July 28, 2021
Bi-Weekly County Executive Newsletter
Dear Friends,
Small business owners and entrepreneurs from across Oakland County have been flocking to the newest program from our Economic Development department – the “Local Business Connect” sessions that are bringing resources directly to you in your communities.
In the past two weeks, we’ve gone to Oak Park, Troy, Milford, Pontiac, Ortonville, Lake Orion and Farmington Hills to let businesses know what resources and support we can offer. We’ve also brought along experts from Michigan’s Small Business Development Center, Chambers of Commerce and other business organizations to give guidance on everything from managing finances and accessing capital, to building a business plan and growth opportunities.
And people in the audiences were especially interested in Son Tran’s message of building brands and businesses through online campaigns and social media. As the founder of Pitch Black Media in Ferndale, Tran provided advice on new media platforms to people, many of whom weren’t sure how to best use these tools.
“All I know how to do is cut onions,” joked one of the restaurant owners at the session in Pontiac.
After the Local Business Connect session, though, I’m sure he knew at least where to go to get the broader expertise he needs.
These programs succeed because we also have local and state partners who can add both a community and more global perspective on the best ways to navigate what can be a sometimes confusing bureaucracy.
We know that businesses are having a hard time after COVID-19 with everything from finding the staff they need to remain open full time to getting the supplies they need to fill their shelves.
So, we want to ease one of your burdens by making it as easy, convenient and accessible as possible for you to connect with the county in your own backyards. So this first round of Local Business Connect sessions won’t be the last.
I look forward to seeing you soon in your communities and hearing about how your businesses are faring during these challenging times.
With gratitude,
David Coulter
Oakland County Executive
Oakland County reaches 70% vaccination rate
We got some great news last week when the state reported that Oakland County had reached the 70% vaccination rate for residents 16 and older.
It’s not time, though, to plan a parade because we still have a ways to go, especially with the Delta variant causing our case numbers to rise in recent weeks.
For the moment, let’s acknowledge how much our residents have done to get vaccinated and keep themselves, their families, friends and neighbors safe from the virus.
If you have gotten vaccinated, thank you so much. If you haven’t, it’s never been easier to get the safe and effective vaccine. Just go to www.OaklandCountyVaccine.com to find a place where you can get your shot.
Coulter makes formal budget presentation to Board of Commissioners
Oakland County Executive David Coulter presented his three-year, balanced budget to the Board of Commissioners last week, combining both an austere and realistic fiscal plan with progress on key initiatives and priorities.
Included in the budget is money for: an environmental sustainability officer; criminal justice reforms through a conviction integrity unit and the Clean Slate program; investments in cyber security and emergency management and additional money for educational training and career coaching so that our younger residents can access resources as they carve out their career paths.
The Board of Commissioners will begin hearings on the proposed budget next month.
Oakland could share in Opioid lawsuit settlement
In October of 2017, Oakland County and Wayne County made the innovative and aggressive decision to be the first Michigan co-plaintiffs to hold opioid manufacturers and distributors accountable for the national opioid crisis. Now the counties could share in the proceeds of a national opioid lawsuit settlement that was announced last week by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
“Oakland County joined other Michigan jurisdictions in the lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors because our Health Division, Medical Examiner’s Office, and local law enforcement saw firsthand how dangerous a public health crisis opioid addiction had become. I commend Attorney General Nessel for helping to reach a national settlement with three of the four defendants. The money both the state and county will receive will provide some justice for individuals and families impacted by prescription addiction by funding intervention, treatment, and other services,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “My administration will continue to work with local health care systems, community partners, and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to have a plan to use these funds to address treatment and prevention of future addiction.”
Oakland County commits $4 million in rent, mortgage and utility bill relief
Nearly $4 million in rent, mortgage, and utility assistance is available for qualified Oakland County residents whose payments are overdue because of hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oakland County Neighborhood and Housing Development Division is currently accepting applications for this one-time grant at www.oakgov.com/RMU until all funds are gone.
The Oakland County Executive and Oakland County Board of Commissioners have allocated $3.9 million in CARES Act money in this third round of rent, mortgage, and utility assistance to cover late gas, water, or electric bills or mortgage, rent, or association fees that are in arrears.
|
