Aug. 2023 | Top Stories:
Regional Career Outlooks Data | U of M Innovation and Tech Recruitment Fair | Lincode | Auto Alley Connecting Business Needs with Academia | Revolving Loan Fund | Global Business Club: Spotlight on Canada | Transit Expansions | Michigan's First E-Commerce Marketplace | Grow with Google Workshop | Local Government Law Workshop | Capacity Building Grants | ECHO Survey | Going PRO Talent Fund | WWII Legacy Memorial Dedication | Veterans Food Distribution Event | Veterans Federal Contracting Workshop | Veterans Share Their Stories | National VFW Distinguished Service Award Presented to Pontiac Veteran | VA and NAACP Partnership
A Message From Sean Carlson
Oakland County Deputy Executive
Dear Colleagues,
As the summer comes to an end and the new school year begins, Oakland County Economic Development looks to advance towards the future, while preserving the past. Innovation and technology are important to Economic Development, so this month we want to highlight some opportunities for our business owners and community leaders.
For business owners large and small, we have opportunities to grow and train your tech-savvy workforce. Is the new workforce missing the skills necessary to keep your business running smoothly? Improve the future of your business and the future of our students by taking part in a new initiative through the University of Michigan – Flint (UM-Flint), designed to connect small- to medium-sized enterprises with academic leadership. You can share your workforce, talent and skill needs, and then explore how the University can play a role in addressing those needs through workforce development and uptraining workers. Perhaps you are ready to recruit new workers now? If so, UM-Flint’s College of Innovation & Technology welcomes you to participate in their first annual CIT Recruitment Fair.
If you are looking to train your existing workforce, look no further than the Going PRO Talent Fund. To learn more, attend one of our upcoming Info Sessions.
To support our downtowns, I am proud to announce that Main Street Oakland County is collaborating on a project to create Michigan’s first e-commerce marketplace featuring only downtown small businesses. With more small business owners wanting to also sell online, we are hosting an in-person workshop: “Grow with Google—Selling Online Using E-Commerce” on Sept. 7, 2023. For our Veteran business owners, we are also offering a special workshop: "Veterans Training Workshop - Federal Contracting for your Small Business" on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
To honor Veterans, Oakland County Executive David Coulter took part in the Phase 1 Dedication Ceremony for the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak. As a fellow Veteran, I encourage you to share your story through Michigan’s new outreach and awareness campaign — “I Served. I Am a Veteran.”
Finally, I invite all Oakland County residents to take part in our community health survey. This survey is one of many ways that we collect resident input. The survey is available online at oakgov.com/ECHO.
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 Data Corner
Regional Career Outlooks for Michigan's 10 Prosperity Regions
The Michigan Center for Data Analytics recently updated their long-term Regional Career Outlooks for the state’s 10 Prosperity Regions. These updates highlight the top 20 high-demand and high-wage jobs for each region in the state, broken down by the level of required education as well as the most in-demand STEM occupations for each region. This information is useful not just for job seekers and employment agencies, but also for community colleges and vocational educational programs looking to plan future curriculums. Some key takeaways from the reports:
- Total employment in the Detroit Metro Prosperity Region, which includes Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties is projected to grow 7.7% through 2030, compared to 8.8% growth statewide over the same period
- Through 2030, employment in the region is projected to grow by 135,680 total jobs
- The State of Michigan projects that there will be more than 200,000 annual openings in the region
- The top industries in terms of projected job growth are: Food Services and Drinking Places (28,970 new jobs), Ambulatory Health Care Services (15,460 new jobs), and Social Assistance (10,270 new jobs)
- The occupational groups projected to see the greatest increase in the region are: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations (30,400 new jobs), Transportation and Material Moving Occupations (18,030 new jobs), and Healthcare Support Occupations (14,230 new jobs)
Interactive resources and related information:
Source: Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget; Michigan Center for Data Analytics
 Business
 University of Michigan Flint College of Innovation and Technology (CIT) Recruitment Fair
Sept. 27, 2023 | Noon - 3 PM
The University of Michigan Flint College of Innovation & Technology welcomes employers to participate in their first annual CIT Recruitment Fair on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Oakland County companies can register now to secure their spot to meet top talent in emerging technology fields and connect with potential future employees.
Majors include:
- Computer Information Systems
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Computer Science
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Cybersecurity Data Analytics
- Digital Machining and Automation Technology
- Information Technology & Informatics
- Mechanical Engineering
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Physics
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Software Engineering
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Sustainable and Renewable Energy Technology
$100 Registration fee includes one table and two chairs, branding on campus, and lunch.
Welcome to Oakland County: Lincode Located in Southfield, MI
Lincode, a US-based AI powered company founded in 2017, helps manufacturers identify, predict and eliminate product defects and improve overall equipment effectiveness by combining the ease of traditional machine vision and accuracy of artificial intelligence.
While they started in California, Lincode has decided to relocate to Southfield in order to be close to Oakland County’s automotive ecosystem. The move was encouraged by the Oakland County Business Retention and Expansion team, when after a recent retention visit, they learned that Lincode’s largest customer base is in manufacturing and aerospace.
Lincode is eager to get plugged into the start-up ecosystem in Southeast Michigan and encourages other startups to relocate to the region.
Because of Lincode’s great experience, Orangewood Labs, a robotics integration company from California, is now moving to Michigan as well.
The ecosystem and energy are growing.
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Opportunity to Connect Business Skill Needs with Academia
Third Tuesday each month | Automation Alley
2675 Bellingham Drive, Troy, MI 48083
We are pleased to share with you an initiative through the University of Michigan Flint, designed to connect small to medium enterprises with academic leadership. This opportunity will give business leaders a chance to share their talent and skill needs and explore how the University can play a role in addressing those needs through workforce development and uptraining workers. Roy Barnes, Ph.D., Director of Accelerated Online Degree Completion Program at the University of Michigan Flint, will be scheduling 30-45 minute appointments every third Tuesday of the month. Upcoming dates include: Sept. 19, Oct. 17 and Nov. 21.
Email Roy Barnes at rcbarnes@umich.edu with preferred time to meet between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM to secure your appointment. This will be first-come, first-served as time is available.
Are you an Oakland County Small Business Looking for Capital to Fund Your Business Growth and Projects?
Funding is available for your business needs through the Oakland County Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). This fund places a special focus on providing gap financing to Oakland County small businesses that are: woman- or minority-owned, located in economically disadvantaged areas and/or negatively impacted by COVID-19. However, all Oakland County small businesses are welcome to apply.
Loan Source: Oakland County RLF
Can be Used for: Financing the acquisition and modernization of commercial real estate, the acquisition of machinery/equipment, facility renovations and working capital
Eligible Businesses: For profit, small businesses located in Oakland County
Loan Amounts: $50,000 minimum to $200,000 maximum
Loan Terms:
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Amortization up to 10 years
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Competitive fixed rates set at funding
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Assets acquired with loan proceeds
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Personal guarantees of the principal owners
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Provides gap funding to help the bank/credit union say “approved”
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Finances up to one-third of project costs
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Minimum of 10% owner’s equity based on project
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Bank/credit union loan combined with owner’s equity make up two-thirds of project cost
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Global Business Club: Spotlight on Canada
Sep. 13, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Detroit Federal Reserve Bank
As the first event in the new Global Business Club of Michigan Market Spotlight Series, the MSU International Business Center is partnering with MSU Canadian Studies to highlight the Canadian market. This event will feature market updates from U.S. and Canadian government officials, a Michigan Business Exporters panel, lunch, networking, and the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with trade service providers.
To register, visit: https://ibc.broad.msu.edu/gbclub
 Transit
Oakland County Transit Continues to Expand and Grow
“We are making real progress toward the goal of having accessible, affordable public transportation throughout Oakland County. Local providers like Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA), North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA), and People’s Express (PEX) are leading the way by expanding service and realizing increased ridership as more people learn about the benefits of an improved system. Our new transit division looks forward to working with WOTA, NOTA, and PEX and local communities to improve service and create a truly countywide system in the days ahead.”
–Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter
NOTA is now providing supplementary transit service to Clarkston, Brandon Township and Springfield Township. Learn More about NOTA.
Starting Sept. 1, PEX will provide transit service to its previously served communities in southwest Oakland County but riders will now be able to travel between communities and to a broader area with a standard fare across communities. Learn More about PEX.
Starting Sept. 5, WOTA will provide transit service to the Village of Holly, and Groveland, Holly, and Rose Townships. Learn More about WOTA.
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 Community
Main Street Oakland County Works with Downtowns to Launch Michigan’s First E-Commerce Marketplace Featuring Multiple Downtowns to Support Small Businesses: ShopOCMainStreets.com
“Must Love Pink” Bouquet from Amazing Petals Florist in Lake Orion—for your favorite Barbie.
Ten downtown organizations are working with Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) to set up a custom e-commerce marketplace to help their downtown businesses increase revenue selling online. The new service, Shop Oakland County Main Streets, will be announced during “Downtown Day” in Rochester on Sept. 23, 2023.
“The participating MSOC communities’ downtown businesses will be able to easily sell online through one website—marketing together as a localized group,” says John Bry, administrator, Main Street Oakland County Coordinating Program and Local Business Development. “The vendor, Member Marketplace, Inc., builds and maintains the website, provides technical support to the participating small businesses, and helps customers visiting the site.”
This platform allows shoppers to complete e-commerce transactions securely with one checkout process, across many Main Street downtown businesses and product and service areas, including apparel and accessories, bath and beauty, books, collectibles and antiques, food and beverage, health and wellness, home and garden, pet supplies and more. Gift cards will be available, also.
To date, the participating MSOC downtowns include Franklin, Highland, Holly, Lake Orion, Oak Park, Ortonville, Oxford, Pontiac, Rochester, and South Lyon. They will also be able to showcase their downtown with an individual landing page to increase visibility and visitors.
“Shop OC Main Streets will allow even the smallest of businesses to sell products and services online,” says Erick Phillips, senior business representative, Oakland County. “Online e-commerce sites are expensive to build and maintain and this marketplace gives small businesses the opportunity to get online quickly and easily for a fraction of the cost.”
Small businesses already selling online can add the marketplace as an additional selling channel. Businesses with a Shopify or Square website can sync and integrate their shops.
If you would like to be one of the early shoppers during the site’s secure but soft-launch development, visit now at: ShopOCMainStreets.com
Main Street Oakland County Offers Workshop to Help Downtown Small Businesses Sell Online
The “Grow with Google—Selling Online Using E-Commerce” in-person workshop is Sept. 7, 2023, 9:30 to 11 AM, at the Waterford Oaks Activity Center, 2800 Watkins Lake Road, Waterford Township.
“The interest from our small businesses to be able to promote themselves and sell online has dramatically increased since the pandemic,” says John Bry, administrator, Main Street Oakland County Coordinating Program and Local Business Development. “Organizing this workshop is part of our response to help them succeed.”
“We will walk the attendees through the process of how to list their products for free with Google Business Profile and Merchant Center,” says the workshop instructor, Teresa Heger, digital coach for Main Street America. “Attendees will learn a way to sell on their website using an e-commerce store built with Shopify and hear about helpful tools to stand out online, such as Local Opportunity Finder and Grow My Store.”
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Local Government Law Virtual Training: Final Session of Six-Part Series, Sept. 14
The Planning, Zoning and Land Use unit holds its sixth and final online session covering chapters from “Local Government Law—A Practical Guidebook for Public Officials on City Councils, Community Boards, and Planning Commissions,” Sept. 14, 2023, from Noon to 1 p.m.
Attorney Jerry Fisher, the guidebook’s author, will present on eminent domain, regulatory takings, the court system, and local attorneys. This session will be recorded and available on AdvantageOakland.com.
To view any of the previous five sessions, visit https://tinyurl.com/3kb4ne5f
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SESSION 1 | Jan. 12, 2023
Just What is Local Government, Open Meetings Requirements, and Avoiding Personal Liability
SESSION 2 | Jan. 26, 2023
Procedural Rules for Meetings, Public Access to Governmental Records, and Federal Constitutional Limits on Local Governments
SESSION 3 | March 9, 2023
Law Making Power of Voters, Fair Housing Act – Applications for Local Governments
SESSION 4 | May 11, 2023
Background and Importance of Zoning, Non-Zoning Land Use Controls
SESSION 5 | July 13, 2023
Tools for Financing Local Government, Interlocal Agreements – Advantages and Cautions
Opportunity for Pontiac-Focused Organizations: Capacity Building Grants Available
The Capacity Building Grants program is supported by the Pontiac Funders Collaborative, administered by the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan.
This program includes three categories of grant opportunities:
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Professional Leadership Development: Support for individuals working in civic, nonprofit or community organizations to participate in professional development activities.
Grant Amount: $2,500 - $5,000
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Organizational Development: Support for small and mid-size nonprofit organizations seeking to improve their capacity to better serve the community in one or more of the following areas: operations; funding and resources; organizational culture (e.g. leadership coaching, diversity, equity, and inclusion training or organizational policy development); strategy and planning; program management and evaluation; leadership and governance.
Grant Amount: $10,000
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Collaboration Development: Support for small to mid-size non-profits to work together more effectively.
Grant Amount: $15,000
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Last chance to take Oakland County’s community health survey!
Don’t miss your last chance to take our community health survey. This survey is one of many ways that we collect resident input. The survey is available online at oakgov.com/ECHO.
Community members 18 years of age or older are asked to share their thoughts on topics ranging from access to medical care and support services to how concerned they are about various health issues within their community. Surveys are available in English, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish. Survey results help to prioritize and respond to important health concerns in Oakland County.
 Workforce
Time to Apply for Going PRO Talent Fund Training Dollars for 2024
$54 million in short-term training funds are available to state employers next year through the Going PRO Talent Fund grant program.
Oakland County employers, including commercial, private and non-profit businesses, have embraced the program to help strengthen their teams.
Oakland County Michigan Works! has helped nearly 600 companies secure more than $14 million in funding from the State of Michigan since 2015 to train nearly 14,000 people. Employees earn a recognized credential, often leading to increased wages.
“The Going PRO Talent Fund has proven itself time and again to be a valuable resource for employers who want to grow and upskill their workforces,” said Oakland County Michigan Works! Director Jennifer Llewellyn. “The focus is on short-term training programs that lead to industry-recognized skills.”
In 2023, $4.1 million was awarded to 77 employers to train 1,281 existing employees and 195 apprentices. They also hired 530 new employees and 124 apprentices.
This included Three M Tool and Machine in Commerce Township, which was awarded $47,000 to train CNC machinists and apprentices, as well as conduct leadership training.
“The Going Pro Talent Fund has been pivotal for us,” said President Sam Medwid, Three M Tool and Machine. “Over three years, it’s reshaped our team's skills and confidence. We've seen better collaboration, a renewed passion for learning and overall growth. Thanks to this program, we're not just better skilled, but more unified around our mission.”
Other Going PRO Talent Fund grant recipients in 2023 included The Learning Experience, a childcare and preschool education provider with three locations in Oakland County. It was awarded $41,000 in training grants for preschool teachers, certified childcare workers and leadership training.
Defense and aerospace manufacturer Williams International in Pontiac was awarded $42,000 in training funds to help train new machine operator apprentices.
The State of Michigan has not announced the official Going PRO Talent Fund application period, but it is expected to be this fall.
Oakland County Michigan Works! staff is available to assist employers in completing the program application. Virtual information sessions on the Going PRO Talent Fund application process are being held on the following dates:
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Wednesday, Aug. 30, 9:00-10:30 A.M.
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Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2:00-3:30 P.M.
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Thursday, Sept. 7, 9:00-10:30 A.M.
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Wed. Sept. 13, 2:00-3:30 P.M.
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Thursday, Sept. 14, 9:00-10:30 A.M.
 Veterans
Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak Phase 1 Dedication Ceremony
On Aug. 10, 2023, Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and other Oakland County leaders were proud to attend Phase 1 of the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial Dedication. WWII Veterans celebrated as the Memorial was dedicated in their honor.
Join Us at an Upcoming Food Distribution Event for Oakland County Veterans
 Sept. 14, 2023 | 9 AM - Noon
VFW 1370 | 800 Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Pontiac
Register at: tinyurl.com/2xpf7v29
Oakland County Veterans Services, Forgotten Harvest and the City of Pontiac are hosting a food distribution event for Veterans in Sept. Register today and join us to pick up free food and learn about what Oakland County Veterans Services has to offer you and your family.
Veterans Training Workshop: Federal Contracting for Your Small Business
Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 10 AM - 1 PM
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Michigan Veterans from All Backgrounds Tell Their Stories
Michigan is launching an outreach and awareness campaign for military Veterans and their dependents that will document individual stories and connect Veterans to the benefits and resources they earned for their service.
The campaign — “I Served. I Am a Veteran” — highlights the adversities and triumphs of Michigan Veterans from all eras and backgrounds as they move through each chapter of their lives. By engaging more Veterans, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) aims to link them to the benefits that will help them thrive and avoid the issues that can lead to suicidal ideation.
Funded by the State of Michigan, the campaign is part of a larger effort to prevent Veteran suicide by Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration. The governor’s budget includes $1.2 million in Veteran suicide prevention funding.
“Veteran suicide remains a persistent problem in Michigan and across the nation,” said Governor Whitmer. “Together, we must have our Veterans’ backs and address the issues that can lead to suicidal ideation, including homelessness, unemployment, PTSD, and lack of quality health care. By engaging our Veterans and sharing their stories, we can get them the care and services they need. Let’s get it done for our fellow Michiganders who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.”
Veterans’ stories are being shared at michigan.gov/IAmAVeteran, in TV and radio advertising and on social media. Among the first veterans featured: a combat Veteran who survived a suicide attempt, a Marine Veteran who advocates for his fellow tribal Veterans on their Upper Peninsula reservation and a Coast Guard Veteran who overcame harassment and is now thriving as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
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National VFW Distinguished Service Award presented to Pontiac VFW Post 1370 commander
The 2023 VFW Distinguished Service Award was presented to the Pontiac VFW Post's Cmdr. Modesto De la O at the VFW National Convention, July 25 in Phoenix, Arizona.
VA and NAACP Announce Partnership to Improve Quality of Life for Black and Minority Veterans
The Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) announced an agreement to work together to advance and improve the quality of life for all Veterans, including minority Veterans.
As a part of the partnership, VA and the NAACP will seek to increase the number of Black Veterans enrolled in VA health care, increase awareness of VA benefits and services among Black Veterans, and increase recruitment of culturally competent providers at VA. VA and the NAACP will also meet regularly, share expertise and knowledge, and coordinate on outreach to minority Veteran communities.
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