Detroiter articles from October 2007

Detroiter archives from October 2007

Fighting for our Region.(FROM THE PRESIDENT)
October 1, 2007... Given our proximity to Canada, border-crossing issues have always been a major focus for the Detroit Regional Chamber. We have long recognized the importance of our shared international border and its impact on economic development, trade and...

Connecting membe across the river; The Detroit Regional Chamber and the Windsor & District Chamber launch the world's first international membership.
October 1, 2007... For many metro Detroit-based businesses, it is a shorter driving distance to Windsor, Ontario than it is to Ann Arbor. Even so, a large number of local businesses haven't capitalized on being so close to an international border. Many...

More government regulations will not help the automotive industry.(VOTE4BIZ)
October 1, 2007... It's no secret the American automotive industry is going through a major transition as it tries to "right size" itself to the intense competition of a global economy. What may not be as apparent to the Detroit Region's general business...

Tools for members; this month Vote4Biz is introducing two new features: Legislator profiles and Legislation in Motion.(VOTE4BIZ)
October 1, 2007... The Vote4Biz section was created to inform members of the work the Chamber's government relations department is involved in and arm them with the latest in policy news. This month, the Detroiter is introducing two new features: Legislator...

Legislation in motion; The status of the issues everyone's talking about in 2007.(VOTE4B1Z DET)
October 1, 2007... Business Taxes BACKGROUND The recently enacted Michigan Business Tax, while far from perfect, will provide incentives and credits for businesses to locate and expand in Michigan. Ongoing technical corrections to the new Act fix...

A balancing act: how Detroit CBP's new director of field operations, Robert Perez, facilitates trade and safety at the border.(Interview)
October 1, 2007... There's a new sheriff in town, and he's got an eye on our border. With an operating budget of $75 million and a staff of 1,100, Roberl Perez, the new director of field operations of the Detroit Office for U.S. Customs and Border Protection...

The business of borders.(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Doing business across the border isn't as easy as it used to be, but that doesn't change the fact that international trade still makes up a massive portion of the Detroit Region's economy. The Detroiter set out to help readers understand the...

Bridging the divide: the Michigan Department of Transportation studies another border crossing.
October 1, 2007... With $160 billion of annual Canadian trade, Michigan is Canada's largest trading partner. Our trade economy is so massive that the state does more than twice as much trade with Canada alone than our entire nation exports to Japan. Launched in...

What's their take? Perspectives from influential people on both sides of the border.(FEATURE)
October 1, 2007... Kathy Wendler president, Southwest Detroit Business Association We are committed to the DRIC study because of the amount of trade using the current border crossing. In this day and age, we absolutely need redundancy. If anything...

Closed for business?; Let's make sure we're not sending the wrong message to Canada.(FEATURE)
October 1, 2007... National security and economic prosperity are critical components of any border-related policies. The Detroit Regional Chamber has long advocated for a balance that keeps us secure, yet facilitates trade. Our efforts helping lead an...

Looking to go global? start with Canada.(FEATURE)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Whether you are looking to expand your business to Canada or retain your Canadian clientele here in the United States, there are a number of efforts designed to help ease traveler anxiety and answer questions about the border. One such effort...

An untapped market?; What to know when expanding your franchise to Canada.(FEATURE)
October 1, 2007... Friendly, familiar and accommodating in so many ways, Canada offers ample opportunity for American franchisers seeking new markets and a greater international presence. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To illustrate: Canada has been the United...

A foreign tax system; Understanding Canada's taxes can be the deciding factor in making it or breaking it.(FEATURE)(Interview)
October 1, 2007... Many companies do not realize that venturing into Canada to do business may result in some unexpected tax consequences. Long before you commit to that first customer contract, here are some things to think about: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

With a background in business; Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis understands the critical supply chain that is our border.(Interview)
October 1, 2007... In addition to a law degree and years of City Council experience, Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis has a mind for business and a clear idea of what an international crossing means for the economies of Detroit and Windsor. Prior to entering politics,...

Good fences ...: the old adage has a point.(FEATURE)
October 1, 2007... A fresh perspective from the Detroit Region's young professionals Prior to Labor Day weekend, my Canadian friends were raving about one of their music festivals. "Oh, it's such a great time and it's right on the river in Amherstberg. It's...

Revitalize your Business; 2007 Small Business Conference speakers share their strategies.(ACTION-PACKED BUSINESS AGENDA!)
October 1, 2007... It's not business as usual! That's why, building on the theme of this year's small Business Conference, we asked some of this year's speakers to help our readers break out of their normal business practices and try some new approaches from...

Helping small businesses win the health care battle.(FEATURE)
October 1, 2007... The Detroit Regional Chamber is working every day to create an entrepreneurial environment in Southeast Michigan and the state-an environment in which new business ventures grow exponentially and existing businesses can thrive. ...

On the cutting edge: a day in the life of Bruce McCully, president of Dynamic Edge.(DAY IN THE LIFE)(Company overview)
October 1, 2007... When Bruce McCully's feet hit the floor on a typical workday morning at his home in Ann Arbor's historic "Old West Side" neighborhood, he's probably wondering if there are any fires to put out before he hits the road - metaphorically speaking....

Producing results: ten years of marketing the region pay off.(WELCOME TO OUR REGION)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... In 1997 the Chamber initiated the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership as the economic development arm of the Chamber, and it's been working to market the Detroit Region ever since. The Partnership held its annual meeting in August. ...

Switching gears: dissatisfied on-the-job? consider buying an existing small business.(HOW DO I)
October 1, 2007... If you are one of the countless Detroiters who lost a job in a corporate restructuring or buyout, or you are dissatisfied with your career path, you might consider buying an existing small business. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Buying a...

Driving more than freight; Border crossings drive the Detroit Region's economy.(EYE ON OUR ECONOMY)
October 1, 2007... Looking at a map of North America, it is easy to overlook the fact that Michigan and Ontario even touch, much less share some of the most important borders in North America. The sheer volume of water surrounding the Michigan peninsulas obscures...

On the Roster: Join us in welcoming these new members to the Chamber. We encourage you to contact them for future business opportunities.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)
October 1, 2007... GOLD Human Factors International Human Factors International Eric Anderson PO Box 2020 Fairfield, IA 52556 (800) 242-4480 www.humanfactors.com Human Factors International (HFI) helps customers create Web...

About your benefits new updates and offerings that are increasing the value of your membership.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Ambassador Committee to Launch at the Detroit Regional Chamber Keeping with its commitment to membership, the Chamber recently launched the Ambassador Committee for the 2007-2008 fiscal year. Made up of a dynamic group of volunteers,...

Chamber members save with more insurance options.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)
October 1, 2007... The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) contains provisions giving certain former employees, retirees, spouses, former spouses and depended children the right to temporary continuation of health coverage at group...

Butzel Long.(Awards & Accomplishments)(Jack D. Shumate )(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Butzel Long Senior Attorney Jack D. Shumate is one of 23 attorneys from across the United States and the only Michigan lawyer to found the American College of Environmental Lawyers. The College will recognize the achievements of outstanding...

Dickinson Wright.(Awards & Accomplishments)(Frank T. Mamat)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Dickinson Wright Attorney Frank T. Mamat was recently named to a list of Top 100 Labor Attorneys in the U.S. for 2007, as complied by Labor Relations Institute, Inc. The honor, which puts Mamat in the top one percent of labor attorneys in the...

Wayne State University.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... The Wayne State University School of Business Administration has joined an elite list of schools in the book Best 290 Business Schools, published by The Princeton Review. Wayne State will be included in the 2008 edition of the book, available...

The Rehmann Group.(Awards & Accomplishments)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... The Rehmann Group, one of the Midwest's largest accounting and business consulting firms, has been recognized as one of the Metropolitan Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. The annual competition, sponsored by the Michigan...

AGS Renaissance.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... AGS Renaissance, an international communications and technical services firm, has again been named one of Metropolitan Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the Michigan Business Professional Association. This is the sixth...

Atwell-Hicks.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Land development consulting firm Atwell-Hicks was chosen as one of Metropolitan Detroit's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For for the fourth year in a row by the Michigan Business & Professional Association.

OpTech. L.L.C.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Inc. Magazine has ranked OpTech. L.L.C. at number 915 on its list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in the country.

Comcast.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Comcast has again been recognized as one of the 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in Southeast Michigan by the Michigan Business and Professional Association (MBPA). This is the sixth consecutive award for the MBPA. The MBPA looks...

Plunkett Cooney.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Plunkett Cooney delivered on a pledge by its president and CEO to be the top law firm fundraiser and bring home the American Heart Association's (AHA) Metro Detroit Heart Walk Law Cup in 2007. The 2007 AHA Heart Walk was non-competitive 3.2...

McGraw Wentworth.(Awards & Accomplishments)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Inc. Magazine has announced that McGraw Wentworth is one of the 5,000 fastest growing private companies in America. The Inc. 5,000 list debuts this year, expanding upon the magazine's annual Inc. 500 listing to highlight the fastest growing...

Borman, L.L.P.(Awards & Accomplishments)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Countland W. Anderson, a partner in the Troy office of the law firm Borman, L.L.P., has authored a chapter, "The Broadening and Strengthening of IP Rights," in the recently-released book, Intellectual Property Law 2007: Top Lawyers On Trends...

Ametican Society of Employers.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Southfield-based Ametican Society of Employers, one of the oldest and targest employer associations in the nation, has announced the winners of its fourth annual Michigan Human Resource Executive of the Year awards. ASE's Human Resource...

Wayne Country Register of Deeds.(Awards & accomplishments)(Bernald J. Youngblood )(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Bernald J. Youngblood of the Wayne Country Register of Deeds received the prestigious Eagle Award from the International Association of Clerks. Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers (IACREOT) for his innevative tacties in instant...

Forley & Lardner, L.L.P.(Awards & Accomplishments)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Forley & Lardner, L.L.P. announced today that the firm recieved a 2007 CIO 100 Award given annually by CIO magazine.The award marks the sixth time in the past seven years that the time has been recognized by the magazine. The CIO 100 celebrates...

Identity marketing & public relations.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Identity Marketing & Public Relations, a full-service marketing and public relations agency, has earned a place on the first-ever Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country. The Inc. 5,000, an extension of Inc....

Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3).(Awards & Accomplishments)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Strategic Staffing Solutions (S3), Detroit's largest staffing company for information technology consultants, was named one of the fastest growing companies in the United States in Inc. Magazine's, Inc. 5000 survey. S3 was judged based in its...

Butzel Long.(Awards & Accomplishments)(Reginald A. Pacis )(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Butzel Long Attorney and Sharholder Reginald A. Pacis will be one of the recipients of the 2007 Excellence Awards presented by the National Federation of Filioino American Associations INaFFAAJ-Michgan chapter during the 4th Annual NaFFAA...

Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C.(Awards & Accomplishments)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Paul Hage, an associate with Southfield based Jaffe Raitt Heuer & Weiss, P.C. has been awarded the prestigious American Bank uptey Law Journal Award from St. John's University School of Law. The American Bankruptey Law Journal Award is a...

Anderson Economic Group, L.L.C.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Anderson Economic Group, L.L.C. has released a new annual reference book, the State Economic Handbook, which profiles the economy, demography, political environment and business climates for each of the 50 states. The book, edited by Patirck L....

Wayne State University's.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Wayne State University's College of Nursing is honoring Nancy M. Schlichting, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System and Dorothy (Dottie) Deremo, president and CEO of Hespice of Michigan. The awards are presented annually in recognition...

Northwood University.(Awards & Accomplishments)
October 1, 2007... Northwood University has partnered with Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and the U.S. State Department in bringing 12 women from Afghanistan to its campus for a concentrated business education program. These women will return to Afghanistan...

Kupelian Ormond & Magy, P.C.(Appointments)(D. Randall Gilmer)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... D. Randall Gilmer, J.D., associate attorney at Kupelian Ormond & Magy, P.C. in Southfield has been appointed to the City of Trenton Planning Commission. The Commission is responsible for reviewing planned developments within the City, making...

Dickinson Wright.(Appointments)
October 1, 2007... Dickinson Wright Member James Y. Rayis was appointed by the American Bar Association Section of International Law to serve as co-chair of the section's Middle East Committee. The section's Middle East Committees was formed to unite legal...

Butzel Long.(Appointments)
October 1, 2007... Emily A. Minns of Butzel Long has been elected to the Board of Directors of Den Bosco Hall in Detroit, a private, non-profit agency, with residential, transitional and non-residential facilities providing community enrichment services through...

Clark Hill.(Appointments)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Clark Hill Attorney Michael Antovski has been appointed Vice Chairman of the Tax Law Committed for the Oakland County Bar Association. Antovski is a senior attorney with Cark Hill's Birmingham office and focuses his practice in the Business...

Henry Ford Medical Center.(Community Outreach)
October 1, 2007... * Henry Ford Medical Center's Josephine Ford Cancer recently implemented a peaceful space for patients and their families to enjoy The waterfall, which helps patients recover more quickly in a reduced-stress environment, was designed to be...

Dynamic Edge.(Community Outreach)(Dynamic Edge Technology Grant)(Brief article)
October 1, 2007... Dynamic Edge recently awarded $7.500 worth of grants to local nonprofit organizations. The Dynamic Edge Technology Grant program exists to help local non-profit organizations fund a project they may have put aside due to funding issues, lack of...

Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.(Community Outreach)
October 1, 2007... * Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. celebrated the opening of the first store under the Little Caesars Veterans Program, as U.S. military veteran and Little Caesars franchisee Martin Lorenz opened his doors business at 11600 Gladiolus Dr. in...

Members of the China Advertising Association.(Community Outreach)
October 1, 2007... * Members of the China Advertising Association (CAAJ visited DP & Company, and advertising agency in Farmington Hills, Mich. The association provides an opportunity for Chinese advertising professionals to travel, study and work collaboratively...

Around the Region; August: invested Leaders Forum, September: Annual Report to Membership.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)
October 1, 2007... * The Invested Leaders Forum panel featured Mary Kramer, publisher. Crain's Detroit Business; Tonya Allen. vice president, The Skillman Foundation: Lou Glazer, executive director, Michigan Future and Daniel Little, chancellor, University of...

Up and coming; Mark your calendar with these regional business events.(MEMBERSHIP MATTERS)(Calendar)
October 1, 2007... October 17 Breakfast & Business Join the Sterling Heights/Utica/Shelby Township Chamber and their ambassador hosts for Breakfast & Business at Hamlin Pub in Shelby Township. Call (586) 731-5400 for more information. October 18 ...