JACKSON—Four environmental organizations around Michigan are the recipients of the Consumers Energy Foundation’s second annual Planet Awards. “Consumers Energy is dedicated to ensuring Michigan has world-class natural resources, and this means supporting the natural beauty that can be found throughout the state,” said Brandon Hofmeister, president of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “Out of an overwhelming
TRAVERSE CITY—Atlas Space Operations announced the addition of five new ground stations to its growing global satellite ground control network. The new antennas in New Zealand, Australia, Scotland, Alaska, and an upcoming commissioning in Dubai, represent a dramatic increase in Atlas’ global footprint and network capacity. The move is expected to bolster global antenna coverage
SOUTHFIELD—Explosive growth in the use of artificial intelligence technologies in a wide variety of industries, such as automotive, healthcare, retail, finance, science and manufacturing, has led Lawrence Technological University to create a new degree, the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence. AI and big data are now being successfully used in the battle against the
ANN ARBOR—Esperion Therapeutics, developers of a novel class of cholesterol-reducing drugs, announced that an investor group led by New York City-based Oberland Capital Management LLC agreed to provide the third and final tranche of funding under the revenue-based funding agreement totaling $50 million. The remaining funds are being released sooner than expected and in parallel
DETROIT—Officials at LIFT and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan announced that they have launched a LIFT advanced manufacturing initiative aimed at encouraging local Girl Scouts in grades 8-12 to explore careers in advanced manufacturing and engineering. “Partnering with LIFT will provide our girls with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn from a national manufacturing innovation
SOUTHFIELD—An unprecedented surge in the speed and power of computers is allowing the analysis of complex data sets to develop new vaccines, to analyze financial risk, to create efficient supply chains, or teach cars to drive themselves. A new degree at Lawrence Technological University will train students to analyze data to do all of those
DEARBORN—Ford Motor Co. announced it would establish a new global battery “center of excellence,” to be called Ford Ion Park, to accelerate research and development of battery and battery cell technology, including future battery manufacturing. “We’re already scaling production of all-electric vehicles around the world as more customers experience and crave the fun-to-drive benefits of
ROCHESTER—OneStream Software, developers of corporate performance management software, and PwC Belgium announced they have entered into a strategic alliance for the Belgian market. The partnership will leverage PwC’s expertise as a business and technology consulting provider and OneStream’s cloud-based CPM software to support activities ranging from project delivery to marketing and strategic business collaboration. “Belgium
DETROIT—Comerica Bank’s Michigan Economic Activity Index rose 1 percent in February to a level of 104.0, from 102.9 in January. Economic activity in the year 2012 is equal to 100 on the index. The index is comprised of nine variables—nonfarm payroll employment, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, housing starts, house price index, industrial electricity sales,
ANN ARBOR—The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan will host its annual Positive Business Conference — an event aimed at informing and discussing topics related to improving workplace culture and delivering tangible business results — on May 13 and 14. The theme for this year’s virtual conference is “Meaningful Engagement in a Fragmented
