Since there is so much to be grateful for, I would like to kick off the Thanksgiving season a little early. First of all, I am grateful that our two major fall events were a great success: the Consul General Reception and Manufacturing Day. At our Consul General Reception hosted on the beautiful Cranbrook grounds, ties were strengthened between our Economic Development team and global leaders, representing countries all over the world. On Manufacturing Day, we had almost 800 students visiting 31 advanced manufacturing companies throughout Oakland County.  You can learn more about this year’s event as well as the history of Manufacturing Day in the Data Corner section below.

I am also excited to announce this year's Small Business Saturday Campaign featuring a Local Gems Sweepstake! From November 1-26, please encourage everyone you know—whether they are business owners, community leaders, or the general public—to take part. It is a great way to give our local small businesses some extra visibility. Plus, those who enter will have a chance to win some extra holiday shopping cash.

This time of year has me thinking of friends and family, and that includes my work family—the talented team of Economic Development employees. I want to take a moment to welcome our newest members: Madeleine Daniels in the Planning & Local Business Development Division (P&LBD), and Nicole Beecher, Jonathan DeSanctis, Kathleen Hout, LaShumbra Singleton, and Wisam Brikho all on the Oakland County Business Forward team. However, we cannot forget our long-time employees either, who have worked so diligently to serve the residents of Oakland County, like P&LBD’s Ron Campbell who just received the Michigan Historic Preservation Network’s (MHPN) Lifetime Achievement Award. Congratulations, Ron! This recognition is well-deserved!

Last, but certainly not least, I want honor my fellow Veterans this month and wish them an early "Happy Veterans Day" and "Happy Birthday to the Marine Corps!" As a county, we have several special initiatives planned to honor our local Veterans, which includes Operation Green Light as well as three Oakland County Resource Fairs. We hope to see you there.

Business Forward Expands into More Oakland County Communities

Launched in March 2022, Oakland County’s Business Forward was created – in cooperation with community-based organizations – to ensure all businesses have access to the resources they need to succeed. Now Business Forward is expanding to reach more small businesses and communities. We are proud to welcome and announce our new Business Forward Consultants:

Oakland County Business Forward Open Houses – Multiple Dates and Locations 

Oakland County continues to expand its Business Forward initiative for small businesses. Consultants are embedded in communities throughout the county to work directly with entrepreneurs, enabling small businesses to gain access to information, resources and funding. Business Forward is seeking to support over 36,000 small businesses throughout Oakland County, to help them thrive and grow.  

To learn how Business Forward can assist with your small business, Oakland County is hosting open houses in newly added locations around the county. Join us. Register to attend in a community near you and move your BUSINESS FORWARD!  

Choose the date/location best for you (cost is free, but registration is required):

 

Learn the Process to Become a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise 

November 16 |  9:30 - 11:30 AM
Southfield Public Library Auditorium
26300 Evergreen Road
Southfield, MI 48076 

The MHPN Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the field of historic preservation.  For nearly 50 years, Ron Campbell, AIA, has devoted himself to using planning, design, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse to safeguard Michigan's architectural legacy.

After receiving a Master of Architecture from the University of Michigan, Ron worked his way up to senior partner at a successful architectural and engineering firm.  Since 2006, he has been a principal planner and preservation architect for Oakland County’s Planning & Local Business Development Division.  His design assistance to the Main Street Oakland County Program and his contributions to the National Main Street Center Leadership Committee are significant.  He also chaired the National Main Street Architects organization.

“Ron has guided preservation projects across and beyond Michigan,” says John Bry, program coordinator, Main Street Oakland County.  “He sees preservation as an alternative to demolition and believes historic preservation supports a community’s social, environmental and financial needs.  And, you may meet him during one of the many presentations and tours he does each year.”

Some of his revitalization and adaptive reuse projects include the Vinsetta Garage restaurant (Berkley), conversion of the Van Hoosen Barn into a museum (Rochester Hills), and reuse of the former Sears department store and warehouse into a market and residential lofts (Pontiac).  He is currently working on the fire-damaged buildings in historic downtown Holly and advising on flood-damaged businesses in Kentucky.

He serves on the Michigan Construction Code Commission and as a Governor Appointee to the Barrier Free Design Board, helping businesses be accessible for all.  Ron chaired the Flint Historic District Study Committee; is a life member of the Genesee County Historical Society; and co-authored, with Jackie Hoist, “Michigan's Destination Depots: Lighthouses Along the Rivers of Steel.”

He has been a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for 47 years, including terms as president of AIA Michigan and the Flint Chapter.  He chaired the team from Flint that developed the first AIA free pamphlet, “A Guide to Flint Architecture.”  The guide won a national award and spurred other chapters and regions to do their own versions.

A founding member of the MHPN, Ron served on the Board from 1981- 1987 and 2012- 2021. He holds the distinction of chairing three statewide conferences and is known as an indefatigable volunteer, a great photographer, and an effective speaker.  

Main Street communities needing design assistance can contact John Bry at bryj@oakgov.com or (248) 858-5444

This month, Madeleine “Maddy” Daniels becomes the newest member of the Planning & Local Business Development Division team.  She previously worked in the City of Novi’s Planning Department for three years and interned at SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments.  As a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with an Urban & Regional Planning Degree and GIS focus, she will use those skills and experiences in her new role as associate planner in the Planning, Zoning, and Land Use Unit. 

Maddy lives in Livonia with her husband, Todd, and seven-month-old daughter, Reagan. 

Oakland County Manufacturing Day successfully returns to an in-person event

 

November 15  |  9:00 - 11:00 AM
Oakland County Executive Office Building 41W  |  Conference Center
2100 Pontiac Lake Road  |  Waterford Township, MI 48328 

Nurture Eager and Loyal Employees: Join Oakland County Michigan Works!, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), Oakland Community College and Williams International to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week and learn how to launch or expand your own registered program. 

Register today for our free employer workshop designed to increase your understanding of Registered Apprenticeship programs. 

Learn how to develop talent through the combination of on-the-job training and classroom instruction and how local organizations can help support these efforts. Support includes apprenticeship intermediary services, high-quality and experienced local training providers and grant funds available for Oakland County employers. Hear from Williams International about their experience with Registered Apprenticeship. 

Express your commitment to building your future workforce through an innovative apprenticeship program. 

Oakland County recently created and funded a Housing Trust Fund (HTF). Housing Trust Funds are flexible ways for local governments to support affordable housing development. We are looking to fill a part-time HTF Manager position. 

The position will organize, plan, and direct the daily operations of the HTF including working closely with and participate on the HTF Board which is responsible for creation of HTF bylaws, establish funding priorities, and evaluate and approve development proposals. They will have primary responsibility for fiscally managing the HTF and working with public and private lenders and investors to leverage local resources to make the greatest impact. 

Please share this opportunity widely. 

Apply at: governmentjobs.com/careers/oakgov/jobs/3666709/housing-trust-fund-manager?keywords=htf&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs