December 2024 | Top Stories:
Data Corner: County-Level Gross Domestic Product Data |Project DIAMOnD Funding Expanded | Trade Mission to South Korea | Aeromart Montreal | VTM Michigan | Student Loan Debt Relief Resources | Revolving Loan Fund | Detroit Auto Show | Planners Gathering Recap | NoHaz Recap | Small Business Saturday Sweepstakes Results | MiCareerQuest Southeast Recap | Going PRO Talent Fund | Manufacturing Day Revisited on Video | This Ride's on Us Program | Veterans Resource Fairs | Oakland County Parks Fees Waived
A Message From Sean Carlson
Oakland County Deputy Executive
I hope this communication finds you well as you all prepare for the holiday season. I am thrilled to recap a successful last couple of months as well as announce exciting opportunities for the future.
Let’s begin with our Planning & Local Business Development team. In 2024, they held 12 virtual Planners Gatherings that attracted over 1,000 registrants. Our NoHaz program collected more than half a million pounds of household hazardous waste this year and served more than 3,700 Oakland County residents. We closed out our Small Business Saturday Campaign – the “Local Gems” Sweepstakes – with over 980 submissions recommending Oakland County small businesses, and awarded three lucky winners with prize money.
On Nov. 19, our Workforce Development team held MiCareerQuest Southeast, the region’s largest career exploration event for high school students, hosting 8,000 youth and teachers at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Students engaged in a variety of hands-on, interactive activities and met with teams from 125 employers to learn about more than 200 in-demand careers. The future looks very bright for the Oakland County employers who received $4.52 million in grants to use in 2025 from the Going PRO Talent Fund. Finally, you can see firsthand how Workforce Development is building our future workforce, and how they have successfully introduced high school students to new career opportunities by watching our 2024 Manufacturing Day videos.
Here in the Oakland County Economic Development Department our goal is to aid in creating a healthy economy for our residents and business owners. In this month’s Data Corner, you can see that Oakland County has the highest GDP of all Michigan counties. Planning ahead, our Business Development team has some exciting opportunities for our local business owners and entrepreneurs. This coming April, we are excited to present a unique opportunity for Oakland County companies to participate in a trade mission to South Korea along with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Also happening this spring, I’d like to invite you to attend VTM Michigan, Michigan’s largest mobility technology event, being held April 23-24, 2025.
Last but not least, our Veterans Services team has worked diligently throughout 2024 to bring much needed resources and excellent service to our local veterans. Launched in June, the “This Ride’s On Us” Program has provided over 3,600 (and counting) trips to veterans across Oakland County. This impressive number also reflects the dedication of our many transit partners. Veterans’ Services served over 3,500 local veterans with 10 Veteran Resource Fairs and Food Distribution Events this year. There are already two Veterans Resource Fairs scheduled for 2025, in January and February.
Happy Holidays, and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
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 Data Corner
County-Level Gross Domestic Product Data for 2023
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released county-level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data for 2023. GDP is a comprehensive measure of the economy in a geographic area and estimates the value of goods and services produced in that area. This data can be used to compare the size and growth of county economies across the country.
Real GDP increased in 2,357 counties across the country, decreased in 734 counties and was unchanged in 23 counties in 2021. The percent change in real GDP among Michigan counties ranged from a 24.6% increase in Cass County to 5.5% decline in GDP in Lake County.
GDP in Oakland County:
$114.9 billion – Total GDP in Oakland County in 2023 (in 2017 chained dollars)
1st – In 2023, Oakland County had the highest GDP of all Michigan counties, followed by Wayne County ($102.4 billion) and Kent County ($46.5 billion)
2.2% – Growth in Oakland County GDP from 2022 to 2023
20.1% – The share of Michigan’s total GDP in 2023 attributable to economic activity in Oakland County
14 – In 2023, Oakland County had a larger GDP than 14 states
$276.5 billion – Total GDP for the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn Metropolitan Statistical Area in 2023 (in 2017 chained dollars), 16th among all 384 MSAs nationally
Oakland County GDP by Industry (2023)
Real GDP: Percent Change for Counties 2022-2023
Michigan's Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) 2023
Interactive resources and related information:
 Business Development
Governor Whitmer Announced Michigan Receives $1.9 Million in Federal Funding to Expand Project DIAMOnD
Governor Whitmer recently announced that Michigan received $1.9 Million in federal funding to expand the Project DIAMOnD program. The funding will also help scale up the 3D printer network and lower costs for businesses, strengthening supply chain resilience in the long run. This announcement builds on the governor’s vision to expand the Infrastructure for Innovation, shared technology and resources that entrepreneurs and businesses can leverage to grow in Michigan. Project DIAMOnD was created here in Oakland County to aid small- to medium-sized manufacturers in the adoption of smart manufacturing technologies and capabilities.
Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g3iFasbF
Trade Mission Opportunity: Global Spotlight on South Korea
April 6-11, 2025
Join the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Conference of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors & Premiers for a multi-sector trade mission to South Korea. Benefit from customized B2B meetings to meet with prospective customers and business partners.
For more information, contact: Weiwei Lu at (616) 540-4964 | luw@michigan.org
Or visit: michiganbusiness.org/events/south-korea-trade-mission/
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Aeromart Montreal, Canada
March 25-27, 2025
Aeromart Montreal is a pivotal event for the aerospace and defense industry in Canada. It brings together 800 companies from 25 countries and organizes 11,000+ B2B meetings over the course of three days. OEMs, Tier 1 and 2 suppliers, manufacturers, and service providers from both civil and defense aviation sectors will be present. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with them through a series of individually tailored B2B meetings.
For more information, contact: Brendan Cherry, International Trade Manager
cherryb2@michigan.org | (517) 243-9877
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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 promotions for the 2025 event. 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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Conquer Student Loan Debt, Resources Available!
Oakland County residents now have one year of FREE access to resources to help determine whether they can save money repaying education debt.
The partnership between the county and Savi, a nonprofit founded to address the student loan debt crisis, allows borrowers to enroll in federal repayment and forgiveness programs that could lower their monthly payments — and potentially forgive their loans.
Learn more and get started at: OakGov.com/savi
Seeking funding to grow your business? Look no further!
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.
Learn more here: oakgov.com/business/business-development/business-loans/revolving-loan-fund-rlf
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The Detroit Auto Show
January 10-20, 2025
Huntington Place, Downtown Detroit
Excitement is in the air as the Detroit Auto Show roars back on January 10-20, 2025 at Huntington Place. Recognized as one of the most influential automotive events globally, this iconic show highlights emerging technologies and showcases brand-defining vehicles. Charity preview is January 10. Public days are January 11-20.
Don’t miss Industry Days January 15 & 16, where industry leaders, talent, and mobility tech innovators come together to shape the future of mobility, and Mobility Global Forum, a two-day symposium where innovators dive into the latest trends in mobility, design, and technology. There’s only one Motor City; connect with thought leaders and car enthusiasts while exploring the future of automotive innovation in the place where it all started.
Tickets are available at detroitautoshow.com
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 Planning & Local Business Development
Monthly Planners Gatherings Covered Timely Topics in 2024: Recordings Available
In 2024, the Planning and Local Business Development Division held 12 virtual Planners Gatherings, covering a large variety of topics that attracted more than 1,000 registrants over the year.
“We featured a wide range of speakers who shared their knowledge and experiences,” said Ryan Dividock, supervisor, Planning, Zoning, and Land Use Unit. ”We greatly appreciated their time and expertise.”
Here are the topics, links to the recordings, and speakers:
January: Maximum Extent Practical (MEP) Stormwater Standards
Daniel P. Christian, P.E., D.WRE, Senior Project Manager - Water Resources, Tetra Tech; and Lynne Seymour, P.E., Chief Engineer, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office
February: Sidewalk System Maintenance Programs
Holly Donoghue, P.E., City Engineer, City of Royal Oak; and Sean Ballantine, Director – Department of Public Services, City of Madison Heights
March: Partnering to Build Transit-Friendly Communities
Sarah Lagpacan, Principal Planner, Oakland County Transit Division; Daniel Whitehouse, Vice President of Paratransit and On-Demand Services, SMART; and Sean Stayskal, Schedule Writer, SMART
April: Coordinating With Regional Energy Utilities
Jennifer Whitteaker, Manager, Regional Relations, Corporate & Government Affairs, DTE; Lauren Royston, Community Affairs Manager, Sustainability & External Affairs, Consumers Energy; and Adelaide Pascaris, Senior Area Manager, Local Government & Community Affairs, ITC Holdings
May: Oakland County’s Workforce Development Services
Jennifer Llewellyn, Manager of Workforce Development and Director of Oakland County Michigan Works, Oakland County
June: When Regional Malls and Big Box Stores Go Dark
Jeffrey Polkowski, AICP, Director of Development Services, Waterford Township; and Terry Croad, AICP, ASLA, Director of Planning, City of Southfield
July: Brownfield Programs and Incentives at State and Local
Brad Hansen, Senior Business Development Representative, Department of Economic Development, Oakland County; Michelle Bakun, Brownfield Coordinator, Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, State of Michigan; and Dominic Romano, Community Development Manager, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, State of Michigan
August: Tiny Homes in a Big City
Reverend Faith Fowler, Executive Director, Cass Community Social Services, Detroit
September: Oakland County Materials Management Plan
Whitney Calio, Principal Planner—Trails, Transportation, and Environment Unit, Planning and Local Business Development Division, Oakland County Department of Economic Development
October: Short Term Rentals
Kyle Bryce, Senior Planner, City of Ferndale; and Jeffrey Polkowski, AICP, Director of Development Services, Waterford Township
November: Oakland Together Housing Trust Fund
Khadija Walker-Fobbs, MSA, Officer, Neighborhood & Housing Development, Oakland County; Kyle Hines, Housing Trust Fund Manager, Neighborhood & Housing Development, Oakland County; and Curtis Smith, Chief, Neighborhood & Housing Development, Oakland County
December: 2024 Legislative and Judicial Update
Jerry Fisher, Local Government Consulting Attorney and Author of Local Government Law - A Practical Guidebook for Public Officials on City Councils, Community Boards, and Planning Commissions; and Mike Compagnoni, Government Relations, Midwest Strategy Group
On January 22, 2025, the virtual Planners Gathering will focus “Lean & Green Michigan’s PACE Financing for Energy Efficiency.” Advance registration is free and required for the Zoom link: eventbrite.com/e/planners-gathering-lean-green-michigans-pace-financing-tickets-1104472379619?aff=oddtdtcreator
If you have a future Planners Gathering topic and/or speaker to recommend, please contact Jim Schafer at shaferj@oakgov.com
NoHaz Program: More than Half a Million Pounds of Household Hazardous Waste was Collected in 2024
More than 3,700 Oakland County residents participated in the NoHaz Program this year—properly disposing of or recycling 513,065 pounds of household hazardous waste (HHW).
The NoHaz Consortium is a group of fifteen Oakland County communities that have come together to provide residents with a safe, reliable and environmentally responsible way to dispose of HHW. These wastes are substances in your home that can be harmful to humans and the environment if not disposed of properly. Since its inception in 2003, a total of 9,678,601 pounds of HHW has been collected and properly disposed of.
“I am always encouraged by the number of residents who recognize the importance of proper disposal of household hazardous waste and bring these items to the NoHaz collection events,” said Whitney Calio, NoHaz Program Manager. “I look forward to continuing the partnership with local communities to offer this service and work to keep our environment cleaner and safer.”
Visit the following links to view the NoHaz participating communities and find information on other HHW programs offered in the county.
 2024 NoHaz Program At A Glance:
 Total Hazardous Waste Collected by Type—2024
Depending on the material type, the following methods are used to treat and manage the HHW collected at NoHaz events:
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Recycled or reprocessed for use
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Stabilization, a chemical reaction which renders it inert, a no longer leachable hazardous waste
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Autoclave, a steam disinfection which kills off any active cultures for sharps
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Energy Recovery, waste blended and used as fuel in lieu of coal or oil in cement kilns
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Incineration, a thermal destruction process in a hazardous waste incinerator
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Special Landfill for hazardous waste
Since 2022, overall program costs have increased by more than 60 percent. Oakland County and the participating communities work to keep the costs reasonable and encourage residents to properly dispose of household hazardous waste; however, the cost to properly treat HHW continues to increase. Oakland County was appreciative that Akzo Nobel came in as a sponsor this year and hope to find additional sponsors for 2025.
If you are interested or know of a company that may be interested in becoming a NoHaz sponsor, please contact: caliow@oakgov.com
The Shop Small & Local Gems Sweepstakes Campaign Generates More Than 900 Entries Spotlighting Small Businesses in Oakland County
To support small businesses in Oakland County during the holiday shopping season, the Shop Small & Local Gems Sweepstakes generated 984 entries from Michigan residents submitting their favorite shops, restaurants and services. Many of the entry photos are posted on the @AdvantageOak Facebook page, #LocalGemOC, and added to the OakGov.com/ShopSmall webpage for the next several months for added small business visibility.
Rachelle Hoover of Farmington Hills is the $1,000 first prize winner—with her entry of Apothecary Expresso and Coffee in Downtown Farmington. Apothecary’s owner Miguel Willimas hosted the sweepstakes’ check presentation on December 18.
Garo Danayan of Huntington Woods is the $500 second prize winner—with his entry of a favorite Downtown Royal Oak restaurant Noorjahan Indian Cuisine.
Christie Rigoulot of Waterford is the $250 third prize winner—with her entry of Crave Nutrition in Waterford Township.
Oakland County Executive David Coulter joined Theresa Doan, director of social responsibility, Genisys Credit Union, in presenting the big checks to the winners. Genisys Credit Union is a sponsor of the Shop Small campaign and provided the prize money—along with shopper bags, banners, and posters to Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) communities.
“Many of our MSOC communities actively promoted the Local Gems Sweepstakes and developed special incentives and events for shoppers coming to their downtown small businesses during the holidays,” said Erick Phillips, senior business development representative, MSOC and Local Business Development, and program manager for the Shop Small & Local campaign. “The Local Gem small businesses submitted came from 47 communities across Oakland County—with entrants coming from 91 different Michigan communities.”
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Almost 500 different small businesses received at least one Local Gem entry—with HobbyTown in Southfield receiving the most entries at 52 submissions. The Top Ten entry categories in descending order had several small business ties, including:
1. HobbyTown, Southfield
2. AM2PM Barbershop, Southfield; and It's the Little Things, Ortonville
3. Designed Mindfully, Pontiac; and Vibrant Vizionz, Oak Park
4. Impact North, Ortonville
5. Bizzy Buzz Artisan Market, Rochester; and Monarch Home Design, Holly
6. Hamilton’s Feed & Fuel, Ortonville; Marcia Hovland Studio Gallery, Royal Oak; and Road Less Traveled Book Store, Farmington
7. Altered Designs, Holly; and Bijou Salon and Spa, Farmington
8. Bittersweet Café, Holly; Catching Fireflies, Berkley; My New Favorite Thing, Waterford; and Unexpected Craft Brewing Company, Oak Park
9. Design to Shine Salon, Madison Heights; Noelle the Stylist Studio, Madison Heights; and Uncle Joe’s Chicken Fingers, Southfield
10. Salinair Salt Room Spa, Rochester Hills; and Crave Nutrition, Waterford
The Shop Small & Local Campaign is organized by MSOC in Oakland County’s Department of Economic Development and is supported by many MSOC and other county communities, Oakland Thrive, and Oakland County Chambers.
“Shopping small and local in the county’s downtowns can be particularly fun during the holidays,” said John Bry, administrator, MSOC’s coordinating program in the Planning and Local Business Development Division. “Many MSOC 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 in the county is worth exploring.”
The Department of Economic Development extends a deep appreciation to all the county small businesses, communities, organizations, and people who participated in this year’s campaign.
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 Workforce Development
MiCareerQuest Southeast in November another hit with students, employers
Last month, 8,000 young people and educators converged on MiCareerQuest Southeast, the region’s largest career exploration event for high school students, where they met with teams from 125 employers to learn about more than 200 in-demand careers.
This was the fourth year of the much-anticipated event, which featured hands-on activities that showcased the skills needed to succeed in various jobs in advanced manufacturing, technology, health sciences and construction. Since its launch in 2018, more than 20,000 students from across Metro Detroit have attended MiCareerQuest Southeast.
“This year’s MiCareerQuest Southeast was another huge hit with students, teachers and our exhibitors alike,” said Jennifer Llewellyn, director of Oakland County Michigan Works!, which took the lead in planning the event. “You could feel the energy in the building all day long, with thousands of kids engaging with the working professionals in a variety of activities and demonstrations that brought the jobs to life.”
Post-event student and educator surveys indicated the following:
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91% of 728 student respondents said exhibitors provided engaging and interesting demonstrations.
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89% of students said they learned about employment and education/training opportunities they did not know existed.
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78% of students said the event will help them make plans for life after high school.
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93% of 43 chaperone respondents said the event effectively showcased potential careers paths to their students.
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93% of chaperones said the exhibitors were well prepared for the day.
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99% of chaperones said they would be interested in having their schools participate in 2025.
“MiCareerQuest Southeast couldn’t be held without employers committing the time and energy to make this event successful,” Llewellyn said. “Speaking on behalf of the planning team, I want to thank every sponsor and exhibitor for helping us build the future workforce by exposing students from across Metro Detroit to so many great career opportunities.”
To see the full list of sponsors and exhibitors who participated in this year’s MiCareerQuest Southeast, visit oakgov.com/micareerquestse
Planning for next year’s event has already started. A kickoff meeting for sponsor and exhibitors at MiCareerQuest Southeast in 2025 will be held this winter.
Employers interested in participating should reach out to Brooklyn Frontiera, frontierab@oakgov.com
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Oakland County employers receive $4.52 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants to train new and existing employees, including apprentices
Oakland County employers received $4.52 million in grants for the first cycle of Going PRO Talent Fund awards for FY2025, announced earlier this month.
A total of 72 organizations received funding from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), to hire and train 2,006 existing and 434 new employees, as well as create 73 new Registered Apprenticeship positions during FY2025. The Going PRO Training Fund awards also will be used to provide training to 282 existing apprentices.
Statewide, 700 businesses are receiving $42.7 million in Going PRO Talent Fund grants for valuable training. Since its launch in 2014, the program has provided 7,480 grants to support the training needs of more than 220,000 Michigan workers.
The focus on training and upskilling workers is directly aligned with both Governor Whitmer’s goal of 60 percent of the state’s workforce equipped with a degree or skills certificate by 2030, and Oakland County’s even more ambitious target of 80 percent of eligible residents achieving this educational milestone.
Grants through the Going PRO Talent Fund are awarded in partnership with Oakland County Michigan Works! Participating employers play an integral role in defining their key training needs, then work with Oakland County Michigan Works! and other partners to develop strategic plans.
“We’re very pleased the Going PRO Talent Fund will again be providing a large number of our employers with training support for thousands of existing and new workers, as well as a growing number of apprentices, to help them enhance their skills and, in many cases, receive valuable certifications,” said Jennifer Llewellyn, director, Oakland County Michigan Works!
Among the Oakland County recipients of Going PRO Talent Fund grants:
- Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital, West Bloomfield
- Earth Orbit technologies, Pontiac
- Merlo Construction, Milford
- Forgotten Harvest, Oak Park
- SG Energy Solutions, Southfield
- GableTek, Troy
- Lawrence Plastics, Clarkston
- Challenge Manufacturing, Pontiac
The full list of Going PRO Talent Fund Cycle 1 grant recipients for the 2025 fiscal year is available online at Michigan.gov/TalentFund
Additional funding will be available through the second cycle of Going PRO Talent Fund awards which will open in Spring 2025. To learn more about the Going PRO Talent Fund and its impact, visit Michigan.gov/TalentFund
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Oakland County Manufacturing Day Revisited on Video
Oakland County’s Department of Public Communications recently produced two videos highlighting the success of the tenth anniversary of Oakland County Manufacturing Day, which took place in October. This includes a visit by high school students to FATA Automation in Auburn Hills and a profile of three Manufacturing Day alumni who have launched promising careers in the field. To watch the videos, click on the links below:
2024 Oakland County Manufacturing Day – FATA Automation
https://youtu.be/_Kw-FGz5eME
2024 Oakland County Manufacturing Day – Alumni Profile
https://youtu.be/vN7QWIoYhBI
 Veterans Services
“This Ride’s on Us” in Oakland County – The 2024 Numbers are in!
Oakland County Economic Development is thrilled to highlight the combined efforts of its Veterans Services and Transit Divisions in delivering transit services to veterans through the “This Ride’s on Us” program. Launched in June of 2024, the program offers free, door-to-door public transportation for veterans and their caregivers with support from Oakland County’s transit providers, including Western Oakland Transportation Authority (WOTA), North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA), OPC Transportation (OPC), SMART Connector and SMART Flex Services (SMART), and People’s Express (PEX).
This collaboration showcases our commitment to ensuring access and mobility for a valued group of residents. By combining resources and expertise, these divisions have made a tangible impact, creating a valuable offering for our veterans, their families, and the community at large. As of October 2024, a total of 3,642 trips have been provided to veterans across Oakland County. This impressive number reflects the dedication of multiple transit partners, including:
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WOTA (Western Oakland Transportation Authority): 1,953 trips, accounting for over 53% of all veteran transit services
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NOTA (North Oakland Transportation Authority): 473 trips
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OPC Transportation: 861 trips
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SMART Connector and SMART Flex Services: A combined total of 355 trips
This program ensures veterans can access medical appointments, events across our community, and other destinations. This initiative showcases how thoughtful, interdepartmental collaboration can lead to meaningful results, improving the quality of life for residents while strengthening community bonds.
Join us at our Upcoming Veterans Resource Fairs
Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 9:00 AM - Noon
Lyon Oaks Golf Course and Event Center
52251 Pontiac Trail | Wixom, MI 48393
Register at: tinyurl.com/59f6eej5
Thursday, February 27, 2025 | 9:00 AM - Noon
Novi Civic Center
45175 W 10 Mile Road | Novi, MI 48378
Register at: tinyurl.com/mr2x74m7
All veterans and their families are welcome to learn more about the benefits available to them, including housing counseling, career planning, training programs, boxes of food, information on community resources, and more.
Fees Waived for All Oakland County Parks. Here’s What to Know:
Residents can Visit Trails and Dog Parks for Free
Entrance fees and car permits to get into all parks operated by Oakland County Parks have been eliminated. This comes from a commitment in the Oakland County Parks millage proposal that was approved by voters in the November election, according to a release from the county.
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