The Impacts of the Gordie Howe International Bridge on a Community
The Gordie Howe International Bridge – currently under construction – is a 167-acre suspension bridge spanning .53 miles, which is the longest main span of any cable-stayed bridge in North America. The impacts of the construction and future operations of the bridge in the Delray area in Southwest Detroit are formidable. Finding ways to assist […]
Ascend Energy & Mobility Accelerator Works to Bring Sustainability Solutions to Fruition
The Ascend Energy & Mobility Accelerator – a collaboration of VentureWell and TechTown Detroit funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Technology Translations – offers support to entrepreneurs creating solutions focused on emissions reductions, smart mobility technologies, and infrastructure development. Ascend is entering its second year after providing resources and training to ten startups in […]
Urban Tech Xchange Facilitates Real-World Testing to Create Sustainable Urban Solutions
Nearly six months ago the Urban Tech Xchange (UTX) launched in Detroit – an innovative lab hosting a series of startups to advance smart city technologies. UTX is a collaboration between Bedrock, Bosch, Cisco, and KODE Labs and is operated by NextEnergy. The space provides a real-world test facility for the progression of sustainable urban […]
Unlimited Recycling – 25 Years and Still Evolving
In 1999, Maria Marin tapped into her passion for “doing the right thing for Mother Earth” and started Unlimited Recycling Inc. Today, the company offers total recycling and waste management to companies and individuals nationally with the goal of going global. SBN Detroit sat down with Marin to hear about how her recycling services – […]
The Economics Behind Sustainability for Commercial Real Estate
JLL, incorporated as Jones Lang LaSalle, is a global real estate services company with over 100,000 employees and offices in 80 countries. The company launched its sustainability services business in 2021 and it now has over 1,000 sustainability professionals working in this capacity globally. Greg Bolino, JLL’s head of global sustainability strategy & assets, explained […]
Global Green Energy and Metals Company Chooses Detroit for its First U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Center
The former Fisher Body Plant on Piquette Avenue in Detroit has been chosen by Fortescue, a global green energy and metals company, as the location for its first U.S. Advanced Manufacturing Center. The facility will bring roughly 560 manufacturing and engineering jobs to the area focused on the production of automotive and heavy industry batteries, […]
The Intersection of Development, Movement of Goods, and Sustainability
Nine months ago the Port of Detroit launched a decarbonization project aiming to reduce its environmental impact and improve air quality. The project – in partnership with Tunley Environmental and Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision (SDEV) – involves a range of initiatives, beginning with a full assessment of the port’s current fossil fuel emissions. Concurrently, the […]
Martinrea: Balancing Growth with Energy and Waste Reduction Goals
With over 19,000 employees working in 56 manufacturing, engineering, and technical centers in over 10 countries, Martinrea International is a global auto parts manufacturer focused on the design and development of lightweight structures and propulsion systems. Its sustainability goal is to operate in a socially responsible and ethical manner centered around respect for the environment, laws, […]
A Look at EGLE’s Materials Waste Management Division
The Materials Management Division (MMD) of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) oversees solid and hazardous waste programs, radioactive materials activities, a radon awareness program, recycling, and energy programs. We interviewed the director of the division, Elizabeth Browne, to get some insights. Q: How do you think energy efficiency, recycling, and […]
NextEnergy: Working Toward Smarter, Cleaner, and Accessible Solutions for Communities and Cities
According to The World Economic Forum, the share of the world’s population living in cities is expected to rise to 80% by 2050, from 55% now. This increased density combined with an aging infrastructure, a growing digital divide, and other variables brings significant challenges in terms of supporting this increase in density. To address these […]