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September 17, 2025

Bi-Weekly Executive Newsletter

Dear Friends, 

In the world of economic development, business attraction and retention is the name of the game and our team in Oakland County is tireless in its efforts to showcase all we have to offer to businesses across the globe.

That’s what we were doing last week during a trade mission to Japan with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the state’s economic development leaders. Oakland’s Economic Development Director Dom Holmes joined the group in Germany a few days later to build on our relationships there.

It was a week filled with networking and developing both economic and cultural bonds with important global trading partners.

We even visited our Sister State of the prefecture of Shiga and its leader, Gov. Taizo Mikazuki. It’s an area much like Oakland County, filled with natural beauty and manufacturing where a newly-formed relationship can open opportunities for all of us.

And the visits helped seal the deal on a pair of important investments headed to Oakland County.

In Japan, we finalized a deal for a $95 million investment in Wixom by auto supplier Astemo Ltd., which will bring 200 new jobs to its new regional headquarters. Through the hard work by the economic development teams in Michigan and Oakland County, we were able to overcome competition from Ohio and attract Astemo to the state.

In Germany, we were able to spread the great news that military vehicle manufacturer American Rheinmetall will invest $32 million and hire 450 additional workers at its headquarters in Auburn Hills. For this investment, we beat out eight other states to bring Rheinmetall to the region.

It takes persistence, skill and an understanding of the global marketplace to snag these investments. Our team has all of that plus an attractive product to sell – Oakland County.

Our commitment to advanced manufacturing and the skilled workforce ready to fill the jobs headed our way is a winning strategy to sell companies looking to locate or expand in Oakland County. It doesn’t hurt that the quality of life here is pretty darned good, too!

To our hosts in Japan, a sincere “Arigatou gozaimasu,” for your friendship and hospitality. To our friends in Germany, “Danke schon.” And to Gov. Whitmer and the team from Michigan: thanks for inviting us along on this trade mission which will continue to strengthen our economy.

With gratitude,

David Coulter
Oakland County Executive

Coulter: Oxford Report Will Strengthen County’s Response to Emergencies, Provide Answers to Families and Community

Pontiac, Mich. – Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter issued the following statement about the Oxford High School shooting after action report, which Guidepost Solutions released today:

“Oakland County is committed to taking an open and honest look at how we respond to emergency events, including active assailant incidents like the Oxford High School shooting. The county has held a robust schedule of training for our thousands of first responders during the last 15 years, but we know that there are always lessons to be learned and ways to strengthen our response to prevent and address these tragedies. We saw on that day how our first responders reacted with dedication and courage in the face of horrifying violence, and this report reinforces their immense bravery. It also includes important insights that will help us build on the comprehensive strategies we already have in place, and we hope it will provide some long-awaited answers for the families and community."

Oakland County Tech Collaboration Hosts Events on Heels of Earning International Awards

Oakland County is building on international recognition for its economic development efforts by hosting two major Tech Collaboration events in September, designed to strengthen connections between businesses, higher education institutions and the region’s technology leaders.

The county’s Business Retention & Growth (BRG) team was recently honored with two Excellence in Economic Development awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The team received Gold in Business Retention & Expansion and Silver in Innovation in Economic Development for communities of more than 500,000 residents. The awards spotlight Oakland County’s innovative approach to fostering collaboration across industries, academia and government.

“These awards are a reflection of the extraordinary partnerships we’ve built here,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “Our Tech Collaboration events are a perfect example of how we’re connecting tech businesses and resources in ways that strengthen our economy.”

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