Michels, vice president of marketing and sales for ANXeBusinessWriter: Jon Zemke

$8.6 million investment in Critical Signal Technologies leads to 366 new jobs

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Arts & Culture

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October 30, 2008

Millions of dollars in investment are expected to lead to hundreds of jobs at Critical Signal Technologies.The Farmington Hills-based firm recently took in $2 million from Michigan's 21st Century Jobs Fund, along with $6.6 million in accompanying venture capital. That investment is expected to create another 366 jobs at a firm that already employs 146 people. Critical Signal Technology life sciences tech company develops 24-hour personal emergency response and remote medical monitoring services for elderly and disabled people. The system allows them to live a safer and more independent life. The system helps reduce costs because it can assess patient conditions on the spot and make sure the correct medical or emergency personnel arrive on the scene. Critical Signal Technologies launched its services in 2006 and has built its client base to more than 3,000 customers.The firm plans to add its new employees and contractors over the next three years as it aims to pump up its revenues to $15 million annually. . Source: Michigan Economic Development CorporationWriter: Jon Zemke

Lawrence Tech secures $800,000 grant to test military armor

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Arts & Culture

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October 30, 2008

The next generation of military armor is about to be tested at Lawrence Technological University's Center for Innovative Materials Research.The university received an $800,000 federal grant to build an environmental/ loading chamber that will be used to test vehicle armor and armor structural components. The chamber will allow researchers to test vehicle and composite armor while simulating harsh weather conditions, such as salt spray, rain, salt water, UV light, high humidity and sand conditions in freezing, thawing and dry heat. Lawrence Tech will work with the Army Research Laboratory and the Army Tank-Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center in Warren, continuing years of work the university has done with those organizations. The results will play a key part in developing materials used to protect military forces on the battlefield. The earmark is part of a recently passed military appropriations bill and is set to be finished sometime next year. It is 20 feet long, 12 feet wide and 12 feet tall, making it big enough to house whole military vehicles or just parts of them.The Center for Innovative Materials Research also houses three other major research initiatives, such as testing components of highway bridges. Source: Lawrence Technological UniversityWriter: Jon Zemke

Hybra-Drive Systems gets $14.3 million in VC to create 52 new jobs

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Economic Development

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October 30, 2008

Hybra-Drive Systems came on the scene four years ago looking to capitalize on the advancements taking place in the fluid power industry. It looks like that strategy is panning out.The Deerfield-based firm has attracted $14.3 million in venture capital this fall, including $3.35 million from Michigan's 21st Century Jobs Fund. The investment is expected to create 52 new jobs at the 8-person firm.Hybra-Drive Systems develops ways to operate commercial vehicles more efficiently through advanced hydraulic technology. Its products, which are environmentally friendly, help reduce costs by improving fuel economy and reducing emissions by as much as 60 percent.The company is developing or bidding on six different vehicle programs that are expected to help expand the company's product lineup. These vehicles can be used in everything from postal delivery vehicles to taxi cabs.Source: Michigan Economic Development CorporationWriter: Jon Zemke

PALS International adds 10 people, poised for more growth

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Arts & Culture

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October 30, 2008

PALS International has been around Metro Detroit for awhile and it doesn't look like it is going anywhere anytime soon. In fact, the Troy-based firm that specializes in foreign language translation has seen a steady increase in its business as the world has become a smaller, and flatter place. The company has added 10 new employees to round out its staff of 75 ,and an army of independent contractors that numbers somewhere between 500 and 1,000.PALS International looks to increase its business with 20 percent revenue growth and customers in the near future.The company provides language training tools that accommodate busy, mobile lifestyles. It combines proven instructional design with state-of-the-art technology for its PALS Language On The GO! product. The company can also provides tutors for its customers.The languages its courses cover are English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Dutch. Chinese, Japanese and Arabic courses are also available on CD ROM.Source: Darlene Freeborn, director of business development with PALS InternationalWriter: Jon Zemke

Pontiac installs LED streetlights, expects big savings

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Arts & Culture

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October 30, 2008

It's getting cheaper to keep the lights on in Pontiac, at least since the city has finished installing its first LED streetlights.The LEDs are part of the $2 million reconstruction that took place this summer. The project rebuilt 1 mile of Baldwin Avenue between Cesar Chavez Avenue and Montcalm Street, just northwest of downtown. That includes replacing the road, sidewalks and 36 light polls. LED lights are going in all of the new cobra-head street lamps. The LEDs cost $21,000 and are partially funded by federal and state grants.The 36 lights are expected to significantly cut expenses because LEDs are more energy-efficient and longer-lasting. LEDs typically cut electric bills in half because they use less energy. They mostly produce light that is visible to the human eye. Normal incandescent lights produce a significant amount of ambient light that isn't.They are also last much longer. "It really cuts down on the maintenance cost," says Allan E Schneck, director of the department of public works for the city of Pontiac. Oxford-based Relume Technologies and its distributor Lumeco provided the LEDs. The company also provided the LEDs for Ann Arbor's downtown.The technology is already widely used in traffic lights, TVs and brake lights for cars; as well as those expensive flashlights at REI. Ann Arbor is in the process of installing them in all its downtown streetlights. Those lights are expected to pay for themselves through energy savings within 4.2 years.Ann Arbor is also looking to eventually install LEDs in all of its streetlights within the next few years. Other cities like Ferndale, Wyandotte and Ypsilanti are seriously considering similar options.Source: Allan E Schneck, director of the department of public works for the city of PontiacWriter: Jon Zemke

Coalition forms to push establish agenda for region’s economic landscape

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Economic Development

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October 23, 2008

Not only are communities fighting for jobs, but the state, the region, and the country. The Detroit Chamber has joined a coalition revolving around the Great Lakes region to aggressively attract and retain jobs. Excerpt: The Detroit Regional Chamber has joined with more than 30 other chambers of commerce in the Great Lakes region to promote a federal legislative agenda for growing the region's economy. This coalition, pushing an aggressive business agenda for creating jobs and attracting investment in the Great Lakes area, includes more than 94,000 employers, said Richard Blouse Jr., CEO and president of the Detroit chamber. Read the entire article here.

Habitat for Humanity aims for platinum LEED certification for newest house

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October 23, 2008

Habitat for Humanity is known for its sustainable practices, but now the nonprofit is making a name for itself for its latest sustainable building.Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County recently finished work on a new house in Pontiac, 457 Ferry St. What makes this house standout from the other thousands that Habitat has built over the years is that it is going for platinum LEED certification."It's a first for Habitat for Humanity and Southeast Michigan," says Sally LePla, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Oakland County. The 1,200-square-foot ranch house, funded by Chrysler Financial and Gontina Building and Design, cost about 15 percent more than the average Habitat for Humanity home. However, it will create about 30 percent energy savings for its residents annually. That can mean about $1,000 per year in energy savings. The house utilizes a number of eco-friendly materials such as siding from Auburn Hills-based Microposite, bamboo and cork flooring, structural insulated panels and passive solar design strategies. It also uses energy efficient windows, is thoroughly insulated and uses Energy Star fixtures. Habitat for Humanity also used recycled materials, purchased them locally and minimized the amount of waster, recycling whatever it could. Source: Sally LePla, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Oakland CountyWriter: Jon Zemke