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June 4, 2021 | Featured Stories:
Economic Outlook 2021 | County Mobility Strategy | Project Diamond Program | Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses | Now Hiring: Business Development Manager | Federal Contracting | Household Hazardous Waste Programs | 2021 Citizen Award | Downtown Awards | Clean Slate Program | Veterans Grant
A Message from Ingrid Tighe
Oakland County Economic Development Director
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to our newsletter highlighting all of the exciting initiatives and opportunities taking place in Oakland County Economic Development!
First, our team at Oakland County would like to thank all of you for your partnership, support and collaboration this past year. It has been a trying time for our residents, businesses, communities, county and the state of Michigan. Oakland County disbursed approximately $90 million in small business grants, 15,000 PPE kits and $2 million in restaurant equipment such as greenhouses, propane tanks, heaters and cleaning supplies. Additionally, our six MiWorks! agencies fielded 728,000 unemployment calls during the pandemic. It is because of the hard work and partnership with each of your communities that we were able to successfully deploy these emergency funds, products and services to our businesses and residents – we could not have done it without you. If you would like to learn more about our recovery efforts, we invite you to view our COVID-19 pandemic response story board at: https://oakgov.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=9032eba3c2a54f858fe721f762cc2745
In the past several months, our team has been busy developing our strategic initiatives in mobility, defense and aerospace, advanced manufacturing (Industry 4.0), technology and small business support. The information below provides more details highlighting developments in these areas.
Last, we hope that you will join us for our 36th Oakland County Economic Outlook forecast. Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and our esteemed team of economists from the University of Michigan will present their findings from the past year and highlight what our county might expect to see in the coming months.
We look forward to our continued partnership!
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Business
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Register Now for the Oakland County Economic Outlook – June 9, 2021
You will not want to miss this year’s Oakland County's Economic Outlook. Reserve your virtual seat for the must-attend event for business, education and community leaders. The 36th Oakland County Economic Outlook is happening Wed., June 9, at 11 a.m. Be the first to hear respected University of Michigan economists Dr. Gabriel Ehrlich and Donald Grimes present their three-year forecast on the county’s economic future—incorporating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. By registering in advance, you will receive a copy of the report prior to the LIVE broadcast. Learn more and RSVP: http://ow.ly/YM3g50ESAoB | Follow the discussion on Twitter at: #OCEO2021
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Coulter Focuses County on Developing Mobility Strategy, Recruits Steudle to Lead Expansion
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has tapped Kirk Steudle, a nationally recognized leader in the development of connected and automated vehicle technologies, to lead the development of the county’s strategic initiative for mobility. The plan will focus on expanding existing and new businesses in this emerging and vital sector of the automotive economy. For more information, read the News Release.
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Puritan Automation Awarded Grant through Project DIAOMOnD Program
On Friday, May 21, Oakland County leadership had the opportunity to visit with Puritan Automation, a Wixom-based producer of custom assembly and test machines. The company applied for and was granted an award through Project DIAMOnD (Distributed Independent and Agile Manufacturing On Demand) which is being administered by Automation Alley with support from Oakland and Macomb counties. Through this program, the company has been the recipient of a Markforged 3D printer, technical assistance and training which have enhanced the company’s production capabilities, stated owner Jeremy Sanger. Today, the company is able to design and fabricate fixtures, jigs and machine components onsite over a period of 12 hours that, in some cases, would have previously taken weeks to order and receive or fabricate.
Note: Image features socially distanced and vaccinated staff.
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Goldman Sachs Offers 10,000 Small Businesses Education Program
Calling all small businesses and entrepreneurs: there is an opportunity we want to share with you.
The Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business program is helping companies grow, pivot and navigate this challenging environment. Application deadline is June 7, 2021. Learn more and apply: https://www.10ksbapply.com/
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Hiring a Manager of Business Development
Oakland County Economic Development is hiring a Manager of Business Development. This position is responsible for the administration and operation of the economic development department’s business development programs. This person will oversee business retention and expansion, emerging industries and innovation, Economic Development Corporation (EDC), Business Finance Corporation (BFC) and national and international business attraction. To apply, visit: Current Job Postings | Oakland County Careers (governmentjobs.com)
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Oakland County's Innovation and Growth Team Launches Diversification Through Federal Contracting Program
Have you been interested in selling to the federal government and diversifying your customer base? Do you have a product and/or service that the government buys? Join us on June 16, 2021, from 8:30-9:30 a.m., for the DTFC Resources and Introduction to Government Contracting. Oakland County’s Federal Contracting Program is here to help provide your business with the resources to win federal contracts. Learn more and register to attend here: advantageoakland.com/business/Pages/Federal-Contracting.aspx
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Community
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Oakland County’s Household Hazardous
Waste Programs
Many communities in Oakland County offer a household hazardous waste program for residents to properly and safely dispose of paint, fertilizers and other household chemicals. Three county programs that serve multiple communities include: RRRASOC—Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County, covering the southwest and southcentral areas; SOCRRA—Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority, covering the southeast area; and NoHaz, covering the central and northern areas.
Several communities also offer their own program. To find out if your community offers a household hazardous waste program, visit NoHaz.com for a map.
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Congratulations to Southfield’s Mayor Ken Siver on Receiving the “2021 Citizen Award” from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN)
Kenson J. Siver is the winner of MHPN’s “2021 Citizen Award” for his promotion and preservation of Mid-Century Modern resources in Southfield. In 2013, Siver began leading tours of the city’s Mid-Century Modern resources. He collaborated with Lawrence Technological University’s School of Architecture and the Southfield Planning Department to define and catalogue the city’s Mid-Century Modern architecture and secured a grant from the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office to nominate two of Southfield’s mid-century residential neighborhoods to the National Register of Historic Places. Both neighborhoods received the designation. His lifetime of service to the city includes 40+ years in the public school system, five years as mayor and several decades with the Southfield Historical Society. Learn More at CityofSouthfield.com
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Downtown Rochester and Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority Receive National Awards for Innovative Approaches to Help their Small Businesses Survive Pandemic
Two of Main Street Oakland County’s outstanding downtown management organizations were nationally recognized for innovative approaches helping small businesses endure the COVID-19 pandemic. Downtown Rochester is the first-place winner ($5,000) in the American Express’ Shop Small “Order In, Help Out” Innovation Challenge. Rochester’s “February Foodie” campaign competed with 30+ communities nationally. The Royal Oak DDA won the Main Street America “Main Street Forward” award ($1,000) for its “Rebound Royal Oak” Small Business Assistance Program. Small business assistance grants ranged from $4,000 to $32,000. Every business that applied received a grant—totaling 92 businesses receiving $1.1 million. For more information, visit MainStreetOaklandCounty.com
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Workforce
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Oakland County Clean Slate Program Provides New Job Candidates to Employers
Metro Detroit employers struggling to find qualified workers may soon have access to additional job candidates who take advantage of the Oakland County Clean Slate Program, which enables residents with criminal convictions to have specific offenses expunged from their public record. Launched in April, the program has already proven to be popular, with more than 1,000 applicants applying for expungement of their convictions. Free legal assistance is provided by the county. Once deemed eligible, a person should expect the expungement process to take 3-6 months to complete. For more information, read the News Release and visit OakGov.com/CleanSlate
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Veterans
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Up to $2,500 in COVID-19 pandemic assistance grants available to Oakland County Veterans
Did you know there are specific COVID-19 pandemic assistance grants (up to $2,500) available for Oakland County veterans, service members and eligible dependents. Apply at: oakgov.com/covid/grants. These Veterans COVID-19 Emergency Financial Relief Program grants may be used for eligible food, utility, property taxes and personal care expenses. Grant is available until September 20, 2021 (or until grant runs out).
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