December 21, 2022
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
Dear Friends,
I can hardly believe that the end of 2022 is almost here, but here we are, looking back on what has been an outstanding year for Oakland County.
The good news started early with the announcement from General Motors in January that they will invest $4 billion, (yes, that’s billion with a B!) in electric vehicles, including the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, at the GM Orion plant, creating about 2,300 new, good-paying jobs.
This transformational investment was just the beginning of a remarkable string of news, revealing expansions or new locations for advanced manufacturing plants across Oakland County. From the Center for Advanced Manufacturing locating in Troy – the only one in North America – to a ribbon cutting for One Next Energy’s headquarters in Novi to the groundbreaking for a multi-million expansion of Fanuc Robotics in Auburn Hills, these and other projects only boost Oakland County’s reputation as a prime location for the technologies and manufacturing of the future. In fact, just last week, the Lear Corp. and UL Solutions announced they will expand their operations in Independence Township and Auburn Hills respectively to produce the battery systems that will power the growing inventory of EVs.
These companies could have gone anywhere and were actively considering sites across the country and the world for their next projects. But I think it’s clear that a few factors tipped the scales in Oakland County’s favor:
First, we’re investing in growing the skilled and talented workforce here through our Oakland80 initiative, which is improving and expanding access to college education and certified training for our adult-age population. I’ve got to give a shout-out to our Workforce Development and Oakland County Michigan Works! departments, led by Jennifer Llewellyn. They’re doing incredible work to make sure our residents aren’t facing barriers in their pursuit of successful careers.
Second, you can’t beat the quality of life in Oakland County with its lakes, hundreds of miles of trails, and abundant recreational opportunities. We’re boosting the county’s profile there as well with a $20 million investment in our crown jewel – the Oakland County parks. We’re improving and expanding the footprint of the system, especially in the southern half of the county to ensure equitable access to the parks for all of Oakland County’s residents.
In March, we unveiled our five-year framework and strategic goals. And thanks, in part, to federal funding through the American Rescue Plan, we were able to make significant progress on those goals:
HEALTHY RESIDENTS: We’ve invested more than $24 million in improving and expanding access to mental health care services for our residents and students; $3.5 million to expand access to health care for underserved communities and a residency program for doctors through Honor Health. We also put an additional $1.7 million into emergency food assistance for our residents.
LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS: We set up a $10 million housing trust fund to improve housing affordability in the county and invested $5 million to expand capacity at shelters for people experiencing homelessness. And to help people stay in their homes, we put another $2 million for critical home repairs and $2 million in legal aid to assist people facing mortgage foreclosure or eviction.
SKILLED AND EDUCATED WORKFORCE: We created the Oakland80 navigators' program with $2.8 million in federal funding to help people seeking education and training and put $1.5 million into workforce assistance to help people overcome the barriers to successful careers. Another $5 million is going into out-of-school time learning to help students with challenges from extended remote learning and nearly $2 million for childcare scholarships and training.
SUSTAINABILITY: Cities, villages and townships are getting $3.9 million in infrastructure planning grants and north Oakland County communities are benefitting from a $10 million investment for sanitary sewer connection. As I mentioned before, we’re excited about the $20 million dedicated to improving and expanding Oakland County parks.
THRIVING AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMY: Small business are the beneficiaries of $18 million for the Business Forward program that started in the spring to provide resources and coaching for thousands of small businesses. We’re also preparing for phase two of the Project Diamond initiative, which is providing 3D printers for hundreds of small manufacturers.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM: We opened an indigent defense office and the Clean Slate program reached a milestone of expunging records of 150 people. The Innocence Project Unit started in Prosecutor’s office has been working diligently to clear the records of wrongfully convicted people.
A couple other things really made 2022 a special and productive year in Oakland County. Our Veterans’ Services Department has done phenomenal work this year, providing monthly resource fairs that have attracted thousands of veterans across the county, who are seeking help in getting benefits, food assistance, and access to job training, mental health services, even free haircuts. And they do so much more for the 53,000 veterans in Oakland County from providing transportation to VA hospitals and doctors’ appointments to helping them fill out paperwork for the benefits they so nobly earned.
And finally, I couldn’t talk about successes in 2022 without thanking the voters of Oakland County, who recognized that reliable, safe and accessible public transportation is an essential service and approved a countywide millage for transit. Now comes the hard – and exciting – work of improving and expanding transportation services across the county.
Happy Holidays, Cheers to 2022 and looking forward to an even better 2023.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter Oakland County Executive
With millage approved, Oakland County taking steps to improve transit
Oakland County has created a Transit Division in its Economic Development Department laying the foundation for improving and expanding transit options throughout the county. The Board of Commissioners approved County Executive Dave Coulter's request to create three positions in the new division – a manager and two transit planners – to oversee the implementation of the countywide transportation millage approved by voters in the November general election.
The county will develop plans in 2023 for expanding transit services in all parts of the county, securing more state and federal funds to support transit services, and long-term capital improvements that contribute to accessibility for our residents. To ensure these plans meet the needs of residents, businesses, and communities, the county will provide opportunities for people to provide feedback and suggestions for new transportation services. The timeline for expansions will vary depending on the availability of vehicles and drivers.
Oakland County Executive witnesses bill signing at White House
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter was invited to the White House in Washington DC last week to witness the signing of the Respect for Marriage bill that codifies protections for same-sex and interracial marriages.
"I was truly honored to witness the Respect for Marriage bill signed by President Biden at the White House today," Coulter said. "It's an important step towards full acceptance and equal rights for all couples to choose who they want to love and marry."
Oakland County Health Division offering free polio vaccines
Polio vaccines are available at no cost to Oakland County residents who are not up to date on their polio vaccine at the Oakland County Health Division offices. The Health Division is removing financial barriers for residents to protect themselves against the disease following a confirmed case of paralytic polio in another U.S. state earlier this year.
Waiving the $40 vaccination fee and $7 administration fee for polio vaccination reflects the Health Division's commitment to preventing cases of polio in our community and removing financial barriers for families.
Polio vaccines are available at Health Division offices in Pontiac and Southfield. No appointments are necessary. Bring a photo ID and insurance card, if applicable.
"Thanks to a successful vaccination program, most people in the U.S are protected from polio," Oakland County Health Officer Calandra Green said. "People who are not vaccinated or who haven't received all recommended doses, however, may be at risk of getting polio. By removing the cost of the vaccine, we've made it easier for everyone to receive their needed doses and to gain protection."
Health Division offices are located at the following addresses:
- North Oakland Health Center, 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 34 East, Pontiac
- South Oakland Health Center, 27725 Greenfield Road, Southfield
Hours are 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mondays and 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays.
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