Ann Arbor

Current Motor Co reaching for profitability in 2014

By Newsroom

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March 26, 2014

Current Motor Co is turning into the little electric scoot company that could as it continues to expand its sales domestically and overseas. "We're a little company but we're growing and exporting," says Lauren Flanagan, executive chair of Current Motor Co. The Ann Arbor-based company makes electric scooter that can do everything that regular gas-powered scooters can do without the air pollution. Current Motor Co is aiming to sell its scooters in South America, think Brazil, where congestion is heavy and smog is thick because of it. Current Motor Co continues to aggressively pursue this market and Flanagan expects to hit profitability this year thanks to increasing sales. "We came into this year with some additional contracts," Flanagan says. "We know we're going to have great growth this year." Current Motor Co has expanded its staff to 10 full-time employees and half a dozen part-timers. It is also hiring interns this summer. The company has hired four people over the last year, including a new vice president of fleet sales. Bob Mossing previously serves as business and fleet manager for Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office where he oversaw a $50 million budget. Mossing was also nominated as 2011 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year, and Received Honorable Mentions as one of 2011 100 Top Fleets of North America, and in 2013 as one of the Top Government Green Fleets. "He's a great guy," Flanagan says. Source: Lauren Flanagan, executive chair of Current Motor Co Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

The Ann Arbor Film Festival Opens

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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March 26, 2014

Last night was the opening night gala but that's no reason to imss out on the rest of the fun! Now in its 52nd year the Ann Arbor Film Festival, under new directorship with Leslie Raymond, is looking to attract audiences to its one-of-a-kind work. Excerpt: "The Festival’s boundary-blurring legacy lives on bringing us brilliant tastes of what’s happening in experimental and independent film today. Program Director David Dinnell travels to film festivals around the world as part of his job. He spoke about some of his favorites, beginning with “From Deep,” a feature-length, experimental documentary about basketball created by Brett Kashmere — a timely choice as the Wolverines bask in the glow of the Sweet Sixteen." Read the rest here. More coverage here. And here. Recommendations for what to check out here.

New State St. drive-thru and gas station to break ground this summer

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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March 26, 2014

Joseph Kafi has had big plans in mind for the corner of S. State St. and Eisenhower since he purchased the Shell station there five years ago. Now, the demolition and redevelopment project has been approved by the Ann Arbor Planning Commission and could break ground this summer. "This is one of the last hard corners before downtown," Kafi says. "It's a good location, with the mixed commercial uses, Briarwood Mall and other offices nearby." According to the plans, the less than 1,000 square foot convenience store and existing car wash will be demolished to make way for a new, 4,250 square foot development that will include a larger retail store and a restaurant with a drive thru. Though a restaurant brand has not yet been chosen for the location, Kafi says he is in talks with a number of national chains and expect it will be a bakery/cafe concept. The expanded retail space will also grow in terms of its offerings. In addition to snacks, the store will offer a larger selection of grocery items, electronic accessories and sportswear. "It's basically for quick visits on the go," Kafi says, "for someone who may need anything from nail polish remover to chips." Should the project be approved by city council and construction proceed as planned, Kafi hopes construction will be complete by fall of this year. He intends to retain the convenience store staff for the new store, and hopes to continue offering gas throughout construction. Source: Joseph Kafi, JAK Cubed, LCC Writer: Natalie Burg

Beloved Birmingham hamburger house picks Ann Arbor for second location

By Natalie Burg

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Arts & Culture

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March 26, 2014

For more than 60 years, Hunter House Hamburgers has been a Metro Detroit favorite, serving oniony sliders from a white pill-box diner in Birmingham. After all that time, the small family restaurant has decided to expand, and downtown Ann Arbor will be the beneficiary of the decision. "We had been an institution in the Detroit area for 60 years," says Kelly Cobb, who will operate the new location. "We thought what better way to share than to expand. Ann Arbor was obvious choice." Cobb will open the new Hunter House on E. William St. in late April or early May. At 2,000 square feet, the restaurant will be about twice the size of the original, but will retain the same diner aesthetic customers are used to in Birmingham. That extra room will allow for some changes to the Hunter House menu. "We never really had a chance to grow at the original place because it's so small," says Cobb. "We have a ton of additional kitchen space now." The Ann Arbor location will offer about a dozen varieties of milkshakes and malts and some additional menu items, but Cobb assures fans of the original that they will also find everything they love from Birmingham as well. In addition to dine-in seating, Cobb plans to offer a take-out window and stay open late to serve the downtown market. He anticipates hiring a staff of about 25 for the Ann Arbor location. Source: Kelly Cobb, Hunter House Hamburgers Writer: Natalie Burg

Richard Sheridan with his book Joy, Inc. at Menlo Innovations

OpEd: How Companies Can Perk Up Their Work Cultures

By Richard Sheridan

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Economic Development

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March 26, 2014

If your company is a place where people love to come to work every day, chances are it will prosper both culturally and economically. But how to get there? Rich Sheridan, president of Menlo Innovations and author of Joy, Inc. discusses Ann Arbor's cultural terroir and how your company can promote a better workplace.

XanEdu aims to hire 50 in Ann Arbor, invest $1M

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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March 26, 2014

XanEdu is consolidating its operations in Michigan and Kentucky into its Ann Arbor facility, a move that is expected to bring another 50 hires in the next five years. "Ann Arbor is such a great place to live and work," says Dianne Michalek, vice president of marketing for XanEdu. "With the University of Michigan in our backyard we have great access to top talent." XanEdu got its start as a traditionally publishing company in 1999 making educational materials for schools, such as course packs for colleges. It has expanded into digital realm in recent years, bringing those educational materials to mobvile devices, such as iPads, with an app. It currently employs 30 people in Ann Arbor. XanEdu, with help from Ann Arbor SPARK, is investing $1 million toward expanding its operations in Ann Arbor. The new hires will be primarily in management, sales and IT positions. Michalek expects the new jobs will be created steadily over the next five years as the company grows. "We are trying to expand our technology operations into new markets," Michalek says. Source: Dianne Michalek, vice president of marketing for XanEdu Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Joy Pehlke meets with Lindsay Miller at Wolverine Wellness

Wolverine Wellness Innovatives Student Health and Well-being

By Dennis Archambault

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Education

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March 26, 2014

While debates about how best to deliver healthcare in the United States rage on, conversations about our health and well-being have spread into every corner of society. Inspired by that discussion, U-M has launched an innovative new approach to student health by offering holistic programs that employ coaching, education and therapy as a path toward better living.

Hile Creative creates more work, jobs with biz model pivot

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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March 26, 2014

Hile Creative made a name for itself as Hile Design up until about nine months ago. That was when the Ann Arbor-based company pivoted its business plan away from project-oriented work and more toward branding, giving itself a new name in the process. "Now we're more geared toward helping companies establish their brand," says Dave Hile, founder & president of Hile Creative. "That was a good move for us." The 30-year-old company has hired three people in the last year, expanding its staff to a dozen employees. It is looking at adding interns this summer. The extra staff has allowed Hile Creative to capitalize on its growth. The firm has watched its animation work spike recently. Hile Creative handles all of its animation work internally so it means more and more work for the Ann Arbor-based creative agency. "We're becoming increasingly visual as a people," Hile says. "If you can come up with creative concepts visually people will get it." Source: Dave Hile, founder & president of Hile Creative Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Duo Security: More Than Just a Workplace

By Jon Zemke

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General

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March 26, 2014

Can a cutting edge startup be both success-minded and fun? According to Duo Security's Dug Song, the answer is an unequivocal "yes." Achieving astounding growth over four years, this Ann Arbor Internet security firm has not only become the local company to watch, it has developed a family-like workplace that's creative, supportive and innovative.

Ann Arbor area among happiest metros in the US

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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March 26, 2014

Though you might not know it reading the comment section of the local paper, Ann Arbor is a happy happy place. Excerpt: "Some metro areas scored higher than others for the different factors used to determine well-being. Ann Arbor, Mich., scored highest in life evaluation. Meanwhile, Honolulu, Hawaii, scored highest for emotional health and San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles in California scored highest for work environment. Holland-Grand Haven in Michigan scored highest for physical heath and access to basic necessities, and Salinas, Calif., scored highest for healthy behaviors." Read the rest here.