The Detroit Regional Chamber congratulates Board Chair Matt Elliott, President of Bank of America Michigan, and Sustainability Executive for Global Commercial Banking and Business Banking, who has been named one of the 2024 Crain’s Detroit Business Notable Leaders in Sustainability.

Per Crain’s, this year’s honorees are top executives, nonprofit leaders, and entrepreneurs who are setting and reaching ambitious goals toward zero emissions, supporting environmental justice efforts and educational initiatives, and providing green solutions.

Elliott’s award profile shares that he and his sustainability team engage more than 40,000 clients on sustainability principles that will help grow their businesses. Under his leadership, the team trained all Bank of America’s commercial banking and business banking managers on how to make a case for net-zero operations. Over 1,200 commercial relationship managers received training. He supported the bank’s $1.5 trillion sustainable finance commitment.

The Chamber also congratulates the following honorees from member companies on their recognition:

• Knox Cameron, Director of Renewable Solutions, DTE Energy
• Denise Carlson, Vice president, North America Production Innovation Center; Executive Lead for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, Denso
• Christy Clark, Director of Environmental Management and Safety, DTE Energy
• Cory Connolly, Chief Climate Officer, Office of Climate & Energy, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy
• Lois DeBacker, Managing Director, Environment Program, The Kresge Foundation
• Carlton Dennard, Director of Housekeeping and EVS, MGM Grand Detroit
• Leon Evans, Project Manager, Giffels Webster
• Donna Kashian, Director of Environmental Science, Wayne State University
• Eric McDonald, Chief Technologist, NextEnergy
• Andy McDowell, Manager of Sustainability, Detroit Zoological Society
• Amy McMillan, Director, Huron-Clinton Metroparks
• Caleb Rutledge, President and Chief Executive Officer, Goodwill’s Green Works
• Kristin Shaw, Transportation Decarbonization Lead, Office of Mobility Innovation, City of Detroit
• Adriel Thornton, Executive Director, MoGo Detroit

• Election integrity and certification is good for business and the economy. 
• Business leaders are encouraged to use their influence to promote civil discourse. 

Photo credit: Clarence Tabb Jr., The Detroit News

The Detroit News
March 27, 2024

Far more diplomacy is in order before the Department of Transportation moves ahead with its tentative plans to unravel the partnership between Delta Airlines and Aeromexico, a move that would make travel between Detroit and Mexico City more cumbersome. The joint venture, in place since 2016, allows the two airlines to coordinate routes, pricing and scheduling and has resulted in 18 more direct flights daily between the U.S. and Mexico, including several from Detroit/Wayne County Metropolitan Airport. The added convenience matters. Detroit’s automotive industry has extensive operations in Mexico and is heavily dependent on Mexican suppliers. Improved connectivity makes the cross-border relationship far more efficient. Without the partnership between Delta and Aeromexico, travelers from Detroit can expect flights with multiple stops at other airports. DOT is upset with how the Mexican government is managing the Mexico City International Airport, specifically its decision to shift cargo flights to a nearby airport and reduce passenger traffic overall. Capacity at the airport “has been reduced over the last [three seasons] to the detriment of both current air carriers and potential new entrants,�agency officials wrote. The concern is that fewer slots at the airport and moving cargo to another airport will raise travel and shipping costs. Letters from 11 members of Michigan’s congressional delegation and a group of 15 Hispanic congressional members urge Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to explore alternative options for addressing the agency’s policy objectives, rather than taking a step that would damage tourism and business travel. “The Department’s actions would disrupt seamless leisure and business travel between the U.S. and Mexico and would harm Michigan’s economy,�the Michigan lawmakers wrote. The cross-border partnership has benefited the two airlines and their customers. Automakers are among the primary beneficiary. Ford Motor Co. alone booked 8,228 trips to Mexico City last year.

In addition, 500,000 tourists annually visit Michigan from Mexico, spending an average $1,500 each, according to the Detroit Regional Chamber.

The availability of so many non-stop flights out of Detroit is a competitive advantage for companies here that do business with Mexico. The beef is between the two governments, and not the airlines, both of which have protested the DOT’s decision. Delta and Aeromexico responded to the DOT move in February, saying that the two companies “have no responsibility to control�the Mexican government’s changes at the Mexico City airport, adding such concerns should be addressed using other means. “The department’s generalized displeasure with the actions of a foreign government �devoid of concrete details as to why those actions supposedly contravene the applicable bilateral agreement or harm U.S. aviation interests �is not a legitimate basis to rescind an (agreement) that has been in place for over seven years,�Delta and Aeromexico attorneys wrote. Ending the bilateral agreement is a decision of enormous consequence for travelers, as well as for the automotive and airline industry. Following through on the decision will make travel to Mexico more difficult and costly. That’s not in anyone’s best interest. The Department of Transportation should continue negotiating with its Mexican counterparts to preserve an agreement that has an established track record of success.

RELATED: WJR-AM: Delta Airlines and Aeromexico Agreement in Jeopardy

RELATED: The Steve Gruber Show: Chamber’s Brad Williams Discusses How Changes to Delta and AeroMexico Service Will Affect Business

Photo Credit: John T. Greilick, Detroit News

The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit is on the horizon. Does your business have a special fan offer or event that you would like to share? You can share your event or special fan offer information with Visit Detroit to be included in its Local Offers directory.

As you submit your deal, please note that you should not imply that your event, deal, or offer is endorsed, sponsored, or hosted by the NFL.

RELATED: The Pre-Game Huddle: Visit Detroit, Industry Leaders on 2024 NFL Draft

Kenneth Kelly is a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Board of Director’s Executive Committee.

---

Michigan Chronicle
Ebony JJ Curry
April 10, 2024

Kenneth Kelly, the Chairman & CEO of First Independence Bank, was honored as the 2024 Banker of the Year by the Michigan Bankers Association (MBA). Kelly, who has spearheaded the bank’s leadership since October 2017, was recognized by the MBA Board of Directors for his exceptional dedication to the association, his impactful contributions to the banking sector, his role in the success of First Independence Bank, and his distinguished record in community service.

Throughout his career, Kelly has garnered a multitude of accolades and held significant positions that underline his expertise and commitment to the banking industry. Notably, he was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year® 2023 Award for Michigan and Northwest Ohio. His engagement with influential banking committees and councils, including a three-year term on the FDIC Chairman’s Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion, the vice-chairmanship of the American Bankers Association, and previous membership on the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s CDIAC, exemplifies his active participation in pivotal banking discussions. Moreover, his expertise was recognized at a national level when he served as an expert witness before the U.S. Congress, testifying on consumer protection and financial institutions.

Expressing his gratitude for the award, Kelly highlighted the collective effort of his team at First Independence Bank and the support from customers and partners, emphasizing the award as a recognition of their joint commitment to the banking sector and community impact. “I am grateful to receive this prestigious honor. To be acknowledged by one’s peers is the ultimate honor from this group who truly made me feel welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged,�stated Kelly. “This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team at First Independence Bank, as well as the unwavering support of our valued customers and partners. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to serve this institution and the banking industry to impact communities locally, statewide, and nationally.�/p> Kelly’s leadership is set to be formally celebrated at the MBA’s 138th Annual Convention in June on Mackinac Island, marking his significant contributions to the banking industry. Under Kelly’s direction, First Independence Bank has engaged in numerous initiatives aimed at community development and technological advancements. These include the digital transformation of the bank’s core system, collaboration with Operation HOPE for financial education, and the establishment of the Small Business Lending Program in partnership with the states of Michigan and Minnesota to support minority-owned businesses.

Roxanne Daust, MBA Chairman and President & CEO of Range Bank, commended the decision to award Kelly, citing his dynamic leadership and the culture of involvement and teamwork he fosters. This leadership style, according to Daust, has been instrumental in the bank’s growth and its positive impact on communities. “The Michigan Bankers Association has made an exceptional decision in naming Kenneth Kelly as the 2024 Banker of the Year,�said Daust. “As a dynamic and impassioned leader, Kenneth cultivates an atmosphere of involvement and teamwork, acknowledging the significance of each individual’s contributions and their positive impact on communities. The success and expansion experienced by First Independence Bank under Kenneth’s guidance are a true testament to his capabilities.�/p> Under Kelly’s stewardship, First Independence Bank has not only expanded its national presence, with branches in Detroit and the Twin Cities, but also experienced substantial growth in assets, escalating from approximately $250MM to over $600MM. This growth has positioned First Independence Bank as the 7th largest Black–controlled commercial bank in the U.S., highlighting Kelly’s influential role in the bank’s development and his broader contributions to the banking industry.

Axios
Emily Peck
April 9, 2024

For the first time since the pandemic, more workers prefer hybrid work arrangements than fully remote setups, according to a new report.

Why it matters: Hybrid work is emerging as the clear winner in the post-pandemic work world, a surprise from a few years ago when it seemed like a fully at-home revolution was underway. Hybrid workers are happier: Their “engagement” with work increased in 2024 from the previous year, while it fell for those fully in-person or fully at home, per Morning Consult, which has been surveying workers on the topic since 2022.

Zoom in: This is a conversation mainly confined to white-collar knowledge workers. Most people still work in person, though that doesn’t mean they like it.

• Morning Consult surveyed 3,389 employed adults in January. The vast majority â€?65% â€?worked in person. Yet only 46% preferred in-person work.
• The majority of respondents preferred either hybrid or remote arrangements, with hybrid gaining an edge for the first time this year.
• 29% said they preferred a hybrid arrangement, compared with 23% who chose fully remote. In 2022, 29% preferred remote and 27% preferred hybrid.

The big picture: Full-time 9-to-5 office work hasn’t made much sense since the advent of the internet made it possible to stay connected to the office all the time, no matter where you were physically located.

• But it took a pandemic to shake employers and workers out of the sit-at-your-desk-all-the-time mindset.
• Now, even as more companies call people back to the office, the idea that everyone will go back five days a week is pretty much dead.
• People want flexibility. That might mean coming to the office for a few hours for meetings and spending the rest of the day at home, or just working at home one day a week.

State of play: The change in office culture has widened the Overton window regarding what’s possible in the workplace, raising interest in a four-day workweek.

• Last month, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) got some attention when he introduced a bill that would make a 32-hour workweek standard in the U.S. That came after the United Autoworkers sought a shorter workweek in their contract with the car manufacturers.
  • Only a few companies have tried this, so far. Just last week, a logistics firm called Fuel Transport announced it would move its employees to a 35-hour, four-day schedule — without reducing pay.

The intrigue: Already, workers are working fewer hours on Friday �pushing people a little closer to a four-day setup, as the WSJ reported.

• For some knowledge workers, that could be tied to the flexibility of hybrid arrangements â€?sign off early on Friday, but make up for it over the weekend, for example.

The bottom line: Pure remote work is declining. Only 21% of respondents were working at home in 2024, compared to 27% in 2022, per Morning Consult.

• Employees don’t want to be fully in-office anymore â€?the idea “riles them up,” says Amy He, head of industry analysis at Morning Consult.
• Hybrid has emerged as a way for employers to meet people in the middle.

FOX 2 Detroit
March 29, 2024

Meghan Schmidbauer, Senior Director of Detroit Drives Degrees at the Detroit Regional Chamber, was a recent guest on FOX 2 Detroit to discuss the expansion of the Detroit Area Talent Fund, which provides qualified college and post-secondary students with emergency financial assistance to overcome unexpected obstacles disrupting their educational progress .

Watch the full interview below.

Personal finance digital platform Money has released this year’s Best Places to Live list, which celebrates cities and towns where a thriving economy meets affordability, diversity, and an exceptional quality of life.

Detroit is among the 50 cities that are listed as a blueprint for the future, with the city being highlighted as a “culture hub.”

Learn more from Money about why Detroit was selected as one of the 50 best places to live below.

---

Money
Brenden Rearick

Detroit’s inclusion on this list will come as a surprise for many, if not most readers. At one point, the city was a symbol for urban decay, even declaring bankruptcy in 2013. However, the city has mounted one of the most successful comeback stories we’ve seen in the last quarter of a century. Now, it’s one of the country’s most unlikely boomtowns.

The University of Michigan made its economic predictions for the city in the coming years and sees a big turnaround: Detroiters are likely to see higher wages and lower unemployment, regardless of the nationwide picture. That’s already reflected in the town’s stellar unemployment rate of just 2.6%, lower than the statewide rate. Housing comes cheap too, with listings in town averaging just $85,000. Moreover, Detroit introduced a down payment assistance program to help lower the barrier of entry to home ownership for low-income residents last year, a program that follows in the footsteps of its popular 0% Interest Home Repair Loan Program, which offers financial assistance to existing homeowners who are struggling to maintain their properties.

What’s more, with a slew of projects like the bike-friendly Joe Louis Greenway and the expansive lakefront Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park coming down the pike, the city is becoming greener than ever. Detroit is going big on entertainment, too. Case in point: the incoming Hudson’s Site retail space, a $1.5 billion revitalization of the former Hudson’s department store downtown. The city is also investing to improve its Paradise Valley cultural district and reinvigorate the historically-Black neighborhood with new entertainment focused on Black music and arts. These projects complement Detroit’s rich cultural scene, help to expand on an already leisure-heavy city, which boasts the likes of Motown Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Eastern Market �one of the nation’s oldest open-air marketplaces.

Motor City is still making cars and churning out great music, so don’t forget everything you know about Detroit. But the redevelopment of Detroit, and the hardworking locals who are committed to making it hum, are returning this gritty Great Lakes city to its former glory.

The Going PRO Talent Fund provides awards to employers to support the training, development, and retention of both current and newly hired employees.

SEMCA, serving as the Michigan Works! Agency for the counties of Monroe and Wayne (excluding Detroit), has awarded $4,195,807 in training funding for FY23 and $2,460,834 for FY24 Cycle 1 to regional businesses.

Register today and discover how your business can apply to meet your workforce needs.

Upcoming Virtual Employer Information Sessions

• Wednesday, April 10, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, April 11, from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

DETROIT (March 27, 2024) �The Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA), the nonprofit international trade organization committed to accelerating Michigan’s economic growth through Israeli corporate connections, announces the most recent innovative companies based in Israel to choose Michigan for international growth.

They include:

• Upstream, an automotive cybersecurity and data management company, which has opened an office in Ann Arbor with seven employees
• Fullpath, an automotive customer data and customer experience platform, has named Detroit a “hiring hub,â€?already adding one additional employee to their Michigan team and paving the way for additional hires in Michigan
• UVeye â€?an automatic vehicle inspection provider, hired a Michigan-based employee to manage a key relationship with an automotive OEM
• Electreon â€?a wireless Electric Vehicle charging company that is a key partner in the electrification of the nation’s first EV-charging roadway in Detroit’s Corktown, expanded to Michigan as a location for growth.

These projects have led to $7.2 million in economic activity in Michigan. Since 2021, via the MIBA, Israeli companies have contributed more than $11million in economic activity in Michigan. New collaborations between Israeli innovators and Michigan businesses, just since the beginning of 2024, include:

• UVeye partnering with Penske on a pilot project in dealerships
• Adasky and Gentex collaborating on a project that has led to significant investment that will include new jobs
• Electreon’s work with MDOT, City of Detroit, and others has led to recruiting in Michigan

These collaborations have already led to nearly $500,000 in economic benefit to these Michigan companies.

“Michigan continues to attract innovative companies from Israel,�said Scott Hiipakka, CEO of the MIBA.  “Our economic climate represents strong opportunities for Israeli innovation, despite the ongoing conflict in Israel. Businesses there have adopted the motto of ‘Israeli Tech, No Matter What�and they continue to innovate and remain interested in what Michigan has to offer here,�said Hiipakka. “As Michigan works to grow its economy and population, these companies are keeping pace with Michigan’s business needs. The last several months�examples of businesses that have come to Michigan demonstrate Israel’s interest in partnerships.�/p> # # #

About the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator (MIBA)

The MIBA is a nonprofit international trade organization funded by the state of Michigan, philanthropic partners, and corporate sponsors committed to driving partnership opportunities, economic prosperity, and job creation between Michigan and Israel. For more information, visit www.michiganisrael.com