Michigan AG Nessel Helps Bring $3M in Donations
Media Contacts: Ryan Jarvi FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Michigan AG Nessel Helps Bring $3M in Donations to Organizations that Provide
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NOCC NEWS: FALL 2020
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Whitmer Lowers Flags in Remembrance of 9/11
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2020 Contact: [email protected]
Governor Whitmer Lowers Flags in Remembrance of 9/11
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff on Friday, September 11, 2020 to remember those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Virginia, and those who perished when the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.
“On Patriot Day, we remember the Americans who lost their lives and honor the first responders who put everything on the line as they rushed toward danger,” Whitmer said. “During those tragic moments, our nation came together as a united force to help our fellow Americans in their time of need. It showed us that we can, and will, overcome any tragedy.”
The State of Michigan honors Patriot Day by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags should be returned to full-staff on Saturday, September 12, 2020.
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Free Cybersecurity Website Launched
Free Cybersecurity Website Launched As Oakland County Honored As National Tech Leader For 16th Consecutive Year
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County today launched a cybersecurity website that offers residents, schools, businesses and neighboring counties cybersecurity training, advice and connections to help them prepare and defend themselves from cybercriminals and cyberattacks.
The website includes security training videos on COVID-19 cyberscams, best practices and how to work from home safely, County Executive David Coulter said.
“Oakland County continues to be a national technology leader through its vision, innovation and collaboration,” Coulter said. “Industry experts tell us there is a one in three chance an organization will experience a data breach within two years at an average cost of more than $8 million. These modern attacks are not merely expensive inconveniences – they put people’s health, safety and lives at risk. This website provides valuable guidance and resources to help all of us improve our cybersecurity at work, school or home.”
The website, found at www.oakgov.com/cybersecurity, was created after a recommendation from the “Secure IT Oakland” cybersecurity and infrastructure task force, which Coulter formed in March. The website focuses on residents, K-12 education and small and medium businesses, providing guidance on various security and privacy topics such as how to safely telework, avoid cyber scams, how to self-evaluate and mitigate your organization’s cyber risk, and how to respond to a cyber incident. The website will soon include additional items such as vendors who have been vetted by the county, relevant and timely training, and lists of local organizations with specific cyber expertise.
“Under the leadership of Deputy County Executive Sean Carlson and Director Mike Timm, our Department of Information Technology has a well-earned reputation for excellence and its proactive approach,” Coulter said. “I congratulate them and the IT staff for their fine work on behalf of the residents of Oakland County and our communities.”
The launch comes days after Oakland County was honored by the National Association of Counties and the Center for Digital Government, ranking it among the most digitally advanced counties in the United States.
The county was recognized with three NACo awards and a seventh-place finish nationally by the Center, for innovation, commitment to the cybersecurity of county data and its willingness to assist neighboring counties involved in security incidents. It is the 16th consecutive year Oakland County has been named one of the best in the country.
The Center, in partnership with NACo, annually hosts the Digital Counties Survey. It ranks counties by population and evaluates such factors as accomplishments, citizen engagement, cybersecurity, data governance and transparency, sustainability, disaster recover/continuity of operations and connected infrastructure. Oakland County was the only Michigan county recognized in the top 10 in any of the five population categories.
“We applaud this year’s Digital Counties Survey winners for maximizing the benefits of technology in serving our residents, especially during a time when technology has become even more instrumental in connecting people and places,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “The Digital Counties Survey demonstrates how we embrace cutting-edge approaches to strengthening our communities and achieving healthy, safe and vibrant counties across America.”
The NACo awards recognized Oakland County for excellence in additional cyber-security tools/monitoring, leadership in building out a government data center in the cloud and ingenuity for its Fire Records Management system.
In its comments, the center praised the county for continuing to make cybersecurity a priority.
“Oakland County’s cyber capabilities have also been mature enough to allow it to assist neighboring counties with incident response and restoration of services after significant security incidents,” the Center wrote. “At the same time, its commitment to enterprise-wide training and risk awareness — and its plans to imminently deploy more automation and (artificial intelligence) cyber tools — reinforce the county’s commitment to staying on top of things when it comes to defense.”
Timm said he was proud to be part of the information technology team.
“In a year where we’ve dealt with the coronavirus, this IT team has demonstrated its resiliency, quality, focus, dedication, flexibility and professionalism,” Timm said. “It delivered on its plans and promises, pivoting to handle the extra needs related to remote work, online services, data sharing and communication. All this while maintaining the consistency of strategy and delivery recognized with another top 10 award.”
New Evening Virtual Business Workshops
New Evening Virtual Business Workshops Among Several Offered By Oakland County Small Business Team
Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County is offering evening virtual business workshops for aspiring entrepreneurs interested in starting a business.
The evening workshops, conducted by expert business counselors from the county’s small business team, are offered for the first time for those interested people in small business services but were unable to fit a daytime workshop into their schedule.
“We encourage business owners and entrepreneurs to take advantage of these workshops which give valuable direction and strategies to help business owners chart a course for success,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “By offering evening class times, our small business team makes their services more accessible to our aspiring entrepreneurs.”
The center offers a series of workshops as part of its October schedule that focus on starting a business, business strategies for responding to the pandemic and cash flow. All workshops are free unless otherwise noted and require pre-registration. The October workshop schedule is:
A 360° Perspective on Your Business
October 1 | 1 – 2 p.m.
When everything is important all the time, the question becomes, “What do we focus on now?” In this workshop, you’ll be introduced to GrowthWheel to help you quickly evaluate your business and focus if you want to grow. The workshop is designed for existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Starting a Business
October 7 | 9 – 11 a.m.
Thinking about starting a business? This virtual workshop is designed for individuals who are at the beginning stages of starting a business. Topics like startup costs, financing options and business planning are introduced along with the steps to get started. This workshop is for startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Social Media for Business Growth 2020
October 8 | 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Whether you call it social media, social networking, web 2.0 or internet marketing, many professionals wonder, “Is social media a waste of time or an essential power tool for business in a post-phonebook world?” The answer is yes. Amid all the distractions, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are essential tools for marketing your business. Join us for this entertaining and educational seminar as Terry Bean takes you through the tools and rules of social media. Presented by Terry Bean, founder of Networked Inc. and Motor City Connect.
Cost: $40 | Registration required
Pivoting Your Business to Thrive in a New Environment
October 13 | 11 a.m. – noon
Successful businesses adjust to changing times. New business realities due to COVID-19 require that many new and well-established businesses re-evaluate their business models. This virtual workshop covers three areas of your business that hold clues on how to successfully pivot your business and stay alive. This workshop is for existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Startup Cash Analysis – Don’t Get in Over Your Head
October 13 | 1 – 2 p.m.
This virtual workshop helps new entrepreneurs gain a better understanding of the cash demands required to successfully start a business. With 50 percent of small businesses failing within the first five years, proper startup cash analysis is paramount to a successful launch. Concepts found in the Startup Cash Analysis Workbook (course materials) and estimating cash needs will be covered. Don’t be a statistic. Register today. This workshop is for pre-start businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
CEED Lending Small Business Loan Orientation
October 14 | 9 – 11 a.m.
If your business is in Oakland County and you need alternative financing, consider a CEED Lending Small Business Loan. The workshop introduces you to the requirements and process necessary to qualify for a CEED loan. CEED Lending is an initiative of Great Lakes Women’s Business Council.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Market Trends During the Coronavirus Crisis: Consumers have Changed, Will You?
October 20 | 1 – 2 p.m.
New customer expectations necessitate changes in business practices. This virtual workshop helps you understand customer expectations, incomes and spending habits during COVID-19. Learn about changes in consumer behavior for business-to-customer (B2C) businesses and identify consumer behaviors that are likely to stick long term. This workshop is for existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
From Good Idea to Great Concept
October 21 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
A great idea is just the first step along an entrepreneurial journey. Learn how to take your idea and build a great business concept that you can implement. Hear how to move from idea to concept and how successful entrepreneurs adjust their concept to give themselves the best chance at creating a successful business. This workshop is for startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
How to Write A Business Plan in The New Economy
October 22 | 11 a.m. – Noon
You’ve finally decided to write that business plan everyone says you need. Excited? Dreading it? Not sure where to start? We can help! Follow along with our step-by-step approach. Prepare a business plan that gives your business direction, defines your objectives, maps out strategies to achieve your goals and helps you to manage possible bumps in the road. This workshop is designed for entrepreneurs interested in writing their first business plan or want to improve a plan to get their business to the next level. This workshop is for existing and startup businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
Projecting Cash Flow – Overcoming Business Interruptions and Beyond
October 27 | 1 – 2 p.m.
This may be the most important class a small business owner will ever take. This virtual workshop helps you gain a greater understanding of the cash demands required to successfully manage a business, including an introduction to the use and concepts found in the Cash Flow Projection Workbook (course materials). A good cash flow management system is paramount to the success of your business. This workshop is for new and existing businesses.
Cost: Free | Registration required
For more information, contact Karlie Robinson at [email protected].