By Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive
Macomb Community College recently released a study called “The New Macomb County”. The focus was on the latest census results and the changing demographics of Macomb County. The message is we’re becoming a destination community for many cultures and ethnicities. Our highly attractive quality of life has made Macomb the fastest growing county in Michigan. We’re adding more new residents per day than any other county in the state. With our population growing, these are exciting times for Macomb County and we have the opportunity to define our future.
As we welcome our new neighbors, we are also embracing new opportunities that are coming to everyone in our county. We’ve created new programs and initiatives that will progress Macomb into prosperity. These efforts are paying dividends. Along with our population, our economy is also growing and diversifying. Since voters implemented the new executive form of government, more than 10,000 new jobs have been added in our county, driving our unemployment down from 12.5 percent to 9.9. This is great news for our local families and communities.
The buzz created by the Make Macomb Your Home campaign is putting Macomb in a spotlight like never before. Our Blue Economy Initiative is creating new opportunities to utilize our great water resources within Macomb County. Local municipalities are partnering with us to better deliver services and the business community has been enthusiastic about investing in our home. Together we are all working to build a brighter future to Macomb.
I’m proud of the direction we’re heading and also the direction we’ve come from. As the arsenal of innovation we’re renowned for our auto and manufacturing roots. While our economy is evolving demand for what we design and build here in Macomb is growing. Sales and profits are up for our local manufacturers, and quality has never been higher. One of the highlights of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit is the announcement of the Car and Truck of the Year awards. This year, both went to vehicles with Macomb County roots. The Cadillac ATS, designed here in Warren, was voted Car of the Year and the Dodge Ram 1500 built here in the county won Truck of the Year.
Welcome to the “new Macomb County”. We are growing. We are innovating. These are exciting times to be here.
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By: Gerard Santoro, Program Manager Blue Economy Initiative
Building on the momentum of a highly successful 2012, we will be bringing back a great line-up of Blue Economy events and adding some exciting new ones. Last year, the inaugural Sprint and Splash had over 160 participants and the turnout to AquaPalooza exceeded expectations. These events and others represented a great opportunity for people to recreate and relax on Lake St. Clair. Here are a number of events to look forward to in 2013. [Click here to continue reading...]
By: Jeff Randazzo, Macomb County Animal Shelter Care and Control Manager
Macomb County residents are passionate about their love of animals. As Macomb County’s new Animal Care and Control Manager for the Animal Shelter, my role is to ensure that the county provides the best possible care to our animals and to make the adoption process as seamless as possible. The Macomb County Animal Shelter is focusing on new ways to approach the care and safety of animals in the county by engaging those passionate about animal welfare. [Click here to continue reading...]
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By: Pamela Lavers, Assistant County Executive
Collaboration in Macomb County with our 27 communities is not a new concept, but recognition and celebration for it is. For the second year, County Executive Mark Hackel has honored 11 local communities for working together to provide services in a more efficient and economical way.
The communities that were recognized spanned the entire geography of the county. The City of Center Line was recognized for cross-training public works employees as firefighters to help with fire response. In the northern end of the County, Armada and other townships participate with the Macomb Agricultural Purchase of Development Rights Committee in a cooperative effort between the local communities that allows landowners the ability to preserve their property as farmland.
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By: Stephen Cassin, Director Planning & Economic Development
Experienced business owners recognize the importance of maintaining ongoing communications with their customer base. In Macomb County, almost 85% of new jobs are created by companies already making Macomb County their home. With this in mind, the department launched the “Home in Macomb Business Retention Program” last January. The program offers targeted services to help existing Macomb County companies achieve their goals for growth.
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By: Melissa Roy, Assistant County Executive
Southeast Michigan’s new Regional Transit Authority will make public transportation in our region more efficient and reliable and serve as both a way to unite our communities and spur economic development. Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw Counties must each appoint two members to the board to govern the new system. Macomb County has chosen as its board members Julie Gatti, President-Elect of the Macomb County Bar Association and Roy Rose, President and CEO of Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc. to represent the county on the Regional Transit Authority Board.
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By: Nick Posavetz, Department of Planning & Economic Development
The Make Macomb Your Home initiative has been a success in raising the profile of Macomb County. Through the use of targeted billboards, television commercials, movie theater previews,social media and a content rich website a large audience both inside and outside of Macomb County has been exposed to the positive features that make Macomb a great place to live, work and play. The new Make Macomb Your Home Blog is the latest addition to the MMYH toolbox.
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By: Maria Zardis, Business Outreach & Communications
Nearly 300 people gathered on February 12 to celebrate the first-ever Macomb Business Awards. Launched late last year as part of the new “Home in Macomb Business Retention Program,” the awards program was designed as a way to celebrate the nearly 18,000 businesses that employ more than 280,000 people in Macomb.
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By Bob Hoepfner, Director of Roads
The Macomb County Department of Roads has another productive construction season planned for 2013, with two large-scale projects already underway. Once completed, these infrastructure improvements provide welcome relief to motorists and enhance the appeal of Macomb County as a whole. [Click here to continue reading and see a list of the major construction projects...]
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