Friday, March 15, 2023     |     www.detroitmi.gov

Mayor, local leaders unveil new Sachse Construction Skilled Trades Career Center

Mayor Duggan joined community partners this week in celebrating the unveiling of the new Sachse Construction Skilled Trades Career Center. Sachse Construction, in partnership with Junior Achievement (JA) of Southeastern Michigan, unveiled the newest high-tech exhibit within JA Finance Park, 577 Larned St.

The new center will provide thousands of students per year from across Southeast Michigan an opportunity to experience skilled trades, through an interactive virtual reality (VR) experience and training simulations.

Students in the JA program learn about financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and career opportunities from educators and industry professionals. By providing students with access to cutting-edge technology and a wealth of information, the goal is to inspire them to pursue career pathways in the construction industry, including carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, HVAC technicians, and more.

The JA Finance Park curriculum includes a capstone simulation program for youth, K-12 schools, and community-based organizations.

New data shows violent crime fell        in areas served by City’s ShotStoppers groups

Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison met with neighborhood partners taking part in Detroit’s Shotstopper community violence intervention program.

Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison joined community partners to announce new data from Detroit’s ShotStoppers community violence intervention (CVI) program showed that four of the six CVI Zones saw significant reductions in homicides and non-fatal shootings during the program’s second quarter.

The report looks at homicides and shootings in the CVI and non-CVI areas from November 1, 2023 to January 31, 2024 and compares them against the same period one year earlier. The report shows that four of the ShotStopper areas experienced violence reductions of at least 27 percent. However, two of them – served by Detroit Friends & Family and FORCE Detroit – saw reductions of approximately 50 and 70 percent respectively.

While many cities around the country provide funding for CVI programs, what makes the City of Detroit so unique is its performance-based approach that measures and rewards outcomes.

Based on the results so far, the City will extend the program for another year for the four groups that achieved significant declines in their second quarter, Bettison said.

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) is relaunching the Green Grocer Project (GGP) to increase walkable access to fresh and healthy food options across Detroit neighborhoods. After a brief hiatus, the program has received renewed funding from the City of Detroit to assist local entrepreneurs and businesses in opening and sustaining small-format grocery stores in communities.

The revitalized program will provide grants of up to $25,000 and technical assistance in market research, store design, supplier relationships and digital literacy training. Businesses and entrepreneurs seeking to open new grocery stores from the ground up or expand food offerings at existing retail locations are encouraged to apply.

Over the next two years, the Green Grocer Project aims to assist at least eight small grocery stores in neighborhoods throughout Detroit.

To learn more or apply for assistance, visit degc.org or https://bit.ly/ggpgrant24.

Mayor Duggan congratulates owner Katrina Belin at the grand opening of the new Pink Diamond beauty mall in Detroit’s University District.

Mayor, DWIHN celebrate new Health Network administrative building

Mayor Duggan joined members of the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) to celebrate the grand opening of a new administrative building for the health network.

Built in 1913, the building was originally the Utley branch of the Detroit Public Library, and now serves as a workspace for executive, administrative and program staff.

The design team behind the current project, with input from DWIHN and neighborhood partners, took great care to preserve the building’s historical charm.

For more info on how to benefit from DWIHN services, visit dwihn.org.

Over 40 newly certified DDOT bus drivers graduate

The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) graduated one of its largest classes in history this month. A total of 41 newly certified Transportation Equipment Operators will begin picking up passengers across Detroit.

These operators completed months of classroom and on-the-road training before receiving their official operator badges. This large graduation class comes as the Department works to expand its driving force.

Earlier this year, Mayor Duggan and DDOT officials announced an agreement to increase bus driver pay by $3 per hour and to increase each driver’s potential good attendance bonus to a maximum of $6,000 per year.

DDOT continues to hire additional operators to reach its target of 600 drivers. DDOT is also recruiting mechanics to fill a need in that area.

In Detroit, Right to Counsel helps people who are facing eviction. This law provides eligible low-income renters or tenants the right to have a lawyer for free to represent them in court.

The Office of Eviction Defense works with local legal services to make sure that tenants going to the 36th District Court for eviction cases can get free legal help and protect their rights.

It doesn’t matter where residents come from, or national origin – everyone qualifies for these services based on income. City residents can get help before they go to court by calling the Detroit Housing Helpline at 866-313-2520 or online at MichiganLegalHelp.org.

Fiscal Year 2025 Budget provides a more vibrant, safe, and sustainable city for Detroiters

Mayor Mike Duggan presented his proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget and 2025-2028 financial plan to the City Council last week.

This represents the City of Detroit’s 11th consecutive balanced budget since exiting bankruptcy in 2014, with the Mayor attributing the success to the strong partnership with the Council. Because of the progress, Detroit has had six credit rating upgrades, a seventh would bring us to investment grade: a miraculous feat in just ten years, the Mayor said.

For the coming fiscal year beginning July 2024, the proposed budget totals $1.46 billion for General Fund activities and $2.76 billion across all City funds.

City Council must approve a final budget by April 8.

Mayor Duggan meets with Detroit resident Barbara I’Ron, whose home received a brand new roof as part of the Renew Detroit program.

Mayor Duggan and local leaders celebrated a significant milestone in the Renew Detroit home repair program as crews completed the 500th roof replacement since the program was announced in late 2021.

Mayor Duggan and Councilmember Latisha Johnson met with Barbara I’Ron at her home on Roxbury in the Outer Drive-Hayes neighborhood. The 85-year-old has lived in her home for 37 years, and recently received a much needed, brand-new roof, as the old one was allowing water damage inside her house.

Originally envisioned to provide major, non-emergency repairs for up to 1,500 homes, the Renew Detroit program was announced in September 2021, funded by $30 million from President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The Detroit Health Department is recommending all Detroiters take precautions to protect against measles, a very serious respiratory illness that can lead to complications and even death.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can live in the air for up to two hours. In an effort to ensure Detroiters are remaining healthy, the Health Department is partnering with local providers to emphasize the importance of being prepared in the event of a measles outbreak, as well as offering the measles vaccination and communicating directly with parents to provide education.

Further details are available online at detroitmi.gov/health or call 313-876-IMMS (4667).

Mayor Duggan joined Detroit Means Business (DMB), a coalition fostering small business growth in Detroit, to announce a $3.4-million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

The funds will create 25 Small Business Support Hubs, in partnership with six local community organizations, to assist Detroit entrepreneurs.

The hubs will provide coaching, training, networking opportunities and other resources to help aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow successful companies.

The first hub is slated to open in May and will be in the Northwest Activities Center on Detroit’s west side.

Additional 200,000 feet of the Packard Plant demolished