Dear Colleagues, 

From recent successes to new assets and upcoming events, Oakland County Economic Development has so much exciting news to share this month! On October 1, Oakland County Michigan Works! hosted it’s seventh annual Manufacturing Day for close to 1,000 high school students. These students took a virtual tour of some of the county’s top manufacturing companies. 

Additionally, Pontiac hosted a new kind of auto show: Motor Bella, at the M1 Concourse, where Oakland County Executive David Coulter toured the site with Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Our Economic Development team also met with many companies and learned about the exciting initiatives and programs they are working on in mobility, electrification and autonomous vehicles.

Starting this month, the Economic Development Newsletter will feature Data Corner—a new, recurring section highlighting data and statistics that businesses, communities and residents can use for decision-making. If you are looking for specific data or for custom mapping, you can contact our Economic Development Mapping Services.  

Upcoming events include: an Oakland County Michigan Works! Employer Workshop, Recruiting Employees Today and Tomorrow on October 19, Coffee and Contracting Q&A with PTAC on October 15, the MedHealth Matchmaking Mixer on October 21-22, the Oakland County Economic Development Partner Meeting at the White Lake Oaks Golf Course on November 10, and the Pistons Hoops for Troops Hiring/Resource Event, also on November 10. 

Economic Development Partner Meeting – November 10, 2021 

Motor Bella Recap

A new kind of auto show came to Oakland County with the inaugural launch of Motor Bella at the M1 Concourse in Pontiac. 

Oakland County Executive David Coulter toured the site with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, moderated a panel of automotive experts speaking on mobility issues and electrification of vehicles and met with executives from over a dozen automotive manufacturers and suppliers. The Economic Development team initiated and participated in these meetings to build relationships, listen to ideas, issues, questions, etc. 

Motor Bella gave car enthusiasts the ability to not only kick the tires on 400 of the newest models of cars, trucks and electric vehicles but also to take a spin on the “hot lap” track at the M1 Concourse, climb some rough terrain in a utility vehicle or take an electric vehicle out for a ride. 

To see how Oakland County Economic Development can help your business visit: advantageoakland.com 

For more information on the Motor Bella event: https://motorbella.com/ 

Find out about the M1 Concourse Event Center: https://bit.ly/3lhBRWD 

The Silicone Expo is coming to Detroit in June 2022. It is the world’s first, free-to-attend, commercial trade show and conference for the Silicone industry. More than 180 global exhibitors from the manufacturing industry and extended supply chains of elastomers, resins, fluids and gels will face-to-face pitch their products to more than 3,500 buyers and delegates from a multitude of industries. To learn more about exhibitor space visit: Silicone-Expo.com/Exhibit  

The Silicone Expo will showcase two world-class, free-to-attend conferences in manufacturing and application. Virtual roundtables and webinars are available prior to the event. Over 65 industry experts from around the world will be providing key insights, innovation, R&D, education and thought leadership discussions for one of the world's most important and adaptable materials. To learn more or to book a booth or visitor passes, visit: Silicone-Expo.com 

Mapping
• Tax Parcel Maps
• Elevation Maps
• Floodplain Maps
• Business Marketing Maps
• Oakland County Permit Maps  

Data
• Parcel/Owner information Data
• Tax Information Data, 
• Assessing Information Data 

Requests are by appointment only. Mapping and data services are subject to an hourly office fee and print fees. To make an appointment, contact: edevmaps@oakgov.com or (248) 858-0721. To learn more, visit our Mapping Services website.

The museum collection reflects the diverse history of the area, from a 500-year-old canoe to a 60-year-old neon sign—can you guess for what landmark? 

And, not all exhibits and artifacts are indoors.  There are eleven updated outdoor exhibits, including a doctor’s carriage, a 4,400 pound conglomerate boulder, hand pump, old school bell and archaeology dig box.  

Annually, visitors can take a scheduled, guided tour to Apple Island.  This uninhabited island, in the center of Orchard Lake, is one of Oakland County’s newest spots to be on the National Register of Historic Places.  Recognized for its archaeological significance, the island is also home to more than 400 species of trees and plants.  Within its 35 acres, you can see examples of almost every type of ecological system in southeastern Michigan. 

The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that collects, preserves, researches and stimulates public interest in the history of Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake and West Bloomfield.  New members, volunteers, and financial and local historical item donations are welcomed.  

Virtual exhibits are searchable and contain more than 4,000 photos and scores of documents about a variety of topics, including the Michigan Military Academy, schools, fire departments, restaurants, sailboats, iceboats, and Pine Lake Cemetery. 

For more information on the Orchard Lake Museum’s many programs and events, including nature walks, visit: gwbhs.org

Nearly 1,000 students from Oakland County high schools and ten local manufacturing companies participated in this year’s Oakland County Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 1. This was the seventh year the county has participated in this national event, designed to celebrate the role of advanced manufacturing in the U.S. economy and promote the various career paths that students can pursue in the field.  This year’s participating manufacturers included ABB, Atlas Copco, Brose North America, Encore Automation, FANUC America, Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering, Prefix Corp, Wenzel America, Hirotec America and 3-Dimensional Services Group. Oakland County Michigan Works! partnered with Oakland Schools and Oakland Community College to host the event. 

This was the second year in a row the event was held virtually, due to pandemic social distancing requirements. Teachers and students logged into special meeting rooms, where company representatives provided live and recorded tours of their facilities and members of their teams talked to students about what they do each day, how to pursue entry level jobs at their organizations, including internships and apprenticeships, and what skills and educational backgrounds are required to succeed. The virtual tours wrapped with a question-and-answer session between the students and manufacturers. The sessions opened with welcoming remarks from County Executive Coulter and U.S. Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who both commented on the importance of manufacturing to our local economy and the many opportunities available to students. Each company’s virtual tour was recorded, and they will be available to watch online later this month, at: OakGov.com/MFGDay

Going PRO Talent Fund Application Period is Now Underway! Ends October 28, 2021

The application period for Going PRO Talent Fund is open. Oakland County companies can receive $1,500 to train each new or existing employee and up to $3,000 for new registered apprenticeships. Start the process by contacting Oakland County Michigan Works! Business Services Coordinator Denise Van Hee at dvanhee@troy.k12.mi.us and she will help connect you with an Oakland County Michigan Works! Business Services Representative. Learn more at: OakGov.com/GoingPRO 

Upcoming Workshop: Recruiting Employees Today and Tomorrow  – October 19, 2021

On October 19 at 10:00 a.m., Oakland County Michigan Works! is holding a new employer workshop. In today’s tight labor market, undoubtedly impacted by the pandemic and worker shortage, recruiting quality candidates is more challenging than ever. Hiring managers are employing innovative strategies to find the best people available to employ today and the future, including a combination of traditional and modern marketing tools. Learn how these can ignite your organization’s recruiting efforts from an experienced newspaper advertising professional and the “Job Doctor” featured on WXYZ Channel 7. 

To learn more and to register visit: Business Workshops | Employers (oakgov.com)