November 2022 | Top Stories:
State- and Country-wide Per Capita Income Data | Bankers, Brokers and Breakfast Recap | Business Forward Novi Open House | Northern Oakland County Resource Recycling Authority | Scott Kree Elected to Michigan Association of Planning's Board of Directors | SEMCOG Shop Local Videos | National Apprenticeship Week | Operation Green Light for Veterans | December Veterans Resource Fair | Wreaths Across America
A Message From Ingrid Tighe
Oakland County Economic Development Director
Dear Colleagues,
It’s hard to believe that we are already entering the holiday season and the end of 2022. As we get ready to spend time with family and friends, I would like to share some news from Oakland County Economic Development. It’s exciting to see an outpouring of community spirit, as the Shop Small “Local Gems” Sweepstake entries keep rolling in. There is still time to share your favorite local small businesses. Encourage everyone you know to take part. The sweepstake runs through November 26, 2022. You can see all the entries so far on our Facebook page. On a related note, five of our Main Street Oakland County downtown communities have been featured in SEMCOG’s new Shop Local video series: Lyon Township, Oak Park, Lake Orion, Oxford, and South Lyon. Learn more in the full article below.
After the past couple years of social distancing and isolation, I appreciate more than ever meeting old friends and new, such as during our Bankers, Brokers and Breakfast event on November 1. Hosted by County Executive David Coulter and the Oakland County Financial Services team, this event brought together our local bankers, real estate brokers, and economic development professionals to network and learn. It was also a great honor to meet with fellow Veterans, on November 10, in honor of Veterans Day. We gathered to watch as the Oakland County Circuit Court Building was illuminated in green as part of Operation Greenlight. If you are looking for a way to honor our local Veterans consider volunteering for one of our upcoming Oakland County Veteran Resource Fairs or sponsor a wreath as part of the Wreaths Across America program. Last but certainly not least, I will never forget the incredible business leaders I met, taking part in the Oakland County Delegation to Sweden and Germany.
The upcoming year looks to be a promising one, with many new and exciting developments. There are several communities in northern Oakland County that are exploring the establishment of a new recycling authority. Plus, our very own Scott Kree (senior planner, Planning & Local Business Development) was elected to the 2022-2023 Board of Directors for the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association. Oakland County has a bright future.
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 Data Corner
Oakland County’s Per Capita Personal Income (PCI) Remains the Highest in the State of Michigan
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis has released county and metropolitan area personal income figures for 2021 and Oakland County’s per capita personal income (PCI) remains the highest in the state of Michigan. The county-level personal income estimates released this month provide more geographic detail on the nation’s personal income for 2021. The BEA defines personal income as the income received from laborers in production, from owning a home or business, the ownership of financial assets, and from government transfers. It does not include capital gains or losses. Income is measured before the deduction of taxes and is reported in current dollars (no adjustment is made for inflation/price changes).
Top Ten Counties for Per Capita Personal Income (Michigan, 2021)
 Top Counties Nationally for Per Capita Personal Income (among counties with more than 1 million residents)
 At 9.9% growth, Berrien County saw the largest increase in the state and at 0.1%, Montmorency County saw the smallest increase in the state.
Key takeaways from the release:
- Oakland County’s per capita personal income (PCI) rose 5.1% from $77,030 in 2020 to $80,962 in 2021
- Oakland County’s PCI has risen 18.3% since 2017
- Oakland County has the highest PCI among all counties in Michigan (Leelanau County ranks 2nd at $78,457 and Washtenaw County ranks 3rd at $68,688)
- Oakland County’s PCI is 32.8% higher than the regional figure of $60,965 and 47.3% higher than the statewide figure of $56,494
- In 2021 Oakland County had the 16th highest PCI among counties with a million or more residents
- The total personal income earned in Oakland County in 2021 was nearly $103 billion
- This was $13 billion more than Wayne County (the next highest in the state) and represents more than 18% of the total personal income earned statewide in 2021
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis
 Business
Bankers, Brokers and Breakfast 2022
Earlier this month, Oakland County Executive David Coulter hosted Bankers, Brokers and Breakfast at the Troy Marriott. This event was organized and presented by the Oakland County Financial Services team for bankers, real estate brokers, and economic development professionals to discuss Initiatives, and foster business development. The presentations included an introduction to SBA 504 Financing and an overview of the Oakland County Revolving Loan Fund.
For more information on our Financial Services team or to learn about available loan programs, please visit: OakGov.com/BusinessLoans
Oakland County’s Business Forward Celebrates Expansion with Novi Open House
December 8, 2022 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Novi Civic Center | 45175 Ten Mile Road
Novi, MI 48375
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 an open house in Novi. Join us. Register to attend and move your BUSINESS FORWARD!
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Oakland County Delegation to Sweden to Promote Investment in Mobility and Advanced Manufacturing
On November 15, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and Business Sweden signed a joint statement of cooperation to “promote innovation and sustainable growth in the mobility and advanced manufacturing industries” at U.S. Ambassador Erik D. Ramanathan’s residence in Stockholm Monday. Business Sweden helps Swedish companies grow global sales and invest internationally.
After the signing, Coulter and the Oakland County team accompanying him attended the Mobility in Michigan event at the ambassador’s residence.
At least 13 Swedish companies already operate facilities in Oakland County. Coulter is leading a team from the county’s Economic Development Department to attract further Swedish investment because Sweden is quickly rising as an international investor in advanced manufacturing and mobility.
While in Sweden, Oakland County representatives met with Swedish companies that have an interest in establishing a U.S. presence, including two electric watercraft companies and a company that makes autonomous pods. Traveling with the county executive are Sean Carlson, deputy Oakland County executive; Ingrid Tighe, director of economic development; Jeanne Broad, manager of domestic and international attraction; and John Wolf-Meyer, senior business attraction manager.
On November 16, the Oakland County delegation arrived in Germany to attend SEMICOM Europa – 2022, co-located within the Electronica Trade Fair, the largest event for electronics manufacturing in Europe. SEMICOM focuses on the development of semiconductor supply chains and is working to strengthen ties with the automotive industry.
At SEMICOM, Coulter and Oakland County Director of Economic Development Ingrid Tighe presented at the Smart Mobility Forum about our region’s investment in mobility and advanced manufacturing. The group will also meet with companies and participate in forums and networking events. In addition to the show, the group will meet with several companies headquartered in Munich that have Oakland County facilities.
Read the full article here: tinyurl.com/ywwu9tu2
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 Community
Oakland County Working to Build a Robust Circular Economy
In addition to the highly valued NoHaz Program, that provides northern Oakland County communities with household hazardous waste collection events, the Planning & Local Business Development Division supports circular economy activities.
Late last year, the Pontiac Regional Chamber initiated discussions with neighboring communities on the feasibility of establishing a recycling authority for the northern part of the county. The proposed Northern Oakland County Resource Recycling Authority (NOCRRA) could be modeled after two existing intergovernmental, municipal solid waste authorities—Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County (RRRASOC) and Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA).
Together, both RRRASOC and SOCRRA serve 21 communities in the southern part of the county with approximately 45% of the county’s population. They offer comprehensive solid waste and recycling services that include drop-off recycling centers, household hazardous waste collection events, compost sites and curbside pick-up.
When communities consider forming authorities, they look to achieve efficiencies of scale, consistent contracts and ample services across multiple municipalities. Initial interest in forming NOCRRA is from Pontiac, Orion Township, Rochester Hills, Waterford Township and Bloomfield Township. The Pontiac Chamber and Oakland County wanted to advance this concept and continue to explore community interest in NOCRRA and decided to apply for the NextCycle - I2P3 Initiative.
NextCycle is a Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) initiative to foster partnerships and develop investment-ready project plans to keep waste out of landfills, build demand from Michigan manufacturers for recovered materials, and attract to the state new businesses that provide equitable and positive solutions for the environment.
Launched in 2021, the NextCycle initiative is connecting entrepreneurs, companies, organizations, and communities to technical support, financial resources, and capacity for building recycling, recovery, and reuse. Resource Recycling Systems manages and facilitates NextCycle in collaboration with Lawrence Technological University’s Centrepolis Accelerator and the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC).
Under NextCycle is I2P3—Intergovernmental Initiatives and Public-Private Partnerships. This State funded program explores new and innovative ways to address waste and recycling issues. During a two-day event in early October, there were 22 NextCycle Michigan teams that pitched their innovative solutions to drive the circular economy to a panel of judges. Teams were evaluated across four Innovation Challenge Tracks: Beyond Recycling, Turning the Wheel of Innovation, Community-based Solutions and Shovel Ready.
The Pontiac Regional Chamber, with support from Oakland County, received the “Community-Based Solutions People’s Choice Award” and a $400 prize at this event for the NOCRRA concept and for bringing local communities together to collaborate on recycling opportunities and approaches that will improve access and keep value in the region. The NOCRRA team plans to continue to collaborate with interested communities and explore establishing the Articles of Incorporation to form a solid waste authority.
For more information, visit NextCycleMichigan.com. Communities that want to learn more about the benefits of a future NOCRRA can contact Whitney Calio, principal planner, Oakland County’s Planning Division, at caliow@oakgov.com
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Planning Division’s Scott Kree Elected by Members to Michigan Association of Planning’s (MAP) Board of Directors
Scott Kree, senior planner, in Planning and Local Business Development Division, joins the 2022-2023 Board of Directors for the Michigan Chapter of the American Planning Association. MAP is a 501(c)3 organization located in Ann Arbor and dedicated to promoting sound community planning that benefits the residents of Michigan.
Kree is responsible for the mandated county review of city, village, and township master plan updates and amendments as well as certain township rezonings. He conducts the reviews and presents them to the Coordinating Zoning Committee (CZC) of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. Kree previously worked in the private sector with ROWE Professional Services Co. and Lindhout Associates Architects.
MAP was established in 1945 to achieve a desired quality of life through comprehensive community planning that includes opportunities for a variety of lifestyles and housing, employment, commercial activities, and cultural and recreational amenities.
With membership exceeding 4,000, most of the members are citizens appointed to planning commissions and zoning boards of appeals. Members come from a wide variety of areas, including law, architectural and engineering firms; municipal offices; planning departments; and federal and state agencies.
MAP provides community planning principles, information, advocacy, and educational events. For example, on November 30 at 4 p.m., a virtual workshop covers writing a better request for proposal (RFP). Learn best practices for developing RFPs, from defining the scope and interviewing firms, to executing the contract and managing the project, all to better prepare your community for the next big planning initiative. Registration is $15 for members and $20 for non-members at: tinyurl.com/2p9xveey
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Five Oakland County Communities Featured in SEMCOG Shop Local Videos
Five Main Street Oakland County downtown communities have been featured in SEMCOG’s new Shop Local video series: Lyon Township, Oak Park, Lake Orion, Oxford, and South Lyon.
The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) works with member communities to promote investment in the local economy. The Shop Local videos show a sample of the plentiful shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences available to Southeast Michigan's residents and visitors.
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), 1.9 million employees (48.3%) in the State of Michigan work for small businesses. Collectively, small businesses are essential to the state's economy. Each small business helps to create diversity within the business community, and altogether they comprise over 98 percent of Michigan's businesses.
If you would like to learn more about this SEMCOG service, visit semcog.org/shop-local
To view the current YouTube Playlist, visit:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSl2yM1LRQ093hJqwpq1gt0kBIc0GeEfi
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 Workforce
National Apprenticeship Week — Advantage: Apprenticeships Funding Program
Oakland County Michigan Works! celebrated National Apprenticeship Week Nov. 14-20 by hosting two special workshops on launching and growing a registered apprenticeship program. There are thousands of dollars available from Oakland County through the Advantage: Apprenticeships program to help employers secure and train apprentices in a variety of fields, from construction to information technology to healthcare.
To learn how Oakland County Michigan Works! can help you start your own apprenticeships program, visit: tinyurl.com/4e9vkpp5
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 Veterans
In Honor of Veterans Day, the Oakland County Circuit Court Building is Illuminated Green
As part of Operation Greenlight, County Executive David Coulter invited leaders of Veterans' organizations, county employees who are Veterans, and county leaders to the Executive Office Building on November 10 to watch as the courthouse was illuminated in green.
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 Oakland County Veterans Resource Fair
December 16, 2022 | 9:00 AM - Noon
Troy Community Center | 3179 Livernois Road Troy, MI 48083
All Veterans and their families are welcome to learn more about their available benefits, including housing counseling, career planning, training programs, boxes of food, information on community resources, and more.
Questions? Contact: Tyrone Jordan jordant@oakgov.com | (248) 285-8016
Register at: eventbrite.com/e/oakland-county-veterans-resource-fair-tickets-414810879507
Wreaths Across America
December 17 | 11:00 AM - Noon
On Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 11:00 AM to noon, we will place wreaths on Veteran gravesites to remember our fallen, to honor their service, and to teach our children the value of freedom. This event will take place at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.
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