Manufacturing in Oakland County
69,280* – The number of manufacturing jobs in Oakland County in 2024

1,250* – The number of job postings in the manufacturing industry per month in the county since the start of the year

$116,897* – Average annual earnings for jobs in the manufacturing industry in Oakland County in 2023

2,262* – The number of manufacturing establishments in Oakland County, the most among any county in the state, over 600 more than the next closest county 

$14.0 Billion* – Manufacturing’s estimated contribution to Oakland County’s overall GRP in 2024 

Interactive resources and related information: 

• Manufacturing Institute – Manufacturing Day 
• 11th Annual Oakland County Manufacturing Day is Scheduled for Friday, October 3, 2025 
• U.S. Census Bureau – Celebrate Manufacturing Week
• U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns by Industry interactive visualization
• Oakland County Economic Outlook, 2025 – 2027 

The Local Gems Sweepstakes returns again this year, running November 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 want to promote 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 — can submit one photo each of their own small business.  A small business is defined for this sweepstakes as an independently owned and operated, legal, brick-and-mortar business physically located in Oakland County.

Photographs deemed to be from a copied source or plagiarized will be disqualified. Each entry from participants must include an original and different 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 Paula Harrington to place your order at harringtonp@oakgov.com

Beginning November 1, participants can find the sweepstake entry form, official rules, and a listing by community of Local Gem businesses previously submitted in past years at OakGov.com/ShopSmall

NOTE: Employees and subcontractors of Oakland County, Genysis Credit Union, and Oakland Thrive are not eligible to enter or win the sweepstakes. 

Oakland County has many Chambers of Commerce serving local businesses. The cities of Madison Heights and Hazel Park have a unique partnership with the Madison Heights / Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce that will be spotlighted during the October 21, 10-11 a.m., virtual Planners Gathering.

Speaker Linda Williams, executive director, Madison Heights / Hazel Park Chamber of Commerce will outline the close collaboration, programs and procedures used to improve local planning and economic development efforts.

Organized by Oakland County’s Planning, Zoning and Land Use Unit, this session is free but requires advance registration at: eventbrite.com/e/planners-gathering-partnering-with-chambers-of-commerce-tickets-1680057801109?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you have any questions or recommendations for future Planners Gatherings, contact Jim Schafer, Oakland County, at schaferj@oakgov.com 

NOTE:  For an archive of previous Planners Gathering recordings, visit:
oakgov.com/community/community-development/planning-services/planning-events-trainings/planners-gathering 

Oakland County attracted more than 16.7 million visitors in 2024, generating an impressive $3.3 billion in visitor spending—an average of $9 million per day. These numbers underscore the county’s growing reputation as a dynamic Midwestern destination offering family-friendly experiences, vibrant downtowns, and iconic festivals.

This information was uncovered as part of Oakland County’s effort to craft a comprehensive Tourism & Attraction Strategic Plan, now nearing completion. The initiative aims to enhance Oakland County's appeal to visitors, businesses, and future residents through targeted investments in experiences, infrastructure, and marketing.

The strategic planning process includes three key phases—Discovery, Opportunity, and Implementation—and has involved in-depth research through surveys, focus groups, interviews, and collaborative visioning workshops. Stakeholders engaged in the process have included local residents and business owners, downtown managers, economic developers, and attraction-related operators.

Now in its final phase, the plan will chart a course for actionable strategies to boost tourism and economic growth. Priorities include enhancing visitor experiences, improving mobility, refining brand positioning, and expanding marketing efforts to extend visitor stays and deepen engagement with Oakland County’s unique offerings.

For a deeper look into the data and insights uncovered, you are encouraged to review the Tourism Destination Diagnostic Report at: https://visitoaklandcounty.com/strategic-plan/destination-diagnostic/

The final version of the strategic plan will be published at: https://visitoaklandcounty.com/strategic-plan/

If you have any questions, send an email to planninggroup@oakgov.com 

The free Main Street Connected Workshop Series finishes the year with a virtual session, “From Search to Sales: Boosting Your Business with Google and AI” on November 18, 9-10 a.m.

Speaker Janet E. Hurn, CEO and co-founder, Future Ready Consulting, Cincinnati, instructs small business owners and staff how to turn online searches into real-world customers with simple, practical tools. The workshop shows participants: 

• How to set up and optimize their Google Business Profile so customers can actually find them 

• AI as a behind-the-scenes assistant for planning and streamlining marketing 

• Clear, doable steps to attract more attention online—and turn that visibility into sales 

Advance registration is free and required at: eventbrite.com/e/msoc-training-search-to-sales-boosting-your-business-with-google-and-ai-tickets-1721065004759?aff=oddtdtcreator

Other session topics in this year’s series were “Using AI Tools in Small Business – Parts 1 & 2” and “E-Commerce Essentials for a Small Business.”

If you have any questions or want to be added to the Main Street Connected workshop series mailing list, contact George Vennitis, Main Street Oakland County:  venittisg@oakgov.com 

Oakland County Michigan Veterans' Services and Oakland Thrive present: the Be a Hero Support a Hero initiative, set up to honor Oakland County veterans with resources and dignity. Your donation helps provide veterans with access to: 

• Food
• Transportation
• Resources and Support

Donate today at: OaklandThrive.org/SupportAHero

Watch our video to learn more: https://youtu.be/noHWJmf3KGE 

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) reintroduced legislation that would mandate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse veterans’ emergency health care expenses from non-VA facilities that are not covered by the veteran’s private insurance.

This legislation follows the 2016 Staab v. McDonald and 2019 Wolfe v. Wilkie decisions, which both ruled that the VA must reimburse veterans for these emergency medical expenses. “No veteran should ever have to worry about whether they can afford costly medical expenses, especially when it comes to an emergency,” said Rep. Dingell. “Yet, the VA is still disregarding court rulings and continuing to deny veterans’ reimbursement claims for any non-VA emergency medical expense. With the Veterans Emergency Care Reimbursement Act, we can address this inexcusable issue head-on and ensure that those who put their lives on the line for us are receiving the proper support and care they deserve through the VA.”

Read more: debbiedingell.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=6102