Happy 2025, Oakland County! After five years, the Economic Development Newsletter is still going strong, and to start this edition, congratulations are in order.

I hope you will join me in wishing our former, Director of Economic Development, Jeanne Broad, a happy and fulfilling retirement.

Jeanne is one of the brightest and most talented individuals I know in the international trade community. Jeanne worked 25 years for General Motors—with 15 of those years as the Director of International Trade Policy. She then worked 10 years for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as an International Business Advisor, Manager, and Director of International Trade. Please join me in thanking Jeanne Broad for her commitment, service, and excellence in leading one of the most talented Economic Development & Planning teams in the State of Michigan.

Additionally, please join me in congratulating Dominique “Dom” L. Holmes as the new Director of the Department of Economic Development. He brings more than 12 years of economic development experience from Oakland County and Automation Alley.  Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter adds:

“Dom’s breadth of experience in economic development and establishing relationships across the public and private sectors will advance Oakland County’s goal of building a thriving and inclusive economy, I am pleased to have Dom leading this key role in my administration.”

Holmes began his career at Oakland County seven years ago as a Senior Business Development Representative for International Business. His dedication and expertise led to several promotions, culminating in leadership roles as Deputy Director and now Director.  Among his successes is helping to secure a $52 million federal grant to create a mobility supply chain transformation center that provides resources to assist small- to medium-sized manufacturers in Southeast Michigan. 

Through Project DIAMOnD, hundreds of Michigan manufacturers are transforming their operations with cutting-edge 3D printing technology. This grant-funded initiative is empowering small- and medium-sized businesses with free state-of-the-art printers, training, and access to a network of innovation.

Additive manufacturing helps to create a more sustainable future. Project DIAMOnD isn’t just about innovation—it’s about creating efficient, eco-friendly solutions for manufacturers across Michigan. Join us and reduce waste while increasing your competitive edge.

Take the next step today: projectdiamond.org/join-project-diamond-application

Feb. 27, 2025  |  9:00 - 11:30 AM
Oakland University, Rochester

The Oakland County Tech Collaboration, presented by the Business Retention & Growth team, is hosting a series of events designed to connect business leaders with higher education institutions. The events will include presentations from local colleges or universities and a networking session for decision makers to build deeper ties and foster innovation within the following industries:  

• IT/Computer Services
• Robotics Integration
• Research, Engineering & Design

Register to attend at: tinyurl.com/4dfd98fd
No cost to attend | Registration required

Learn more at: OakGov.com/OCTechCollaboration

Although downtown development was part of the Planning Division’s activities starting in the 1970s, the county officially formed the Main Street Oakland County (MSOC) coordinating program in 2000 with the National Main Street Center, a part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in Washington D.C.

Several things are being planned to celebrate the 25th anniversary, including the Main Event being held June 12 in Downtown Rochester—the first community to join the MSOC program and the 2013 winner of National’s Great American Main Street Award.

MSOC’s annual gala event includes an award ceremony recognizing excellence in downtown revitalization. Thirty Oakland County communities and historic commercial corridors can compete in this year’s award categories, including: 

• Spirit of Main Street
• Legacy of Main Street Excellence
• Main Street Jubilee
• Achievement in Community Character or Historic Preservation
• Business Innovation & Entrepreneurship
• Community Event of the Year
• District Placemaking
• Small Business Retention and Attraction
• Volunteer of the Year
• Main Street Resilience
• Outstanding Partnership
• Main Street Leader 

Oakland County employers interested their own Registered Apprenticeship Program to separate themselves in the race to build a talented workforce are invited to a special workshop and panel discussion hosted by Oakland County Michigan Works!, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity.

The in-person event takes place on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, at the Oakland County Executive Office Building, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, in Waterford. Advance registration is required: events.resultsathand.com/mwa/3199

Experts from the U.S. Department of Labor, the Workforce Intelligence Network (WIN), Oakland County Michigan Works! and companies with successful apprenticeship programs will share important information on the benefits of this approach to building a skilled team, how to engage an intermediary to launch and grow a registered apprenticeship program, and their growing popularity in a variety of industries.  The panel discussion will feature representatives and apprentices from Elite School Management, FANUC and Barron Industries.

“Michigan is home to nearly 22,000 active apprentices in all kinds of industries, including not just the skilled trades and manufacturing, but now education, healthcare, information technology and others,” said Jennifer Llewellyn, director, Oakland County Michigan Works!  “In Oakland County alone, there are 2,000 apprentices in 74 programs, based on data from WIN.  We’re excited to be partnering with the state to host this Race to Talent event to expand the reach of Registered Apprenticeship Programs even more.”

For more information on Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Oakland County, visit: oakgov.com/business/business-development/workforce-development/education-training/apprenticeships

MiCareerQuest Southeast, the region’s largest career exploration event for high school students, is celebrating its fifth year in 2025.  Employers, labor organizations and education partners interested in joining the excitement are invited to a special virtual kickoff meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 9:30-10:30 a.m.

The event returns to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025.  More than 7,000 students and educators are expected to attend MiCareerQuest Southeast and engage with 100-plus exhibitors, highlighting in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, construction, health sciences and technology.

Advance registration is required to join the kickoff meeting: eventbrite.com/e/micareerquest-southeast-kick-off-meeting-registration-1200248257849?aff=oddtdtcreator

All of the employers who responded to a post-event survey last fall said MiCareerQuest Southeast was an effective way to showcase their industry to the future workforce.  89 percent of the students who participated in a survey said they learned about employment and education/training opportunities that they did not know existed prior to the event.

“This was a great opportunity for students to open their minds to careers,” an exhibitor commented.  Likewise, a student who answered the survey said, “I loved everything there and was amazed at all of the possibilities for careers.”

During the kickoff meeting, organizers will be highlighting their plans to make this November’s interactive, hands-on career exploration event bigger and better than ever.  They also will be debuting two special videos, capturing the highlights from last fall’s MiCareerQuest Southeast, featuring students, exhibitors, sponsors, partners and others.

“It’s great to bring everyone together early in the year – both those employers who have participated in the past, as well as others who want to learn more and how to get involved,” said Jennifer Llewellyn, director, Oakland County Michigan Works!  “This event cannot take place without the support and dedication of the local business community, labor organizations, educational institutions, government and civic partners.  The kickoff event creates a buzz that gets everyone excited and start planning.”