Oakland County Tech Collaboration invites technical employers, founders, engineering leaders, and technology teams to explore MITechCon 2026 on Oct. 28-30 at Oakland University. The conference connects Michigan's technology community through practical sessions, workshops, regional leadership, and talent development opportunities. Experience technology in action by visiting the exhibition area and leaving with ideas you can use. 

Congratulations to Oakland County’s Cheryl Bush, Director of Aviation on recent Award of Excellence 

The economic impact of our three airports continues to soar high, thanks to the dedication and leadership of our aviation director, Cheryl Bush. It’s no surprise the Michigan Aeronautics Commission and Michigan Department of Transportation honored her work with an excellence award, recognizing her “technical expertise, determination and genuine kindness.” Well deserved, we are proud to have you part of the Oakland County team. 

The Local Gems Sweepstakes returns this year, running Nov. 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 up to ten different businesses 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.

This year’s Launch Reception and Facebook Live Broadcast with Oakland County Executive David Coulter will be at Andy’s Place in Downtown Holly on Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to noon. The Andy’s Place restaurant and owner’s home on the second floor burned down during the Holly Fire in 2022. After extensive rebuilding of the historic structure, the restaurant is reopening in October.

The sweepstakes is led by the Department of Economic Development’s Main Street Oakland County Program.  The annual 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@OaklandCountyMI.gov

Beginning Nov. 1, participants can find the sweepstakes entry form, official rules, and a listing by community of Local Gem businesses previously submitted in past years at:

The construction crews worked diligently throughout 2026 to rebuild the areas that washed out, one layer of soil at a time, and installed a culvert to help maintain a consistent water level. Crews regraded and placed large boulders along the riverbank to help prevent further erosion. They resurfaced nearly 2.5 miles of trail in Rochester and addressed drainage problems at the east end near Dequindre Road.

The Oakland County Department of Economic Development continues to provide technical support and assistance with grant compliance.

“Now that work is nearly complete, this essential stretch of trail will once again provide residents and visitors with safe access to adjacent trails, parks, neighborhoods and downtown businesses,” says Kristen Wiltfang, administrator, of Oakland County’s Trails, Transportation, and Environment Unit. “We are so grateful to the many partners that came together to restore this important regional trail.”

This restoration could not have happened without the collaborative fundraising and efforts of many partners, philanthropic foundations, governmental agencies, and contractors – including the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, Oakland County Parks, City of Rochester, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Community Foundation of Greater Rochester, AEW, Oakland Bird Alliance, Clinton River Watershed Council, Anglin Civil, L Anthony Construction, Duro Construction, and the generous public donations to Friends of Clinton River Trail.

PONTIAC’S NORTH SPUR
The City of Pontiac is preparing to host a grand opening soon of 1.5 miles of the North Spur portion of the Clinton River Trail.

Construction began in late 2025 on the former Grand Trunk-Belt Line Railroad corridor between Michigan Avenue and Opdyke Road. The project was made possible through grant funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Oakland County began assisting the City of Pontiac with this project in 2013 by preparing a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund application to acquire 4.5 miles of the former and abandoned Grand Trunk-Belt Line Railroad with the intent of developing a trail for walking and biking.  After lengthy negotiations with the railroad, the city finally acquired the property in 2017.

This historic transportation corridor was once home to the Grand Trunk-Belt Line Railroad and dates to the 1930s. The trains provided freight service to automotive plants and parts manufacturers on the north side of the city and shipped locally made products across the U.S. Often referred to as the “North Spur” this new trail segment will eventually connect with future improvements on Pike Street and connect the CRT through downtown Pontiac and link up with the trail that intersects at Bagley Street.

NOTE: Since the 1970s, Oakland County’s Department of Economic Development has been working with its communities to plan, design, construct non-motorized pathways, and enhance connectivity.

To donate or become a volunteer with Friends of the Clinton River Trail, visit:  

Next month’s free and virtual Planners Gathering is Nov. 19, 10 - 11 a.m., and addresses Commercial and Office Space Market Changes – Five-Plus Years Since the Pandemic.  Three speakers from Team CORE – including Matthew J. Farrell, CEO and owner; Samuel A. McLean, vice president; and Kevin N. Tamer, vice president and associate broker – will review what has changed in the commercial and office space market since the pandemic and what the market looks like now for communities due to changing work patterns, hybrid work, redevelopment, shifting tenant demands, and economic conditions. Advance registration is free and required at:

“Manufacturing Day is important because it provides students with awareness and exposure to the outstanding aerospace machining careers available right here in our community,” said Triple Inc. COO Matt Minor.  “It’s truly a twofold opportunity: students gain valuable insight into a potential future career, while our employees have the chance to engage with young people, share their experiences and inspire the next generation of manufacturing professionals.”

Madison Heights-based Mopec Group, another tour host and sponsor, is a leading manufacturer of medical equipment and laboratory products for hospitals, universities, morgues and other markets.

“Modern manufacturing offers rewarding careers in engineering, technology, service, project management and leadership,” said Mopec Group CEO Francis X. Dirksmeier.  “We want students in our community to see their opportunities firsthand, right at home.”

This year’s full roster of tour hosts included 3-Dimensional Services Group, ABB Robotics, AirBoss Flexible Products, AkzoNobel, Ascent Aerospace, Atlas Copco — New Hudson, Barron Industries, Brose North America, Complete Automation, Cosma Body Assembly Michigan, Dauch Corporation, Douglas Dynamics, Flex N Gate Troy, Gonzalez Production Systems, Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering, Inc., HIROTEC AMERICA, MacLean-Fogg Component Solutions, Mayville Engineering Company, Moeller Aerospace, Mopec Group, Oakland Community College, Panther Metalflow, Piston Automotive — Auburn Hills Facility, Pratt Miller, Signarama Troy — Metro Detroit, Star Cutter, Three M Tool & Machine, Triple Inc., TSM Corporation, Visioneering, Williams International and Witzenmann USA.

Since 2015, more than 12,000 students have participated in Oakland County Manufacturing Day.  The event has featured more than 180 employers across the County, many of them returning as tour hosts each year. 

Oakland County Michigan Works! Director Jennifer Llewellyn said she hopes the program introduces students to career paths they may not have previously considered.

“I hope they are inspired and can see there are viable careers in manufacturing across the board,” she said. “I want them to see all of the options that they have available to them.”

Sarah Hug, business and employment services manager at the Southfield center, said the new business services team is focused on building strong connections between local employers and job seekers.

Hug along with business solutions professionals (BSP) Letitia Williams and Abbey Burk work directly with businesses to support their hiring and workforce needs through recruitment assistance, talent development, training resources, on-the-job training and Registered Apprenticeship Program opportunities.

“Our goal is to be a trusted workforce partner to employers, while helping individuals connect to meaningful career opportunities right here in the community,” Hug said.

To contact the Southfield center and speak with a BSP, call (248) 233-4400.