SBN Detroit

Pictured: Pastor Ricardo Smith of the Prayer Temple of Love Cathedral in Highland Park, standing in the vacant lot where solar panels are set to be installed. ??: Erica Hobbs The NORTH END WOODWARD COMMUNITY COALITION (NEWCC) is leading a solar power initiative to lower utility costs for low-income residents in Highland Park, Hamtramck, and Detroit’s North End. Backed by a $200,000 U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant, the program will install solar arrays at community sites, generating energy credits that will be distributed to local households. Shelia Dudley, NEWCC’s project manager, highlights the project’s role in empowering the community and tackling systemic energy inequities. However, challenges remain – including funding, land acquisition, and regulatory hurdles limiting community-based energy generation. Despite these obstacles, NEWCC is actively working to navigate legal frameworks and ensure energy credits reach those who need them most. Learn more: bit.ly/3DAEQFx Planet Detroit #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #michigan #universityofmichigan #sustainability #renewableenergy #solarenergy #energyaccess #communitypower #sustainability #publicpolicy #greenenergy #energyjustice #cleanenergy #resilience #affordableenergy #urbanplanning #climateaction #equitabledevelopment #solarpower

The Corktown neighborhood in Detroit has launched a pilot program called Corktown Carshare, which offers residents access to clean and affordable transportation through remotely operated electric vehicles. The initiative aims to help the neighborhood's approximately 4,000 residents, particularly those who cannot afford personal vehicles. The program operates through a partnership between Sway Mobility and Mapless AI. Users can request a vehicle via a website or mobile app, and the car will be driven to them using teleoperation technology. Officials believe that providing affordable teleoperated car sharing will help bridge the mobility equity gap for Detroit residents. The ultimate goal of the Corktown Carshare pilot is to gather data on teleoperation and its cost-saving potential to expand similar services to a wider population in need of affordable transportation. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4kFF1zV State of Michigan Forbes PC: Ed Garsten #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #detroit #sustainability #michigan #detroit #corktown #mobility #carsharing #evs #transportation #futureofmobility #autonomousvehicles #teleoperation #urbanmobility #sustainability #affordabletransportation #smartcities #publictransit #innovation #electrification

"While many companies are eager to transition to electric fleets, most fleet managers have spent their careers managing gas and diesel vehicles. The shift to EVs requires new knowledge about charging infrastructure, vehicle compatibility, and grid capacity - areas that can cause angst." – Jim K Connelly, chief marketing officer, Bollinger Motors #BollingerMotors, based in Oak Park, Michigan, specializes in Class 4 and Class 5 electric trucks. Founded in 2015, the company initially focused on off-road EVs before pivoting to commercial fleet electrification to address a key gap in the medium-duty truck market. We spoke with Connelly to discuss the challenges and opportunities within the Class 4 and Class 5 electric truck market, the considerations driving fleet electrification, and the broader implications for sustainability and economic growth in the region. Click the link below to read more. https://lnkd.in/eYb9fUaS #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusiness #electrification #electric #electrictrucks #ev #evadoption #electricvehicles #automotive #engineering #manufacturing #sustainability #offroad #southeastmichigan #dieselalternatives #emissions #evfleets

A Climate Central, Inc. report reports that Detroit’s average spring temperature has risen by 3.5°F from 1970 to 2024, surpassing the national average increase of 2.4°F. Rising temperatures are influencing several key areas: - Agriculture & Urban Farming – Shifts in seasonal temperatures affect planting schedules, growing conditions, and crop yields. - Energy Demand – Warmer weather leads to increased cooling system use, higher energy consumption, and potential grid challenges. - Public Health – Elevated temperatures contribute to more heat-related illnesses and declining air quality, especially in urban areas. - Environmental Shifts – Earlier snowmelt, changing water availability, and heightened wildfire risks are becoming more common. A national analysis of 241 U.S. cities found that 97% are experiencing warming trends in spring, with varying regional effects. Learn more: bit.ly/4izDeuo Axios #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #detroit #michigan #climatechange #detroit #temperaturetrends #climateaction #climatedata #warmingtrends #sustainability #urbanplanning #publichealth #energyresilience #greeninfrastructure #environmentaldata #renewableenergy #climateadaptation #airquality

The Rouge, Detroit, Huron, and Clinton rivers are vital to Southeast Michigan's sustainability, ecological balance, and economic resilience. Their health impacts local communities, businesses, and ecosystems, raising important questions about ongoing challenges and restoration efforts. SBN Detroit interviewed Marie McCormick (formerly with Friends of the Rouge), Jennifer Hill ( Clinton River Watershed Council), McKenzi Waliczek (Friends of the Detroit River), and Rebecca Esselman (Huron River Watershed Council) to explore the state of these watersheds. The conversation covered environmental policies, pollution concerns, urban development pressures, and the role of climate resilience in long-term protection. Dive into the full video here: https://bit.ly/4bqXiwY #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #watersheds #sustainability #climateaction #detroitriver #clintonriver #huronriver #rougeriver #ecosystem #stormwatermanagement #waterquality #pollutionprevention #microplastics #climateresilience #environmentaljustice #southeastmichigan

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Sustainability is shaping business, policy, and community impact. In Detroit, air quality remains a key concern, with the metro area ranking 13th worst in the nation for annual particle pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s 2024 ‘State of the Air’ report (Planet Detroit). At the same time, organizations are taking action. Deloitte’s 2024 Sustainability Action Report found that 98% of executives nationwide have reported progress on their sustainability goals. Let’s open the conversation. Drop your thoughts below. #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #detroitwindsor #detroit #repaircafe #sustainability #detroit #climateaction #businessimpact #environmentaljustice #cleantech #policychange #airquality #corporateresponsibility #sustainabledevelopment #greenbusiness #communityimpact #economicgrowth #renewableenergy #planetdetroit #futureofwork

“Our mission is to transform waste into opportunity.” – Chris Rutherford, executive director, Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit takes a holistic approach to sustainability, benefiting the environment, community, and local economy. Unlike traditional demolition, their deconstruction process salvages 80-90% of building materials, significantly reducing landfill waste while preserving valuable resources. Since the construction and demolition industry is a major contributor to global waste, their work promotes a circular economy, keeping materials in use instead of discarding them. Through their Community Uplift Program, they provide low-cost and no-cost building materials to Detroit families, helping stabilize neighborhoods and prevent home demolitions. Additionally, by collaborating with local makers, designers, and architects, they support small businesses that repurpose salvaged materials, driving innovation in sustainable design. Watch the video to learn more. #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #sustainabledetroit #circulareconomy #deconstruction #reclaimedmaterials #zerowaste #detroitmakers #greenbuilding #salvagedesign #upcycled #communityimpact #detroitnonprofit #urbanrevitalization #historicpreservation #localinnovation #sustainablefuture #detroit #southeastmichigan #aswdetroit

#CommitteeMemberSpotlight Dr. Donna Kashian, professor of biology and director of Environmental Sciences at Wayne State University, is leading efforts with Dr. Anneke Smit, associate professor, University of Windsor Law, to advance sustainability education in the Detroit-Windsor region. In April 2022, Wayne State University and the University of Windsor were designated as a United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development. This designation connects educational institutions, businesses, governments, and community organizations to collaborate on sustainability education and implementation at a regional level. Kashian, Smit, and their teams are working to foster cross-border collaboration and promote environmental initiatives that align with global sustainability goals. ?? Learn more about Wayne State University’s efforts to advance sustainability education: https://bit.ly/3EWRjnm #sbndetroit #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainability #sustainability #educationforsustainability #detroitwindsor #wayneState #environmentalscience #unitednations #regionalcenterofexpertise #sbncommittee #sbnfeature #collaboration #sustainabledevelopment #highereducation #environmentalinitiatives #climateeducation

"Right now, we’re working to refine demand models, analyze cost structures, and optimize the environmental impact. If we get this right, drone freight could become a core component of Michigan’s advanced logistics infrastructure." – Christopher Girdwood, CEO of Detroit Region Aerotropolis The #DetroitRegionAerotropolis is a public-private economic development partnership with the Wayne County Airport Authority. One of its key areas of focus is exploring #sustainablefreight solutions, including the use of drones to transport lightweight cargo, reducing emissions, road congestion, and overall wear on transportation networks. We spoke with Girdwood to discuss how drone technology is reshaping logistics, the environmental and economic impact of freight inefficiencies, and the future of cargo transport in #SoutheastMichigan. Click the link below to read more. #sustainablebusinessnetwork #sustainablebusinessnetworkdetroit #sustainablebusiness #sustainability #detroit #waynecounty #environmentaljustice #socialjustice #freight #logistics #drone #drones #cargo #romulus #sustainability #freightoperations #detroitregionaerotroplois #economicimpact #railwaynetwork #sustainabledevelopment CITY OF ROMULUS, Wayne County Michigan, Washtenaw County, City of Taylor