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THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE
October 19-25, 2016
Page B-2
Comerica Bank’s Michigan Index Eases Comerica Bank’s Michigan Economic Activity Index declined 0.4 percentage points in July to a level of 129.4. July’s reading is 55 points, or 75 percent, above the index cyclical low of 74.1. The index averaged 123.6 points for all of 2015, five and four-fifths points above the index average for 2014. June’s index reading was 129.8.
The backstop at Calcara Park before Comerica Cares volunteers helped clear overgrown shrubbery on it. All field renovations will be completed before the start of Detroit PAL’s 2017 spring baseball season.
Partnership give back to the organization that has done so much for me.” Comerica Bank and Detroit PAL broke ground on the renovation in early October by painting the existing backstop. The $25,000 Grand Slam Grant will fund the first phase of the renovation this fall, which will include the removal of turf, the creation of a new infield and the installation of new players’ benches. A second phase of renovations will be completed next spring prior to the start of PAL’s youth baseball season, including the addition of bench-area fencing for player safety. The Bailey Park Project helps maintain Calcara Park and will continue to do so following the renovation of the baseball diamond. “Detroit PAL is striving to keep kids off the street and get more kids involved in positive quality programming during the most critical afternoon hours,” said Alexan-
Comerica Cares volunteers joined Ross-Hill faculty, students, parents, members of the Bailey Park Project and residents from surrounding community to assist with cleaning up Ross-Hill Academy and the nearby Calcara Park and community garden. From page B-1
der. “The field renovation at Calcara Park will give Officer Pitts and officers like him the opportunity to reach more children from the surrounding area through PAL’s coach pitch and t-ball teams.”
Detroit PAL and Bailey Park Project will work together to maintain the field so PAL teams, Ross-Hill Academy students and children from the surrounding community can play on the diamond throughout the year.
This past May, Comerica Cares volunteers participated in a community makeover project at the new site of Ross-Hill Academy in Detroit adjacent to Calcara Park. Comerica Cares volunteers joined Ross-Hill faculty, students, parents and residents from the surrounding community to help prepare the school’s playground, nearby community garden and adjoining Calcara Park before the school opens.
“We are truly excited and look forward to the upcoming renovations and for Calcara Park to be utilized for the Detroit Pal t-ball/coach pitch program in the spring,” said Katrina Watkins, executive director of Bailey Park Project.
The initiative caught the attention of the Bailey Park Project, the nonprofit that has been committed to maintaining the park for the past year, restoring the beauty of a field that was once blighted by tall grass.
“A big thank you to Comerica Bank for what they do in our community and helping us service our kids,” said Alexander. “Without important partners like them, there is no PAL.”
Comerica Bank’s Grand Slam Grant program was developed in 2011 and has since supported a variety of youth baseball and softball programs throughout Michigan.
“Our Michigan Economic Activity Index eased in July after increasing in June. We have seen an overall upward trend in the index, with a back-and-forth monthly pattern since late 2015. Job growth in Michigan is looking choppy. State payroll employment was up by 2.4 percent in July over the previous 12 months, but the month-to-month pattern has been jarred by net job losses in May and August. Ford Motor Company announced that they will move all small car production to Mexico over the next two-to-three years. They will use Michigan capacity for higher margin vehicles. Over time, we expect to see an overall decline in auto production from Robert A. Dye Michigan,” said Robert Dye, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. “Manufacturing employment in Michigan has levelled out this year. We look for growth in the service sector to sustain the state’s economic expansion through the remainder of this year.” The Michigan Economic Activity Index consists of eight variables, as follows: nonfarm payrolls, exports, hotel occupancy rates, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, housing starts, sales tax revenues, home prices, and auto production. All data are seasonally adjusted, and indexed to a base year of 2008. Nominal values have been converted to constant dollar values. Index levels are expressed in terms of three-month moving averages.
Comerica Bank, with more than 200 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Michigan and Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, and Florida, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico.
The renovation of the Calcara Park baseball got underway with a ‘first paint stroke’ ceremony. Helping to mark the occasion with paint Before the Bailey Park Project began brushes and rollers were (left to right) Marvin Rushing of Comerica maintaining Calcara Park, the grass Bank, Jay Alexander of Detroit PAL, Assistant Detroit Police Chief CBP-6100-12and CRE Ad-MM.pdf 1 8/3/16 AM a was overgrown the park was10:07 not Steve Dolunt, Dr. Nellie Hawkins Williams of Ross Hill Academy and place for children to play. Katrina Watkins of the Bailey Park Project.
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