I hope you had the opportunity to attend the 41st Oakland County Economic Outlook Luncheon on April 22 at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace. I was encouraged by the strong outlook for Oakland County and proud to hear that our economic fundamentals remain among the strongest in the region. Highlights included more than $208 million in recent international company investments that are projected to create nearly 1,000 jobs, as well as continued progress toward Oakland80’s goal of helping 80% of adult residents attain a post-secondary credential.

These accomplishments are possible because of the strong partnerships that help move Oakland County forward. This month, we celebrate the Main Street Summit’s fifth year of stakeholder engagement and look ahead to the Main Street Now Conference coming even closer to home in 2027. We also join Governor Gretchen Whitmer in recognizing Clarkston’s Historic Preservation Project, an outstanding example of a community honoring its history while investing in its future.

Speaking of the future, Oakland County continues to strengthen its position as a hub for innovation and technology. If you have not yet connected with the Oakland County Tech Collaboration, I encourage you to do so. This growing network of professionals in research, engineering and design, IT services, and robotics integration provides valuable resources, programming, and opportunities for collaboration. You can also learn more about the county’s engagement with emerging technologies in our recap of the 4th Annual Holly Oaks ORV Park Industry Day.

Momentum is also building in public transportation. This month, we highlight the new Community Transit Plan, which will help guide future investments and provide a framework for Oakland Transit as it continues expanding and improving mobility options across the county.

Finally, as we recently observed Memorial Day, I want to take a moment to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our nation. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. To the veterans of Oakland County, thank you for your service and continued contributions to our communities. I encourage you to take advantage of the programs, events, and resources available through Oakland County Veterans’ Services.

In Partnership,

Dom Holmes

What an incredible day to get outside to test the track and capabilities of the off-road experience at Holly Oaks ORV Park at the 4th Annual Holly Oaks ORV Industry Day hosted by Oakland County Economic Development and Oakland County Parks. 

Over 100 leaders across mobility, engineering, defense and manufacturing industries connected and collaborated as they explored live demos from cutting-edge tech innovators: Birdstop, Iteris, Inc., EZRaider US, Electric Outdoors, Noble Gas Systems, WGS Global Services, and Ford Motor Company.  

This was a sustainability-focused event with food composting and recycling on site. Due to the efforts of our guests, we created 23.9 pounds of compost and 1.1 pounds of recycled material.  

Didn’t make it to the event? Contact our team at:

Solarize OC is an initiative of Oakland County and the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association that connects businesses to solar education and resources, free of sales pressure. There will be multiple events spread throughout Oakland County communities in 2026.  Events cover information about solar energy, guidance on claiming the 30% solar tax credit, expert Q&A, and an opportunity for an additional 5-15% group-buy discount.  

“To commemorate the Summit’s fifth year and reinvigorate the interactions and ideas, we changed the gathering’s format,” said John Bry, administrator, of Main Street Oakland County’s Coordinating Program. “This year’s Summit was facilitated by Filament, an agency based in St. Louis with a unique expertise in helping communities and businesses have a more fast-paced, highly engaging brainstorming session.”

Filament guided participants through a series of unique probing and thought-provoking exercises designed to challenge assumptions and uncover ideas. Participants responded to questions in real time, with thoughts captured on a large visual idea wall. An illustrator translated the conversation into large-scale graphic recordings, creating a real-time visual narrative of the group’s ideas and priorities as they emerged.

Representatives from 26 of MSOC’S 29 communities were in attendance, joined by elected officials, private sector partners, philanthropic organizations, and key stakeholders from across the county.

“The communities reinforced the high regard and value they place on the Main Street Oakland County program and team,” said Bry. “However, the core focus of the Summit is on what more we can do in the future to strengthen the effectiveness of the program for our communities.”

Participants expressed a strong desire for continued support from MSOC in a variety of areas, while emphasizing the importance of the network itself. Communities repeatedly highlighted the value of peer relationships and opportunities to learn from one another. Participants expressed interest in more exchange visits, stronger opportunities for collaboration, and ways to inspire and empower one another.

A past Summit Summary Report is available in the News and Resources Section of the program’s landing page at:

Planning and site design for emergencies is a critical component of any development. Incorporating the unique needs of people with disabilities into those efforts is essential and the focus of the June 24 free and virtual Planners Gathering running 10-11 a.m.

Speaker Stephen Metzer, AICP, SPWS, Senior Planner, DLZ, will address the policy, legal, and practical considerations of emergency planning and site design for disabled populations. 

Six Michigan preservation projects were awarded the Governor’s Award for Historic Preservation during a ceremony hosted by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) in May. Communities represented by the projects include Clarkston, Coldwater, Detroit, Isle Royale, Lansing, and Northfield Township.

During a four-year period, the volunteer Clarkston Historic District Resurvey Committee, City of the Village of Clarkston, documented and reevaluated all the resources located within the village’s historic district. Beyond simply documenting buildings, the committee sought to learn more about the village’s shared history by researching deed and cemetery records and collecting oral histories and photos from their fellow citizens.

The Clarkston Village Historic District was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and established as a local historic district the following year. Early historic district documents did not require the same level of detail as today, making them less useful when making present-day preservation decisions. Several buildings constructed during the mid-20th century were considered too new in 1980, and were not included in the initial district, even though they would be considered historic today.

Despite the challenges of continuing the project during the COVID-19 pandemic, this Resurvey Project is a model for citizen-led efforts to better document and celebrate the historic buildings within their community.

“It’s an honor to celebrate the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation,” said Governor Whitmer. “Across our two peninsulas, these awardees are helping us build a stronger Michigan by preserving the places and stories that define our state.”

Now in its 23rd year, the Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation program, held annually during National Historic Preservation Month, was created by SHPO to celebrate outstanding historic preservation achievements that reflect a commitment to the preservation of Michigan’s unique character and the many archaeological sites and historic places that represent our rich past.

The future of Oakland Transit is looking bright! On April 30, 2026, the Community Transit Plan (CTP) was officially presented to and accepted by the Transit Ad Hoc Committee. The CTP now guides future actions and provides a framework for Oakland Transit to utilize as the division continues to expand and improve public transportation services in Oakland County.

Based on extensive feedback from Oakland Transit’s service providers (NOTA, OPC, PEX, SMART and WOTA) and local stakeholders and residents, the Community Transit Plan provides effective strategies and recommendations for future growth and service improvements. By assessing the current conditions of the county’s transit services and exploring industry best practices, the CTP details the standard of transit service that Oakland Transit will work towards over the next several years.

With support from the Transit Ad Hoc Committee, the implementation of the Community Transit Plan is already underway. For example, SMART is working with local providers to implement a new, regional dispatch software to modernize the process for booking and scheduling rides. This is the first step of many to better unify and support coordination among Oakland County’s transit providers and improve the overall rider experience.

For more information on the Community Transit Plan, including a video presentation of the plan, visit: