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The article reports that the program Challenge Detroit has launched its second year in Michigan and is seeking applications for its 2013-2014 fellows. The initiative is designed to revitalize Detroit by attracting and retaining top talents. It received a grant from the LiveWorkDetroit project of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. worth around 230,000 U.S. dollars. The fellows who will be chosen will focus on helping revitalization efforts along the storefront district of Livernois.

The article focuses on a report funded by cultural advocacy group ArtServe Michigan which revealed that cultural groups in the state have contributed more than 550 million U.S. dollars in annual spending in 2010.

The article discusses a dining and entertainment district being planned by the Cotton family in Grosse Pointe Park in Wayne County, Michigan. David Cotton is the founder and chief executive officer of Meridian Health Plan of Michigan Inc. while his sons Jon, Sean and Michael are all executives with the company. Retail buildings and vacant lots acquired by the Cottons along Grosse Point Park and Kercheval in Detroit are mentioned. The Cotton family's history of civic interests is also cited.

The article presents an outline of selected certificate of need (CON) filings and decisions in Michigan from December 1 to 31, 2012, including the approval of the acquisition of a skilled nursing facility licensed for 55 beds by Trinity Senior Living Communities in Livonia.

The article presents information on several Michigan-based companies that are doing business abroad, in Qatar, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Ford Motor Co., based in Dearborn, Michigan, has five dealerships in Jordan, two in Qatar, and four in Saudi Arabia. Ziebart International Corp., based in Troy, Michigan, is a producer of paint protection film, window tint, and rust protection equipment. Midland, Michigan-based Dow Chemical Co. has 170 employees throughout the Middle East.

The article reports that Michigan's health benefit costs rose 5.4 percent in 2012 to 10,122 dollars per employee. The finding is part of a nationwide survey that drew responses from 2,800 employers, 104 of which were from Michigan. The national benefit cost increase, at 4.1 percent, is the smallest in 15 years, according to the survey, which found an average nationwide per-employee cost of 10,558 dollars.

A list of companies in Michigan which do business in Russia is presented including Dow Chemical Co., Dura Automotive Systems LLC and Federal-Mogul Corp.

The article announces the recipients of the awards given by the Michigan chapter of Women in Defense, a nonprofit professional networking and development organization, in 2012 including the Excellence in Leadership award given to Major Carrie Atkinson of the U.S. Marine Corps, the Horizon Awards given to Sara Blackmer of Pratt & Miller Engineering Inc. and Pam McQueer of Logan Consultants LLC.

A list of the businesses that filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit, Michigan from October 26 to November 1, 2012 is presented, including East West Martial Arts Inc.

The article reports on the factors that contribute to the growth of Michigan companies included in the periodical's 2012 Fastest-Growing Companies list. According to the companies on the list, their growth is due to the recovery of the automobile industry, acquisitions and increased global business. Around 50 percent of the companies on the list are related with the automobile industry. They reveal that diversifying products lines and an aggressive push for sales also helped them grow.

The article features several Michigan-based companies that have operations in Italy. Auburn Hills, Michigan-based firm Chrysler Group LLC has integrated its operation with Turin, Italy-based Fiat Group Automobiles to manage the distribution of its Jeep car models in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The other featured companies include General Motors Co., Kelly Services Inc., and TRW Automotive Inc.

The article offers business news briefs in Michigan, including the letter of intent filed by Chelsea Community Hospital to build a cancer center, the plan by St. John North Shores Hospital to relocate its 63-beds to Providence Hospital and Medical Center, and the acquisition by New Light Nursing Home of a 122-bed nursing home from Heritage Manor Nursing & Rehab Center LLC.

The article discusses results of a 2012 salary survey conducted by human resources firm Aon Hewitt. The survey focused on several companies from various sectors which include automotive, financial, and manufacturing. A three percent increase in salaries of exempt workers in Detroit, Michigan has been observed. The impact of weakening economy on Detroit executive salaries is also explored.

The article reports on the participation of Rehman LLC in the Pure Michigan Business Connect program that benefits startup businesses.

The article reports that universities in Michigan are reviewing their reporting policies to thwart to sexual abuse in their campuses in the wake of a scandal that rocked Pennsylvania State University. Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University, which run summer programs that involve minors, are taking a second look at their policies, to see that they adhere with the report done by law firm Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan LLP for Pennsylvania State University.

The article offers an interview with Virinder Moudgil, president of Lawrence Technological University. When asked what can Lawrence Tech do to help reverse Michigan's brain drain, he said that their programs have a 100 percent placement record. He said that he wants their new faculties to be research-oriented and at the same time to share that research with the students. He wants the biomedical engineering and health IT to move forward to help the health industry.

The article focuses on the 32.5 million dollars funding received by EcoMotors International located in Allen Park, Michigan for the development of a new type of green engine called opposed piston-opposed cylinder (OPOC). It says that Braemer Energy Ventures, Microsoft Corp. founder Bill Gates and California-based venture capitalist firm Khosla Ventures have led the funding. It mentions that the engine has included two horizontally opposed cylinders powering a crankshaft.

The article offers information on Michigan-based business enterprises that do business in France including Chrysler Group LLC, Compuware Corp., and Cooper-Standard Automotive Inc.

The article features the Hub of Detroit in Detroit, Michigan, owned by Jacob Van Dyke, Darrin Brouhard, Jason Fiedler, which is the winner of the Salute to Entrepreneurs Awards under the category of Social Enterprise by the periodical "Crain's Detroit Business." It states that Hub of Detroit share its love for cycling by funding bike education programs using revenue from retail bike sales. It discusses the four programs run by the Hub of Detroit such as the Earn-a-Bike.

A directory of organizations that offer services and specialized consultants in Michigan and programs being funded and overseen by the state is presented including Ann Arbor Park in Ann Arbor, the Economic Gardening Program for private for-profit, and Spectrum Commercial Services Inc.

The article offers information on the joint conference comprising the National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo, the Veterans Affairs (VA) for Vets Hiring Fair, and the VA Open House to be held by Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan on June 26, 2012.

The article offers information on the new programs to be offered at several universities in Michigan in 2012. It says that Baker College will be offering an online degree for Bachelor of Science in supply chain management. It states that a degree in Master of Arts in educational leadership will be offered at Central Michigan University. Moreover, University of Detroit Mercy will offer a joint bachelor's degree in mechatronic systems engineering and robotics.

An interview with University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) President Antoine Garibaldi is presented. Garibaldi states that the construction of a student fitness center has started in June 2011, which he said has been the first facility building to be built in the ground in over 42 years. He also mentions that they are starting a comprehensive campaign that includes capital projects and scholarship funds. Moreover, he adds that he wanted to increase and retain the enrollment in 2012 and 2013.

The article reports that bond interest rates and lower construction costs have driven Michigan universities such as Michigan State University (MSU) to speed up timetables on dorm renovation propjets. Vice president Rick Nork of the Wayne State University states that low-cost allow the construction projects more feasible. Moreover, associate director Jessica Lukas of Western Michigan University (WMU) says that credit ratings adjustments for universities and colleges center on budget allocation.

The article reports that the Macomb County decided to sell the former Mt. Clemens Federal Savings and Loan building for 275,000 dollars. According to Deputy Macomb County Executive Mark Deldin, they want to sell the building because the maintenance of the building amounts to 10,000-15,000 a year and decrease the county-owned space. Deldin adds that the building, with its distinct wavy concrete roof, could be a good office space because of the large windows.

The article offers information on Rochester Hills, Michigan-based EEI Global Inc. According to the company's chief financial officer (CFO) Willow Schlachter, the company's reveneu was cut in hald and three of the largest clients went into bankruptcy. It mentions that the company returned to profitability, wherein it had 35 million dollars revenue in 2011 due to strategic planning for expansion.

The article reports that Bay City, Michigan Judge Thomas Ludington will hear a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Detroit, Michigan by eight fireworks companies. It states that the lawsuit focuses on the new insurance requirements requiring Michigan fireworks companies to carry 10 million dollars in liability insurance. It says that the companies claim that the policy intends to affect small competitors who either do not have insurance policy or do not want to pay.

The article reports on the new rules implemented in Michigan which legalizes the sale of amped-up fireworks in Michigan. It states that over 900 consumer fireworks certificate applications are being processed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. It says that a full range of fireworks like artillery shells, bottle rockets, and larger-grade firecrackers will be sold in Michigan.

Information about the "Moving Detroit Beyond Business as Usual meeting," of "Crain's Detroit Business," meeting held at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, Michigan in May 2012 is presented. Topics include government restructuring, fiscal crisis of Detroit, and impact of municipal bankruptcy. The meeting featured several speakers including Chris Brown, Deputy Mayor Kirk Lewis, and Marick Masters.