Canadian EV Charging Network Operator FLO Investing $3 Million

Canadian EV Charging Network Operator FLO Investing $3 Million

by | Jun 7, 2022 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 7, 2022

Contact: [email protected]                                                                                                  

Gov. Whitmer Announces Canadian EV Charging Network Operator FLO Investing $3 Million, Creating 133 Jobs in Oakland County 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined Louis Tremblay, the chief executive officer of FLO, a leading North American electric vehicle charging network operator and smart charging solutions provider, to announce a new electric vehicle charger manufacturing facility in Auburn Hills. This $3 million investment is FLO’s first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility and is expected to create 133 jobs in 2023, continuing Michigan’s momentum leading EV-related investments as the state prepares for an electric future.

“We are proud to welcome FLO to Michigan and serve as the home for their very first manufacturing facility in the United States,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we look toward growing our economy, investing in our workforce, and creating good-paying jobs, we know the importance of leading the transition to electric vehicles. FLO’s presence in Oakland County builds on our tradition of automotive manufacturing with an eye toward our electrified future. This announcement is the latest in a series of recent, major investments in Michigan’s economy, and I could not be prouder that the world’s manufacturing leaders know Michigan is the place to be.”

FLO offers smart home charging solutions for both single-family houses and multi-unit residential buildings, as well as access to thousands of public charging stations across the country. FLO will receive an $800,000 Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) grant for the project. The company expects to produce 250,000 EV chargers by 2028 for the U.S. market and the Auburn Hills facility is expected to create a total of 730 direct, indirect and induced jobs by 2028.

“The opening of this U.S. facility marks a new chapter in FLO’s efforts to support EV adoption across North America,” said Louis Tremblay, FLO president and CEO. “Our team brings over a decade of experience at all levels in the EV charging industry to the U.S. market. From manufacturing and installation to charger maintenance – we are a part of the charging process every step of the way. We look forward to getting to work here in Michigan and continuing our mission of fighting climate change by accelerating EV adoption.”

Governor Whitmer has launched several initiatives to advance Michigan’s EV infrastructure to draw investments from companies such as FLO. Those include the Michigan Revolution for the Electrification of Vehicles (MiREV), which works directly with employers to ensure Michigan has the programs and resources to fill both current and future talent gaps for in-demand and emerging jobs in the mobility and electrification industry and played a key role in helping to attract FLO to expand and grow in Michigan. The governor also launched the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, which works across state government, academia, and private industry to enhance Michigan’s mobility ecosystem.

“Michigan is an ideal location for EV charging companies wanting to change the world. We offer customer proximity, a strong supply chain, a talented workforce, commitment to innovation, and aggressive programs to rollout charging infrastructure,” said Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan. “We are honored to have FLO, one of the most exciting charging companies in the world, join our mobility and electrification industry as they expand their presence across North America.”

Today’s news builds on other recently announced initiatives to expand Michigan’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure and deploy mobility projects across the state. In May 2022, Governor Whitmer announced a partnership with Adopt a Charger and electric vehicle automaker Rivian to install charging stations in Michigan state parks. The installation at Holland State Park kicked off phased state park EV charging installations as part of the Lake Michigan EV Circuit and across the state. The state of Michigan and National Park Service also announced a partnership in April 2022, which aims to improve safety, sustainability, and equitable access at national parks through innovative mobility technologies deployed in Michigan’s five national parks: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw National Historical Park, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and River Raisin National Battlefield Park.

Also in April 2022, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced that Michigan will launch six new services to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, increase access to electric vehicles, and broaden electric vehicle adoption in communities around the state. The six mobility companies – Chargeway, eCAMION, ElectricFish, Fleet Lab, MoGo, and Volta – will receive more than $577,000 in total funding through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform to deploy mobility projects in Lansing, Traverse City, Port Austin, Allegan County, Burt Township, Monroe, Ann Arbor, Detroit, and DTE Energy’s Service Territory.

These electric vehicle projects align with the governor’s April 2022 announcement of her MI Healthy Climate Plan, which outlines a series of goals to encourage greater electric vehicle adoption statewide.

“Electric vehicles need reliable, sustainable charging wherever and whenever they travel, and that’s forcing a complete reimagining of the infrastructure and ecosystem to support them,” said Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership. “It’s exciting, the future of mobility is being created in the Detroit Region and companies that want to be part of it need to be here. We are proud to partner with the MEDC in bringing an innovative company like FLO to Michigan.”

 

With a common goal of sustainability and increasing electric vehicle charging infrastructure, FLO will feel right at home in the state of Michigan.

 

“FLO’s announcement underscores Michigan’s leadership in the EV and mobility sector. As Team Michigan, we remain committed to winning the future of mobility and EV manufacturing here in our state,” said MEDC CEO and Michigan Strategic Fund President and Chair Quentin Messer Jr. “We are thankful for the opportunity to welcome FLO’s newest U.S. manufacturing facility to our state and appreciate the legislature’s continued partnership and support for critical tools like MBDP that are helping us secure these critical investments. Companies looking for innovative partners, a supportive business climate, and dedicated workforce need look no further than right here in Michigan.”

 

Gov. Whitmer speaks at podium during FLO event

 

CEO of FLO speaks at podium during the event

 

Gov. Whitmer speaks at podium during FLO event

AG Nessel Defends State Minimum Wage Protections

AG Nessel Defends State Minimum Wage Protections

by | Jun 7, 2022 | Regional News

Attorney General Dana Nessel

Media contact:
AG Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, June 6, 2022

AG Nessel Defends State Minimum Wage Protections for Employees of Federal Contractors

LANSING – Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of 16 attorneys general, led by California, in an amicus brief in defense of state minimum wage protections for employees of federal contractors in Washington v. GEO Group. The case centers around a lawsuit filed in 2017 by the State of Washington challenging GEO Group, Inc.’s (GEO) failure to pay state minimum wages to individuals who worked for GEO during their confinement to GEO’s private, for-profit detention facility while awaiting the outcome of civil immigration proceedings. In the amicus brief, the coalition highlights the critical importance of state minimum wage protections, pushes back on GEO’s efforts to evade broadly applicable wage and hour laws, and urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to affirm the lower court’s judgment.

“As attorney general, protecting the residents of our state from exploitation is a top priority,” Nessel said. “The Michigan minimum wage is currently $9.87 an hour and through their unfair labor practices, GEO Group, a private business, attempted to clothe itself in federal immunity and exploit immigrant workers to circumvent minimum wage laws. I stand with my colleagues in asserting that state minimum wage laws are applicable to any entity that conducts business in a state regardless of the entity’s status as a federal contractor.”

 In 2017, the State of Washington and individual plaintiffs filed lawsuits against GEO challenging its failure to pay the state minimum wage to civil immigration detainees who worked for the company while confined to its privately-owned facility in Tacoma. For years, GEO paid these workers $1 per day — well below Washington’s minimum wage, which ranged between $7.35 and $13.69 during the years when GEO relied on civil detainee labor to run its facility. In 2021, a federal jury determined GEO violated Washington’s minimum wage laws and ordered the company to pay all its workers at least the state minimum wage. Despite the decision, GEO continues to assert that, as a federal contractor, it should not have to comply with the state’s broadly applicable wage laws. In the amicus brief, the coalition makes it clear that selling goods or services to the federal government does not place a private employer beyond the reach of a state’s minimum wage or other wage and hour laws.

In the amicus brief, the coalition asserts:

  • states have broad authority to regulate employment, including minimum wages;
  • broadly applicable wage and hour laws protect workers, guard against exploitation, promote job creation, and support thriving labor markets;
  • the intergovernmental immunity doctrine does not exempt private employers from broadly applicable state minimum wage statutes; and
  • the Ninth Circuit should affirm the district court’s judgment in favor of the plaintiffs.

In filing the amicus brief, Attorney General Nessel joins the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Girls Soccer Regional Preview

Girls Soccer Regional Preview

by | Jun 7, 2022 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Girls Soccer Regional Preview.

Written Saturday June 4th at 9:15 PM

By Sammy Taormina

Here is my insight previewing the Girls Soccer regionals this week.

Region 2 @ Novi

LAKE ORION vs BLOOMFIELD HILLS

Farmington Hills Mercy vs Hartland

 

THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is a rematch of a 4-0 Blackhawks victory over the Dragons a few weeks ago. Bloomfield Hills is fresh off their first district title since 2019 after winning over Walled Lake Northern 3-0 at West Bloomfield. The Blackhawks played with 10 players with one getting a red card in the district finals. Lake Orion won their second straight district title with a 1-0 victory over a red hot Oxford program that had been rolling. It’s a clash of different styles at Novi and whose style wins out heads to the regional final. On the other side of the bracket, it’s an interesting matchup between defending State Champs Hartland and proven Catholic League power Farmington Hills Mercy.

 

PICK: It’s going to be a tough chore for whoever wins the Dragons/Blackhawks matchup. Hartland is the defending State Champs. The Dragons played the Eagles really tough in the regional final last season but Hartland’s size was too much for them. Bloomfield Hills will give Lake Orion a ton of problems. I don’t really see anyone beating the Eagles. Hartland should head to the State Semifinals riding with a lot of confidence.

Region 4 @ Adams

 

ROCHESTER vs New Baltimore Anchor Bay

TROY ATHENS vs Fraser

THOUGHTS/INSIGHT: This is a very interesting regional. Rochester remains unbeaten after winning a hard earned district by beating three State ranked teams in Adams, Romeo, and Stoney Creek. Their reward is another test against a very good New Baltimore Anchor Bay squad in the regional semifinals. Both the Falcons and Tars have wins over Troy Athens whom won their district with a pair of 1-0 games over Troy and Seaholm. Fraser really wasn’t tested until the district finals where they won 3-1 over St. Clair Shores Lakeview but the Ramblers have a huge test awaiting them against the Red Hawks.

PICK: I see a rematch of sorts but it will be Troy Athens vs New Baltimore Anchor Bay. Rochester and the Tars will be a heck of a regional semifinals but they have the deep postseason experience which should be the difference. I think the Red Hawks get revenge and move onto the State Semifinals.

MDOT virtual open house June 16

MDOT virtual open house June 16

by | Jun 7, 2022 | Transportation

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                     MEDIA CONTACT

June 7, 2022                                                                            Rob Morosi

                                                                                                   248-361-6288

[email protected]

MDOT virtual open house June 16 to discuss Second Avenue bridge slide over I-94 in Detroit

Detroit, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) invites the public to attend a virtual open house regarding the upcoming Second Avenue bridge slide over I-94 in Detroit. The bridge slide is expected to take place in mid-July. During this virtual event, there will be a brief presentation on how the bridge slide will occur, the duration of the I-94 closure, and detours, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Who:

MDOT staff and project consultants

Interested residents and local stakeholders

When/Where:

Thursday, June 16, 2022 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Zoom virtual public meeting: click here for zoom meeting

To join by phone without using internet, call toll free: 877-853-5247

Webinar ID: 874 7727 4329

Passcode: 807595

Thursday, June 16, 2022

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Zoom virtual public meeting: click here for zoom meeting

To join by phone without using internet, call toll free: 877-853-5247

Webinar ID: 842 3797 6290

Passcode: 620154

Accessibility:

Accommodations can be made for persons who require mobility, visual, hearing, written, or other assistance for participation. Large print materials, auxiliary aids or the services of interpreters, signers, or readers are available upon request. Please contact Orlando Curry at 517-241-7462 or complete Form 2658 for American Sign Language (ASL) located on the Title VI webpage: https://www.Michigan.gov/MDOT/Programs/Title-VI. Requests should be made at least five days prior to the meeting date. Reasonable efforts will be made to provide the requested accommodation or an effective alternative, but accommodations may not be guaranteed.

Project information:

The original Second Avenue overpass was built in 1954. The new bridge will be the first network tied arch structure in the state of Michigan. Network refers to the cables that are crossed from the top of the arch to the bottom of the structure on each side. The skeleton of the new bridge was built offsite at Wayne State University and will be rolled into place using self-propelled modular transports. Both directions of I-94 will need to be closed between I-75 and M-10 (Lodge Freeway) for seven days during bridge slide work, anticipated to begin Sunday, July 10.

MDHHS and GetSetUp renew partnership

MDHHS and GetSetUp renew partnership

by | Jun 7, 2022 | Health and Wellness

MDHHS banner with logo no names

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 7, 2022 

MDHHS CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, WheatonB@michigan.gov

GETSETUP CONTACT: Liz Miller, 888-559-1614, press@getsetup.io

MDHHS and GetSetUp renew partnership and expand to Library of Michigan to continue reducing isolation for older adults

LANSING, Mich. – GetSetUp, an interactive learning community where older adults better their lives through the pursuit of learning, has renewed its partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).

The partnership with MDHHS’s Behavioral and Physical Health and Aging Services Administration has been so effective that the state is expanding free access to the program through 2023 and increasing access through an agreement with the Library of Michigan and its 400 branches around the state. Library patrons can access GetSetUp from public access computers, or they can log on through their library’s website and direct questions to library staff.

GetSetUp’s initial partnership with MDHHS reduced isolation and loneliness by making its services available to the 2.4 million older adults in Michigan. That included reaching 108,000 older adult learners in the first year who enjoyed classes and discussions on a variety of topics such as healthy aging, fitness, photography, technology and mental well-being.

GetSetUp offers real-time, engaging learning experiences that range from teaching everyday technical skills to enrichment-focused courses taught by expert instructors. Since starting the partnership with Michigan in 2020, GetSetUp has expanded to more than 4,500 classes. It offers classes 24 hours per day in languages such as English, Spanish, Hindi and Mandarin, with instructors and participants from all over the world. Its custom-designed video platform was made specifically for older adults to easily learn new skills and connect with a trusted community. 

“With over 40% of Michigan older adults living alone across a diverse geography and in rural areas, social isolation and loneliness are critical problems we are taking proactive steps to address,” said Farah Hanley, chief deputy director for health at MDHHS.

“GetSetUp is a key part of our solution, helping older adults overcome their fears and reluctance to learn technology, providing safe socialization opportunities, and creating a sense of purpose through learning that improves mood and mental health,” Hanley said. “We are excited to extend our partnership with GetSetUp through 2023.”

GetSetUp’s model of community-based classes taught by experts – who are older adults themselves – has helped older adults become more comfortable with technology so they can now access state-provided services and manage their own health and wellness. They’ve also explored their creative sides and shared their knowledge with others. Michigan community members who are participating are spending on average two to 10 hours a week on GetSetUp. Dozens of Michiganders have become active ambassadors who host their own interest groups on topics that matter to them, including Dealing with Diabetes, Meatless Recipes and more. Several Michiganders have even become paid guides on the platform, serving as a model and inspiration for expanding peoples’ economic opportunities. 

“We are thrilled to be continuing to partner with MDHHS and expanding to include the Library of Michigan and its branches,” said Lawrence Kosick, president and co-founder at GetSetUp.“We admire how dedicated to meeting the needs of their older adults the State of Michigan has been and the support they have fostered in scaling GetSetUp’s life-long learning offerings to their older adult community. We look forward to reaching even more Michiganders to assure that they, too, have the opportunity to stay active and engaged and reimagine themselves at any age in a safe, fun and interactive way.” 

About GetSetUp

GetSetUp is on a mission to help those over 55 learn new skills, connect with others, and unlock new life experiences. The social learning platform helps more than 4.6 million older adults in 160 countries stay mentally and physically fit, creates economic opportunities through jobs and reskilling, and provides a community where people find meaning and purpose by sharing their knowledge and passions and forming new connections. Classes are taught by older adults on a highly interactive, custom-built video platform where older adults can connect during and in between classes. Learn more at www.getsetup.io/michigan.