Crain's Detroit Business articles from July 2005

Crain's Detroit Business archives from July 2005

House bill would start school after Labor Day.(House Bill 4803)(House Bill 4959, bill against direct shipment s of wine)(Michigan Department of Human Services' Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Amy Lane Michigan's tourism industry last week scored a victory in a long-running battle, with House passage of a bill that requires schools to start after Labor Day. House Bill 4803, sponsored by Ed Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe...

New MEDC chief accentuates the positive.(Michigan Economic Development Corp)(James Epolito )
July 4, 2005... Byline: Amy Lane Incoming state economic-development chief James Epolito says he's pumped up about his new leadership of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. He also knows it's not an easy job. Epolito, 50, takes on an...

Getting the word out; Michigan's rust-belt image often trumps its natural treasures and educated workforce. How can we change how we're perceived?
July 4, 2005... Byline: Amy Lane In the past year, one of the few bright spots in Michigan's gloomy employment picture has been job growth in businesses related to tourism. So you might think the state would pour money into promoting Michigan's...

Dedicated dollars; Skillman hopes focusing cash on specific neighborhoods can get results.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Sherri Begin The Detroit-based Skillman Foundation has invested more than $20 million a year in children's programs for nearly a decade. But the foundation is hoping a more focused approach to its grant-making will help it have...

Corrections.(Correction)(Correction Notice)
July 4, 2005... * An article published on Page 26 of the June 20 issue gave an incorrect name for Walled Lake-based Bolton Conductive Systems L.L.C. * On the June 27 list of banks and thrifts, the phone number for Dearborn Bancorp Inc. was incorrect. The...

Eateries take second (and third) helpings; Casual restaurants see sales growth, plan expansion.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Many of metro Detroit's casual dining and quick-service restaurant chains, in contrast to the rest of the region's economy, are experiencing sales increases and are hungry for additional locations. Troy-based...

Downtown Detroit sees new restaurants flower.(Executive Life)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Five restaurants recently announced plans to open in Detroit's central business district this summer while a sixth, Fishbone's Rhythm Kitchen Cafe, reopened last month after a fire forced it to close for six weeks....

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
July 4, 2005... Chamber shouldn't play naive Editor: Crain's Detroit Business has been a premier business publication in Detroit for many years, and I enjoy reading Mary Kramer's insights and analysis. I was at first intrigued and eventually in...

Lush life; Executives turn to European-style gardens to craft unique outdoor sanctums.(Executive Life)
July 4, 2005... Byline: JoAnn Amicangelo At the end of a long, challenging day as CEO of North American Bancard in Troy, Marc Gardner, 38, takes refuge in the private resort he created in his Bloomfield Hills back yard. Soon after moving into his home...

Skillman grant rescues media arts high school.(News)(Skillman Foundation gives grant to Communication & Media Arts High School)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Sherri Begin A $1.5 million grant to keep Communication & Media Arts High School in Detroit open for another three years marks a new funding direction for the Skillman Foundation. The grant, made June 15, is the first Skillman...

New life for regional police site proposal.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Robert Ankeny A regional justice center proposed almost two years ago by Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano may be moving closer to reality as the city of Detroit has dropped plans for converting the Michigan Central Depot into a...

Briefly.(Briefs)(Incat International)
July 4, 2005... Incat International buys Colo. engineering company for $7.45M Novi-based Incat International plc has acquired Denver-based CAD Potential Inc. for more than $7 million, the company said June 24. Both companies provide engineering...

Detroit wrestles with budget as election approaches.(Focus)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Robert Ankeny As Detroit began its new budget year July 1, the city's finances remained fraught with uncertainty. For the first time in decades, a Detroit mayor is being forced to live with a general-fund budget that is in large...

An August (or July) occasion.(News)(www.crains detroit.com)(Crain's Detroit Business daily)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Bob Allen We get a lot of regular mail and e-mail from people wanting to publicize events, which we do in our calendar in print and online. You also can enter the information yourself directly into the system we use to publish it....

Collins & Aikman financing canceled; Customer loans temporarily prop up bankrupt supplier.
July 4, 2005... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Bankrupt auto supplier Collins & Aikman Corp. is surviving solely on customer loans after its main lending agent pulled out of a financing deal. In an unusual move, a bank group led by J.P. Morgan Chase & Co....

Rumblings.(Victory Toyota)(Holman Automotive Group Inc)(news briefs)
July 4, 2005... Holman Auto sues over Victory commercials Westland-based Holman Automotive Group Inc., which owns and operates Red Holman Pontiac GMC, filed a lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in Detroit against Victory Toyota of Plymouth over radio...

Landscaper unlocks lakefront gem.(Executive Life)(Mark Juett)(Biography)
July 4, 2005... Byline: JoAnn Amicangelo Mark Juett has always liked working outdoors. As a young boy he enjoyed caring for the yard around his home and was the neighborhood grass-cutter. When he was 16, instead of buying a car like most of his friends,...

Ilitch makes moves in California, New York to expand casino empire.(News)(Marian Ilitch)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Robert Ankeny Marian Ilitch has casino aspirations well beyond her sole ownership of Detroit's MotorCity Casino L.L.C. Along with Michael Malik, one of her former partners in MotorCity, she is backing Indian casino bids on both...

This Just In.(brief news)
July 4, 2005... Price to retire from Marygrove next year Glenda Price, president of Marygrove College since 1998, plans to retire next June. Marygrove's board of trustees will hold a special meeting this month to begin the search process. During...

Small state wineries getting stomped on.(Opinion)(Column)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Donald Coe I am managing partner of Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. What that does not tell you is that I was once president of Hiram Walker Co., a Southfield/Windsor wine and spirits company established in 1858, driven out of...

Detroit's population rank not as important as region's, observers say.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Jennette Smith, Anjali Fluker Detroit's fall from the top-10 biggest cities list could affect regional perception but should not hurt how businesses develop and invest. The U.S. Census Bureau reported last week that San Jose,...

Name that school; School district offers naming rights to offset revenue losses.(selling of naming rights of school districts)(Plymouth-Canton Community School District)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Rich Thomaselli Crain News Service A school district in suburban Detroit has decided to sell naming rights to its buildings - including a new elementary school - as a way to offset the one-two punch of rising education costs and...

Five projects get $100K 'cool cities' grants.(News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Amy Lane Four projects in Detroit and one in Ann Arbor will receive state grants of $100,000 each and other assistance as part of "cool cities'' designations announced June 27 by the state. The Detroit projects are: *...

After restating earnings, Delphi focuses on its other problems.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Bradford Wernle Crain News Service Now that Delphi Corp. has restated its earnings as part of an internal accounting scandal, the company's new management team must turn its attention to the company's other pressing problems. ...

12 companies look to bid for Wireless Oakland.(News)(wireless communication services)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Twelve companies could submit bids to provide services for the Wireless Oakland project in the works for the county. Responses to the Wireless Oakland request for qualifications were opened June 27. The...

Briefly.(Briefs)(Comerica Inc)(Freudenberg-NOK)(CareTech Solutions Inc.)
July 4, 2005... Comerica names senior VP Paul Burdiss has been named senior vice president and treasurer of Detroit-based Comerica Inc. and will assume responsibility for investor relations. Previously, he served as the officer-in-charge of capital...

Midyear outlook.(Focus)
July 4, 2005... Auto suppliers, Page 17 * Production is expected to be more stable for the rest of the year. * Moderating steel and plastic prices will help some suppliers. Small business/Finance, Page 18 * Lending is up and is expected to...

Forbes CEO Forum is chance to pitch state.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Amy Lane State economic-development officials couldn't ask for a better captive audience. Some of the nation's top executives are coming to Mackinac Island in September for a high-powered conference that is also a key chance...

Nonprofits prep for federal, state changes.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Sherri Begin Local nonprofits are preparing to deal with new federal and state legislation on the way later this year. The Panel on the Nonprofit Sector released its final recommendations to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on...

Week in Review.(Briefs)
July 4, 2005... Consumers seeks $132M gas rate increase Consumers Energy Co. is seeking a $132 million increase in its natural-gas rates. The rate case, filed Friday at the Michigan Public Service Commission, would affect all of Consumers' 1.7 million...

Mars Advertising buys Southfield building for $9.175M.(News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Anjali Fluker Southfield-based Mars Advertising Co. Inc. is preparing for renovations on its newly purchased building at 25200 Telegraph Road, north of 10 Mile Road. The sale price was $9.175 million according to real estate...

Lone no more, Compuware enlists resellers.(Software industry)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Compuware Corp. fought the war for information-technology dollars with few allies four years ago, just as it had done the previous 30 years on its way to becoming a $2 billion company. But when the bottom fell...

Report outlines Delphi's accounting shortcomings.(News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Lack of proper accounting training. Ineffective tone regarding management override. Not enough employees to provide proper accounting oversight. Not exactly the situation most envisioned when Delphi...

Suburban Collection adds ultraluxury lines; Bugatti, Lamborghini stores coming to Troy.(News)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Soon, car aficionados will be able to go to Suburban Collection in Troy to buy a Bugatti Veyron, the world's fastest production car, for $1.3 million, or a Lamborghini for anywhere between $80,000 and $340,000. ...

Bankruptcies.(Fairway Construction Inc., National Marine Investment Group Ltd and H&H Apparel Inc.)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... The following business filed for Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit June 24-30. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that the court must approve. Chapter 7 involves liquidation. United...

Effort to reform Detroit council merits support.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Detroit dropped out of the top 10 cities in the United States on the basis of population. But it can still boast it's one of only two of the nation's 15 largest that shares this distinction: It elects council members in at-large elections...

Food Bank of Oakland County, Gleaners sign off on merger.(News)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Sherri Begin The boards of directors of Gleaners Community Food Bank of Metro Detroit and the Food Bank of Oakland County have approved the merger of the two nonprofit agencies. The two food banks began operating as Gleaners...

An interesting audition for a tough job.(Column)(Column)
July 4, 2005... Byline: KEITH CRAIN Last week we had a chance to watch or listen to the first debate among the four leading candidates for mayor of Detroit. Our incumbent mayor, a City Council member, a state senator and an ex-deputy mayor were on the...

Reporter's Notebook.(Advanced Computing Technologies Inc)
July 4, 2005... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Mike Lipinski expected 2005 would be the year his customers would replace outdated hardware and software products, benefiting his company, Southfield-based Advanced Computing Technologies Inc. That hasn't been...

6 months down, 6 to go; Auto suppliers brave the tumult while small businesses get cooking in a year full of changes.(Focus)
July 4, 2005... The first half of the year saw concern growing about Southeast Michigan's stagnant economy. A wave of automotive supplier bankruptcies and financial trouble at Delphi Corp. and Visteon Corp. didn't help. But all is not lost. Small-business...

Good moves in Lansing.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
July 4, 2005... Two promising signals arose in Lansing last week as Michigan battles its economic slump. First, Republicans finally released their own economic stimulus proposals that offer some innovative ideas that combine tax relief and money for...

Corrections.(Correction)(Correction Notice)
July 11, 2005... * A July 4 Other Voices column contained an incorrect address for the Web site of Wine Consumers Across Michigan. It should have read www.winecam.org.

An endorsement? Comerica says no.(News)(Comerica Bank endorses Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick)
July 11, 2005... Was it an endorsement or simply a statement of fact? That's what some readers of a recent economic report issued by Comerica Bank, the city of Detroit's lead bank, may have wondered last week. The bank distributed a thick report,...

Breaking down breaking news.(News)(www.crainsdetroit.com)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Bob Allen You print readers know the drill. We finish this paper Friday night, and you (in theory) get it Monday. It's been that way for more than 20 years. But then we threw this thing called the Internet at you. Why bother?...

Juiced-up sales; School deals a plus for Breeze Freeze's drinks; `not a Slushee'.(News)(Breeze Freeze Inc.)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Sheena Harrison Frozen-drink sales are translating into cold, hard cash for Plymouth-based Breeze Freeze Inc., which is marketing its product as a healthy alternative to soft drinks. Founded in 2000, Breeze Freeze has grown to...

OK, so just how big is Detroit, anyway?(Detroit, Michigan)(Column)
July 11, 2005... Byline: KEITH CRAIN They published the bad news a couple of weeks ago. Detroit had just fallen out of the top 10 largest cities ranked by population. It was replaced by San Jose. Now, before we get too upset, I've always said that...

Collins & Aikman gets its deal - now it must make a plan.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Troy-based Collins & Aikman Corp. (Pink Sheets: CKCRQ) received a little breathing room on Thursday when it won approval for a new financing plan. The company now has about 90 days to come up with a new business...

Suppliers open door to private-equity funds.(News)(automotive industry)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Private-equity buyers say financial stress among auto suppliers is easing the industry's bias against them. Analysts say that means private-equity companies will be bigger players in auto supply acquisitions,...

Business Diary.(Briefs)
July 11, 2005... CALLS FOR ENTRIES The Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals is seeking entries for its second-annual Environmental Excellence Awards. Projects are to be honored in brownfield redevelopment, environmental...

Week in Review.(Briefs)(Compuware Corp. must pay more than $11 million to Mary McCarty and Aidan O'Lee)(Comerica Inc. to settle class-action lawsuits against financial services)(Alexander Dawson)(Daniel Loepp appointed as nonexecutive chairman of Catuity Inc. )
July 11, 2005... Compuware must pay $11.15M to ex-workers San Francisco, Calif., jury ruled Thursday that Detroit-based Compuware Corp. must pay more than $11 million in damages to two former employees, according to Bloomberg News. The employees, Mary...

Triple play strains some event organizers; Some companies skip All-Star Game in favor of Super Bowl.(All-Star Baseball Game)(Super Bowl Game (Football))
July 11, 2005... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Rick Rachner, president of Detroit Sports Concierge, saw dollar signs when the sporting gods deemed metro Detroit worthy of three major events in less than two years, but now wishes they had been less generous....

Spotlight on: Intramode L.L.C.(News)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Almost exactly five years ago, architects Bob and Maureen Kraemer founded an office furniture dealership called Intramode L.L.C. because they thought the business would be easy to break into. It wasn't. Maureen...

In the spotlight.(People)(John Bailey and Associates has appointed Elizabeth Utton as vice president.)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... John Bailey & Associates Inc. has appointed Elizabeth Utton as vice president. Utton joins John Bailey from Automation Alley, where she was director of the Automation Alley Member Consortium. Before joining Automation Alley, Utton spent...

Lear, other seat-makers to lose job of designing interiors for GM.(News)(General Motors Corp. ceases its contracts with Lear Corp. (Southfield, Michigan) and Johnson Controls Inc.)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Greg Bowens, David Sedgwick Crain News Service General Motors Corp. is backing away from its policy of allowing seat-makers to handle the design of complete vehicle interiors. During the past four years, the automaker had...

Taking the LEED; Architects, designers promote Earth-friendly offices.(Focus)(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for office buildings)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Marti Benedetti Expect to see more "green'' around the office - not necessarily the color, but materials and equipment that are environmentally friendly. Office designers are using chair upholstery made of corn. Desks, walls...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
July 11, 2005... Detroit must promote itself Editor: In recent issues there has been a great deal of attention paid to the mayor of Detroit and the city itself. I felt compelled to respond to the debate of whether or not the mayor and/or city is on the...

Bankruptcies.
July 11, 2005... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit July 1-7. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that the court must approve. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. Barbara...

This Just In.(Arborland Center is for sale)(First Industrial Realty Trust Inc. purchases three buildings)(Trans-Industries Inc.)
July 11, 2005... Arborland Center for sale Arborland Center in Ann Arbor is for sale. "It is being marketed,'' said Mike Canter, principal of Webster Township-based TBM Equities. "If there is an offer that is acceptable to all the partners, then we...

Open offices continue march - noisy neighbors and all.(Focus)(office design)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Marti Benedetti Say goodbye to the cubicle. According to design experts, companies are moving toward open office environments that encourage collaboration and teamwork. Dave Van Langevelde, owner and president of...

Macher new boss at C&A.(News)(Frank Macher appointed at Collins and Aikman Corp.)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Troy-based Collins & Aikman Corp. on Thursday announced the resignation of acting CEO Charles Becker and Interim Chairman Marshall Cohen. Former Federal-Mogul Corp. chief Frank Macher has been appointed president and...

Peer boards help execs solve problems; Monthly meetings give chance to share ideas about business concerns.(News)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Anjali Fluker As a small-business owner, Mike Curi had limited resources when he needed professional advice on handling a difficult employee or marketing a new aspect of his business. Curi, president of Pontiac-based Tech...

Briefly.(Briefs)(Sanders Store plans to open new store)(Rock Construction Co. Inc. applied for a wastewater discharge permit)(Pilot Air Freight Corp.)
July 11, 2005... Sanders to open in Grosse Pointe A second area Sanders store is expected to open in Grosse Pointe by October on Kercheval Avenue near the former Jacobson's store. The Grosse Pointe Sanders store will be the first to open since the...

Hino Motors hopes local HQ ups sales.(News)(headquarters)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Sheena Harrison Hino Motors Manufacturing U.S.A. says moving its headquarters from Orangeburg, N.Y., to metro Detroit will be a key factor in helping the Japanese truck maker boost its North American market share. Hino opened...

Rumblings.(David Campbell of Rightfield Solutions L.L.C.)(Detroit Economic Club ranked third in a list of the best venues for business leaders)(automotive parts industry)
July 11, 2005... Former DMC boss back in Detroit with a new job David Campbell, former CEO of The Detroit Medical Center, is back in Detroit, this time as a private consultant. Campbell is now a private consultant and a business adviser to...

Act quickly on transit.(Opinion)(public transit systems)
July 11, 2005... Detroit is the only major city in the country without a comprehensive public transit system. Last week, hopes of finally creating a coordinated regional system were dashed by a court ruling that supported a union challenge to the nascent...

Kenneth Burnley deserved a better fate.(News)(retires from Detroit Public Schools)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Mary Kramer Ken Burnley expected to be cleaning out his desk at the Detroit Public Schools headquarters over the July 4 holiday weekend. His five-year stint as CEO of the Detroit Public Schools officially ended June 30. But he...

Item-pricing law could be easing for retailers.(News)(1976 Michigan Item Pricing Act)(property owners' rights)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Amy Lane Retailers have gained some ground in a new quest to change Michigan's item-pricing law, but they still have a long way to go. The latest proposal, House Bill 4636, sponsored by Rep. Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell, would...

Finances improve for jobless fund.(News)(unemployment insurance fund)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Amy Lane Despite Michigan's high jobless rate, finances may be improving for the state's unemployment insurance fund. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund this year is collecting more in taxes and paying out less in...

Nailco plans $15M Wixom warehouse.
July 11, 2005... Byline: Jennette Smith Farmington Hills-based beauty-products distributor The Nailco Group plans to build a distribution center in Wixom to improve deliveries and support its growing businesses. The 170,000-square-foot, $15 million...

Mel Farr appeals Oak Park land ruling.(News)(Mel Farr Automotive Group Inc. files a case against Ford Motor Credit Co.)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Former new-car dealer Mel Farr is trying to regain control of property in Oak Park and has taken his case against Ford Motor Credit Co. to the Michigan Court of Appeals. At issue is 11/2 acres at 26520 Greenfield...

People.(Christine Poe appointed at Ajax Paving Industries Inc.)(David Fike appointed at Marygrove College,)(Ryan Dunning appointed at Superior Environmental Corp.)
July 11, 2005... Construction Christine Poe to vice president-concrete, Ajax Paving Industries Inc., Troy, from senior estimator, concrete. Also, David Cowper to vice president-estimating from senior estimator, asphalt; and Mark Boden to vice...

AIA Michigan awards.(News)(American Institute of Architects)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... The following 2005 American Institute of Architects Michigan Honor Awards were won by local firms. For more information and photos, see www.aiami.com. Architecture Firm of the Year * David W. Osler Associates, Ann Arbor 25-year...

Will Kilpatrick finish in the money? Battle leads to big ad spending.(Kwame Kilpatrick, Freman Hendrix and Sharon McPhail campaign for mayoral post)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Robert Ankeny With just over three weeks to go before Detroit's Aug. 2 mayoral primary, the question buzzing among metro Detroit's politically active business executives is: Will incumbent Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick win, place or show?...

Hydro races roar back with new sponsorships.(News)(Motorboat racing)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Robert Ankeny The 2005 Chrysler Jeep Superstores Detroit American Power Boat Association Gold Cup, scheduled July 15-17 on the Detroit River, has continued to improve sponsorship support. Three years ago, the unlimited...

Local firms scramble to account for workers after London blasts.(News)(London Terrorist Bombings, 2005)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Ann Arbor-based Borders Group Inc. closed 30 stores in the London area after four explosions ripped through the city, just one of many metro Detroit companies that turned their attention to the United Kingdom...

Como's Pizzeria plans location in downtown Detroit.(News)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Four years after buying a building on Woodward Avenue, Ferndale-based Como's Pizzeria Inc. is moving forward with plans to open a restaurant in downtown Detroit just south of Grand Circus Park. Como's co-owner...

A conversation with George Westerman, Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center.(Focus)(Interview)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Brent Snavely Soon Affirmations Lesbian and Gay Community Center in Ferndale will move from an old-fashioned office building into a new, energy-efficient, 17,000-square-foot structure at 290 W. Nine Mile Road. The project, on...

Arbortext drops IPO in favor of purchase; Shareholders OK buyout by Massachusetts firm.(News)(initial public offerings)(Parametric Technology Corp. acquires it)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Arbortext Inc.'s plans to go public were derailed last week by a $190 million offer the CEO of the company said it couldn't refuse. Needham, Mass.-based Parametric Technology Corp. (Nasdaq: PMTC) said late...

Detroit, MLB on the lookout for ambushers.(News)(Major League Baseball)
July 11, 2005... Byline: Rich Thomaselli CRAIN NEWS SERVICE Major League Baseball's All-Star Game won't be the only competition in town this week. Ambush marketers - companies that haven't paid fees to be official sponsors - will be in search of free...

Crain's seeking nominees for Real Estate Excellence Awards.(News)
July 11, 2005... Crain's Detroit Business is now seeking nominations for its Real Estate Excellence Awards. Awards are given to real estate professionals in a number of categories based on vision and leadership in real estate, significant achievements and...

Their home run will keep scoring.(baseball match leads to better town)(Brief Article)
July 11, 2005... Detroit's skyline will be the backdrop for Major League Baseball's All-Star Game Tuesday night. But the real action is closer to the ground, with new lighting, newly paved roads, wider and landscaped sidewalks on major streets - in short,...

Lists on the Web.(News)
July 11, 2005... All Crain's lists are available on the Web at www.crainsdetroit.com. Click on "Crain's lists" in the gray navigation bar at the top of the page. Should your company be on this list? Contact our research department at...

Letters.
July 18, 2005... Emerson hostile to business Editor: Boy, would I like five minutes with State Sen. Bob Emerson, D-Flint, regarding his comments on the proposed SBT phaseout: "I think the proposal is irresponsible and a giveaway to Michigan...

Granholm's Japan trip to lay business groundwork.(News)(Gov. Jennifer Granholm tour to Japan)
July 18, 2005... Byline: Amy Lane Gov. Jennifer Granholm is preparing to court Japanese auto and bioscience executives in an investment mission starting Friday. Granholm's July 22-30 trip will include meetings with major Japanese auto manufacturers and...