Livingston Reporting - page 36

Experts Spot Recession Signs in Michigan

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Soaring prices for items such as gas, airline tickets, food, and more are signaling alarms to economic experts. According to a June report by the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers, buyer sentiment decreased by 14.4 percent in June, and roughly 79 percent of consumers anticipate bad times for business conditions in 2023. 

University of Michigan economist Joanne Hsu said, “As higher prices become harder to avoid, consumers may feel they have no choice but to adjust their spending patterns.” Some economists project a 50 percent chance that the United States economy will slide into a recession before 2024. 

For Michigan, the automotive industry is a telltale sign of a potential recession, as huge layoffs generally begin there. When people are out of work, they swiftly cease taking out vehicle loans. 

Strong consumer demand has outpaced supply, as semiconductor shortages have put auto production behind for nearly two years. This unusual trend is leaving automakers with empty lots. Car sales in April and May of 2022 were ultra-low due to lack of supply, not demand. 

According to some consumers, a recession is already happening due to the United States jobless rate being 3.6 percent in June for the fourth month in a row. For Michigan specifically, the jobless rate was 4.3 percent in May. 

Technically, a recession is labeled as an economy that shows negative growth for two consecutive quarters. It is possible that the United States economy could slip into this trend, but the stark recession in 2020 lasted only two months at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Great Recession took place between December 2007 and June 2009. The jobless rate stayed around nine percent and higher for most of 2009 and 2010. 

Gabriel Ehrlich, director of the University of Michigan’s Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics, says he doesn’t see a recession as inevitable. He warned that a recession could be sparked by the Federal Reserve’s effort to fight inflation along with the war in Ukraine. 

“All bets are off if supply chains have major problems. That’s the number one wild card.”

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Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

EB Mortgage

Swimmer’s Ear 101

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Warmer weather means more fun outdoors, especially in pools, lakes, or oceans. Swimmer’s ear is a common side-effect of being in the water and is diagnosed by an infection in the outer ear canal, which runs from the eardrum to the outside of your head. When water is stagnant in your ear, it creates an environment that promotes excess bacterial growth. 

Swimmer’s ear can be treated with ear drops. Swift treatment will help prevent complications and more serious infections. While symptoms are initially mild, they can worsen if the condition is not addressed. To avoid swimmer’s ear, the easiest prevention is to avoid getting water in your ears.

Cotton swabs or Q-tips can force earwax deeper into the ear canal, so do not use these to get water out of your ear. Instead, use irrigation-based ear drops after swimming. These drops are specially formulated with alcohol and vinegar to sterilize and restore the ear canal’s normal pH and can be purchased over the counter.

Getting water in the ear canal is a risk for swimmers in any waterway. Still, it’s riskier when the water is not chlorinated, as there’s a higher chance of bacteria in rivers or lakes. Lake water can sometimes contain dangerous bacteria causing infectious diseases such as meningitis and hepatitis.

Swimmer’s ear can damage the insides of an ear, though temporary and mild. Most people with the condition swiftly recover with adequate treatment, though long-term effects from chronic infection can lead to hearing loss.

See a doctor immediately if you have severe ear pain, cannot hear well, or have a clogged sensation in your ear. The most common treatment is an antimicrobial application where the ear canal is cleaned of pus, earwax, oils, or dead skin cells.

Pound Pool Plastering services residential and commercial pools in applying a wide variety of pool plaster finishes and complete renovations. We offer Diamond Brite, Sunstone, Hydrazzo, and Marcite – and a great selection of tile choices and coping stones. Owner Dale Pound personally oversees each pool project to ensure the highest quality is delivered. Call or e-mail us for a free estimate. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Pound Pool Plastering

Watering Commercial Lawns Sustainably

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When it comes to commercial lawn care, sustainable watering is a delicate balance. Keeping the grass bright, lush, fresh, and green is nice, but so is managing our carbon footprint. Read on to learn some tips for keeping your business landscape looking sharp.

Watering Schedule
Do you know the best time to water your property’s grass? Around 10 a.m., cooler temperatures are lifting, and calmer winds are flowing throughout the grass blades, enabling water to soak into the soil and be more absorbed by the grassroots before the sun evaporates. Keeping your lawn on this regulated daytime schedule also helps prevent the spread of disease, as fungal growth flourishes in a wet yard at night. 

Lengthy but Sparingly
Frequent, shallow watering only touches the surface of the plant root system, which causes moisture to evaporate out of the soil before the roots ever receive nutrients in the water. Instead, water your lawn with lengthy waterings that penetrate the root system and encourage the grass to grow stronger. Do this sparingly, as too much water can cause other issues. Lawns should receive one inch of water per week, spread out between two sessions.  

Smart Irrigation System
Past irrigation systems deliver less control than modern systems, which deliver flexibility and convenience such as WiFi connectivity, schedules, and weather condition adjustments. Smart irrigation systems are beneficial for monitoring local weather and automatically adjusting to prevent drought, flooding, and other issues. 

The appearance of your landscape can impact your business’ reputation. It is possible to keep an aesthetically appealing space while monitoring your environmental impact. Sustainability is growing in popularity; don’t be left in the dust.

If you are looking for a commercial maintenance company, contact the experts at T&T Property today.

T&T Property Maintenance has been visualizing, creating, and maintaining commercial properties since 1997. We offer a vast number of services for our clients, including lawn and landscape maintenance, irrigation set up and repair, fertilization, weed and pest control, snow plowing and salting, and tree trimming and stump grinding. We are licensed with the Michigan Department of Agriculture, so you can rest assured we will do the job right – every time. We work with commercial businesses of any size and offer our services in seasonal or yearly packages, and a la carte. For over 20 years, we believe a satisfied customer is the only kind of customer. Call or e-mail us to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

T&T Property Maintenance

Boast your Brand on a Budget

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

With inflation affecting everything from paper to postage, marketing your business can be pricey. Don’t let this daunting fact dent your brand’s identity. Read on for some tips for marketing on a budget.

Engage
Connect with your target audience by guiding them with deals, giveaways, and unique opportunities. Prioritize engaging with your customers to stay relevant and enticing. 

Profitability
Learn what is working well to drive sales by analyzing your media patterns. If you don’t have one, start an account on a social media platform or television advertisements to determine what works. Traditional and digital marketing, when combined, can reach a higher audience, build trust, and support purchases.

Deal
Value is imperative for not only you, but your customers as well. Ensure you offer coupons to help stretch spending and to connect on an empathetic level. 

Creativity
Maintain your vision and voice by staying relevant to your audience. Redirect your budget to focus on readily available or cost-efficient media from a reliable partner. Consider new formats, tactics, and offers by thinking outside the box. 

Partnering
Feel comfortable sharing challenges and setbacks with a partner who can elevate your customer experience and work toward the most cost-efficient, practical solutions. Pay attention to data, insight, audience engagement, and note your Return on Investment (ROI) to track spending.

Mail
Dollar for dollar, direct mail is more effective long-term and can be an efficient way to engage potential customers. A renewed interest in mail among consumers has spiked since 2020.

Are you looking to improve your marketing and promotional strategies? Contact Econo Print and let our experts boost your brand on a budget you can afford. We have a variety of products to suit your needs. Contact us today to learn more. 

At Econo Print, we strive to deliver the highest-quality printed products possible. We produce top-rated goods in a timely fashion at a competitive price. Listening to our clients and helping them achieve their business goals is our top priority. We are proud of the strong roots we’ve built in the community and pride ourselves on using cutting-edge technology. Our products, commitment to service, and level of expertise exceed our clients’ expectations. Contact us today to learn how we can help launch your business to the next level.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/

Econoprint

Drought Readiness

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Reduced rainfall is common throughout much of the United States, with some places experiencing drought more so than others. Are you prepared for drought conditions or know how to adjust your lifestyle if necessary? Keep reading for some general guidelines regarding drought readiness. 

Pre-Drought
The best way to prepare for a drought is to conserve water on a daily basis so that when an actual drought occurs, your water use patterns are not affected as drastically. 

  • If you need to dispose of water, think twice before pouring it down the drain. If you can re-use it to water plants, for example, do so. 
  • Leaky faucets should be replaced or repaired by a plumber. 
  • Add flow restrictors on faucets to reduce the amount of water coming out. 
  • Select more energy-efficient appliances that use less water. 
  • Use a low-volume toilet in the restroom, which will use about half the amount of water compared to older models.
  • Steer clear of decorative outdoor water features unless they are using recirculated water.
  • Consider implementing rain barrels and connect a hose to water outdoor plants.
  • Use a drought-resistant lawn seed to ensure grass holds soil moisture.
  • Keep water bottles on hand to use in emergencies. 

Drought Conditions
Contact your state or local government to learn your specific water restrictions during a drought. Generally, the recommendations below will help lower your water usage. 

  • Avoid unnecessarily flushing the toilet; tissues, insects, and other waste can be thrown in a garbage can as an alternative.
  • Utilize showers rather than baths and turn the water off while lathering. 
  • While brushing your teeth, shaving, or washing your face, avoid letting the water run.
  • Run laundry machines or dishwashers only when completely full, or set the water level based on the specific size of your load. 
  • Defrost meat or frozen food in the refrigerator or microwave to avoid using hot water. 
  • Water your lawn sparingly in the early morning or later in the day when temperatures are cooler. 
  • Use a commercial car wash instead of a hose at home.

If you are concerned about droughts, participate in local meetings about water conservation. Also, consider campaigning your government to practice better water management. Strive to promote water-efficient devices and practices in municipal buildings and offices. 

Droughts can be a serious situation for many people. Even if a drought hasn’t affected you, be prepared for the worst and stay vigilant regarding your water consumption.

Wolf Survival Gear is a hub for your prepping and survival needs. We are your trusted resource for concerned families, avid hunters, or serious preppers. Make us your one-stop-shop and prepare now, before you’ll need it later. 

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Wolf Survival Gear

Cadillac of Novi receives the first 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, an all-electric SUV

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Ed Pobur, the general manager of Cadillac of Novi, is proud to house the first 2023 Cadillac Lyriq, an all-electric SUV which is the cornerstone of Cadillac’s future. Receiving the white glove treatment, Cadillac spokesman Michael Albano shares how fortunate the Cadillac of Novi is. “These first early cars, we’re going to make sure everything is perfect. I don’t know if we’ll do that at every dealership. But with Lyriq we’re doing everything we can to assure this launch is perfect,” says Albano. Sharing his excitement, Pobur adds, “No one’s seen the car. Usually, people, the engineers, are running around town with them. But this one’s been kind of a secret. When you see it in person, it’s spectacular.”

Too bad, this particular vehicle is already spoken for, and the vehicle’s owner must wait a week or so for delivery so the team of engineers and specialists can train the technicians of Cadillac of Novi on servicing it. Pobur reported spending $900,000 to make the dealership EV-ready. The crew of specialists from State Electric Company of Holly, MI, updated the electrical infrastructure for the Cadillac of Novi to support the various EV chargers.

Although General Motors is no longer taking new orders for the 2023 Lyriq, Albano states that they have already shipped 2023 Lyriqs to high-demand markets such as New York, LA, and Detroit. The Lyriq is the first Cadillac EV under the General Motors brand that vows to be entirely electric by 2035, so getting your first EV will come very soon! Click here to read more about this exciting vehicle.

State Electric Company was the contractor who made the electrical infrastructure upgrades and installed all the EV chargers for the Cadillac of Novi dealership. If you’re interested in setting up your business or fleet of vehicles with greener technology, contact us today! 

Not only do we sell EV chargers, but State Electric Company is also a certified installer for all EV chargers on the market today. Our professional and experienced team will review your goals, inspect your infrastructure, design, and install the EV charging station(s) customized for your property and key metrics. We are licensed, bonded, and insured to install EV charging stations in residential homes, apartment complexes, office buildings, universities, dealerships, municipalities, and more! For turnkey solutions, contact State Electric today.

State Electric Co.

LASIK Procedures Double Since Pandemic

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Laser eye surgery gained popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the American Refractive Surgery Council (RSC). Compared to 2020, the RSC saw 32 percent more laser vision correction procedures in 2021. 

According to the RSC, “The total procedure volume for 2021 topped 833,000 for the first time since RSC began tracking LASIK, SMILE, and PRK procedures in 2015, demonstrating a significant consumer shift toward refractive surgery options to glasses and contacts.” 

Some factors contributing to the rise in LASIK popularity include more people working from home, foggy glasses while wearing a mask, dry eyes, an increase in contact lens wearers, and more. Since more people started prioritizing their health, self-care also experienced a boom. Money once saved for travel and entertainment is now being allocated for self-care. 

Moreover, patients who experience LASIK have been more inclined to tell friends and family about their positive experiences, which trickles down the referral pipeline. 

Younger adults seem to be driving the increase in LASIK patients, with the average age being 34 years old, a seven-year difference from the early 2000s. 

Since Laser Sight Technologies Inc.’s Kremer Excimer Laser System was granted U.S. approval in 1998, an initial boom in the early 2000s was followed by a slow pace during the Great Recession. In early 2004, online searches for LASIK peaked and bottomed out earlier this year. When the pandemic hit, searches spiked, and now the industry is set to hit $4.1 billion in sales by 2027, more than doubling 2018’s total. 

Quarantines and social distancing caused weight gain and much more self-consciousness due to up-close-and-personal video chats. Spikes in Botox injections, breast implants, and repairing droopy eyelids were also seen during the pandemic. 

If more people are working out of the office, they have ample opportunity to recover in the privacy of their own home after certain procedures. Whereas before, it was almost taboo to take time off, now, people can get these procedures done without anybody at work knowing about it. 

But it’s not just elective surgeries seeing the spike; knee, hip, and ankle replacements are also picking up after the initial Covid wave. LASIK has an advantage over the other procedures, as the recovery period is quite minimal. After a brief consultation, patients can have surgery the same day and notice better vision within a few hours. 

Now is the time to schedule your LASIK eye procedure appointment. Call the experts at Rohr today.

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology available to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Michigan Lasik

Novel Cancer Treatment Headed to McLaren Flint

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

An innovative new technology headed to Flint will be used to treat cancer with proton therapy. The McLaren Proton Therapy Center is the first to receive the new machine that treats patients upright, enabling cancer treatment with more precision. 

Leo Cancer Care developed the proton therapy called “Marie,” which will take up less space yet provide more accurate treatments since there will be less organ movement. 

The Proton Therapy Center in Flint will receive the first two upright units and be used within the next two years, pending FDA approval. The largest proton center in Michigan, the new machine will allow more patients to be treated. 

According to a news release from McLaren, proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses protons to accurately target tumor cells and leave healthy surrounding cells undamaged.

Stephen Towe, CEO of Leo Cancer Care, said, “The goal of Leo Cancer Care and McLaren Proton Therapy Center’s collaboration is to bring proton therapy to more patients, and we know there are clear advantages with proton therapy. The McLaren Proton Therapy Center is well-positioned to become the first to potentially treat patients with the revolutionary Leo Cancer Care technology.”

Construction to add the “Marie” units to the Proton Therapy Center in Flint will start in the spring of 2023 and be fully operational by the fall of 2024.  

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Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

RadParts

Google and Oracle Forced to Close due to Heatwave

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Technology giants Google and Oracle suffered major power outages after massive heatwaves hit much of the United Kingdom, forcing cooling systems at London data centers to shut down. 

Data centers hold thousands of computers and are the foundation behind hundreds of online services. Since so many computers are processing, a massive amount of heat is generated; therefore, cooling is absolutely necessary. 

Oracle, a huge American database software and technology company, reported overheating issues by stating, “Following unnecessary high temperatures in the UK south (London) region, two cooler units in the data center experienced a failure when they were required to operate above their design limits. As a result, temperatures in the data center began to climb, which caused some systems to shut down as a protective measure.” 

The heatwave was also detrimental for the Google Cloud data center in London. They reported, “There has been a cooling-related failure in one of our buildings.” To prevent damage, machines were shut down, so only a small number of customers were affected. 

Since the data centers are incredibly valuable to customers, they are constructed with plenty of cooling capacity and back-ups. Typically, these large-scale failures do not take place. However, the unprecedented temperatures were a surprise for many. 

Paul Hone of Redcentric, which operates data centers in London, Reading, and Cambridge, said that data centers are designed to withstand hot weather, but the “heatwave’s temperatures would be at the upper end of design expectations for a lot of data center operators.”

Companies such as Microsoft are putting data centers underwater as an experiment to measure reliability and operation. With future data centers potentially being plunged into the ocean, the chances of heat waves affecting them will be minimal. 

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Founded in 1994, Creative Programs and Systems provides professional results for all computer needs. We design, create, and code an array of custom software programs and websites; offer top-notch digital marketing services including enhanced Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and paid advertising; repair and provide support for computers of both residential and professional nature; build custom systems and servers, and offer secure data backups. Need assistance or want to learn more? Call us at 810-224-5252 or e-mail info@cpsmi.com.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Creative Programs and Systems

Understanding Construction Bond Claims

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Experienced contractors generally make a conscious effort to avoid claims situations, while being proactive about understanding the process. Utilizing the perfect surety gives those contractors the knowledge and power they need for their claims team. For any contractor to take on bonded jobs, basic comprehension is essential.  

The three main types of construction bonds are: bid bonds, payment bonds, and performance bonds.

Bid Bonds
These bonds stem from situations when the principal is the successful bidder but cannot enter into the contract or provide final bonds. In bid bonds, the principal and surety are required to pay a specific sum to the obligee. The bond form caps liability at a particular amount (the difference between the principal’s bid and the next highest bidder’s bid) instead of exceeding the penal sum of the bid bond. The responsibility of this task is between the principal and surety. 

Payment Bonds
When the principal fails to pay subcontractors, laborers, and/or suppliers, payment bonds give the surety the right to assert all of the principal and surety’s defenses, which sometimes include limitations on notice and time. Only proper “claimants” can benefit from these bonds, so the principal and surety need to confirm the claimant can pursue the claim. 

Performance Bonds
A performance bond claim arises when the obligee defaults or terminates the principal for non-fulfillment regarding their contractual obligations. Handling a performance bond claim has various levels of importance, including cooperation, agreements, and challenges. One of the most trying decisions is to admit or deny liability. After analyzing contract documents, bond forms, factual issues, and possible defenses, the surety has to eventually decide whether to perform. 

Surety partners will typically work in conjunction with contractors to avoid claims or mitigate the damages. Selecting the ideal surety with a good track record of minimizing legal fees while resolving claims is paramount for any contractor. 

If you are seeking a construction bond, contact the specialists at Construction Bonding today. 

At Construction Bonding Specialists, we work with new and experienced contractors to find the most satisfactory bond solutions. As a distinct surety-bond-only agency with decades of bonding experience, we work to discover surety solutions for all types of cases ranging from ordinary to challenging. Call us at 248-349-6227 to learn more.

Written by the digital marketing team at Creative Programs & Systems: https://www.cpsmi.com/ 

Construction Bonding Specialists