October 2024 | Top Stories:
Data Corner: Manufacturing in Oakland County | Edu2B Tech Collaboration Series | Di2: Defense Innovate and Integrate Summit | VTM Michigan | Funding Opportunities | Recap: IEDC | Small Business Saturday Local Gems Sweepstakes | Downtown Farmington: A 2025 Great American Main Street Award Semifinalist | Six Rivers Land Conservancy Awarded at TWLA | Manufacturing Day 2024 | Veterans Ride Free | Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Federal Funding for Suicide Prevention | Operation Greenlight | Holiday Inn in Southfield to be Renovated into Home for Veterans
A Message From Sean Carlson
Oakland County Deputy Executive
As we close out the month of October, I would like to honor my fellow veterans and wish them an early happy Veterans Day and happy birthday to the Marine Corps. As a county, we have several special initiatives planned to honor our over 49,000 local veterans, which include our ongoing “This Ride’s on Us” program—providing veterans with free transportation to any location in Oakland County.
I am also pleased to announce the return of the “Local Gems” Sweepstakes, our Small Business Saturday campaign. From Nov. 1-30, encourage everyone you know– whether they are business owners, community leaders, or the general to public–to take part. Not only does it support our local small businesses, but it will also give you the chance to win some extra holiday shopping cash.
We hit a significant milestone this month: Oakland County’s Manufacturing Day celebrated its 10th anniversary on Oct. 4. Take a look at the county’s most current manufacturing stats in this month’s Data Corner below, as well as how Manufacturing Day helps to build our future workforce.
Lastly, we hope you’ll attend the upcoming Di2 Summit, Defense Innovate & Integrate Summit on Nov. 14. This event will give you the chance to meet government program managers and buyers, connect with a diverse group of exhibitors, and network with hundreds of small business leaders and defense contractors.
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 Data Corner
Manufacturing in Oakland County
Manufacturing Day, launched by the Manufacturing Institute in 2011 and celebrated on the first Friday in October, is an effort to encourage careers in manufacturing and encourages thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, educators, and community leaders.
On October 4, 2024, Oakland County Manufacturing Day marked its 10th anniversary, with 1,000 students from 28 high schools and four technical campuses touring 34 advanced manufacturing facilities. Since 2015, more than 10,000 students and 103 companies, have participated in Oakland County Manufacturing Day tours.
Manufacturing in Oakland County:
70,525* – The number of manufacturing jobs in Oakland County in 2023
1,355* – The number of job postings in the manufacturing industry per month in the county since the start of the year
$112,202* – Average annual salary for jobs in the manufacturing industry in Oakland County in 2023
2,502* – The number of manufacturing establishments in Oakland County, the most among any county in the state, more than 600 more than the next closest county
$13.8 Billion* – Manufacturing’s estimated contribution to Oakland County’s overall GRP in 2023
Staffing Patterns in the Manufacturing Industry in Oakland County
 Distribution of Manufacturing Jobs in Oakland County (by Zip Code)
Interactive resources and related information:
*Lightcast
 Business
Edu2B Tech Collaboration Series Event
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 | 9:00 - 11:30 AM
Oakland County College | 2900 Featherstone Road Student Center
Building G, Auburn Hills
Join the Oakland County Tech Collaboration at their next stop at Oakland Community College. There Business owners will have the opportunity to connect with the college’s resources and learn about opportunities available to grow your business.
Oakland County has one of the largest tech clusters in the nation. This event is intended to bring together leaders and innovators in three key industries: IT/Computer Services; Research, Engineering & Design; and Robotics Integrators.
 Join us at the Defense Innovate & Integrate Summit
Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Michigan State University – Management Center, Troy
How are Armed Services and Homeland Security finding, buying, and integrating technologies into their platforms? Join us to network with key decision-makers, find advanced solutions, and access valuable resources to drive your business forward. With limited seating available, be sure to register now to secure your spot.
Meet government program managers and buyers, connect with a diverse group of exhibitors, and network with hundreds of small business leaders and defense contractors.
Who Should Attend: Innovators, suppliers, and entrepreneurs interested in exploring opportunities and engaging with the defense and national security ecosystem.
Why You Should Attend:
- Discover new industry opportunities
- Build valuable supplier relationships
- Diversify your customer portfolio
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Tap into local resources
Register at: di2summit.com
Cost: $150 for Oakland County-based companies | $200 for all others
Admission includes breakfast, lunch, and bar/reception
Questions? Contact:frigyd@oakgov.com
Michigan’s Largest Mobility Tech Event Is Back! Plan to attend VTM Michigan
April 23-24, 2025 | M1 Concourse, Pontiac
Excitement is building for the 2025 VTM Michigan coming this April. Already anchor companies such as Denso, Hitachi and Stellantis have secured their attendance, and will be showcased in our marketing and promotion for VTM Michigan. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be recognized and meet with companies in the mobility, automotive, technology, and manufacturing industries.
Learn more and register here: OakGov.info/VTM
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Seeking funding to grow your business? Look no further!
CEED LENDING SMALL BUSINESS MIXER
The Entrepreneur's Journey (Virtual)
Nov. 12, 2024 | Noon - 1:00 PM
Learn about an entrepreneur's journey and how CEED Lending provided assistance.
Register at: greatlakeswbc2.org/ereg/index.php?eventid=809841&
CEED LENDING LOAN ORIENTATION
Loan Orientation (Virtual)
Nov. 19, 2024 | Noon - 1:30 PM
Get started securing the funds you need to help your business grow and reach new heights. Join us to discover the requirements necessary to apply for a loan.
Register at: greatlakeswbc2.org/ereg/index.php?eventid=807314&
OAKLAND COUNTY REVOLVING LOAN FUND
If you are a small business located in Oakland County, find out if the Oakland County Revolving Loan Fund is a good fit for you – created specifically for small businesses owned by a minorities and women or are located in economically-disadvantaged areas. All businesses are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Plan to attend an upcoming small business mixer or loan orientation to meet with our partners at CEED Lending to get you started, or learn more here: oakgov.com/business/business-development/business-loans/revolving-loan-fund-rlf
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RECAP: Oakland County leadership attends the International Economic Development Council Annual Conference in Denver
Along with Automation Alley – Oakland County's Economic Development team presented on the successful Project DIAMOnD initiative that is taking Michigan by storm. Through this initiative cutting-edge technology is being developed through the digitalization and transformation of additive manufacturing. Made possible by the innovative participants of the growing Project DIAMOnD network.
Learn more and apply for your FREE state-of-the-art printer here: ProjectDiamond.org
 Community Development
Nov. 1 Marks the Launch of the 2024 Small Business Saturday Local Gems Sweepstakes
The Local Gems Sweepstakes returns this year and runs Nov. 1-30. The sweepstakes incentivizes Michigan residents to promote the small businesses in Oakland County they consider to be “local gems” by taking and submitting an original selfie of the interior or exterior of each business they recognize as special. No purchase is necessary.
Each eligible entry increases a participant’s odds of winning $1,000 for first prize; $500 for second prize; or $250 for third prize. All prize money is awarded by sponsor Genisys Credit Union.
The sweepstakes is led by the Department of Economic Development’s Main Street Oakland County Program. The annual Small Business Saturday Campaign builds visibility, foot traffic, and sales for small businesses in Oakland County during the holiday shopping season. Oakland Thrive is also a sponsor.
An eligible participant must be 18 years or older and a Michigan resident. Participants—including business owners and their employees and community leaders and their staff—can submit one photo of each of their favorite small businesses. A small business is defined for this sweepstakes as an independently owned and operated, legal, brick-and-mortar business physically located in Oakland County.
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Photographs deemed to be from a copied source or plagiarized will be disqualified. Each entry from participants must include a separate and distinct photograph and business.
Shopping small and local in the county’s downtowns can be particularly fun during the holidays. Many Main Street Oakland County communities have special events and activities, like Rochester’s “The Big Bright Light Show” and the Village of Holly’s “Holly Dickens Festival.” Each downtown is worth exploring.
“We thank our sponsor Genisys Credit Union,” says Erick Phillips, senior business development representative, Main Street Oakland County and Local Business Development, Oakland County. “In addition to the sweepstakes prize money, they provided shopping bags and banners to our Main Street communities.”
Printed sweepstakes cards and posters are available to communities, chambers, and businesses while supplies last. Contact Erick Phillips to place your order at phillipse@oakgov.com
Beginning November 1, participants can find the sweepstake entry form and official rules at OakGov.com/ShopSmall
Employees and subcontractors of Oakland County, Genisys Credit Union, and Oakland Thrive are not eligible to enter or win the sweepstakes.
NOTE: The Sweepstakes Launch Reception and Oakland County Executive David Coulter’s Press Conference will be held this year at Three Cats at Leon & Lulu in Downtown Clawson.Thank you to owner Mary Liz Curtain and team!
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Congratulations to Downtown Farmington: A 2025 Great American Main Street Award Semifinalist
 Farmington celebrating their Bicentennial this year.
One of eight organizations nationally recognized for exemplary downtown revitalization efforts, Downtown Farmington was recently announced by Main Street America as a 2025 Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) semifinalist. This prestigious award is the nation’s top award recognizing communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based historic commercial district revitalization.
A jury of professionals and leaders in the fields of community and economic development and historic preservation convened to review a nationwide pool of applicants. After thoughtful deliberation, the jury unanimously selected eight semifinalists that demonstrate exemplary use of the Main Street Approach™ to lead community-based transformation strategies in their downtowns.
The 2025 Great American Main Street Award semifinalists are:
- Berlin Main Street – Berlin, Maryland
- Denison Main Street – Denison, Texas
- Easton Main Street Initiative – Easton, Pennsylvania
- Main Street Farmington – Farmington, Oakland County, Michigan
- Jefferson Matters – Jefferson, Iowa
- Raton MainStreet/Arts & Culture District – Raton, New Mexico
- Vicksburg Main Street Program – Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Downtown Wytheville Inc. – Wytheville, Virginia
“I am honored to congratulate the eight Main Street organizations as 2025 Great American Main Street Award semifinalists and to celebrate their incredible accomplishments,” said Erin Barnes, president and CEO, Main Street America, Chicago. “This year’s semifinalists demonstrate exceptional achievements in reenergizing their downtowns through inclusive, collaborative organizing and innovative economic development, arts and culture, and historic preservation initiatives.”
Collectively, the 2025 GAMSA semifinalists have generated over $695 million in local reinvestment, helped open 975 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 7,190 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 1,568 historic buildings, and leveraged 333,050 volunteer hours.
Competing for the Great American Main Street Award is a significant achievement in the Main Street Movement, and receiving the award is an esteemed honor. Since its establishment in 1995, only 112 of over 2,000 Main Street programs have been acknowledged as GAMSA-winning communities. Many Main Street programs set multi-year plans to work towards developing a strong application based on outcomes that make meaningful impacts in their local communities. Organizations are familiar with the selection criteria—strength of the Main Street program in spurring community transformation, commitment to historic preservation, innovative programming, implementation of cross-sector partnerships, community outreach and stakeholder engagement, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion—and build towards this opportunity to be recognized.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for our cumulative work across two decades of Main Street dedication. Downtown Farmington’s momentum these last few years, designing and building public infrastructure is place-based community investment that maximizes opportunities for the private sector now and for future decades,” said Kate Knight, executive director, Farmington Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Program. “Our current vibrant trajectory includes the addition of more than 12 new businesses in the last 24 months.”
The 2025 Great American Main Street Award ceremony will be held at the opening plenary of the 2025 Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 7, 2025, where three semifinalists will be recognized as recipients of the coveted honor.
“We would like to congratulate the Farmington DDA and Main Street Program on this significant milestone in their 22-year history,” said John Bry, administrator, Main Street Oakland County Coordinating Program and Local Business Development. “The work of this organization’s leadership, partners and volunteers has been a model example of thoughtful downtown transformation.”
Click here to watch the video (3:47) that was part Farmington’s application to qualify as a GAMSA Semifinalist: youtube.com/watch?v=JgXQop4NI20
Farmington is celebrating their Bicentennial in 2024 and is one of the 28 designated Main Street Oakland County Communities. Thanks to more than 1,000 volunteer hours annually contributing to its robust cultural programs and a dynamic farmers market, Farmington attracts residents, visitors, and businesses to Oakland County. The walkable downtown includes national, regional and many local mom-and pop businesses.
Six Rivers Land Conservancy Receives 2024 OakLand Award During the Trail, Water & Land Alliance’s Fall Celebration Conference
 Six Rivers Land Conservancy staff, board, and volunteers team up to receive 2024 OakLand Award, left to right Jim Lloyd, Ian Ableson, Amanda Ruffini, Brian Marzolf, and Kristen Myers.
The Six Rivers Land Conservancy’s (SRLC) Conservation & Stewardship Director, Ian Ableson, accepted the 2024 OakLand Award during the Fall Celebration Conference at Union 212 in the Village of Milford on October 3.
TWLA’s OakLand Award recognizes and celebrates a local community or partner organization for their contributions toward supporting Green Infrastructure in Oakland County. Award recipients, like SRLC, have made outstanding contributions and demonstrated successful efforts toward the planning, promotion, design, development, and support of connected open spaces, wildlife habitat, and natural features in the county.
Starting as the Oakland Land Conservancy in 1990, the SRLC now has a five-county service area, including Genesee, Lapeer, Oakland, Macomb, and St. Clair counties. SRLC’s environment stewardship responsibilities include:
- Six Watersheds: Belle, Clinton, Rouge, Shiawassee, Flint, and Huron—providing water to more than 2.8 million people
- 28 Conservation Easements: Privately and publicly owned land monitored by the conservancy, like Cranberry Lake Park (Oakland Township), where conservation values are protected by a legally recorded agreement
- Ten Nature Preserves: Lands owned by the conservancy and stewarded for their unique ecological properties, including Drayton Plains Nature Center (Waterford Township) and Golden Preserve (Springfield Township)
- Total Acres Protected to Date: 3,136.5
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“We greatly appreciate this recognition from TWLA,” said Chris Bunch, executive director, Six Rivers Land Conservancy, Rochester. “Our mission is to conserve, sustain, and connect natural areas, lands, and waters that make the places where we live special. Our stewardship staff are active on every piece of land we protect—bringing know-how and resources to landowners and neighbors alike and creating viable conservation solutions throughout the region.”
The conference’s presentations included:
- “History and Overview of Union 212” by Kim Jackson, manager, Union 212, Milford
- “Transforming Milford’s Central Park” by Ann Barnette, executive director, Milford Downtown Development Authority
- “A River Runs Through It – A Family Legacy for No Child Left Inside” by Alan Heavner, president & CEO; and Bruce Heavner, manager; Heavner Canoe & Kayak Rental, Milford
- “Composting Success: Stories from a Growing Field” by Adriana Espinoza, sales and marketing director, Spurt Industries, Wixom
- “Get Into Going Outside with Oakland County Parks” by Melissa Prowse, Oakland County Parks, Waterford
In the afternoon, attendees were invited to take a tour of Milford’s newly renovated Central Park, which enhances the Village’s recent state designation as a Trail Town. Transforming this “crown jewel” has been a collaboration between the Village of Milford, Milford Township and the Milford DDA. The park’s amenities include a boardwalk, all-ages swings that overlook the river, picnic pavilion, walking paths, new tree plantings, sports courts, and a new canoe and kayak launch on the Huron River National Water Trail.
To donate or for more information on SRLC, visit: sixriversrlc.org/
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 Workforce Development
Oakland County Manufacturing Day Celebrated Its Tenth Anniversary
Oakland County Manufacturing Day celebrated its 10th anniversary on Friday, Oct. 4, with 1,000 high school students representing all 28 school districts visiting 34 manufacturing employers throughout the region.
Since 2015, more than 10,000 students and 103 companies have participated in the event, designed to give students a firsthand look at modern manufacturing operations and potential career paths.
“This day gives our students the perfect chance to talk with seasoned professionals and explore what their futures may look like,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter.
As part of this year’s activities, event organizers recognized alumni of Oakland County Manufacturing Day who have pursued careers in the industry.
This included two women who attended the Oakland Schools Technical Campus in Wixom, participated in Manufacturing Day and now work at NLB Corporation, a manufacturer of high-pressure water jetting systems also located there. Mia Wroblewski, 19, is a welder, and Kiley Milorch, 20, is a machinist.
“I’m a very hands-on worker – that’s why I was attracted to the trade world,” Wroblewski told students on a tour at NLB Corporation. “I talk to the older workers all the time and they share a lot of advice. They take you under their wing and provide tips and tricks to make your job easier.”
Milorch added that challenging work and mentorship from veteran machinists sparked her interest in skilled trades. “You look up to them and learn from them and, at the same time, they are very inspired by the younger generations of workers coming into the field,” she said.
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Bobby Larvick, 27, attended the Oakland Schools Technical Campus in Clarkston and participated in the very first Oakland County Manufacturing Day in 2015. After high school, he completed a three-year mechatronics apprenticeship at EMAG LLC in Farmington Hills.
“I was always interested in CNC machining and automation,” he said. “I had the opportunity to co-op at a couple manufacturing companies in high school and Manufacturing Day my senior year exposed me to more career opportunities. My apprenticeship at EMAG was great.”
More than 150 students completed a post-event survey and virtually everyone found Oakland County Manufacturing Day to be an exciting, informative field trip. They commented on how seeing modern manufacturing operations up close and having the opportunity to talk with employees of all ages opened their minds to the various career options.
“I thought it was very interesting and interactive,” one student said. “Manufacturing Day was a great way to teach, while keeping us engaged. Plus, the company staff let us ask as many questions as we could, which was great.”
In addition to NLB Corporation and EMAG, tour hosts this year included 3-Dimensional Services Group, AAM Metal Forming – Royal Oak, ABB Inc., AirBoss Engineered Products, Ascent Aerospace, AkzoNobel, Atlas Copco, BLM Group USA, BorgWarner, Brose North America, Convergix Automation Solutions, Cosma Body Assembly Michigan, FANUC America Corporation, FATA Automation, Inc., Hirotec America, Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering, Humanetics, MacLean-Fogg, Martin Technologies, Mayville Engineering Company, Oakland Community College, PolyFlex Products, Inc., Shannon Precision Fastener, Signarama, SK International, Three M Tool & Machine, Inc., Triple Inc., Visioneering, Inc., Webasto, WENZEL America and Williams International.
Oakland County Michigan Works!, the Oakland County Department of Economic Development, Oakland Schools and Oakland Community College partnered to organize this year’s event. Financial sponsors include BLM Group USA, FANUC America Corp., FATA Automation, Inc., Humanetics, Polyflex Products, Inc., Triple Inc. and Williams International.
Manufacturing companies interested in hosting students next year should contact Brooklyn Frontiera at frontierab@oakgov.com, or (248) 452-2260.
Learn more at: OakGov.com/MFGDay
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 Veterans
Veterans Ride Free: “This Ride’s on Us” Program
 Frank Withers’ world has opened up a bit with the help of a transportation program for veterans offered by Oakland County in partnership with the state and local public transit providers.
“I use this for all my traveling,” Withers, a retired Army Sergeant from Waterford, said during a recent trip to the Waterford Senior Center. “It brings me to places like this here and makes my problems non-existent for a little while.”
The “This Ride’s on Us” program, which offers Oakland County military veterans and their caregivers free, door-to-door public transportation rides for medical appointments, chores like grocery shopping and visits to senior centers, began in June and has provided more than 2,750 rides.
They can get out and socialize. They can go to a senior center and interact with other seniors,” said Garth Wooten, Division Manager of the county Veterans Services office. “This is a quality-of-life program not only for the veteran but also for their family, who may have had to take time off from work to take their loved one to appointments.”
All the local public transit providers in Oakland County – North Oakland Transportation and Western Oakland Transportation authorities, People’s Express and OPC Social and Activity Center along with the SMART system – participate in the Veterans Ride Free initiative.
Administered by the Oakland County Veterans Services office through a grant from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, the free ride service was supposed to end on Sept. 30, but a $530,000 additional grant from the state will allow the program to continue through September of 2025.
“This has already helped so many Oakland County veterans and I’m thrilled that we can continue this vital service,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “Our goal is to eliminate any barriers to transportation for our veterans who have sacrificed so much in service to us all.”
The Veterans office had offered free rides to county offices for several years so that former service members could meet with counselors about the benefits they earned through their active duty. However, they consistently heard that transportation for day-to-day tasks was a challenge for many of the 53,000 veterans in the county, more than half of whom are older than 65 and many of them with disabilities.
That was the genesis of the Veterans Ride Free concept and the pilot project was off the ground.
“Our veterans don’t have to rely on other individuals to get them around anymore,” Wooten said. “It allows them to be more independent.”
And that’s priceless, said Withers. “I can come here and relax with my friends,” he said. “And that’s good for my mental health.”
To book a ride, veterans can call (248) 419-7984 and provide proof of their military service through their DD214 discharge papers.
Learn more at: OakGov.com/Veterans
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency to Receive $750,000 in Federal Funding to Help Prevent Veteran Suicide
Brian L. Love, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA), is proud to announce that the Agency has once again been chosen to participate in the federal Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. This program, now in its third year, is designed to help community organizations implement tailored suicide prevention programs and services for veterans and their families.
The program offers Michigan veterans immediate and ongoing support, including:
- Peer support
- Education on suicide risk and prevention to families and communities
- VA benefits assistance
- Benefit coordination
- Assistance with emergency needs
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Outreach to identify those at risk of suicide
All veterans of any branch or service of the United States Uniformed Services (which includes all Armed Forces) and the families of enrolled program participants are eligible for the program. To get started, veterans should call the MVAA's Michigan Veterans Resource Service Center at 1-800-MICH-VET.
To read the whole story, visit: michigan.gov/mvaa/news/2024/09/26/michigan-veterans-affairs-agency-to-receive
Operation Green Light
The week of Veterans Day, we honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces and protected American citizens in times of war and peace. Many Oakland County cities, villages and townships host events to celebrate these brave men and women.
Be sure to see the Oakland County Circuit Courthouse at 1200 N Telegraph, Pontiac illuminated in green light from Nov. 4- 15. Operation Greenlight was started by the National Association of Counties to show honor and support for our nation’s veterans.
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Renovation Planned to Convert Former Southfield Holiday Inn into Home for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness
A former Holiday Inn in Southfield is being given new life and will soon give veterans who have fallen on hard times a place to call home.
The hotel off of Northwestern Highway closed in October. Tuesday morning the foundation behind the endeavor and city leaders broke ground on the project.
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