sccadmin

Apex Digital Solutions is a Microsoft Solutions Partner providing IT services to small, medium and large size organizations. Based in Southfield, the company’s goal is to help organizations become more secure, productive and engaged by providing them with the latest IT solutions.

The company offers a full range of services, from assisting companies in the transition to cloud-based solutions to strengthening cybersecurity and optimizing existing systems.

“We also offer project-based assistance,” notes Heidi Vogt, vice president of marketing. “For example, if an organization is merging with another organization or acquiring a company, we can help with data and technology migration.”

The company’s broad industry base includes nonprofits such as United Way of Southeastern Michigan as well as organizations in the manufacturing arena.

As a Microsoft partner, Apex Digital Solutions makes sure an organization is getting the most out of its Microsoft investment, notes Vogt. “Whether we’re fully managing their technology or supporting an internal IT team, we guide leadership and staff with insights, updates and best practices to ensure their Microsoft solutions are driving real impact.

“We have a fantastic team that really loves Microsoft, loves tech and just enjoys working in this space.”

As a means of giving back and in celebration of its 25th anniversary, the company recently announced the launch of the Apex Digital Solutions Technology Empowerment Grant. The grant will support one selected 501 (c) (3) nonprofit business, providing up to $25,000 worth of services.

The exact type of service will depend on the company’s needs, says Vogt. “A company might want a technology assessment, where we go in and help them evaluate their current technology environment and provide suggestions to make it more secure or more effective. We might also provide technology road mapping and strategic planning for a company. In this case we’d examine their technology infrastructure, identify any pain points and then lay the groundwork for them to become a more modernized organization.”

The application period for the grant is July 28 through September 8, 2025, with the selected company announced October 3, 2025.

Apex Digital Solutions will also conduct a workshop on August 28, 2025, for all nonprofits interested in learning more about technology best practices. The workshop will be held at Velocity in Sterling Heights.

For more details about the workshop and the Apex Digital Technology Empowerment Grant application process, visit https://apexdigital.com/grant.

National Pollinator Week is an annual celebration of the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystems, economies and agriculture. Southfield City Centre is committed to helping pollinators survive and flourish with our Pollinator Garden, home to a variety of butterflies, bees and other pollinators.

Read more about our efforts to protect pollinators here!

The use of pesticides, urbanization and climate change have all contributed to a decline in the population of many pollinators.

Insects, bees, butterflies and even bats move pollen from one flower to another, helping with the reproduction process of flowers, fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplant, as well as seeds and nuts.

While the declining monarch butterfly population has garnered attention in recent years, the dwindling bee population has become the focus of several recent studies.

According to one study by NatureServe, a provider of scientific information for endangered species, more than a third of the assessed native bee species are at risk of extinction. The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that 22.6% of assessed pollinator species face an elevated extinction risk, with bees noted as the most threatened.

As experts have reported, bees are especially critical to our food systems as they support more than 35% of global agricultural land. Farmers rely on bees to pollinate their crops. The outlook in some regions of the country is grim with honeybee populations dropping by nearly 40% in the last 10 years. This loss has contributed to struggling farmers whose livelihood is at stake due to shrinking harvests.

Without targeted conservation actions, experts predict the loss of pollinators could have tumbling effects on plant reproduction, wildlife populations and ecosystems.

Southfield City Centre is doing its share to help reverse the country’s dwindling pollinator numbers with the creation of its Pollinator Garden, says Terry Croad, AICP, ASLA, City of Southfield Director of Planning. “Having small, natural areas in a suburban/urban setting like our Pollinator Garden can help these important populations to grow.”

In addition to annuals, perennials and a variety of trees and shrubs that help feed and protect pollinators, nearby colorful sculptures bring recognition to these endangered species. A bee sculpture, the second in a series of art installations, recently joined a dramatic monarch butterfly sculpture, which was installed in 2023.

“These art installations are meant to be whimsical in character but designed to shed light on the decline of our pollinators,” says Croad.

“The Pollinator Garden project goes hand in hand with our commitment to sustainability and brings awareness to the decline of pollinators,” says Souzan Yousif, ENV SP, LEED AP, Sustainability Planner with the Southfield Planning Department. “We hope to inspire other communities to design similar gardens to attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators to urban areas.”

SIDEBAR

What can you do to help protect bees and other pollinators?

• Plant native plants and flowers, which provide food and shelter.
• Reduce pesticide use by choosing organic gardening methods.
• Support beekeepers by purchasing local honey.
• Spread awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators.