November 23, 2022
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year when I start making lists: grocery lists for family dinners, parties and last-minute weeknight dinners; gift lists for holiday presents for my extended family and friends; and lists of things to do and projects to tackle in the New Year.
And on this day before Thanksgiving, here’s a list of things I’m grateful for in 2022.
- My family and friends, who will join me at my house tomorrow for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and an evening filled with lively conversation, laughter and repeats of the classic tales that make every family gathering a nostalgic and mostly hilarious trip down memory lane. As we all age, every year with them is a blessing.
- The 5,000-strong workforce of Oakland County, who have helped countless residents, businesses and communities with critical programs and services and done their jobs with patience, grace and good cheer. Their hard work and dedication is the ultimate definition of a public servant.
- The American Rescue Plan, which has allowed Oakland County to invest in transformational programs to: improve access to mental health services; help small businesses succeed; assist students overcome the obstacles that get in the way of education and training that lead to good-paying careers; put food on the table and provide access to affordable housing to vulnerable residents.
- The Oakland County Parks and Recreation system that gives residents and visitors the chance to enjoy the waterways, golf courses, trails and nature preserves in this wonderful county we call home.
- The people of Oakland County who give so generously to non-profits, social organizations, schools and communities. Your contributions ensure a thriving and inclusive environment for all of our residents.
- Our thriving downtowns that offer an abundant array of dining and shopping opportunities, entertainment and cultural gems that make all of our lives a little more interesting.
- My faith, which offers me solace, spiritual guidance and an important sense of connection.
- The voters of Oakland County, who saw the need for public transportation. They understand that public transit is a means to get people to jobs, the elderly, veterans and disabled to doctors’ appointments and other essential destinations and a way to connect communities and passed a millage for a countywide transit system.
There’s so much more to be thankful for at this time of year and all year, frankly. I hope that you take a few moments to reflect on your list, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and tell the people you love, Thanks.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter Oakland County Executive
Service highlight of the week: Children's Village Parent Project
Did you know that Children’s Village is so much more than a detention center for juveniles? It also offers shelter and residential programs for neglected kids as well as individual and family-based therapy for struggling families.
Among the programs offered to anyone is the Parent Project, a 10-week parent education program that coaches parents on how to deal with strong-willed, at-risk youth.
This isn’t just a program for parents whose kids are staying at Children’s Village. It’s for any parent that is looking for help with their kids. Cost for the program is $10 and another session begins in January.
For more information on the Parent Project, go to: https://www.oakgov.com/village/programs-services/Pages/Community-Based-Programs.aspx
Coulter leads trade trip to Sweden, Germany
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter led a team from the county’s Economic Development department to Sweden and Germany to attract further investment in Oakland County.
At least 13 Swedish companies and 145 German companies already operate facilities in Oakland County and the trip provided the opportunity to connect with some of those businesses and talk with others looking to locate or expand in the United States. More than 1,000 foreign companies from 40 countries have operations in the county.
Coulter participated in a “Mobility in Michigan” forum at the residence of U.S. Ambassador to Sweden Erik Ramanathan that attracted 45 companies. And the group, which also included Deputy County Executive Sean Carlson, Economic Development Director Ingrid Tighe, Manager of Domestic and International Attraction Jeanne Broad and senior Business Attraction Manager John Wolf-Meyer, attended the SEMICOM Europa in Germany, a major trade show for electronics manufacturing.
Applications open for Oakland Together 40 under 40 Class of 2023
Oakland County is looking for the next class of young professionals for the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2023.
The award program is looking for people under the age of 40 who live or work in Oakland County and who have achieved success in their professional field, and have significant and essential service to their communities.
"We are looking for young adults who through their work, ideas, and service embody what it means to be 'Oakland Together,'" said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. "These are people who pursue positive change in their workplaces and communities. They are the innovators, the dreamers and the entrepreneurs who will be the leaders of the future."
To be eligible, a candidate must live or work in Oakland County, be 18 years of age or older, and have been born after Dec. 31, 1982. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022. For more information or to apply, go to www.oakgov.com/40under40.
County kicks off holiday shopping season
Oakland County Economic Development Director Ingrid Tighe joined small business leaders at Dearborn Music in Farmington to encourage holiday shoppers to purchase gifts and other items locally, especially on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26. Oakland County is promoting the “Shop Small and Local” campaign for the 2022 holiday season.
“Small businesses are the backbones of our communities, providing residents and visitors with a welcoming and vibrant environment for shopping, dining and visiting with family and friends,” Tighe said. “These are the businesses that employ our neighbors and continue to contribute to a robust and thriving economy.”
Joining Tighe were Dearborn Music owner Rick LeAnnais, Loft Cigar Lounge owner and Downtown Development Authority Vice Chair Donovan Singleton, and Downtown Farmington Executive Director Kate Knight. Like many business owners, LeAnnais and Singleton are looking forward to holiday shoppers helping their businesses to continue their recovery from the lean pandemic years.
The county has created a webpage at www.OakGov.com/ShopSmall where shoppers can search for community holiday activities and businesses and community partners can discover resources to support shopping locally.
Oakland County’s Local Gems sweepstakes also continues through Nov. 26. The program is designed to increase visibility and foot traffic in the county’s small businesses during the holiday shopping season. Anyone can submit a selfie photo taken at an Oakland County small business that they consider to be “local gems” for a chance at winning a $1,000 first prize or $500 second prize.
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