Thu, May 30, 2024 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
Join Julie Christiansen, a registered psychotherapist, executive coach, and President & CEO of Leverage U as she discusses ways to respond to workplace conflict. HR professionals will learn the realities of workplace anger and conflict, signs of anger in the workplace, and reasons why anger occurs at work. Julie will address HR competencies including ethical practice, inclusive and transformational leadership, coaching and motivation, interpersonal skills such as relationship management and communication, and global/cultural effectiveness. The webinar will also speak briefly about issues regarding critical evaluation as it relates to relationship building and maintenance within organizations.
Nomination Deadline June 1st, 2024!
The MVP Awards recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to their businesses, their communities, and the state of Michigan. They are the innovators, the entrepreneurs, and the change-makers who are driving Michigan’s economic growth.
PHILLIP ISLAND, Australia — The highly anticipated Australian racing debut of the all-new Mustang GT4 is set for the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit this weekend, April 12-14.
The event, marking the third round of the 2024 Shannons SpeedSeries, will see Ford Australia celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Mustang. The event, named the Ford Mustang 60 Years Race Phillip Island, will feature car club displays, owner parade laps, and special ticket offers exclusively for Mustang owners, creating a thrilling atmosphere for racing fans and Mustang enthusiasts.
Andrew and George Miedecke, renowned in the racing and automotive industry, are the proud owners of the new Mustang racer. As proprietors of a highly successful Ford dealership, their passion for high-performance vehicles and the Blue Oval is unmatched. The addition of the Mustang GT4 to their collection underscores their commitment to Australian motorsport. The car will be driven by 38-year-old George, a seasoned racer who recently won the Bathurst 6-Hour. Joining him is 17-year-old Rylan Grey, who is also competing in a Mustang Supercar for Tickford Racing in the Super2 Championship this year.
“The arrival of our Mustang GT4 marks a new era of Ford Performance in Australia, and we are thrilled that Miedecke Motorsport will showcase its capabilities on the track,” said Andrew Miedecke, expressing enthusiasm about being the first to own a Mustang GT4 in Australia. “This car embodies the spirit of performance and passion that defines the Mustang legacy. As Ford dealers, we’re also excited about the 60th anniversary celebrations and are looking forward to the seventh-generation Mustang arriving on Australian roads later this year.”
Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Performance Motorsports, highlighted the significance of the Mustang and the excitement surrounding its GT4 racing version’s Australian debut.
“The Mustang holds a special place in the hearts of racing enthusiasts worldwide, and seeing the GT4 version on Australian tracks is truly a momentous occasion,” Rushbrook said. “We are proud to be part of the global expansion of Mustang in motorsport.”
If the 11 interest rate increases the Federal Reserve has made since March 2022 were supposed to slow the job market in a continuing fight against a stubborn inflation rate, someone forgot to tell U.S. employers.
The U.S. economy added 303,000 jobs in March, according to statistics released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The country’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.8%, down from the 3.9% it posted in February.
Annual wage gains slowed to 4.1% from 4.3%, according to a report from CNN.
“Today’s jobs report raises the possibility that rather than slowing down, job growth might be holding steady,” Nick Bunker, Indeed Hiring Lab’s economic research director for North America, said in a statement, according to the network. “But this strength is coming from sources that are more sustainable than those that fueled the burst of gains in 2021. March’s jobs numbers were uniformly strong, and upticks in the employment-population ratio and labor force participation in particular suggest that demand for workers is not outstripping supply, like it was a few years back.”
The total far surpassed economists’ forecasts for 205,000 jobs gained, according to FactSet consensus estimates.
Spurring last month’s job growth were gains such as health care (up 72,300 jobs), government (a 71,000-job increase); leisure and hospitality (up some 49,000 jobs); and construction (which saw a 39,000-job gain).
The economy has added jobs for 39 consecutive months, the fifth-longest period of job expansion on record, according to BLS data. The unemployment rate has been below 4% for 26 months in a row, the longest streak since the late 1960s.
President Joe Biden released a statement touting March’s jobs report.
“Today’s report marks a milestone in America’s comeback,” Biden said in the statement, released by the White House. “Three years ago, I inherited an economy on the brink. With today’s report of 303,000 new jobs in March, we have passed the milestone of 15 million jobs created since I took office. That’s 15 million more people who have the dignity and respect that comes with a paycheck.”
Federal Reserve officials have said they’re waiting to see what the national inflation rate does before deciding when, or if, to cut interest rates after having raised them 11 times since March 2022.
If the consumer inflation rate from March is any indication, such cuts may wait a little longer.
In a report issued Wednesday, the government said inflation remained high, affected by prices of gas, rent and auto insurance, among other statistics.
Prices outside food and energy categories rose 0.4% from February to March, the Associated Press reported. It’s the same accelerated pace as in the previous month. Measured from a year earlier, these core prices are up 3.8%, unchanged from the year-over-year rise in February.
The March figures show inflation is stuck at an elevated level after having steadily dropped in the second half of 2023, according to the AP report.
The report “pours cold water on the view that the faster readings in January and February simply represented the start of new-year price increases that were not likely to persist,” Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist at Nationwide, said in a research note, according to the AP. “The lack of moderation in inflation will undermine Fed officials’ confidence that inflation is on a sustainable course back to 2% and likely delays rate cuts to September at the earliest and could push off rate reductions to next year.”
Overall consumer prices rose 0.4% from February to March, the same as in the previous month. Compared with a year ago, prices rose 3.5%, up from a year-over-year figure of 3.2% in February.
The Biden administration said Monday the U.S. would provide up to $6.6 billion to help a Taiwanese semiconductor firm expand the facilities it is already building in Arizona and better ensure that the most-advanced microchips are produced domestically for the first time.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the funding for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. means the company can expand on its existing plans for two facilities in Phoenix and add a third, newly announced production hub, the Associated Press reported.
“These are the chips that underpin all artificial intelligence, and they are the chips that are the necessary components for the technologies that we need to underpin our economy,” Raimondo said on a call with reporters, adding that they were vital to the “21st century military and national security apparatus.”
The funding is tied to the CHIPS and Science Act … the $280 billion package is aimed at sharpening the U.S. edge in military technology and manufacturing while minimizing the kinds of supply disruptions that occurred in 2021, after the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when a shortage of chips stalled factory assembly lines and fueled inflation, according to the AP.
The Biden administration has promised tens of billions of dollars to support construction of U.S. chip foundries and reduce reliance on Asian suppliers.
“Semiconductors – those tiny chips smaller than the tip of your finger – power everything from smartphones to cars to satellites and weapons systems,” Biden said in a statement. “TSMC’s renewed commitment to the United States, and its investment in Arizona represent a broader story for semiconductor manufacturing that’s made in America and with the strong support of America’s leading technology firms to build the products we rely on every day.”
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing started construction of its first facility in Phoenix in 2021, and started work on a second hub last year, with the company increasing its total investment in both projects to $40 billion. The third facility should be producing microchips by the end of the decade and will see the company’s commitment increase to a total of $65 billion, Raimondo said. According to the AP report, the investments would put the U.S. on track to produce roughly 20% of the world’s leading-edge chips by 2030. Raimondo said they should help create 6,000 manufacturing jobs and 20,000 construction jobs, as well as thousands of new positions more indirectly tied to assorted suppliers in chip-related industries tied to Arizona projects.
Initial claims for unemployment assistance fell last week, but the total number of Americans collecting unemployment climbed to its highest level since the beginning of the year.
The number of Americans who applied for jobless benefits for the week ending April 6 fell by 11,000 to 211,000 from the previous week’s 222,000, according to statistics released by the Labor Department.
The four-week average of claims fell by 250 to 214,250.
A total of some 1.82 million Americans were collecting jobless benefits during the week that ended March 30, up by 28,000 from the previous week and the most since January.
Weekly unemployment claims have remained at historically low levels since the pandemic purge of millions of jobs in the spring of 2020.
DETROIT – The Downtown Detroit Business Improvement Zone named Cabbon Winston its 2023 BIZ Ambassador of the Year.
A Detroit native, Winston has served as a BIZ Ambassador for over six years. In his current role, he serves as an equipment operator working to keep Downtown streets clean, safe and welcoming for all.
Launched in 2014, the BIZ Ambassador Program is the cornerstone of the BIZ and one of the largest of its kind in the nation. It employs a dedicated team of nearly 100 Ambassadors, made up of more than 90% Detroiters. All Ambassadors are certified in crowd management, mental health first aid, CPR, de-escalation and more. Trainings are facilitated Detroit Police Department’s Neighborhood Police Officers, by the City of Detroit Department of Homeland Security, DDP team members, and DDP’s vendor, Block by Block.
“I set a goal at the start of 2023 – to be named BIZ Ambassador of the Year,” Winston said. “Reaching that goal and receiving this recognition has been really rewarding. I’m happy to see all my hard work pay off in my hometown, and I’m looking forward to continuing to keep Detroit beautiful.”
Additionally, the Ambassadors also support Project Lighthouse, Downtown Detroit’s nationally recognized safety program where public and private law enforcement professionals collaborate to keep Downtown and its patrons safe. BIZ Safety Ambassadors receive enhanced training on efficient and effective communication protocols for public safety and mental health first aid. Safety Ambassadors work directly with the BIZ Outreach Specialist, a social worker who engages with unhoused individuals, working to connect them with resources and stable housing.
Since the inception of the BIZ, Ambassadors have assisted over half a million patrons, collected 8,338 tons of trash and removed more than 32,000 markings of graffiti. This year, as the BIZ celebrates its 10-year anniversary, it remains dedicated to maintaining a safe and vibrant Downtown environment for all to enjoy.
“For the last decade, the BIZ has worked tirelessly to keep our city safe and welcoming for everyone,” said Gina Cavaliere, BIZ Director and DDP Chief Community Impact Officer, “It is thanks to BIZ Ambassadors like Cabbon Winston, the BIZ Board of Directors, and the support of Downtown property owners, government and business leaders, residents, and patrons that we’ve been able to make the BIZ a successful and integral part of our Downtown community.”
BIZ services include hospitality, cleaning, safety, public space maintenance, supplemental lighting, and more, aiming to benefit Downtown property owners, businesses, residents, employees and visitors. The BIZ is led by a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders who are volunteers. The BIZ contracts with DDP to facilitate its day-to-day operations.
Other initiatives supported by the BIZ include The Spirit Card, a Detroit-wide community e-gift card aimed at keeping local dollars in Detroit, Downtown Detroit Datascape, a strategic initiative to provide metrics, actionable information, and analysis to Downtown stakeholders to help benchmark progress, inform decisions, and drive investment.
MUSKEGON, Mich. – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) has secured a $2 million grant for Muskegon Public Schools to open a first-of-its-kind 6-10 Career Exploration Center on the soon-to-open Charles Hackley Middle School campus.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters ensured that several Michigan organizations and initiatives received funding from the bipartisan government funding bill for Fiscal Year 2024. The grant to MPS will aid the district in its partnership with Ford Next Generation Learning (Ford NGL), enhancing its career exploration programming for students in grades 6 through 10 and initiating adult training programming for the community.
“We appreciate Senator Peters’ efforts to advocate for Muskegon Public Schools,” said Matthew Cortez, superintendent of Muskegon Public Schools. “The Career Exploration Center focuses on exposing MPS students to various careers during grades 6 through 10.”
MPS will partner with several local union education facilities and other sources to construct realistic student experience modules. These experiences will aid the students in transitioning into high school and deciding which Ford NGL academy to join to pursue their careers.
“It’s important that we provide our young people with both the skills and career education needed to land a job in a field that’s right for them,” Peters said. “As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I was proud to support funding for the construction of the Career Exploration Center, which will help students at Muskegon Public Schools explore the different career opportunities available after graduation and allow them to begin planning for their futures.”
Currently, the district is working in partnership with local unions and employers in the area to allow for evening adult employment training. This training could result in apprenticeships and working options to make a livable and sustainable wage.
“Our primary responsibility is to all of the students and families in our district,” adds Cortez. “Utilizing our facilities to enhance everyone’s lives and create community prosperity is a core foundation of our partnership with Ford NGL. By partnering with businesses and our community organizations, we can work together to help all students know what they are doing the Monday after graduation.”
The Center will be located on the campus of the district’s newest school, Charles Hackley Middle School. It will have a community debut May 2 at 5:15 p.m.
Gretchen Whitmer delivered her annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Legislature earlier this year. Photo courtesy State of Michigan
The Detroit Lions ended their 2023-24 season just 30 minutes away from the franchise’s first Super Bowl appearance before succumbing to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.
The Detroit Red Wings spent much of the latter part of the NHL season battling for what would have been, based on preseason expectations, a surprise appearance in the playoffs.
And the Detroit Tigers opened the 2024 season with aspirations, based largely on a talented young pitching staff and a few key young hitters, of winning a division title.
It’s the same kind of optimism, coming off what she believes was a successful year, that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer brought into 2024. She was brimming with optimism when she made her annual State of the State address earlier this year.
“We put together a heck of a record in 2023 and we are starting 2024 ready to rock,” Whitmer said. “This year let’s keep our foot on the accelerator by continuing to focus on the issues that make a real difference in people’s lives. Let’s build more housing to expand supply and lower costs and save family caregivers thousands on their taxes. To improve education, let’s deliver a budget that expands free pre-K for all and makes community college tuition-free for every high school graduate.
“Finally, let’s keep bringing supply chains and jobs back home to Michigan by shoring up our economic development toolkit so anyone can ‘make it’ in Michigan,” she added. “Together, we can build a bright future and help every Michigander have a classic Michigan story.”
But before she could talk about the future Whitmer, of course, wanted to talk about the past. She likened what her administration and the state Legislature got accomplished last year, giving credit to legislators of both parties in the process.
Whitmer – a self-professed “product of the 80s” and a lover of classic rock music – likened it to what she said good bands do when they’re putting together great albums: Include chart-topping hits, deep cuts and “a few experimental tracks.”
“At our best, that’s what we aspire to do, too—get things done that outlast us, make policy for future generations,” Whitmer said. “Over the past year, our record … had something in it for everyone (with) policies bound by a common theme: making a real difference in people’s lives.”
Before talking about the future, Whitmer wanted to dwell on the (recent) past. Among what she called the “set list” were: • Rolled back the retirement tax on seniors, saving, she said half a million senior households an average of $1,000 a year. • Quintupled the Working Families Tax Credit so people working 9-to-5 or second or third shift get hundreds more dollars back. • Since taking office, Whitmer said, the state has paid down $18 billion of debt, brought the rainy-day fund to nearly $2 billion, and created a new rainy fund for schools and put nearly $500 million in it. • Passed Prop 3 to protect abortion rights and repealed the “extreme” 1931 abortion ban. • Made school breakfast and lunch free for 1.4 million public school students. • Enacted a clean energy package that will, among other things, reach 100% clean energy by 2040, lower the cost of household utilities by an average of $145 a year and create thousands of good-paying jobs.
After what she believes was a very successful 2023, Whitmer is naturally upbeat about the state’s prospects for 2024. She laid out the reasons why in her State of the State address. Among her proposals:
Governor Gretchen Whitmer used her trade trip to East Asia to try to bring jobs and investment back to Michigan.
Housing The State of Michigan will make the largest investment to build housing in Michigan history, nearly $1.4 billion to build or rehabilitate nearly 10,000 homes. That is 10 times what the state invested to build housing 10 years ago.
“Building more of every kind of housing—single family homes, apartments, and mixed-use buildings—will expand supply and lower costs,” she said. “Getting this done will also support thousands of good-paying jobs in the skilled trades—from pipefitters and carpenters to bricklayers and roofers.”
Caregiver Tax Credit Michiganders with caregiving responsibilities juggle their own lives and careers while spending thousands of dollars out-of-pocket on related expenses. Whitmer proposed the new Caring for MI Family Tax Credit to save thousands of Michigan families up to $5,000 off their taxes. The proposal covers caregiving expenses including counseling, transportation, and nursing or respite services.
Pre-K for All The governor wants to provide access to free pre-K for every single 4-year-old Michigander in the next budget. Free pre-K saves families an average of $10,000 a year and helps students build a solid academic foundation for long-term success, improving literacy rates and closing achievement gaps. “Data shows that children who attend pre-K have better academic outcomes, higher graduation rates, and go on to earn more money when they start working,” she said. “Investments in pre-K will also attract employers seeking to expand or relocate to Michigan by giving parents more safe, affordable options for their kids when they go to work.
Community College for All The governor proposed making the first two years of community college tuition-free for every high school graduate. This, Whitmer said, will save students an average of $4,000 as they earn an associate’s degree or skills certificate at a community college, helping them land a better-paying, high-skill job in a career field they love.
Getting it done, she said, will also help Michigan achieve its ‘Sixty by 30 goal’ to have 60% of working-age adults earn a postsecondary education by 2030. “Michigan’s growing economy must be driven by a growing base of skilled talent,” Whitmer said. “As more supply chains come home and advanced manufacturing businesses expand in Michigan, they will need qualified talent to meet their needs. Every student deserves a chance to pursue their passion so they can build a good life in Michigan.”
Rebuilding Michigan Calling infrastructure “critical to growing Michigan’s population and economy,” Whitmer called on the Michigan Department of Transportation to authorize the final $700 million of the Rebuilding Michigan Plan. The five-year, $3.5 billion plan has focused on fixing Michigan’s most economically critical roads while supporting over 45,000 jobs without raising taxes by a dime,” she said. The final round of bonding projects includes I-94 along Detroit Metro Airport, I-696 from Southfield through Warren, and a bridge in Erie Township.
Make it in Michigan Whitmer called for Michigan to upgrade its “bipartisan economic development toolkit,” including: • R&D Tax Credit: unleash innovation while lowering costs for businesses. • HIRE Michigan: lower overall payroll taxes for these firms. “The value behind it is simple: the more you hire in Michigan, the more you should save in Michigan,” she said. • Renaissance Zones, which she said spur investment in areas of the state that are “too often left out or left behind” by lowering the cost of doing business in them. • Innovation Fund to invest in early-stage start-ups, help launch hundreds of new Michigan-based companies, creating thousands of jobs.
“Companies are bringing supply chains back home to America—and to Michigan—in a big way,” she said. “Michigan is showing the world that we make a lot more than just cars. In the decades ahead, we will dominate batteries, chips, and clean energy.”
Getting help from the Feds In addition to being happy with what the state is accomplishing locally, Whitmer is also pleased with how Michigan has benefitted—and is still benefitting—from federal programs such as President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill and other legislation.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (right) shared the Detroit Economic Club stage with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen earlier this year.
When U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen was in Detroit earlier this year—she spoke to the audience at the Feb. 14 Detroit Economic Club meeting—she extolled the virtues of that legislation that she believed “positioned Michigan” to benefit.
Yellen cited the CHIPS Act, the Inflation Reduction Act and American Rescue Plan—which allotted $6.5 billion to Michigan—as key factors in “lowering health care costs for American families, supporting small businesses, and creating economic opportunity across the country.”
“I see Michigan as a state positioned to benefit from that legislation,” Yellen told the audience.
Whitmer, who made a joint appearance with Yellen, pointed out that Michigan did, in fact, benefit from the federal assistance contained in that legislation, pointing to: • Investment in high-speed internet, where Whitmer said her state is fourth in the nation in investment in high-speed internet. “We saw during the pandemic how crucial that was,” she said. • Approvals of “big battery projects” for electric vehicles she said are “so important to the Michigan economy” amid a shifting landscape of automobile production.
“We’re so grateful for the incredible investment from the federal level,” Whitmer told Yellen. “Implementation is the name of the game; we’re making sure we are moving swiftly. We’ve been able to secure incredible resources (and) we’re already seeing these resources coming in.”
Whitmer also touted Michigan’s manufacturing economy, including a plan – unveiled in the $80 billion budget she revealed earlier this year – to incentivize Michigan employers to “invest in their workers.”
The budget includes spending some $60 million for the Michigan Innovation Fund, the state’s startup investment program, to boost economic growth. “These are all strategic ways I think that we can ensure that manufacturing is really growing and continues to do so,” she said.
While she’s confident in her state’s ability to continue to grow its business community, Whitmer also took her show on the international road, taking part in a trade mission to East Asia to meet with public and private sector leaders in South Korea.
During the trip, the governor focused on building relationships in key industries to bring jobs and critical supply chains back home to Michigan.
The governor opened Michigan’s first-ever Taiwan office focused on securing investments in key industries like automotive, semiconductors, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing to create good-paying jobs.
The governor also announced four new economic development projects coming to Michigan, including LT Precision Michigan, LLC, which is establishing its North American headquarters in Holland, creating 70 new jobs and investing $43.2 million in the local economy.
“Michigan is a leader on the global stage, and it was an honor to share the story of our state with the help of our partners from South Korea and Taiwan,” Whitmer said. “With this investment mission and every future opportunity, my top priority is to bring more jobs, investment, and economic prosperity back home to Michigan.
“Whether forging connections with companies, meeting with dignitaries, or connecting with alumni from our great state universities, I have been proud to share what Michigan has to offer,” she added.
While she was in South Korea, Whitmer attended the InterBattery Show in Seoul, spending time at the Michigan booth and visiting leading battery manufacturing companies Samsung SDI and LG Energy Solution (LGES).
Both companies have a strong presence in Michigan: Samsung SDI America Inc.’s North American headquarters are in the city of Auburn Hills, and in September 2023, the manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for the auto industry announced a $41 million investment to double its manufacturing capacity in Auburn Hills to meet customer needs in the automotive sector, creating 368 new jobs.
Meanwhile, LGES announced a $1.7 billion investment in March 2022 to expand operations in Holland – the battery maker’s first major expansion in Michigan since 2010. LGES’ expansion will quintuple the plant’s capacity to help produce battery components as Michigan’s electric vehicle industry grows.
One-third of U.S. battery production and development takes place in Michigan.
The governor also met with companies including SK Siltron and Hyundai Mobis, which both have a presence in Michigan, to discuss the state’s leadership within the semiconductor and automotive manufacturing industries. In August 2021, SK Siltron CSS announced plans to expand production of silicon carbide wafers. In September 2022, the semiconductor wafer manufacturer celebrated the ribbon cutting at its new manufacturing facility in Bay City. SK Siltron’s $300 million investment strengthened its commitment to Michigan and further boosted the state’s leadership in the national semiconductor supply chain.
The governor also met with South Korean President Yoon to further build connections between Michigan and South Korea and attended a dinner with the Gyeonggi Provincial Government.
Not everyone agrees it’s all moonlight, roses and classic rock in Michigan. When State Sen. Aric Nesbitt, the Senate Republican Leader from Porter Township, delivered the Republican response following Whitmer’s State of the State speech, he accused her of being out of touch.
“(Whitmer) painted a picture of the state that … was at odds with the reality most Michigan families are facing,” Nesbitt said. “She took a victory lap … while many of our family members, friends and neighbors continue to struggle. This was a speech from someone who has spent way too much time in the Lansing bubble.”
Whitmer shrugs off such criticism and continues putting her optimistic attitude out there.
“We got into the groove last year, but great bands do not rest on their laurels — they make the next record better than the last one,” she said. “There’s more to do, and nothing is going to stop us now. We have a heck of a record, and we are starting 2024 fired up … our state is ready to rock.”
LANSING – As the April 15th tax filing deadline approaches, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reissuing her Public Service Announcement on tax-related ID theft to urge consumers to protect themselves and be diligent against tax-related identity theft. A video highlighting tips on how to prevent tax-related identity theft can be found on the Michigan Attorney General’s YouTube page.
“Criminals are relentless in their pursuit of personal data and during tax-filing season, more so than any other time of year, financial and identifying information is flowing between filers and preparers,” Nessel said. “By following a few simple steps, consumers can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to tax-related identity theft.”
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen personal information – including, but not limited to an individual’s Social Security number (SSN) – to file a phony tax return and claim the refund for themselves.
The IRS is often the first to inform a victim that their identity has been stolen. Steps consumers can take to best protect themselves and avoid becoming a victim include:
Not giving out your SSN unless for a good reason, you’re confident you’re giving it to someone authorized to request this information, and you know how they will protect it.
Filing your tax return as early as you can.
If you file electronically, doing so on a secure internet connection.
If filing by mail, sending your tax return directly from the post office.
Researching a tax preparer thoroughly before you hand over your personal information and never sending your personal information via text or email.
REMEMBER: The IRS will never call taxpayers with threats of lawsuits or arrests, nor will they ask you to wire money, pay with a gift card or prepaid debit card, or share your credit card information over the phone.
The Attorney General encourages those who find they are victims of any type of identity theft to follow the steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint. If an individual’s SSN is compromised and tax-related identity theft is suspected, the IRS recommends that consumers:
Immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490;
Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper; and
Remember that even if a false refund is claimed and issued in your name, identity scammers do not actually steal “your” refund. If you are legally entitled to a tax refund, being a verified victim of tax-related identity theft will not change that. Your refund may be delayed, but you will, eventually, get your refund.
“Anyone who believes they are a victim of tax-related identity theft should contact our office,” Nessel continued. “Our Consumer Protection team remains committed to investigating complaints and holding scammers accountable.”
To file a complaint with the Attorney General, or get additional information, contact:
DETROIT — ACG Detroit, a 400-member organization of middle-market M&A professionals and service providers, announced today it has released a limited number of tickets for its Draft Eve in the D party happening April 24 from 4:30-8 p.m. at the Shinola Hotel.
The event will include an appearance by Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood, an open bar, a DJ and complimentary valet parking.
“This is the ultimate Draft pre-game,” says event chairman Christopher Letts. “Happening in the heart of downtown Detroit, this is the premier location to experience this once in a lifetime event. We are encouraging our members and guests to come dressed for the draft sporting their favorite team jersey or dressed to be drafted themselves.”
Rod Wood has confirmed that he will speak briefly about the Lions great season and the 2024 NFL Draft. This is an opportunity to experience the best of the city, Detroit Lions and future of the NFL all in one spot.
Draft Eve in the D
Shinola Hotel – 1435 Farmer Street, Detroit, MI 48226
This photo, captured in February 2024, shows an aerial view of the BlueOval City complex. Courtesy Walbridge.
DEARBORN, Mich. – Ford Motor Company said it is retiming the launch of upcoming electric vehicles at its Oakville, Ontario, assembly plant while continuing to build out an advanced industrial system to produce its next-generation electric vehicles, including greenfield construction and conversion of existing assembly plants.
The company continues to invest in a broad set of EV programs as it works to build a full EV line-up. These initiatives support the development of a differentiated and profitably growing EV business over time while Ford serves customers with the right mix of gas, hybrid and electric vehicles based on demand today.
In parallel, Ford is expanding its hybrid electric vehicle offerings. By the end of the decade, the company expects to offer hybrid powertrains across its entire Ford Blue lineup in North America. In the first quarter of 2024, Ford’s electric vehicle sales increased by 86% and hybrid sales rose 42% versus a year ago.
“As the No. 2 EV brand in the U.S. for the past two years, we are committed to scaling a profitable EV business, using capital wisely and bringing to market the right gas, hybrid and fully electric vehicles at the right time,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “Our breakthrough, next-generation EVs will be new from the ground up and fully software enabled, with ever-improving digital experiences and a multitude of potential services.”
Assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario The transformation of Oakville Assembly Plant – a comprehensive overhaul of the plant from a gas vehicle assembly plant into an EV manufacturing complex – is set to begin in the second quarter, as planned.
Preparations continue for the market launch of Ford’s all-new three-row electric vehicles at the assembly complex in Oakville, Ontario, which the company said it will re-time to 2027 from 2025. The additional time will allow for the consumer market for three-row EVs to further develop and enable Ford to take advantage of emerging battery technology, with the goal to provide customers increased durability and better value.
“We value our Canadian teammates and appreciate that this delay will have an impact on this excellent team,” Farley said. “We are fully committed to manufacturing in Canada and believe this decision will help us build a profitably growing business for the long term.”
The company will work with Unifor to mitigate the impact the launch delay will have on its workforce at Oakville.
“We are committed to taking care of our valued Oakville employees through this transition,” said Bev Goodman, president and CEO, Ford Canada. “While this change requires a revision to the timeline, it will support a viable and growing future for our company, employees and dealers.”
BlueOval City The creation of the BlueOval City campus – Ford’s new advanced auto production complex that includes the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center assembly plant – is progressing on track. In addition to paint shop and vehicle assembly equipment, installation is also underway for nearly 4,000 tons of stamping equipment that will produce the sheet metal stampings for Ford’s next all-new electric truck.
Ford plans to begin customer deliveries of the new truck in 2026 and gradually ramp up production to help assure quality. The Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center will be Ford’s first Industry 4.0 plant, combining automation and connectivity to help elevate quality and efficiency.
Prospective employees can meet with Ford representatives at the new Ford Tennessee Discovery Center in Brownsville, Tenn., once it opens. The plant’s management team brings together strong leaders from around the world, including Ford veterans and talent from Tesla, Amazon, Meta, Toyota, FedEx and more. Community members also will be welcome to experience advanced manufacturing through virtual reality simulations at the Discovery Center.
Ohio Assembly Plant Additionally, Ford continues its expansion of Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake to produce an all-new electric commercial vehicle for Ford Pro customers beginning mid-decade.
Half of the structural steel is erected on the site, interior slabs are being poured, concrete walls are going up and masonry is beginning on interior walls. Ford expects to begin tool installation at Ohio Assembly Plant in spring 2025.
Employees at the plant, like at other Ford manufacturing facilities, will use wearable technology to support high-quality and efficient manufacturing.
Future EVs Design work continues on Ford’s future-generation EVs. A skunkworks team in California is developing a smaller, low-cost, profitable, flexible EV platform capable of underpinning multiple vehicles at high volumes. Alan Clarke leads the growing team, which includes personnel from Auto Motive Power (AMP) following Ford’s acquisition of the EV energy management startup in late 2023.
In the meantime, construction is progressing at BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, in Marshall, Mich., and at the BlueOval SK joint venture battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky.
DETROIT — General Motors Co. and its dealers increased retail sales by 6% year-over-year and delivered 594,233 vehicles in the U.S. in the first quarter of 2024, down 1.5% year-over-year due to lower fleet deliveries. GM continued its industry leadership in full-size pickup, full-size SUV and affordable small SUV sales, and its scaling of Ultium Platform EV production is on track.
“Our brands are all performing well,” said Marissa West, GM senior vice president and president, North America. “GM gained retail market share year-over-year with strong mix and pricing, our inventories are in good shape heading into the spring, and production and deliveries of Ultium Platform EVs are rising, led by the Cadillac LYRIQ. We’re on plan.”
UPS announced the company has been awarded a significant air cargo contract by the United States Postal Service. This award is effective immediately and greatly expands the existing relationship between the two organizations.
Following a transition period, UPS will become the USPS’s primary air cargo provider and move the majority of USPS air cargo in the US.
“Together UPS and USPS have developed an innovative solution that is mutually beneficial and complements our unique, reliable and efficient integrated network,” UPS Chief Executive Officer Carol B. Tomé said in a press release posted to the UPS website.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
USPS’s current air cargo contract with FedEx Corp. is set to expire in late September, according to The Associated Press. The agency said in a statement that its contract with UPS will be for a minimum of five-and-a-half years.
FedEx said in a regulatory filing that it wasn’t able to reach an agreement on mutually beneficial terms to extend its contract with USPS, the AP reported. The company said that negotiations ended on Friday, after extensive talks.
FedEx Express will continue to provide air transportation services domestically and to Puerto Rico until the contract expires on Sept. 29. UPS’s contract with USPS takes effect the next day.
The number of Americans applying for unemployment assistance rose last week. However, layoffs remain at historically low levels as the labor market continues to chug along despite elevated interest rates.
According to statistics released by the Labor Department Thursday, filings for unemployment claims for the week ending March 30 climbed to 221,000 from the previous week’s 212,000. That’s an increase of some 9,000 claims.
The four-week average of claims also rose, though more modestly, climbing to 214,250. That’s an increase of 2,750 from the previous week.
A total of some 1.79 million Americans were collecting jobless benefits during the week ending March 23, the Associated Press reported, a decline of 19,000 from the previous week.
Weekly unemployment claims have remained at historically low levels since the pandemic purge of millions of jobs in the spring of 2020, the AP said.
Anyone wondering whether the U.S. job market is still strong may have gotten their answer this week.
U.S. job openings barely moved in February and remain historically high. The Labor Department said Tuesday employers posted 8.76 million job vacancies in February.
That’s a modest increase from January, and about what economists had forecast, the Associated Press reported.
The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, showed that layoffs ticked up to 1.7 million in February from 1.6 million in January, the AP said. That’s the highest since March 2023.
The number of Americans quitting their jobs – a sign of confidence they can find better pay or working conditions elsewhere – rose modestly to 3.5 million.
Monthly job openings are down from a peak of 12.2 million in March 2022 but are still at a high level. Before 2021, they’d never topped 8 million.
Although the unemployment rate rose to 3.9% in February, it’s come in below 4% for 25 straight months, longest such streak since the 1960s.
At the same time, the higher rates have brought inflation down. In February, consumer prices were up 3.2% from a year earlier — down from a four-decade high year-over-year peak of 9.1% in June 2022, according to the AP.
The combination of easing inflation and sturdy job growth has raised hopes the Fed is cooling inflation without causing a recession. The Fed stopped raising rates last July and has signaled that it plans to reverse course and cut rates three times in 2024.
“Job openings are still elevated relative to pre-pandemic readings, signaling still-strong demand for workers,’’ Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, told the AP. “A strong labor market backdrop coupled with inflation receding but remaining above target supports the (Fed’s) current patient stance on future policy decisions.’’
Compared to layoffs, the steady drop in job openings is a painless way to cool a labor market that has been red hot, easing upward pressure on wages that can lead to higher prices.
Hiring likely remained healthy last month. The AP reported that economists expect the March jobs report to show that employers added nearly 193,000 jobs and that the unemployment dipped to 3.8%, according to a survey of forecasters by the data firm FactSet.
A $20 minimum wage for most fast food workers in California went into effect Monday under a new law designed to give more financial security to an historically low-paying profession.
Critics say the law threatens to raise prices in a state already known for its high cost of living.
Democrats in the state Legislature passed the law last year in part as an acknowledgement that many of the more than 500,000 people who work in fast food restaurants are not teenagers earning some spending money, but adults working to support their families, the Associated Press reported.
The law was supported by the trade association representing fast food franchise owners. But since it passed, many franchise owners have complained about the impact the law is having on them, especially during California’s slowing economy, the AP reported.
California has doubled its minimum wage for most workers to $16 per hour over the last decade. A big concern over that time was whether the increase would cause some workers to lose their jobs as employers’ expenses increased.
Instead, data showed wages went up and employment did not fall, according to the report.
“I was surprised at how little, or how difficult it was to find disemployment effects. If anything, we find positive employment effects,” Michael Reich, a labor economics professor at the University of California-Berkeley. Told the AP.
The law applies to restaurants offering limited or no table service and which are part of a national chain with at least 60 establishments nationwide. Restaurants operating inside a grocery establishment are exempt, as are restaurants producing and selling bread as a stand-alone menu item.
DETROIT – General Motors announced the retirement of its long-serving executive vice president of Global Manufacturing and Sustainability, Gerald Johnson, after a distinguished 44-year tenure at the company.
Replacing him as the new executive vice president is Jens Peter (JP) Clausen, an industrial leader with vast expertise in global manufacturing, product engineering and scaling operations. GM also announced that Mike Abbott, executive vice president of Software and Services, will be stepping down due to health reasons.
Mary Barra, GM Chair and CEO, said, “Gerald’s leadership, vision and relentless pursuit of excellence in manufacturing have left an indelible mark on GM. His impactful journey from joining the Fisher Body Plant in Euclid, Ohio, to his integral role in GM’s COVID-19 emergency response, is a testament to his unwavering commitment and dedication. We are immensely grateful for his over four decades of service and congratulate him on his well-deserved retirement.”
Johnson is esteemed for his instrumental role in bolstering GM’s manufacturing and labor relations. He was pivotal in effecting a major cultural transformation that underscored leadership, process discipline, continuous improvement and waste elimination. He is a widely respected leader who spent significant time on the shop floor and could often be heard saying, “Every day in a plant is a good day.” As a champion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, the generational impact Johnson leaves behind extends beyond our employees to our customers and communities as well.
Stepping in to lead Global Manufacturing and Sustainability at GM is JP Clausen, who brings a strong track record of manufacturing, innovation, and operational excellence. He spearheaded the rapid scaling of electric vehicle propulsion systems at Tesla’s Gigafactory 1 and played a crucial role in making EVs more accessible. His expertise also extends to biomanufacturing. At Zymergen, he automated gene manufacturing and fermentation technology to deliver sustainable materials.
He also led a financial turnaround at LEGO by simplifying the product and component portfolio, and at Google Data Centers, as vice president of Engineering, he drove groundbreaking technological innovation, product development, and process optimization.
Barra expressed her confidence in Clausen.
“JP’s unique expertise in global manufacturing innovation, engineering, and operations will accelerate our ability to deliver on our vision for GM with the highest quality vehicles for our customers,” Barra said. “We are excited to welcome him to the team and know that his contributions will be instrumental to our future.”
Mike Abbott will be leaving GM to care for his health. Since he arrived at GM last May, he has led significant advancements in the company’s approach to software design, development, execution and quality testing. Abbott also expanded the Software and Services leadership team by recruiting vice presidents with backgrounds from Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft.
“Mike’s contributions have been invaluable, and I look forward to him remaining part of the GM family as an advisor to me when his health permits. I also have the utmost trust in the strong bench of leaders in place. His recovery is the priority, and we wish him well,” said Barra.
Baris Cetinok, current vice president of Product in Software and Services, has been named the interim head of Software and Services while a search is conducted. Johnson will remain at GM through the end of the year and work in partnership with Clausen for a smooth transition.
LANSING – Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Jennifer DeLaCruz as the director of the newly created Office of Community Violence Intervention Services.
“As a former prosecutor, protecting public safety is a top priority for me,” Whitmer said. “In this new role, (deLaCruz) will lead our statewide efforts to reduce gun violence and save lives. Jennifer’s extensive background in community violence prevention and proactive approach to building partnerships will let us create a safer Michigan where every Michigander can thrive.”
This office was created through an investment in Whitmer’s 2024 budget and is designed to partner with community-based organizations working to reduce violent incidents by providing grants and other resources to community violence prevention agencies. DeLaCruz will oversee a staff of four.
“Jennifer is passionate about preventing community violence and has extensive knowledge of intervention strategies designed to prevent violence and reduce its adverse outcomes,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “She has long-established partnerships with local, state and national community violence intervention leaders and practitioners, which will help our department work together with communities to develop and implement programs designed to make communities safer.”
DeLaCruz has been the state administrative manager in MDHHS’ Injury and Violence Prevention Section since 2015, serving as subject matter expert in overdose, suicide, sexual violence, and community violence intervention. Previously, she worked for Michigan State University’s School of Social Work, monitoring the educational progress of master’s level social work students, and as an MDHHS public health consultant, where she led diabetes and dementia policy and strategic planning through a contract with the Michigan Public Health Institute.
She holds a master’s degree in social work and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University.
Corewell Health will welcome Lamont Yoder, RN, as the new president of Corewell Health East, effective May 6. He will report to the system’s Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Darryl Elmouchi, and will also serve as a member of Corewell Health President & CEO Tina Freese Decker’s senior leadership team.
Yoder joins Corewell Health from Banner Health in Arizona, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country, where he currently serves as division president of 13 of the system’s 30 hospitals.
“We were searching for a dynamic, proven health care leader to oversee our eight hospitals in the metro Detroit area,” Elmouchi said. “Lamont has more than 25 years of heath care leadership experience across the country. Throughout it all, he has maintained his nursing license and always put people first. We are excited for him to join our team.”
Prior to joining Banner Health, Yoder held many other leadership positions, including multiple chief nursing officer roles, at Vanguard Health Systems, Inc., and OhioHealth. He is also active in multiple state and national nurse executive organizations.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Corewell Health team. Throughout my career, I have always looked to our hard-working care teams at the frontline to teach me what they need to be successful. My priority will be to listen to and learn from the incredible physicians, nurses and clinical care teams,” Yoder said. “I was born in Ohio, and I’m excited to move back home to the Midwest.”
SOUTHFIELD – Farbman Group, a Midwest full-service commercial real estate company, announced the promotion of Jordan Valasek to Vice President, Director of Property Management.
“Jordan’s exceptional leadership skills and unwavering dedication to our mission have been evident since he joined our team,” said Andy Farbman, CEO of Farbman Group. “It’s a privilege to recognize his contributions by entrusting him with the oversight of our property management department. We are confident that under his direction, we will continue to deliver the high standard of service our clients expect and deserve.”
In his new role, Valasek will be responsible for the daily operations of Farbman’s property management department, as well as direct supervision of all the property managers across the company’s Midwest portfolio. Valasek’s leadership will be instrumental in ensuring the continued success and efficiency of the department, further enhancing Farbman Group’s reputation for superior property management services.
“I am honored to step into the role of director of property management at Farbman Group,” said Valasek. “I look forward to leading our talented team of property managers and building on our department’s successes. Together, we will continue to innovate and elevate the property management services we provide to our clients and tenants.”
Valasek’s promotion is a testament to Farbman Group’s commitment to nurturing talent from within and advancing the next generation of leadership. Jordan’s elevated role as director of property management signals a bright future for the company as it continues to grow and excel in the competitive real estate industry.
