May 2022 | Top Stories:
Economic Outlook Data | Defense & Aerospace Conference | NYC Site Selectors Meeting | Planners Gathering: New Post-Construction Stormwater Standards | Main Street Awards | Veterans Services Reps at Michigan Works! | Updated Gulf War Presumptive List | PGA HOPE Golf Workshops for Veterans | Veterans Resource Fair
A Message From Ingrid Tighe
Oakland County Economic Development Director
Dear Colleagues,
It has been an especially busy time for Oakland County Economic Development these past months. We hope you were able to attend the 37th annual Economic Outlook Luncheon, but if you’d like to take a look at the information discussed or read the report take a look at this month’s Data Corner. We also hope you were able to celebrate our wonderful downtowns at this year’s Main Event. We’ve included a story below about the winners, the guests and the sponsors who generously made it possible.
I would also like to personally invite all Oakland County business owners who are interested in exploring growth through federal contracting to attend our first ever Defense & Aerospace Conference on June 6. There you can connect with hundreds of defense and aerospace leaders and sub and prime contractors and learn how to increase sales in this market. The day will include a panel with Barron Industries, General Dynamics Land Systems, and Unified Business Technologies, Inc.; and exhibitors looking to expand their supplier base. We hope to see you at this exciting event!
On June 22, we will be holding a virtual Planners Gathering to focus on new Oakland County post-construction stormwater standards. Attend to learn about the updated standards as they relate to planning considerations needed early in the site planning process.
We are also proud to announce a new opportunity for our Oakland County Veterans. Oakland County Veterans Services representatives will now be available onsite one day a week at the Oakland County Michigan Works! centers in Novi, Southfield, and Oak Park. Veterans and eligible family members can access both Veterans benefits and career assistance. We will also be hosting a Oakland County Veterans Resource Fair on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at the Oakland County Executive Office in Waterford.
|
 |
|
Data Corner |
Oakland County Economic Outlook
On April 28, the University of Michigan’s Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics released the 37th annual Economic Outlook study for Oakland County. Working together and guided by data from sources such as the annual Economic Outlook study, Oakland County helps thousands of residents and businesses with critical resources.
Below are a few highlights from this year’s 2022 -2024 Economic Outlook. Please visit OakGov.com/EconomicOutlook for the full report and presentation.
Oakland County Economic Outlook, 2022 - 2024:
3.8% – As of February 2022, the county’s unemployment rate stood at 3.8%, down dramatically from the pandemic high of 19.7% it reached in May 2020
97,657 – The number of jobs gained in the county from the 2nd quarter of 2020 to the third quarter of 2021, making up more than two-thirds of the total pandemic-related employment losses
4.3% – Forecasted job growth in Oakland County for 2022, followed by 2.9% in 2023 and 1.7% in 2024
$71,700 – Forecast of average annual real wage in Oakland County by 2024, 7.1% higher than 2019 levels
15.0 million units – The forecasted light vehicle sales in the U.S. in 2022 (16.7 million in 2023 and 17.2 million in 2024); 6.4 million units in 2022 are forecast to come from the Detroit Three automakers
Interactive resources and related information:
Source: Oakland County Economic Outlook, 2022 - 2024
Business
|
On June 6, Attend the Defense & Aerospace Conference Presented by Oakland County’s Diversification Through Federal Contracting Program
Grow your business through Federal Contracting at our Defense & Aerospace Conference on Monday, June 6, 2022 for Oakland County Manufacturers, Suppliers, Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs interested in Federal Contracting opportunities.
There are several components that make this conference a must-attend:
-
There will be an industry update – programs available to advance your business
- A successful small business/prime contractor panel discussion
- Breakout training sessions based on level of experience in federal contracting
- Networking opportunities throughout the day with resource partners and industry leaders
The conference is at the DoubleTree in Bloomfield Hills from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the cost is $30 including breakfast, lunch, and networking reception.
Space is limited as we are offering to Oakland County-based companies only at this time, RSVP directly here: eventbrite.com/e/defense-aerospace-conference-tickets-275621791197
 Site Selectors Meeting in New York City
Ingrid Tighe joined Michigan Economic Development Corporation in NYC to meet with New York/New Jersey area site selectors to talk about why Michigan and Oakland County are great places for global business opportunities! Pictured here: Governor Whitmer, site selectors, Econ. Dev. Directors from around the state.
Community
|
On June 22, Virtual Planners Gathering to Focus On New Oakland County Post-Construction Stormwater Standards
At virtual Planners Gathering, June 22 (10-11:30 a.m.), learn about the updated stormwater standards as they relate to planning considerations needed early in the site planning process. Stormwater management is an important part of site development. The earlier stormwater is considered in the planning process, the easier it is to incorporate stormwater management practices on the site. The Oakland County Water Resources Commission (WRC) and many communities recently updated their post-construction stormwater standards in conjunction with the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit renewal.
The session is run by the county’s Planning, Zoning and Land Use unit, and the presenter is Valerie Novaes, PE, Principal, OHM Advisors, Auburn Hills.
Registration is free and required for Zoom meeting link at:
Eventbrite.com/e/Planners-Gathering-Water-Resources-Commission-Tickets-336751291177
|
 |
|
Congratulations to Mandy Chu, a senior at Troy Athens High School, for winning the Water Resources Commission’s Stormwater Manhole Cover Art Contest with “Mallard in Flight.”
|
Highland Township Captures “Spirit of Main Street” Award, as Nine Downtowns are Honored During Main Street Oakland County’s (MSOC) Main Event
Highland Township’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) captured the “Spirit of Main Street” award, as nine downtowns were honored May 5 during the evening gala celebration at the Flagstar Strand Theatre for the Performing Arts in Downtown Pontiac.
The Highland Township DDA received a $2,000 cash award from Genisys Credit Union as the “Spirit of Main Street” winner for its unique video themed “Live Highland, Shop Highland,” highlighting community businesses like Maher Feed and Pet Supply, Comeback Inn, and Jeni’s Ugly Pies. The video chronicles how the Highland DDA and community came together to support local businesses during the pandemic, including $28,000 in business support grants from the Highland DDA and a community-driven crowdfunding campaign that raised $100,000 to support the Comeback Inn.
“These downtowns are what make Oakland County such a vibrant and attractive place for residents, visitors and entrepreneurs,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “The Main Street program is an essential partner, providing resources, training and grants that have helped communities navigate and emerge from the challenges of the last two years.”
Nearly 200 people joined him at the event, recognizing and honoring communities, businesses, and volunteers for their efforts to preserve and energize their downtowns. The other winners were:
-
Main Street Leader: Ken VanPortfliet, Lake Orion
-
Main Street Safe: Downtown Collaboration Studio, Rochester
-
Main Street Open: COVID Relief in the Circuit Social District, Pontiac
-
Main Street Innovator: Rod Charles, Oxford
-
Power in Our Places: Welcome Back to Ortonville Mural, Ortonville
-
Campaign for Main Street: #Stronger Together, Oxford and Lake Orion
-
Transforming the Economy: The Syndicate Social District, Farmington
-
Program on the Rise: Wednesdays in Wixom, Wixom
The judging panel was comprised of experts in historic preservation and economic development, including Elizabeth Chase, Nebraska Main Streets Network, Inc.; Theresa Doan, Genisys Credit Union; Kitty Dougood, Kentucky Heritage Council; Elizabeth King, Michigan Economic Development Corp.; Tad Krear, Land Design Studio; Kathy La Plante, National Main Street Center; Dominic Romano, Michigan Economic Development Corp.; Ray Scriber, Louisiana Main Street; Cristina Sheppard-Decius, POW! Strategies, Inc.; Tony Tomczak, DTE Energy; and Dana Walker, Michigan Downtown Association.
The event’s sponsors included the DTE Foundation, as the presenting sponsor; Genisys Credit Union, SMART; McLaren Oakland; Dobrusin Strategic Intellectual Property Law; and the Oakland County Business Finance Corporation.
Coulter also recognized and welcomed Lyon Township and the Huron Corridor—Pontiac as the newest members of the MSOC program. Other highlights of the event included the keynote presentation by nationally renowned Mary Means, founder of the national Main Street program; and recognition of Auburn Hills and South Lyon advancing to the Partner Program level.
MSOC is the county’s unique economic development program for downtowns and historic commercial corridors, with a historic preservation philosophy and an emphasis on "sense of place."
Main Street Oakland County’s Select Level communities passed a milestone of $1 billion in cumulative public and private investment (2001-2021).
Workforce
|
Oakland County Michigan Works! Hosting Veterans Services Representatives to Help Those Who Served
Oakland County Veterans’ Services and Oakland County Michigan Works! are providing veterans with convenient access to a broad range of services. One day a week, OCMW centers in Novi, Southfield (Tuesday), and Oak Park (Thursday) will host veterans' benefits counselors. Veterans who visit the OCMW offices in Pontiac, Troy, and Waterford will receive a referral to a liaison in the Veterans’ Services offices in Pontiac or Troy.
“Our goal is to bring veterans services into the community, closer to where they live,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “By placing our veterans' benefits counselors in Oakland County Michigan Works! offices, residents who served their country will not only be able to get help accessing their benefits, but assistance for their careers as well.”
Veterans’ benefits counselors help clients navigate the process of completing and submitting applications for federal, state, and county veterans' benefits. Benefits available to eligible veterans include:
-
Military service-connected disability compensation
-
Non-service-connected disability pension
-
Veteran Administration healthcare
-
Transportation services
-
Employment and education resources
-
Financial support, including home loans, life insurance and other relief and compensation
-
Burial benefits
|
Veterans
|
Updated Gulf War Presumptive List for 2022: New VA Rule Grants Presumptive Service Connection for Nine Types of Cancers
As of April 26, 2022, the VA presumes that particulate matter exposures during military service in several regions is likely to have caused certain respiratory cancers. The updated Gulf War presumptive list for 2022 opens doors for many veterans who have been unable to service-connect these respiratory cancers until now. Find out how this new rule might affect your claim and VA rating.
|
PGA HOPE Introduces Golf to All Veterans in Order to Enhance Their Mental, Social, Physical and Emotional Well-Being
The PGA of America and local PGA Professionals are working closely with the VA system across the country to assist Veterans in their transition. Sessions are taught by local PGA Professionals with assistance from trained volunteers and include clubs and equipment if needed, training aids, range balls and weekly golf course access.
INSTRUCTIONAL SESSIONS
Wednesdays, June 15 - July 27 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Tuesdays, July 12 – August 31 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
To register, Contact:
Buddy Whitten, PGA
(850) 380-9430 | buddywhitten@aol.com
Space is limited.
Include the following information:
-
Your name
-
Contact information (phone & email)
- Which HOPE Session you would like to attend
|
Oakland County Veterans Resource Fair – Thursday, June 30, 2022, 9:00 AM – Noon
On Thursday, June 30, 2022, from 9:00 AM to noon, a Veterans Resource Fair will be held at the Oakland County Executive Office Building 41W, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. All Veterans, active duty, guard and reserves, and their families, are welcome to receive giveaway items, which include, housing counseling, career planning, training programs, boxes of food and information on community resources.
Did you find this publication helpful? Subscribe at:
public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOAKL/subscriber/new?topic_id=MIOAKL_950
|
