Dexter

Jolly Pumkin gets new facility in Dexter, to add a taproom

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January 15, 2014

The forthcoming null Taphouse at the Jolly Pumpkin facility in Dexter has been a long time coming. "Ever since Lori and I opened Jolly Pumpkin we wanted to have a tasting room in the brewery," says owner Ron Jeffries. "We opened with a ridiculous shoestring budget, and then we kind of went back and forth over the next ten years of having either not enough space or money at the time." After moving into a new, 70,000 square foot facility last year, the time is finally right for that vision to be fulfilled. A 5,000 square foot space in the building will be dedicated to the taproom and tasting area, the plans for which are still under development. One thing Jeffries knows for sure is that it will come together with the input of their customers. "We always want to get our fans involved," Jeffries says. "We want them to have the opportunity to participate in building out the taproom." To support the project, customers can join a number of "clubs" by donating funds in exchange for different ways to be a part of the project, such as sponsoring a booth or having their name included on a wall. The null Taphouse will serve beer tastings, light snacks and possibly sandwiches, include seating, and will also host tours. Jeffries says customers often stop by the facility, and he's looking forward to being able to give them the opportunity to look around. An additional five to ten employees will initially be hired to staff the business. Though progress will depend on a number of factors, he hopes the taproom will be open to the public by early summer. Source: Ron Jeffries, Jolly Pumpkin Writer: Natalie Burg

Foreign sales spur growth at kSpace Associates

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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January 8, 2014

Sales at kSpace Associates were nothing to write home about in 2013. But the Dexter-based tech firm is already off to a fast start this year with new sales and job openings. "Our sales backlog for the first quarter of 2014 looks like it's going to be a great year," says Darryl Barlett, CEO of kSpace Associates. "2014 looks like it’s going to be a great year." The 22-year-old firm develops and manufacturers diagnostic tools for the semi-conductor industry. Its sales last year were flat but they have spiked so far this year, with rising orders from solar projects and Chinese firms. The foreign sales are largely centered around kSpace Associates' Ultrascan System, which measures the curvature and bow of semi-conductor wafer. "We have a large amount of sales going to China," Barlett says. "Larger than we typically see." That has spurred kSpace Associates to create a couple of job openings. The firm is looking to hire an engineer and a sales associates. The company currently has a staff of 24 employees and the occasional summer intern. Barlett expects those staffing numbers to continue to grow as his company keeps on its current growth streak. "It looks like it’s going to be a good year," Barlett says. "It looks like foreign sales are going to be a big part of that." Source: Darryl Barlett, CEO of kSpace Associates Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

New beer and wine retail concept to open first location in Dexter

By Natalie Burg

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Development News

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December 18, 2013

The Beer Grotto coming to downtown Dexter will be more than a retail store. Though beer and wine sales will be its primary function, those sales will come with advice, recommendations and information from alcohol experts, along with samples and even a chance to sit down and enjoy a drink inside the store. "Our goal is that you're never going to walk out of the store with something you haven't tried," says Beer Grotto President Sam Short. "We're going to have an educated staff, a good selection and the ability to test stuff in the store before you leave." East Lansing resident Short is relatively new to Michigan, but has been in the beer and restaurant business for years. After working with a number of well-known names in the industry, such as Grand Rapids' Barfly Ventures of HopCat fame, he is moving into the retail business. In what turns out to be a happy coincidence, the prime location for launching The Beer Grotto is the same village that is home to his wife's family. "It was serendipity," says Short. "Dexter is great because it's very close to Ann Arbor, but yet it retains this true American small town feel. But it still has 30,000 cars driving regularly through. It's a neat little community." The Beer Grotto will open in the 3,000 square foot former home of Dexter Pharmacy on Main St. In addition to retail space, the business will include a lounge area in which customers to enjoy a beverage. He anticipates work beginning on the space in Jan., and hopes to open with a staff of about 15 employees in late April or early May. Short plans for the Dexter location to be the first of 15 Beer Grotto locations. He anticipates the next two will also be in the Ann Arbor area, and will open in 2014. Source: Sam Short, The Beer Grotto Writer: Natalie Burg

Guest Blogger: Tom Woiwode

By Tom Woiwode

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Economic Development

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December 4, 2013

Southeast Michigan's city rivers are no longer urban backwaters. Tom Woiwode, director of the GreenWays Initative at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, frames the 100-mile Huron River as a destination and valuable economic resource.

MedHub leverages new Dexter HQ to attract talent

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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November 13, 2013

Healthcare software firm MedHub moved into its new headquarters last July as a competitive advantage. The company's leadership proudly says it overspent on redeveloping the circa-1899 Old Grain Mill at 3515 Broad Street in downtown Dexter into a custom office space for techies. It’s all part of the plan to attract high-end talent, especially the much-sought-after software developer. "The developers are a quirky lot," says Peter Orr, president & CEO of MedHub. "We had a guy turn us down three times. Money was no object. He took the job when he saw our building. That’s why we overspent on it." The 13-year-old company has hired three people over the last year, including relocating two software developers from Iowa and Kansas City. MedHub now employs eight people and it looking to hire at least another eight people, primarily software developers and support staff. "We're on a hiring tear now that we have the space for it," Orr says. MedHub’s technology enables teaching hospitals to better manage their medical residents, enabling them to improve communication, collaboration and residency information management. The system tracks residents and fellows (advanced medical school students in training to become doctors), helping ensure hospitals maximize Medicare reimbursements. MedHub has signed up a number of name-brand clients in recent years, such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, along with the health systems at Stanford and Duke universities. That has allowed 67 percent revenue growth. Orr says that is restrained because of a lack of available resources. He adds the company is solidly booked workwise through early next year, which he expects to hit 60 percent revenue growth again. Source: Peter Orr, president & CEO of MedHub Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Ann Arbor area has new technology job mojo

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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November 13, 2013

Washtenaw County secures further evidence that we are a destination for technological innovation... at least when it comes to private-sector jobs that are in related to technology and information. Considering the cities on the Progressive Policy Institute's list, being ranked 18th in the nation is pretty darn good. Excerpt: "On average, the top 25 counties, as measured by the Index, showed an average private sector job gain of 2.4% between 2007 and 2012. That doesn’t seem like much, but the remaining counties had a decline of 3.5%. In other words, a vibrant tech/info sector tended to make the difference between a local economy that had recovered by 2012, and one that was still in decline. The implication is that policies to encourage tech/info growth are more likely to boost the overall economy. Innovation creates well-paying jobs. What’s more, the diversity of places on our list suggests a high-growth economy is not just for traditional tech powerhouses such as Silicon Valley, but has broader applicability." See the rankings here.

Pie it Forward sets down local roots in Dexter

By Natalie Burg

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Arts and Culture

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November 6, 2013

Last year, Sarah Fertig and Chris Kovac started giving away pies. The just wanted be kind and inspire others to think about kindness. They kept giving away pies in Liberty Plaza, and 18 weeks later, they knew they were on to something, even if it wasn't clear what that something was yet. "I realized this wasn't going to be a little side project," says Fertig. "I had accidently stumbled across something really great. I just didn't know if I was going to be a travelling pie evangelist, or would be in one location." So they took their show on the road. After giving away 251 free pies from San Francisco to Washington D.C., Pie it Forward has returned to Ann Arbor, set down roots in Dexter, and is preparing to get official as a non-profit. Pie it Forward makes pies and trades them for any amount between 10 cents and 10 dollars. In addition to apple pies, shepherd's pies have been added to the menu, and pasties may soon join the mix. The newly incorporated non-profit's mission isn't to feed the hungry or raise money, but simply to demonstrate kindness, and that no one does anything without a community. "I may have made a pie, but I didn't plant the wheat field. I didn't plant the orchard," says Fertig. "The hope is when people hear about our mission, they think about what they can do. What can I do to improve my own neighborhood? What skills do I have to offer?" After traveling all over the nation with their concept Fertig and Kovac have decided to keep the Ann Arbor area as the home of Pie it Forward. They are currently seeking out commercial kitchen space and can now accept tax-exempt donations. Fertig says she hopes to grow the organization into a fleet of food trucks to expand Pie it Forward to Flint and Detroit, as well as have a disaster relief truck that can go anywhere in the nation with pies when a tragedy occurs. Source: Sarah Fertig, Pie it Forward Writer: Natalie Burg

From Contamination to Community Investment

By Natalie Burg

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General

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October 30, 2013

In a competitive real estate market, how do you make contaminated land economically viable for development? In Ann Arbor and Dexter, Brownfield Redevelopment Financing programs have meant the difference between polluted vacant lots and vibrant community assets, helping to fight sprawl and foster smart growth in-fill.

Restored, historic barn to be raised again at Zingerman’s Cornman Farms

By Natalie Burg

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Arts and Culture

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September 18, 2013

When faced with a historic barn in disrepair, people can get pretty creative. Some sell the "reclaimed barn wood" to be used as flooring or décor, others might slap a coat of paint on it and cross their fingers it doesn't fall over, but neither approach is really up Zingerman's alley. So they decided to deal with the 1837 barn on their Cornman Farms property in Dexter in a way that better fit their style: having it completely disassembled, shipped to a barnwright, restored, and shipped back for reassembly. "They're basically sparing no expense," says Zingerman's Marketing and Communications Specialist Eric Olsen. "Most people don't send off a barn to be rehabbed, but that's what we're about. We believe in sustaining this property." The final stage of the process will officially kickoff with the raising of the barn on Sept. 29. During the private, all-day event, workers will raise the barn and begin the process of reassembling and refurbishing it for its future use as an events space. Though the project is a lengthy one, expected to continue through next summer, Olsen explains that preserving this piece of history is simply worth it. "It's a classic, beautiful barn," he says. "It's also an integral part of the at property. It's also been a landmark in Dexter for well over 100 years. We wanted to make sure we didn't disrupt anything out there." Private events have already been booked at the future events space for 2014. Zingerman's vision for the barn includes hosting weddings, business meetings and other events in the two-story structure. Source: Eric Olsen, Zingerman's Writer: Natalie Burg

Valicor hires 37 in Dexter, looks to add 14 more

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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August 7, 2013

Valicor is on a hiring spree, adding 37 people to its staff over the last year. The Dexter-based company also has 14 openings and employs 254 full-time employees and six interns. "It (the company's growth) is a little bit faster than we expected," says Meredith Roe, director of human resources at Valicor. The 17-year-old company got its start recycling industrial fluids. Its services now include wastewater cleaning, ethanol work, extracting energy from algae and sustainability programs. Some of the primary drivers of its growth are its work in ethanol extraction in the Midwest and waster-water work in southern states. Valicor has also been growing geographically. It recently opened a facility in Alabama and is aiming to open another location in Missouri later this year. The company also expanded its headquarters in Dexter last year with a $5 million investment. Valicor's latest hires have been across a broad range of job descriptions, such as truck drivers or research scientists. Source: Meredith Roe, director of human resources at Valicor Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.