June 2022 | Top Stories:
County Business Patterns Data | Recap: Defense & Aerospace Conference | Custom Mapping & Data Services | Business Forward How to Start a Business Workshop | Oakland County Accessibility Initiative | Virtual Career Workshops | Memorial Day Observance | Veteran Transportation Services | Veteran Small Business Bootcamp | Veterans Resource Fair
A Message From Ingrid Tighe
Oakland County Economic Development Director
Dear Colleagues,
We hope some of you were able to attend our first ever Oakland County Defense & Aerospace Conference presented by Oakland County’s Diversification Through Federal Contracting (DTFC) program. The goal of this conference was to help Oakland County-based companies diversify their customer portfolio and become more economically resilient through the successful pursuit of federal contracts and grants. This conference was just one example of how Oakland County Economic Development works to help all the county's businesses succeed through various programs, data, and services.
Another example is this month’s Data Corner, outlining county business patterns data for 2020, which can be used to analyze market potential, measure the effectiveness of sales and advertising programs, set sales quotas, and develop budgets.
If you need additional data, you can make a request to Oakland County Mapping Services for information including: Tax Parcel Maps, Business Marketing Maps, Oakland County Permit Maps, Parcel/Owner information Data and more.
Inclusivity is important to Oakland County, that is why we encourage all business owners to learn more about our Accessibility Initiative, so they can meet legal requirements and expand their markets by welcoming customers with disabilities (12% of the total county non-institutionalized population).
Are you interested in starting a business, but don't know where to begin? Oakland County Business Forward is hosting a How to Start a Business workshop on June 28 in Highland. Additionally, Oakland County Veterans Services is partnering with Business Forward to host a Small Business Bootcamp on June 23 in Waterford.
We are also proud to announce a new opportunity for our Oakland County Veterans. In partnership with SMART, all military Veterans who live in Oakland County now have access to free door-to-door transportation services from their homes to Oakland County Veterans Services offices in Troy and Pontiac. We will also be hosting a Veterans Resource Fair on June 30 at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center in Waterford.
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Data Corner |
Payroll Establishments by the Numbers
The U.S. Census Bureau has recently released updated county business patterns (CBP) data for county and ZIP Code-level geographies for 2020. This data shows detailed annual information on the number of establishments; employment during the week of March 12 and first quarter; and annual payroll at the national, state, MSA, CSA, and county and congressional district levels for nearly 1,000 industries.
This is useful for studying the economic activity of small areas. Federal agencies use the data to determine employee concentrations and trends by industry. Private businesses use it to analyze market potential, measure the effectiveness of sales and advertising programs, set sales quotas and develop budgets. While state and local government offices use it to assess business changes, develop fiscal policies, and plan future policies and programs.
CBP data comes from the Business Register (BR), a database of all known single- and multi-establishment employer companies maintained and updated by the Census Bureau. It contains non-survey data, usually tax return information.
Payroll Establishments by the Numbers in Oakland County:
39,023* – The number of employer establishments in Oakland County in 2020 – a slight decrease from the 2019 figure of 39,188
723,903* – The number of paid employees in Oakland County in 2020
$44.1 billion* – Estimated annual payroll of establishments in Oakland County
Interactive resources and related information:
*U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns (2020)
Business
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RECAP: Defense & Aerospace Conference 2022
Oakland County's Diversification Through Federal Contracting (DTFC) Program presented the Oakland County Defense & Aerospace Conference at the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomfield Hills, leaving guests eager and ready to pursue federal contracting. The event had many unique and valuable components:
- Networking with industry partners and resources
- Panel discussion on how to be a successful federal contractor
- Special remarks from U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin
- Keynote speaker sharing industry report– Sean Carlson, Oakland County Deputy Executive
- Training Tracks based on skill level within federal contracting
- Extended networking reception
Thank you to our generous sponsors! The Michigan Defense Center, Warner Norcross + Judd, and Automation Alley.
Stay connected! For more training and networking opportunities, visit our website: OakGov.com/DTFC
Note: B2B Matchmaking with Prime Contractors coming Spring 2023
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Oakland County's Custom Mapping and Data Services
Oakland County Economic Development provides residents, businesses and municipalities with custom GIS mapping and parcel data including:
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 fees and print fees.
To make an appointment, contact: edevmaps@oakgov.com or (248) 858-0721
To learn more, visit: OakGov.com/Mapping-Services
Oakland County Business Forward: How to Start a Business Workshop
Ready to launch your business as a sole proprietor or LLC? Not sure what paperwork is necessary or where to get started? Then pack a lunch and get ready to start your journey as an entrepreneur by attending this lunch and learn session. Business Forward consultants discuss documents needed to form and register a business, including Articles of Organization and Employer Identification Number (EIN) and other essential steps for a successful startup venture.
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Community
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Meet the Legal Requirements and Expand Your Market by Welcoming Customers with Disabilities
Almost 146,000 people in Oakland County have a disability (12% of the total county non-institutionalized population), and according to the Oakland County “Blueprint for Successful Aging” produced by the Board of Commissioners in December 2021, the county’s population is aging rapidly. Is your business accessible to all potential customers?
To help businesses more fully accommodate customers with disabilities, the Internal Revenue Service offers federal tax incentives to remove access barriers. For more information, visit OakGov.com/AccessibilityInitiative.
Also, business and property owners need to be aware of the related federal and state laws. Here is a brief introduction to understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Michigan Barrier Free Design Act.
ADA: A Federal Law
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ADA is a Federal Civil Rights Law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.
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ADA Law is not enforced by State or Local Government Officials.
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Enforcement of ADA Law only occurs when a private individual files a discrimination claim to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for investigation.
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Lawsuits can arise over a violation of a person’s civil rights if the DOJ, during its investigation, finds evidence to substantiate the allegations.
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ADA compliance may be required regardless of when the building was constructed.
Michigan Barrier Free Design Act: A State Law
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This State Public Act is administered through the Michigan building code. Compliance is required when a construction project is undertaken or a change of use occurs. Existing buildings may be considered in compliance or “grandfathered” if they met the code at the time of construction.
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Being in compliance with Michigan Barrier Free Design, does not mean the building is necessarily in compliance with the ADA.
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Architects are required to design buildings to meet Barrier Free Code requirements—in addition to the other Building Code requirements (e.g., means of egress, structural, fire, number of occupants, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, etc.).
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Building Codes are enforced by Local Building Officials.
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Local Building Officials approve plans for construction and issue a building permit.
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Variances to the Michigan Barrier Free Code cannot be granted by the Building Official; waivers can only be granted by the Michigan Barrier Free Design Board.
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At the conclusion of construction, a final inspection is made. If no code violations are found, the Local Building Official issues a Certificate of Occupancy.
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Problems may arise if violations, such as not meeting Michigan Barrier Free requirements, are missed during the final inspection.
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A Certificate of Occupancy does not protect a building owner from a violation intentionally or innocently missed if someone files an ADA discrimination complaint with the Department of Justice. Under ADA law, the owner can be ordered to correct the violation at their expense if found to be in noncompliance after investigation.
For further information on the ADA, U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights Section, ADA Business Connection:
1-800-514-0301 (voice) | 1-800-514-0383 (TTY)
1-800-949-4232 (ADA National Network) | ada.gov
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Workforce
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Virtual Career Workshop Program –
Register Now for Our June Workshops!
Every month, Oakland County Michigan Works! provides valuable career assistance through a series of interactive, virtual workshops. Covering a variety of topics, these workshops are led by trained advisors who will help attendees prepare for their next career opportunity. Each workshop lasts one hour, including a guided presentation and time for questions.
Upcoming June workshops include:
Changing Careers: New Opportunities, New Future
June 23, 2022 | 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Register at: tinyurl.com/4953yx29
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Veterans
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Honoring Veterans in Oakland County
Over Memorial Day weekend, our very own U.S. Army Veteran and Director of Oakland County's Department of Economic Development, Ingrid Tighe honored Veterans as the keynote speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.
Oakland County Providing Veterans with Free Transportation
All military Veterans who live in Oakland County now have access to door-to-door transportation services from their homes to Oakland County Veterans Services offices in Troy and Pontiac.
"The goal of the program is to eliminate any transportation barriers that may prevent our Veterans from accessing the benefits they earned while serving our nation," Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said.
In partnership with SMART, free transportation is offered from any point of origin in Oakland County to a Veterans Services office and back home. All Veterans who make an appointment with the Veterans Services team will receive contact information for SMART to arrange their transportation. ADA transportation is available and transportation arrangements should be made at least three days prior to the appointment.
"When the county reached out to us to help with transportation for this grant-funded project for Veterans, we jumped at the chance to assist," said Dwight Ferrell, general manager of SMART. "Through our various community transit partners in Oakland County, SMART is positioned to be able to coordinate a ride to ensure all Veterans who need a ride can get one."
Garth Wootten, manager of Oakland County Veterans' Services, noted that access to transportation, especially ADA-equipped transportation, can be an obstacle many of Veterans face.
"This program will help eliminate that barrier and allow all Veterans to access their benefits," Wootten said. "I'm so pleased to be partnering with SMART for this service for our Veterans."
Oakland County Veterans Services helps Veterans and their dependents with disability compensation, pension, healthcare, burial benefits, education, life insurance, home loans and more. From applying for benefits to appealing a finding, the benefits counselors are available to help Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
To book an appointment or learn more, visit: OakGov.com/Veterans
or call (248) 858-0785 in Pontiac or (248) 655-1250 in Troy.
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Business Forward/Veterans Services Small Business Bootcamp –
June 23, 2022 | 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Oakland County Veterans Services is partnering with Business Forward to offer Small Business Bootcamp – a day-long series of business workshops to help entrepreneurs move their Business Forward.
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How to start a business and writing a business plan
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Marketing your business
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Resources for hiring Veterans
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Business finance 101 and gaining access to capital
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Small business resources for Veterans
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Gaining certification as a Veteran-owned business
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And more!
Our nation’s Veterans have served us well and Oakland County seeks to return the favor.
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Oakland County Veterans Resource Fair
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 Conference Center in Waterford. All Veterans, active duty, guard and reserves, and their families are welcome to receive giveaway items, including housing counseling, career planning, training programs, boxes of food and information on community resources.
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