This month, we would like to highlight how Economic Development is looking toward the future to improve the quality of life of our residents and workers. If you look at this month’s Data Corner, the U.S. Census Bureau has recently released updated County Business Patterns data. We hope our businesses will use this data to analyze market potential, measure the effectiveness of sales and advertising programs, set sales quotas, develop budgets and more.  We're also always looking to improve our sustainability and make advancements in technology. With that in mind, we visited FEV North America Inc. to learn how they are creating safer, more sustainable transportation around the globe. Additionally, we attended Lightning Day hosted at Oakland County’s Farmers Market. This event provided the opportunity to take a ride in Lightning eMotors' zero-emission vehicles.

Are you looking to grow as a company, or do you want a better understanding of zoning requirements in Oakland County? Our Planning Division has created a new interactive map for Planned Commercial/Office and Industrial Areas in Oakland County just for this purpose. We hope this map will be a valuable tool for communities, developers and businesses as a first step in seeing what is currently being planned for development in the county.

For businesses and developers, our Planning Division has created a new map showing Planned Commercial/Office and Industrial Areas in Oakland County based on the latest master planning information available from cities, villages and townships.

When it comes to our historic downtowns, sometimes the best way to look to the future is to preserve the past. That’s why I’m proud to congratulate John Bry, administrator of Main Street Oakland County’s (MSOC) coordinating program, for being elected to Main Street America’s Leadership Council for a three-year term. In this new role, Bry will join fellow Main Street leaders from across the U.S. in preservation-based community revitalization.

I encourage all residents to take a quick survey to help bring faster, more affordable internet to Michigan. The more people we have taking the survey, the greater the likelihood that our state, county and communities will get the funding needed to build and improve broadband availability, affordability and accessibility for Oakland County residents. We are also continuing to improve public transportation for our residents, so I am pleased to announce that the Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA) will be expanding into new communities and piloting extended hours for employment and medical rides. Residents of Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake and Lake Angelus will now have access to WOTA’s transportation service. 

For Oakland County Veterans, we have many exciting opportunities, including two upcoming Veteran Resource Fairs as well as two Veteran Food Drives. All Oakland County Veterans and their families are welcome to attend all our events. 

Oakland County Economic Development Leaders Visit FEV North America Inc.

Lightning eMOTORS and CALSTART are working to bring zero-emission commercial vehicles to Oakland County.

Earlier this month, Lightning eMotors showcased two of their zero-emission vehicle solutions the ZEV3 and ZEV4 along with their 420kWh mobile charging solution at Oakland County’s Farmers Market. This event gave attendees the chance to ride and drive the vehicles, which are built for commercial fleets, public transit and school buses.   

The goal of this event was to showcase zero-emission vehicles to key stakeholders: transit and school fleets, first responders, community members and government entities. It was also a great opportunity to meet with representatives from Lightning eMotors, CALSTART and other key stakeholders. 

MiCareerQuest Southeast Returning in November; Call Out for Additional Exhibitors and Sponsors  

Planning for the return of MiCareerQuest Southeast, Metro Detroit’s largest career exploration event for high school students, is well underway and organizers are putting out a call for additional employers to join their peers on Tuesday, November  14, to showcase in-demand occupations in advanced manufacturing, construction, health sciences and technology.  

More than 8,000 students and chaperones from 150 high schools across the six-county region are expected to attend the one-day event at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.  Students will visit the four career quadrants that cover more than 400,000 square feet of floor space.  What makes MiCareerQuest Southeast so unique are the hundreds of hands-on, interactive activities that employers use to engage the students and introduce them to jobs that some never knew even existed.  There is no charge for an employer to participate in the event. 

“Interest in MiCareerQuest Southeast has been off the charts,” said  Jennifer Llewellyn, Manager of Oakland County Workforce Development, the event’s lead coordinating body.  “We’ve been contacted by so many schools in recent months, asking if MiCareerQuest Southeast is coming back, because it was such an eye-opening, positive experience for students in 2018-19. 

“Employers also are enthusiastically welcoming its return.  They thoroughly enjoy engaging tomorrow’s workforce and sharing their enthusiasm for so many great careers. We already have two-thirds of the quadrant spaces filled and our team is actively pursuing other employers to participate in the exciting event.” 

MiCareerQuest Southeast is funded by sponsorships, with several still available.  There are various sponsorship levels, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.  Each comes with a number of benefits designed to highlight each sponsor’s contribution to helping expose tomorrow’s workforce to great career opportunities in southeast Michigan. 

“There are a number of expenses with an event of this size and scope and it cannot take place without the generosity of our sponsors,” Llewellyn said.  “We appreciate every contribution, which will go toward making this year’s MiCareerQuest Southeast the best one yet.” 

For more information on the event, including exhibitor opportunities and the various sponsorship levels, visit MiCareerQuestSE.com.   

To become an exhibitor, contact Brooklyn Frontiera at frontierab@OakGov.com.  To join as a sponsor, contact Jennifer Llewellyn at llewellynj@OakGov.com. 

Gleaners Community Food Bank partners with Oakland County Veterans Services and more than 400 partners across five Southeast Michigan counties to make sure our Veterans, children, families, seniors and others have access to sufficient, nutritious food and resources. Every dollar donated to Gleaners provides three meals, and 92 cents of every donated dollar goes to food and food programs. Together with devoted volunteers providing thousands of service hours, Gleaners is dedicated to solving hunger in Southeast Michigan, bringing greater health, stability, and empowerment to families.

For more information, visit gcfb.org

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