Front Lines DIGEST State Incentives Aim To Keep Company Here Robert Sklar Editor T As a tax attorney and Birmingham City Commission member, Stuart Sherman knows exactly why his service as a vice president of Hebrew Free Loan is so important. "All day long, in everything I do, it's about solving problems," Stuart says. "When people come into HFL, I can look them in the eye and make a difference in their lives. Not only with money, but with the guid- ance and support to help them take the right steps to fix an issue, not just put a bandage on it." Stuart is quick to point out that not everyone who seeks out HFL is there because of personal financial issues, "but lately, those we see most often are the mirror of what's happening everywhere. The great thing is the Jews in our area truly are a community, and we don't leave people behind." The money you give to Hebrew Free Loan goes directly to Detroit-area Jews. Your donation means the difference between someone keeping their home, getting to work, caring for their family ... or not. Hebrew Free Loan provides interest- free loans for living expenses, medical fees and many other need& small business start-up costs, tuition assistance, summer camp, training, and much more, If you or someone you know needs help, please click or call. www.hfldetroit.org 248.723.8184 HEBREW FREE*LOAN he state, through tax incentives, is encouraging Azure Dynamics Inc. to expand in Oak Park rather than at a competing site in Ontario. Expansion is nec- essary for the company to partner with Ford Motor Co. on a new electric-battery vehicle. On Dec. 16, state Sen. Gilda Z. Jacobs, D-Huntington Woods, joined state Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton, D- Huntington Woods, in announcing the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) awarded the incentive package. "This is a great exam- ple of a new technology company working with an established company, Ford Motor Company, to create a great new high-tech green vehicle Jacobs said. "This is a smart use of state resources that will help create new green jobs while strengthening our economy" "Developing the tech- nology for the high-tech, electric vehicles here in Oakland County will cre- ate the type of good-pay- ing jobs we need to turn Michigan around and get our economy back on track:' Lipton said. Rep. Lipton This project demon- strates Michigan's potential to lead the way in the next generation of transportation technology, she said. "With our infrastruc- ture, workforce and manufacturing know- how,' she said, "Michigan is poised to build the green vehicles of tomorrow and create more jobs in this emerging industry." Azure Dynamics Inc. is developing proprietary electric and hybrid-electric technology for light and heavy commer- cial vehicles. It plans to work with Ford to deliver an electric-battery-powered Ford Transit Connect van for the American and Canadian markets. Azure will invest $2.45 million in the project. The investment will create 83 jobs, 40 directly by the company, according to projections. MEDC estimates call for the expansion creating 43 indirect jobs. Based on the MEDC recommendation, the MEGA board approved a state tax credit valued at $1.3 million over seven years to encourage the company to expand in Michigan. The city of Oak Park is con- sidering a tax abatement to further sup- port the project. "These are jobs that will also help us keep our talented young people here in Michigan:' Sen. Jacobs said. "These incentives are great news for Oak Park and Michigan." ECOJudaism What you can do to stop global warming. Reduce Heating Costs • Use a green and clean option for your electricity. Go to my.dteenergy.com/ products/greenCurrents/index.html. • Install an energy-efficient furnace. Choose an Energy Star model. • Be certain your furnace is tuned up; replace the filters as frequently as needed to save energy. • Upgrade your wall and ceiling insulation. Seal and insulate ducts, doors and windows. www.simplyinsulate.com • When selecting insulation, make your decision on R-value, not inches. R-value refers to the material's "resistance" to changes in temperature. The numbers are efficiency ratings and are a more accurate guide than material thickness. The recommended R-values differ from geographic region to region. Check with your state Department of Energy. • The federal government and many states offer tax credits for insulating ❑ Quotable your home and for high-efficiency furnaces. Be sure to save all your receipts for tax time. • Avoid products with a lot of packaging. Reduce your amount of garbage/waste. • Adjust your thermostat. Moving your thermostat down just 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer could save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Jewish Thought On The Environment L'dor v'dor - from generation to generation.' This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations." — - Genesis (9:12) Please contact Michigan Coalition on the Environment & Jewish Life for global warming presentations: (248) 642-5393, ext. 7, or mi-coejl@jfmd.org . Source: Michigan Coalition on the Environment S. Jewish Life "For Israel as a whole, the problem is simple: In 1960, government figures show 6.6 percent of the children in the Hebrew- speaking elementary schools were in haredi institutions. By 2008, the proportion was 27 percent. If those children follow today's haredi lifestyle, can the rest of Israel support them?" - Gershom Gorenberq in his Letter from Jerusalem titled "Learning Curve," in the December 2009 issue of Hadassah magazine. hfidetroit.org We Provide Loans. We Promise Dignity. Jewish Federation WERE PART OF THE TEAM 8 January 7 • 2010 Our JN Mission The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being competitive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstanding Jewish community publica- tion in the nation. 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