November December 2013 website

November/December
2013
I-96
RECONSTRUCTION
PROJECT UPDATE
The full closure
of I-96 from
Newburgh to
Telegraph Roads
will take place, at
the earliest, in the last week
of January, after Detroit’s
North
American
International Auto Show.
MDOT will begin the major
reconstruction project of I-96
by closing the freeway from
Newburgh and Telegraph
Roads until late 2014.
This closure will include
repairing 37 bridges to
improve safety and to bring
the corridor to current design
standards. Several bridges will
be closed to traffic during the
year- lon g cons truc ti on
project. The detour route will
be the next adjacent bridge
overpass—no two bridges in
a row will be closed.
As for Schoolcraft Road,
there will only be one lane
open on each side of the
freeway. The left lanes on
both the north and south side
of I-96 will be closed.
The suggested alternate
routes will be Five Mile Road
and Plymouth Road.
The Chamber would like to
remind all members to
continue to support local
business during the freeway
re-construction. And updates
will be posted throughout
2014 at www.Livonia.org.
Chamber
News
Livonia’s Business Connection
LIVONIA
IS PREMIER SPOT IN
STATE FOR JOB SEEKERS
Research firm lauds city’s low
unemployment rate, reasonable cost of living
It was nice to see
some
national
recognition this fall
for some of Livonia’s
strengths.
Livonia was ranked
the No. 1 place in
Michigan for job
seekers, according to
Dan West, President
Nerd Wallet,
a
national financial
analysis company based in California.
The four-year-old research company analyzes
various independent reports, such as U.S.
Bureau of Labor Statistics findings, to develop
such national and state rankings. Nerd Wallet
looked at Livonia’s 4.6% increase with
working-age population from 2009-2011, the
city’s reasonable cost of living, and the city’s
4.2% unemployment rate – one of the lowest
in Michigan.
Nerd Wallet also acknowledged Livonia’s
location – which is within 30 minutes of
downtown Detroit, Metro Airport, and other
major destinations and business hubs. It was
also noted that Livonia has the variety of
resources available locally for job seekers.
Among those resources are a number of higher
education centers.
In 2014, Livonia will be home to facilities for
eight colleges and universities with Schoolcraft
College’s expansion adding space for
University of Toledo and Wayne State
University. Northwood University also has a
presence at Schoolcraft. Other schools in
Livonia are Madonna University’s main
campus and satellite operations for Eastern
Michigan University, Central Michigan
University, and Davenport University.
President Column continues on page 12.
“What stands out about Livonia is the very low
unemployment, comparatively to the rest of
the state, and the strong median income,
comparatively to the rest of the state,” said
Annie Wang, an analyst with Nerd Wallet.
Livonia was ahead of Midland, Dearborn,
Rochester Hills, and Kentwood in the top-5.
As the ninth-largest city in Michigan, Livonia New businesses have been moving to Victor
Parkway including Trinity Health, which can be
has a diverse collection of growing industries. seen in the background above.
Manufacturing, finance, health care, education,
and advertising are the industries represented INSIDE
among Livonia’s leading employers. Also, Upcoming Events………………..…....………2
Crain’s Detroit Business identified four New Chamber Members……………......3, 4 & 7
Livonia companies among the 50 fastest Grand Openings ………..….........................5
growing companies in southeast Michigan: Renewals……………………………………..6
TRW Automotive, NYX Inc., Roush, and Ambassador Briefs……………...…..............15
Aristeo Construction.
Chamber News
2
2013 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Chair
KEN WAGNER
State Farm Insurance
Upcoming Events
Chair Elect
KAREN SANBORN
Madonna University
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
GRETCHEN ALANIZ
TRW Automotive
Thursday, January 9
Neighborly Networking
Peterlin’s Restaurant & Bar
(22004 Farmington Road,
Farmington, 48336)
5:00-7:00 p.m.
$10 per Member
Come network with the Livonia and
Greater Farmington Area Chambers
Friday, February 7
Darren McCarty sits down with
WJR’s Steve Courtney
Laurel Manor Banquet Center
(39000 Schoolcraft Road)
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
$30 per Member
Former Red Wing and four-time
Stanley Cup champion Darren
McCarty will discuss his new
memoir, My Last Fight, with WJR
Steve Courtney. Autograph
opportunities will be available.
DAN LAIBLE
NYX, Inc.
KATHY RAYMOR
Lis, McCallion, Raymor & Co., P.C.
2013 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LISA ABBEY
Livonia Public Schools
CHARLES DARDAS
Alpha USA
BRENDA DURLING
Schoolcraft College/VisTaTech Center
HAITHAM FAKHOURI
Bold Media
JAMES FAUSONE
Fausone Bohn, LLP
STEVE FUTRELL
Technology Solutions
KEN HUNT
Ford Motor Company
BRANDON KRITZMAN
Orchard, Hiltz & McCliment, Inc.
BETSY MCCUE
Huntington Bank
JOHN MURPHY
Commercial Lawnmower
DAVID SPIVEY
St. Mary Mercy Hospital
TOM STROUP
Valaset Services
Monday, January 20
Networking at Detroit
Red Wings Game
Coach’s Corner & Joe Louis Arena
(19170 Farmington Road)
3:30-11:00 p.m.
$70 per Ticket
$5 per Bus Seat
Tuesday, January 28
Lunch & Learn:
Customer Service
Embassy Suites
(19525 Victor Parkway)
11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
$20 per Member
Enjoy lunch and learn the dos and
don’ts of customer service
Friday, February 20
Leadership & Awards
Celebration
Laurel Manor Banquet Center
(39000 Schoolcraft Road)
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
$25 per Member
$180 per Table of Eight
The 2014 Small & Large
Businesses of the Year, 2014
Community Enhancement honoree,
Ambassador of the Year, Teachers
of the Year, Outstanding Youth and
First Citizen will be honored at this
evening event.
PETER VENTURA
Principal Associates
ROBIN WHITFIELD
Edward Jones
Have you activated your login
on the chamber’s website?
DENNIS WRIGHT
Livonia City Treasurer
It’s easy! Contact the chamber
by calling 734.427.2122 or email
[email protected] to get
started!
STAFF
DAN WEST
President/CEO
DAWNNE TOPPA
Vice President
With a login, all members can
register for events online and
update their business listing on
the website.
DEBBIE FERENSIC
Office Manager
LAURA SWEENEY
Program Coordinator
LIVONIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
33233 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734.427.2122
734.427.6055 (fax)
www.Livonia.org
djwest777
LivoniaChamberof
TheLivoniaChamber LivoniaChamber
Commerce.Blogspot
Livonia Chamber
of Commerce
Livonia Chamber
of Commerce
Chamber News
3
NEW MEMBERS FOR OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2013
Congratulations to the following organizations for recently
investing in the work of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce.
Advanced Financial Planning
Category: Financial Planning
Contact: Gabriel Pingitore
17294 Farmington Road
Livonia, MI 48152
734-524-9408
AdviCoach of Michigan
Category: Coaching
Contact: Emily Bauman
6633 Eighteen Mile Road
Velocity Building
Sterling Heights, MI 48014
303-929-8124
www.Mi.AdviCoach.com
Agape Hair Growth Clinic
Category: Hair Clinic
Contact: Agape Jordan
28200 West Seven Mile Road
Suite 200
Livonia, MI 48152
248-924-9462
www.AgapeHairGrowthClinic.com
Best Western
Laurel Park Suites
Category: Hotels & Motels
Contact: Christine Masson
16999 S. Laurel Park Drive
Livonia, MI 48154
734-464-0050
book.bestwestern.com/
BestWestern/productInfo.do?
propertyCode=23120
Brindley Financial Services
Category: Financial Planning
Contact: Jeff Brindley
17199 N. Laurel Park Drive
Suite 210
Livonia, MI 48152
734-748-4909
www.BrindleyFinancial.com
Century Car Wash
Category: Car Wash
Contact: David Louiselle
36293 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734- 432-0934
Alternative Services Inc.
Category: Non-Profit
Contact: Jenny Spencer
32625 West Seven Mile Road
Suite 10
Livonia, MI 48152
248-471-4880 ext. 127
www.ASI-MI.org
Bayview Optical
Category: Medical –
Optometrists
Contact: Dr. Gerald Blaize
33012 Seven Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
248-482-2020
www.BayviewOptical.com
Comerica Bank
Category: Banks &
Credit Unions
Contact: Lesli Matukaitis
411 W. Lafayette
MC 3409
Detroit, MI 48226
313-222-4367
www.Comerica.com
Commercial Carpet Care
Category: Carpet &
Upholstery Cleaning
Contact: Gerald Szpak
P.O. Box 39253
Redford, MI 48239
877-937-1871
New Members continue on page 4 & 7
CrossFit North Industry
Category: Health & Fitness
Contact: Dennis Fenrich
36963 Amrhein Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-464-3015
www.CrossFitNorthIndustry.com
Detroit Metro Convention
& Visitors Bureau
Category: Tourism
Contact: Harriet Carter
211 West Fort Street
Ste. 1000
Detroit, MI 48226
313-202-1800
www.VisitDetroit.com
Dietz Trott Sports &
Entertainment Management
Category: Sports, Events
& Marketing
Contact: Michael Dietz
31440 Northwestern Hwy
Suite 320
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
248-341-4786
First American Securities
Category: Financial Planning
Contact: Dominic Siwik
17420 Laurel Park Drive North
Suite 110
Livonia, MI 48152
734-779-9000
FirstAmericanSecurities.com
Flexkom
International-America
Category: Mobile App—Loyalty,
Rewards, Marketing
Contact: Deborah Thompson
36019 Congress
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-802-3930
US.Flexkom.com/25044880
Chamber News
4
NEW MEMBERS FOR OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2013
Continued from page 3
FL-Tool Holders
Category: Manufacturing
Contact: Debra Strucel
36010 Industrial Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-591-0134
www.FLToolHolders.com
George D. Gostias,
Attorney at Law
Category: Attorney At Law
Contact: George D. Gostias
32437 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
248-421-6850
www.GDGLawFirm.com
Michael's Touch of Class
Category: Catering
Contact: Michael Grant
Finnish Center
35200 W. Eight Mile Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-767-2978
www.MTCcatering.com
OnPoint Alarms Plus
Category: Security Devices
& Systems
Contact: Scott Doerr
29571 Puritan Street
Livonia, MI 48154
734-743-1691
www.OnPointAlarmsPlus.com
Michigan Segway Events/
Hines Park Segway Rental
Category: Events/Rentals
Contact: Kenneth Hines
33175 Ann Arbor Road
Westland, MI 48185
734-459-2900
Phantom Fireworks
Category: Fireworks Retailer
Contact: Susan Burkhart
30282 Plymouth Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-266-6188
www.Fireworks.com
www.MichiganSegwayEvents.com
Grace Communion
International
Category: Churches
Contact: Pastor
Ron Washington
PO Box 8702
Canton, MI 48189
313-719-6988
www.GCI.org
Great Lakes Pizza Company
Category: Restaurants – Pizza
Contact: Andrew M. Ellis
28408 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
888-635-6160
www.GreatLakesPizza.net
H.G. Wells Investigations
Category: Professional
Investigations
Contact: Herb Wells
PO Box 530392
Livonia, MI 48153
734-591-1864
www.HGWellsInvestigations.com
Michigan Vocational
Rehabilitation Service
Category: Vocational
Rehabilitation
Contact: Angelo Gilmore
30246 Plymouth Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-524-2425
www.Michigan.gov/MRS
My Hobby Place & Toys
Category: Toys & Hobbies
Contact: Lisa Laing
33201 Plymouth Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-812-2900
www.MyHobbyPlace.com
New Horizons CLC
Category: Training &
Professional Development
Contact: Lauren Cook
14115 Farmington Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734-525-1501 ext. 1107
www.NHGreatLakes.com
Pure Chiropractic
Category: Chiropractors
Contact: John Thomas
34730 Plymouth Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-788-9421
www.GoPureChiropractic.com
R.A. Bedzyk Consulting, LLC
Category: Consultants
Contact: Bob Bedzyk
W. Seven Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
248-473-0200
www.rabcbuild.com
Reputation First
Title Agency
Category: Title Insurance
Contact: Kim Tortora
17199 N. Laurel Park Drive
Suite 100
Livonia, MI 48152
734-432-0100
www.MichiganTitleServices.com
New Members continue on page 7
Chamber News
5
L IVONIA G RAND O PENINGS
Congratulations to these Livonia Businesses!
Laurel Manor’s Costan”Tino” Room
My Hobby Place & Toys
Celebrated their Grand Re-opening on October 1.
They are located at 39000 Schoolcraft Road,
Livonia, MI 48150 and can be
reached at 734-462-0770.
www.LaurelManor.com
Celebrated their Grand Opening on October 14.
They are located at 33201 Plymouth Road,
Livonia, MI 48150 and can be
reached at 734-812-2900.
www.MyHobbyPlace.com
UPS Store #3011
Celebrated their Grand Re-opening on October 29.
They are located at 37637 Five Mile Road,
Livonia, MI 48154 and can be
reached at 734-542-9200.
www.TheUPSStoreLocal.com/3011
Home Instead Senior Care
Celebrated their Grand Re-opening on November 8.
They are located at 16013 Middlebelt Road,
Livonia, MI 48154 and can be
reached at 734-525-5300.
www.HomeInstead.com/430
Cheryl Bowker
Agency Owner
Allstate Insurance Company
31221 Five Mile Rd
Livonia, MI 48154
Agape Hair Growth Clinic
Celebrated their Grand Opening on November 14.
They are located at 28200 W. Seven Mile Road,
Suite 200, Livonia, MI 48152
and can be reached at 248-924-9462.
www.AgapeHairGrowthClinic.com
Phone 734-525-9610/Fax 734-525-3815
Toll Free 866-525-9610
[email protected]
24-Hour
www.cherylbowker.com
Customer Service
Chamber News
6
RENEWALS OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2013
Thank you to the following organizations for continuing to invest in the Livonia Chamber.
AAA Life
Insurance Company
Arc of NW Wayne County
Aston Outdoor Services
Attendance on Demand
Bold Media
Borg-Warner Automotive
Bright House Networks
Burton Manor
Glen Eden Memorial Park
Michigan Office Solutions
GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
Michigan Works!
Livonia Service Center
Hampton Inn
HealthQuest of Livonia
Midwest Maintenance Inc.
Heavyweight Logistics
Montessori Center
of Our Lady
Henry Ford Medical Center
Office Depot #366
Hydraulic Solutions LLC
Orthodontics by
Drs. Shaw & Jane
Interstate Title
Panchero's Mexican Grill
Busch's
Jimmy John's
Gourmet Sandwiches
C.C. King Entertainment
Kerr, Russell & Weber
Remco Services
Community Financial
Koney Island Inn
Concentra Medical Centers
Kopacz Industrial Painting
Seedlings Braille
Books for Children
Conci Painting
Las Palapas
Contractors Steel
Life Center, Inc.
Creighton McLean & Shea PLC
Livonia
Community Foundation
Cummings, McClorey,
Davis & Acho
Livonia Lock & Key
Dale Carnegie Training
M.I. Slingers
DFCU Financial
Mario A Tomei, DDS PC
Financial & Portfolio Advisors
MarsBell24 LLC
Fire Systems of Michigan
Marywood Nursing
Care Center
Foley, Baron,
Metzger & Juip
Massey Enterprises
G&D Accounting
McDonald's Restaurant
George Matick Chevrolet
McNeely & Lincoln Assoc., Inc.
George W. Auch Company
Men on the Move
Gillis Electric
Michigan Columbus
Federal Credit Union
PNC Bank
Southeast Michigan
Community Alliance
St. Mary Child
Care Center
Suburban Eye Care
Sunrise Assisted Living
Time Saver, Inc
TLC Holistic Wellness
TradeFirst.com
Vivo Wellness Center
Walsh College
Wayne County
Commissioner
Wilkins Floor Covering Inc.
Woodhaven
Retirement Community
Chamber News
7
NEW MEMBERS FOR OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2013
Continued from page 3 and 4
Right At Home in
Home Care & Assistance
Category: Home Health Care
Contact: Sherri Olson-Roberts
31540 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-421-9002
www.Livonia.RightAtHome.net
Sandler Training—
Ann Arbor
Category: Coaching
Contact: Rich Austin
501 Avis Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734-821-4830
www.SandlerAnnArbor.com
Sound Advice Hearing
Aids & Audiology
Category: Audiologist
Contact: Joni Tedesco
34728 Plymouth Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-838-9990
SoundAdviceHearingAids.com
Storch Products
Category: Manufacturing
Contact: Matt Carr
11827 Globe Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-591-2200 ext. 316
www.StorchMagnetics.com
Suburban Door Company
Category: Door Sales & Repair
Contact: Jim Sass
28003 Five Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734-422-0930
www.SuburbanDoorMI.com
The Compassionate Friends
Category: Non-Profit
Contact: Kathy Rambo
16700 Newburgh Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734-778-0800
www.TCFLivonia.org
Toshiba Business
Solutions Inc.
Category: Office Supply/
Print Service
Contact: Asa Hensley IV
37987 Interchange Drive
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
248-427-5458
www.TBS.Toshiba.com
TRYCO, Inc.
Category: Packaging,
Janitorial, & Office Supplies
Contact: Mr. Mike Miller
35520 Veronica
Livonia, MI 48150
734-953-6000
www.TRYCOinc.com
Two Men And A Truck
Category: Moving & Storage
Contact: Michael Stafford
31037 Schoolcraft Road
Livonia, MI 48150
734-722-6683
www.TwoMenAndATruck
CantonMI.com
Verant's Salon
Category: Hair Salons
Contact: Aaron Verant
19017 Farmington Road
Livonia, MI 48152
248-987-2950
www.VerantsSalon.com
Welcome Wagon
Category: Advertising/
Marketing
Contact: Dorie Timberlake
2413 Westgate Court
Canton, MI 48188
734-495-1245
www.WelcomeWagon.com
Z Wireless
Category: Cell Phone
Communication
Contact: Kimberly Joens
37304 Six Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48154
734-233-9699
www.ZWireless.com
The new Livonia maps have
arrived! Stop by the
chamber office to pick up
one for yourself or more
for your office!
The map is also available
online at www.Livonia.org!
Chamber News
8
NEW
UNIVERSITY PARTNERS FOR
SCHOOLCRAFT COLLEGE
OPENS UP NEW
OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS
The addition of two more universities offering courses
in Livonia soon will push the number of places area
residents can earn a degree in Livonia to eight.
The move by Schoolcraft College to partner with
Wayne State University and the University of Toledo to
offer four-year degrees just enhances the opportunities
for students looking to stay close to home.
“This provides great options for parents dealing with
the climbing cost of college education for their
children,” said Livonia Chamber President Dan West.
“They can eliminate the room-and-board costs with the
commuter school options right here in Livonia and
along the I-275 corridor.”
Schoolcraft College announced the partnership with
Photo Courtesy of Schoolcraft College.
the two universities Nov. 7. With the Students gather in Schoolcraft College’s courtyard in-between classes.
partnership, students will be able to enroll in courses
through the two universities and take upper-level classes at a
The newest came this past week, when Madonna University
building on Schoolcraft’s campus.
signed a dual degree program with Schoolcraft for sign
“Schoolcraft College continues to be a great provider of language studies. Starting next fall, students will be able to
opportunities for students, and economic development major in the program and take classes at both institutions.
resource for our area by training future workers via
numerous one-year certificate programs, two-year associate Programs such as the one in sign language are ways
degree programs, and increased opportunities to four-year the schools are working together to help service students
bachelor programs,” says West. “Businesses want to be near and cut down the daunting price tag of a four-year
education, said Madonna University President Sr. Rose
such a resource.”
Marie Kujawa.
Programs offered through the newly announced “Schoolcraft
to U” initiative include business, nursing, engineering and “We have a great working relationship with our friends
criminal justice. Classes will be offered in a recently acquired at Schoolcraft, and have developed strong articulation
building on Schoolcraft’s campus at Seven Mile and Haggerty agreements that make transferring and completing
a bachelor’s degree at Madonna a smooth transition,” she
in Livonia.
said.
The announcements means seven four-year higher education
institutions and one two-year institution will offer courses on Eastern Michigan University, which has an off-campus center
in Livonia, also has more than a dozen articulation
the west side of Livonia, mostly along Haggerty.
agreements with the college and allows for a reverse-transfer
“We selected Wayne State and the University of Toledo of credits to Schoolcraft.
because we believe they have the programs that give our
students their best chance of earning a degree and bettering The Ypsilanti-based university offered 54 classes in Livonia
their lives,” said Conway Jeffress, president of Schoolcraft this fall.
College. “We wanted to offer our students these highly "Eastern Michigan University has an established reputation
employable degree programs without having to leave and a strong commitment in the Metro-Detroit area
Livonia.”
for providing convenient access to high-quality education,”
said Geoff Larcom, executive director of media relations
Existing relationships with Schoolcraft
for EMU.
Even with the addition of the two new universities partnering
Excerpts of article from Livonia Observer
with Schoolcraft, several other area four-year schools have
maintained and created partnerships with the college, which
services northwest Wayne County.
Chamber News
9
Chamber News
10
CHAMBER
SEEKS
NOMINATIONS FOR
2014 LEADERSHIP
& AWARDS
CELEBRATION
Nominations are being sought for the annual Livonia
Chamber of Commerce awards that will be handed
out at the Chamber’s annual Leadership and Awards
Celebration, which will take place in February next
year.
Award winners and honorees from last year’s Leadership and Awards
Celebration that took place in January.
The Chamber is looking for nominations in three categories:
•
The Outstanding Small Business of the Year Award
goes to an established Livonia-based business with 39
or fewer employees that has a strong reputation
of providing quality goods and services, and a record
of supporting community causes and charities.
(The 2013 winner was Livonia Towing.)
•
The Outstanding Large Business of the Year Award
goes to an established Livonia-based business with 40
or more employees that has a strong reputation within
its industry, providing quality goods and services, and
a record of supporting community causes and charities.
(The 2013 winner was Cambridge
Underwriters.)
•
The Community Enhancement Award
goes to a Livonia-based business that
made a significant investment to its
property that enhanced the site and
visibly aides the Livonia community.
(The 2013 winner was St. Mary Mercy
Hospital.)
Nominations can come from consumers
or business people. A note detailing a
nominee’s qualities can be sent to Livonia
Chamber President Dan West at
[email protected], or mailed to the
Livonia Chamber at 33233 Five Mile Road,
Livonia, MI 48154. The nomination deadline
is 3 p.m. Friday, January 24.
These award recipients, along with the chamber’s Ambassador
of the Year and adult learner scholarship winners will
be honored at annual event. Also, the Livonia Observer
will hand
out its Livonia First Citizen Award and
Outstanding Youth Award, and the teachers of the year will
be honored by the Livonia and Clarenceville school districts.
The Leadership and Awards Celebration will be held
from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 20, at Laurel
Manor. Admission is $25 per person, which includes a
strolling dinner. For more details, call the Livonia
Chamber at 734.427.2122 or email Laura Sweeney at
[email protected]
Chamber News
11
FORMER WING MCCARTY TO DISCUSS CAREER,
BOOK AT FEB. 7 CHAMBER LUNCHEON
Former Detroit Red Wing Darren McCarty will discuss his
recent book that documents his life on and off the ice at a
three-chamber luncheon coming to Laurel Manor in Livonia
on Friday, February 7.
The four-time Stanley Cup champion will discuss his book,
My Last Fight, in an on-stage discussion with WJR Radio
Sports Director Steve Courtney at the event that involves the
Livonia, Westland and Novi chambers of commerce.
Members of the audience will have the chance to ask
questions.
“We look forward to meeting Darren and hearing about
memorable moments from those championship Red Wings
teams, but also how he will bluntly talk about some hard
lessons he learned in life,” said Livonia Chamber President
Dan West. “Regardless of your interest in hockey, I believe
everyone will appreciate at least some aspect of his story.”
There are many memories fans recall from the Detroit
Red Wings Stanley Cup championship runs of 1997, 1998,
2002, and 2008, and McCarty provided his share of
those. The grinding winger was a beloved for his likable
personality, willingness to drop the gloves, and ability
to score clutch goals. Despite his success on the ice, McCarty
is also known for his publicized struggles with addiction,
finances, and health issues –
some of those issues he
continues to battle today.
In My Last Fight, McCarty
shares inside stories from his
childhood building his hockey
dreams, to his 15-year professional hockey career, to details
his personal struggles in the
hope others will learn valuable
lessons. Copies of the book
will be sold at the event, and
McCarty will take pictures and
sign autographs after the
formal presentation.
Attendees can bring
memorabilia or his new
memoir, pictured above, to
Seats can be reserved now. The be autographed.
cost is $30 for chamber
members, $40 for guests. For more information, contact
Laura Sweeney at 734.427.2122, or email her at
[email protected].
Chamber News
12
CITY
OF
LIVONIA
RANKS HIGH FOR
YOUNG FAMILIES AND JOB SEEKERS
President Column continued from page 1.
Earlier in the fall, Nerd Wallet deemed Livonia to be among
the top 10 places in Michigan for young families. The city was
No. 9 on the list that gauged home values, school ratings, and
affordable cost of living. For this category, researchers looked
at 106 Michigan communities with a population of 10,000 or
more.
To further support this designation, the real estate analysis
company RealComp noted earlier this year that Livonia
outpaces the rest of southeastern Michigan for the number of
home sales and increase in median home sales prices in July
2013, compared to July 2012.
While there is no economic research to quantify the
community value of green space, Nerd Wallet acknowledged
Livonia has the second-most public parks and nature
preserves among municipalities in Michigan.
Another factor not considered in economic research, but is
worth noting, is the level of community involvement by
Livonia residents. The city has Michigan’s largest youth
Thank you to our
Landmark Businesses
& Trustee Members for
their continued support!
hockey association, largest parent-teacher-student association,
and some 16,000 young people involved in recreational
programs. People of all ages support dozens of churches,
more than 60 neighborhood associations, and numerous of
service clubs and volunteer organizations.
Economic numbers for the city are nice, but this level of
involvement by so many develops the glue that connects so
many Livonians to their community. There is no way to
quantify that, but for the multiple-generation families that call
Livonia home, and for former Livonians who live elsewhere
but remain loyal, the community involvement and family
friendly attributes are what makes people so fond of Livonia.
Livonia has been regarded as one of the nation’s leading
suburban communities to live, work, learn and play for
decades. The Nerd Wallet analysis and rankings of Livonia
continues to support that this city is a leading community for
business, neighborhoods, schools and working families.
These are the nuts and bolts of building a solid, likeable
community.
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Chamber News
13
2013
MEMBERSHIP
APPRECIATION
RECEPTION
The Livonia Chamber
acknowledged all new and
long-time members at the annual
Membership Appreciation
Reception, which took place
Thursday, November 8.
Attendance for this popular event
has grown throughout the years;
however the 2013 reception had
Close to 300 members attended this year’s annual Membership Appreciation Reception.
nearly 300 attendees—the highest
participation rate for this event!
Sponsored by Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Michigan, Bright House Business Solutions,
Madonna University, NYX Inc., St. Mary Mercy
Hospital and TDS Metrocom, the event took place at the
Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center Livonia for the
second year.
“We appreciate the support of all our members,” said
Livonia Chamber Vice President Dawnne Toppa. “This
event allows us to thank them while providing them with an
opportunity to network with their fellow members of the
Livonia business community.”
Dr. Dan Lipnik of Daniel Lipnik D.D.S., Greg LaVier of G&D
Accounting and Keith Bunetta of Custom Design Security &
Sound chat at the annual reception.
CHAMBER
SNAPSHOT
Some 50 chamber members gathered at the Fairfield Inn &
Suites Detroit Livonia for the Mid-morning Mingle, a new
networking event on Tuesday, November 19. Pictured (left to
right): Primerica-Wolters & Associates’ April Wolters, Two Men
and a Truck’s Michael Stafford, Livonia Bar Association’s Carol
Kramer and CertaPro Painters’ Jim Zandee.
In addition to appetizers and a cash bar, the members were
able to enjoy music from C.C. King Entertainment, a photo
booth from Mobile Exposures, and chair massages from
Correct Care Chiropractic and Dynamic Healing—all
members of the Livonia Chamber.
Chamber News
14
CHAMBER
ANNOUNCES 2014 SCHOLARSHIP
OPPORTUNITY FOR ADULT LEARNERS
The Livonia Chamber of Commerce will be awarding two (2)
$1,000 scholarships for adult learners in February 2014.
The award will be directly sent to the school of the winner’s
choice upon complete student enrollment in that institution.
An adult learner is defined as an independent, career-minded
student looking to complete an undergraduate degree or
transition into another undergraduate or graduate discipline.
The adult learner scholarship will be announced at the
Chamber’s Leadership and Awards Celebration event on
February 20, 2014.
Applicants must complete the application, which can be found
at www.Livonia.org, and write a 500-word essay for
consideration of the scholarship. No interviews are planned.
The Livonia Chamber’s Scholarship Committee will review
applications and essays as part of the selection process.
It is the intention of the Livonia Chamber Board of Directors
to make this scholarship program an annual venture by
soliciting donations and/or using proceeds from Chamber
programming. Scholarship proceeds must be used at a
Livonia Chamber member institution. (Those schools are:
Schoolcraft College, Madonna University, Davenport University, Eastern Michigan University, Central Michigan University,
Northwood University, ITT Technical Institute, Walsh College, Henry Ford Community College, Wayne State University,
and Lawrence Technological University.)
Adult learner scholarship winners must utilize the award for
courses taken during the 2014 calendar year. Failure to use the
scholarship in a timely fashion will result in forfeiture of the
award.
These scholarships are open to full-time and part-time
students. Financial need or discipline of study will not be
factors in the selection process.
For more information, call the Livonia Chamber office at
734.427.2122, or e-mail Chamber President Dan West at
[email protected].
Own a Small Business? Consider These Retirement Plans
For a variety of reasons, many people, particularly those in the baby
boom generation, are considering retiring later than they might have
originally planned. If you’re in this group, you’ll want to take full
advantage of those extra working years by contributing as much as you
can to a retirement plan that can help you build resources, defer taxes
and, ultimately, maximize income. And if you own a small business,
you’ve got some attractive plans from which to choose.
Let’s look at two of these retirement plans — the “owner-only” 401(k)
and the defined benefit plan.
If you have no employees other than your spouse or a partner, you
can establish an “owner-only” 401(k), also known as an individual
401(k). This plan offers many of the same advantages of a traditional
401(k): a range of investment options, tax-deductible contributions
and the opportunity for tax-deferred earnings growth. You may even
be able to choose a Roth option for your 401(k), which allows you to
make after-tax contributions that have the opportunity to grow tax
free.
Your owner-only 401(k) contributions consist of two parts: salary
deferral and profit sharing. In 2011, you can defer up to $16,500 of
income, or $22,000 if you’re 50 or older. The amount of your
profit-sharing contribution is based on your earnings. The sum of your
employer contribution and your salary deferral contributions can’t
exceed $49,000 in 2011 (or $54,500 if you’re 50 or older). Keep in
mind that if your spouse is employed by your business, you each can
contribute the maximum amount allowed.
You’ve got considerable flexibility in funding your owner-only 401(k).
Both the salary deferral and the profit-sharing contributions are
discretionary, so you can change them at any time based on your
business’s profitability.
Now, let’s move on to the defined benefit plan, which might be
appropriate for you if you are highly compensated and have no other
employees. By establishing a defined benefit plan, you’ll be providing
yourself with a monthly payment (or “benefit” for life, beginning at
the retirement age specified by your plan. In 2011, the yearly benefit
limit is $195,000.
The amount you can contribute to your defined benefit plan each year
is based on several variables, including your current age, your
compensation level and your retirement age. But you’ll certainly be
able to contribute large amounts: A defined benefit plan is the only
retirement account that allows contributions in excess of the limits
placed on 401(k)s and other defined contribution plans. Generally
speaking, the closer you get to retirement, the larger your maximum
yearly contributions will be. (This is because you’ll have fewer years
left in which to fund your defined benefit.) And since your defined
benefit contributions are tax-deductible, you are, in effect, getting a
big boost from the government to fund a generous retirement plan.
Here’s one more benefit to owner-only 401(k) and defined benefit
plans: You can contribute to both of them at the same time. But
before you choose either or both of them, consult with your tax and
financial advisors. After all, you work hard to help provide for a
comfortable retirement tomorrow — so you’ll want a retirement plan
working hard for you today.
Article provided by Edward Jones Investments
For personal service contact:
Robin Whitfield, Financial Advisor
34441 Eight Mile Road, Suite #108
Livonia, MI 48152
(248) 426-0279
Paid Advertisement
Chamber News
15
AMBASSADORS OF THE MONTH
These featured members are honored as Ambassadors of the Month for their volunteer time for member retention,
member development and Chamber events.
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
Russ Bisinger
Melissa Pilzner
Chase Bank
(248) 488-0722
www.Chase.com
Raymond James, Livonia
(248) 427-1600 ext. 3
RaymondJamesLivonia.com
Russ Bisinger is an Assistant Vice-President and
Relationship Manager II with Chase Bank’s Government and
Not-for-Profit Business Banking Group. Chase is the U.S.
consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan
Chase & Co., a leading global financial services firm. The
Livonia branch is located at 27637 Grand River,
between Eight Mile and Inkster Roads. He focuses on helping
not-for-profit clients with their depository, cash management
and lending needs in Southeastern Michigan. Russ has lived in
Livonia since birth and has two daughters in Livonia Public
Schools. He enjoys charity work, canoeing and traveling.
Melissa Pilzner, a Financial Advisor with Raymond James,
Livonia, is dedicated to helping maximize retirement income
and minimize investment risk. She is committed to providing
the very highest quality of service and investment advice to
her clients, creating custom portfolios with their goals and
risk tolerance in mind. Her main areas of expertise include
retirement planning for individuals and employee benefits for
small businesses. Melissa’s office has been established for
over 12 years and has combined advisor experience of over
60 years! In her spare time, Melissa enjoys volunteering and
hosting events for philanthropic organizations. She has
assisted in organizing several events for the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation. In addition, she has been an active participant
for the American Cancer Society, Children’s Miracle
Network, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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in advertising in
“Chamber News” contact
Laura Sweeney at 734.427.2122
or email [email protected]
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