August 10, 2023
Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter
County Executive Dave Coulter joins local and state leaders at Gov. Gretchen Whitmer'ssigning of the 2024 Michigan state budget.
Dear Friends,
Last week, I joined local and state leaders in Wyandotte to celebrate Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signing of the 2024 Michigan state budget.
The budget makes critical investments in public health, education, workforce development, public safety, infrastructure and economic development. These are all areas where we share common goals:
- Keeping our residents healthy
- Building a Thriving and Inclusive Economy
- Developing a Skilled and Talented Workforce
- Promoting Livable Neighborhoods and Environmental Sustainability.
When Gov. Whitmer talks about ‘Make it in Michigan,’ she’s not kidding. From the companies that are locating or expanding in Oakland County and across the state, to the investments that are being made in core cities like Pontiac, Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids, the budget she signed is all about the critical tasks of strengthening and growing Michigan’s economy.
There are many things of note in the state budget, but here are just a few of the critical items that align so well with the work we’re doing in Oakland County:
- The expansion of the Michigan Reconnect program that provides tuition-free community college for students aged 21 and older. This initiative gets adults into college and in Oakland County, we’re helping them stay there with additional scholarships and wrap-around services that help cover the expenses that often derail the quest for higher education, whether it’s books and fees, childcare or transportation challenges. This program is helping the state achieve its goal of getting 60 percent of Michigan adults a college degree by 2030 and Oakland County’s Oakland80 goal of getting 80 percent with a college degree or certified training by 2030. To find out more about the resources offered through Oakland80, go to oakgov.com/Oakland80.
- A $50 million enhancement grant from the state for a project to help revitalize Pontiac’s historic downtown. The money will be used by the county to embark on a truly transformational project to buy two office buildings in the downtown, move up to 600 employees into those buildings that will breathe life into the city’s economy and open up the downtown by demolishing the deteriorating Phoenix Center Amphitheater, which has been closed since 2011. I like to call this a “Turn the Curve” moment when we can make a real difference in a community where disinvestment has been happening for more than 30 years.
- An $160 million inclusion in the Michigan education budget for free school lunches for all public school students from pre-kindergarten through high school. This makes sure that a federally funded pandemic-era program continues to offer free breakfast and lunch and helps prevent childhood hunger. This is similar to a program that Oakland County ran in 2019, providing free breakfasts to eligible school districts because a child is more engaged and can concentrate and learn better if they’re not hungry.
It is such a blessing to have partners in the state administration and Legislature who get it and know how important it is to make investments in programs that are going to help our residents, businesses, students and communities succeed now and well into the future.
With gratitude,
Dave Coulter
Oakland County Executive
Oakland County’s ARPA Report Highlights Investments in Mental Health, Business Growth, Parks, Seniors, and Housing
|
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter has released the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Annual Report for 2023, detailing how Oakland County is investing $244 million ARPA dollars from the federal government into the community.
As required by ARPA, Oakland County presented its Recovery Plan Performance Report for the period ending June 30, 2023. The county has designated nearly $146.5 million of the ARPA funds for residents, businesses, schools, and non-profit organizations and has delivered more than $60.5 million to recipients to date.
|
|
 |
Transformation of Downtown Pontiac Moving Forward as Oakland County Finalizes Purchase of Downtown Buildings
The transformation of downtown Pontiac took two steps forward Thursday, July 27 with the Oakland County Board of Commissioners' approval of the county’s purchase of 10-12 acres of property, including Ottawa Towers at 51111 Woodward, the former General Motors Building at 31 E. Judson, four adjacent parcels of land, and the current lease for the Phoenix Center parking garage. The Pontiac City Council followed suit on Tuesday, voting unanimously to approve the purchase.
Oakland County Health Division Extends Hours for Vaccinations
August is National Immunization Month. Staying up-to-date helps prevent disease, outbreaks and keeps our community safe. The Oakland County Health Division is offering extended hours at the Pontiac and Southfield offices so parents and guardians can get their children vaccinated before the new school year starts:
Pontiac
- Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 4-7 p.m.
- Thursday, Aug. 17 | 4-7 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 19 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Southfield
- Monday, Aug. 14 | 4-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 16 | 4-7 p.m.
Appointments are available and walk-ins welcome. Click here for more information.
|
