OC Economy Looking to Trend Positive

OC Economy Looking to Trend Positive

by | May 11, 2023 | Regional News

Oakland County Economy Looking to Trend Positive, as Recovery From Pandemic Continues

Post Date:05/08/2023 11:31 AM

Ann Arbor, Michigan – Oakland County’s economy is expected to return to normal this year and has a “solidly positive outlook” over the next few years, according to University of Michigan economists.

Oakland, one of the state’s most populous counties and among the nation’s most prosperous, is expected to see job gains over the next three years, bringing its payroll jobs count back to pre-pandemic levels in the second quarter of 2025 and 1.2% higher by the end of that year.

In its annual forecast of the Oakland County economy, the U-M Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics predicts the number of jobs will grow by 1.4% this year, 1.3% in 2024 and 1.6% in 2025. The local labor force is expected to grow more quickly than the number of employed residents, which puts upward pressure on the jobless rate this fall and the first half of 2024.

The positive outlook the economists provide in the forecast would follow what they describe as an economic “mixed bag” for 2022. The county’s job growth through the third quarter of last year lagged Michigan as a whole, with Oakland recovering 82% of the jobs it lost at the start of the pandemic and the state recovering 90%. They are also concerned by the county’s resident employment count declining by nearly 8,000 in the 12-month period ending in February 2023.

The recent data has been “puzzling,” the economists say, and could be the result of “commuting, an increase in multiple job holdings by residents or a decline in self-employment.”

“Despite the challenges of the past year, we are optimistic that 2023 will feature a return to normalcy in Oakland County’s economy with job growth relatively widespread across industries, even as the national economy slows,” said Gabriel Ehrlich, director of RSQE.

Overall, Oakland County has fewer lower-income residents and more upper-income residents than Michigan. Countywide, 20% of residents live in low-income households, compared to 30% of the state. The share of county residents living in higher-income households (28%) is much larger than that of the state (17%).

Still, the economists say, the prosperity is uneven. As of 2021, the area containing Pontiac and Waterford Township had an average household income after adjusting for household size that was less than one-half the average in the area containing Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township.
They also note stark differences in incomes by race and ethnicity: 18% of the county’s non-Hispanic and white residents lived in households classified as lower income in 2021 and 31% lived in upper income households. Those proportions were nearly reversed for Black and Hispanic residents.

One encouraging sign in the forecast is that wages are expected to grow more quickly in the county’s lower-wage industries than the higher-wage industries during the next three years. That, they say, should go some way toward lessening wage inequality. The county’s jobless rate is expected to average 2.7% in the first part of this year before rising to 3% by the end of it. The economists forecast the rate to rise modestly in the first half of next year as the nation enters a mild recession, dampening the local job market.

The forecast calls for the county’s unemployment rate to fall from 3.4% in mid-2024 to 2.8% by the end of 2025, compared with a projected state jobless rate of 3.9% at the end of that period. If the forecast holds, the county’s rate would be roughly half of a percentage point below its average right before the pandemic.

The economists say the return to pre-pandemic labor force levels reflects the strength of the county’s economy, though they caution that labor shortages “will be an ongoing fact of life for the foreseeable future in southeastern Michigan.”

“We believe Oakland County’s strong overall performance in these measures suggest it is well-positioned for the future despite the current challenges facing the local and national economies,” the economists say in the report. “The combination of an educated populace, a high share of managerial and professional jobs and an attractive standard of living should provide a solid foundation for economic prosperity over our forecast period and in the years to come.”

The 38th annual U-M forecast of Oakland County’s economy was hosted by the county’s Department of Economic Development.

 Economic Outlook 2023 Final Report.pdf

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Honoring Our Veterans this May

Honoring Our Veterans this May

by | May 11, 2023 | Regional News

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Greetings and happy May!

With Memorial Day right around the corner, this month Rep. Slotkin’s office will be celebrating our service members, veterans, and their families who make so many sacrifices on behalf of our nation. We wanted to highlight two special events from last week that reflect our commitment to our men and women in uniform.

Last Thursday in Howell, our office held one of Rep. Slotkin’s favorite events of the year: a night to honor the extraordinary young men and women from the district who will be attending one of our nation’s Service Academies.

Nominating students to attend these institutions is a great responsibility, and this year Rep. Slotkin was thrilled to announce that nine students from our district received nominations and acceptances.

Of the nine students, six will be attending the United States Air Force Academy, two will be attending the United States Naval Academy, and one will be attending the United States Military Academy, where they will all soon receive an outstanding education and valuable training that will prepare them for almost anything they want to do in life.

This impressive group represents a new generation of leaders, one that will chart a new course for our country with character and purpose. We are so proud of each one of them, and wish them all the best as they begin this exciting new chapter in their lives.

Image8 of the 9 students who will attend service academies in the fall.

The selection process for the Class of 2024 opens in June, and applications will be accepted through mid-October. You can get more information here or by contacting my staffer who coordinates the process at [email protected].gov.

On Friday in East Lansing, the Congresswoman hosted a town hall for veterans from across the district to discuss the Honoring Our PACT Act, which expands VA health benefits to veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances.

This law also expands and extends eligibility for VA health care for veterans of the Vietnam era, Gulf War era, and post-9/11 era, making it one of the largest health and benefit expansions in American history.

More than 100 veterans, family members, and caregivers came out to join Rep. Slotkin and John Boerstler, the Chief Experience Officer from the VA, to hear more about this landmark legislation, which was signed into law last summer.

The Congresswoman wrote and introduced one of the component bills for this law, the Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act, which cut through red tape to make it easier for toxic exposed veterans to obtain specialized care and benefits.

In less than a year since President Biden signed the PACT Act into law, more than three million veterans have received toxic exposure screenings. In addition to answering questions at the town hall, there were health and benefits counselors on site to help veterans file claims on the spot, as well as the VA’s Mobile Vet Center.

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But we still have work to do and the clock is ticking: in order to receive full benefits backdated to when the bill became law last summer, veterans need to file for benefits before August 10, 2023.

You can find out more HERE or by calling the VA at 800-698-2411. You can also reach out to our office at (517) 993-0510 or by emailing Gina Shireman, our Director of Constituent Services and lead VA caseworker at [email protected].

We owe it to those who step up to serve our nation to take care of them when they return. Stay tuned for more actions to support service members, veterans and their families throughout May.

– Office of Rep. Elissa Slotkin
Funding for Four Michigan Start-Ups in High-Tech Mobility Industry

Funding for Four Michigan Start-Ups in High-Tech Mobility Industry

by | May 10, 2023 | Regional News

LG Header 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 10, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

 

Lt. Governor Gilchrist Announces Funding for Four Michigan Start-Ups in High-Tech Mobility Industry

Grants will support companies revitalizing existing mobility solutions to address modern challenges 

 

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced that four companies will receive $520,000 in total funding through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP) for the real-world testing and deployment of mobility projects across the state. With these grants, Michigan will enable new mobility solutions that will help to upgrade existing infrastructure and capabilities to accommodate a new era of mobility and electrification, including battery-electric freight railcars, solar lighting for the enhanced safety of pathways, sensors to detect driver and passenger health emergencies, and modular, flexible electric vehicle (EV) charging platforms.

 

“Michigan is setting the pace for innovating the future of mobility, chips, and clean energy,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “Today’s investments will showcase how our infrastructure meets the demands of new technologies while prioritizing the needs of our communities and residents. Governor Whitmer and I will continue to invest in Michigan’s future in ways that solidify Michigan as an example for the rest of the world to follow.”

 

In partnership with key startups, local, state and federal officials, four companies – Intramotev, APT Solar Solutions, Meili Technologies, and PlugZen – will receive funding to address mobility challenges across the state.

 

  • Intramotev will conduct the first real-world operational deployment of battery-electric freight railcars capable of operating without a locomotive for short-haul freight moves, helping to foster a cleaner, less congested and safer freight ecosystem.
  • APT Solar Solutions will improve the reliability of solar lighting by integrating 3D Solar Lighting Fixtures into existing transportation and urban infrastructures for enhanced mobility safety, sustainability and equity.
  • Meili Technologies will conduct a pilot with deep learning software that uses in-cabin sensors to detect driver and passenger health emergencies based on body poses, facial expressions and vital signs, helping to enable mobility for those who are susceptible to medical emergencies while driving.
  • PlugZen will install modular, flexible EV charging platforms and adapt them for more convenient environments such as multi-family housing units, offices and workspaces, and directly to fleet operations providers.

 

Launched by the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the MMFP focuses on catalyzing and scaling mobility solutions that improve environmental sustainability by encouraging EV adoption and charging infrastructure buildout, increasing access to affordable and reliable transportation options, and modernizing existing transportation systems.

 

“We are pleased to support this latest round of grant recipients because they will play key roles in Michigan’s comprehensive approach to mobility solutions development beyond the individual automobile,” said Kathryn Snorrason, Interim Chief Mobility Officer at the State of Michigan. “MMFP recipients continue to play a key role in deploying the next generation of safe, efficient and sustainable mobility technologies that address the unique needs of Michigan’s diverse populations.”

 

Today’s announcement represents the latest in a series of grants awarded through the MMFP. With this latest round of grants, a total of $3,900,343 has been deployed at real world and test mobility sites throughout the state. This round of MMFP grant recipients include:

 

APT Solar Solutions ($120,000 – Ann Arbor)

Walkability is a core urban design element, and cities across the state are striving to modernize non-motorized routes to help provide alternative modes of transportation while promoting health and wellness. In Southfield, which has more than 20 miles of constructed pathways, there is an opportunity for citizens to rely less on vehicle transportation, participate in recreational activities and benefit from the sustainability of the City’s mobility infrastructure.

 

Adaptable Powerful Transformative Solar Solutions (APTSS TM), an Ann Arbor company, has developed a proprietary, market-ready, off-grid, clean electricity platform in the form of a compact 3D solar module that significantly improves the reliability and performance of solar products. The APTSS TM 3D Solar Lighting Fixtures can be easily integrated into existing transportation and urban infrastructures, and require minimal maintenance once installed. The solution offers a more affordable and immediate alternative to building out grid-connected lighting.

 

Using MMFP assistance, APTSS TM will deploy 100 of its 3D Solar Lighting Fixtures across Michigan’s Lower and Upper-Peninsulas. The pilot project will measure how the solution improves safety, equity and economic opportunity by decreasing nighttime safety incidents and increasing access for mobility-impaired individuals. APTSS TM also aims to contribute to the creation or retention of clean manufacturing jobs in Michigan as it expands to commercialization in 2023. This pilot program will be pivotal to the company’s ability to finalize design and demonstrate the product’s competitive advantage, aligned with their vision of a cleaner, and more versatile solar grid, termed Solar Forest TM.

 

As part of the pilot program, APTSS TM will partner with organizations in both the private and public sectors, including university campuses, municipalities, marina authorities, and non-profit transportation organizations, to deploy the fixtures that will help provide on-demand lighting on walkways, trails, bike lanes, boat docks, driveways, traffic signages and bus stations.

 

“This technology compliments the City’s placemaking strategies along current and future non-motorized pathways by enhancing safety measures and promoting sustainability,” said Terry Croad, director of planning for the City of Southfield. “Ultimately, the solar lighting fixtures will make it possible to construct additional pathway segments in locations that are thought to be a deterrent to pedestrians, such as under freeway overpasses, heavily wooded parks, or other routes with limited illumination.”

 

“This exciting project in Ypsilanti continues Michigan’s leadership in clean energy and money-saving energy efficiency solutions,” said Senator Jeff Irwin (D–Ann Arbor)

 

“Investing in clean energy, like solar, is a huge priority for myself and my constituents,” said State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township). “Based in Ann Arbor, APT Solar Solutions is incredibly deserving of an MMFP grant, and I look forward to seeing the impacts of this pilot project on our local community and the implication statewide.”

 

Intramotev ($200,000 – Cedarville)

Intramotev builds TugVolt battery-electric freight railcars that can move independently without relying on a locomotive. By replacing traditional semi-trucks and diesel locomotives with new, electric freight railcars for short-haul freight moves, Michigan can enjoy even cleaner air and reduced congestion while reducing work hazards and relying on clean energy.

 

With support from the MMFP, Intramotev will deploy three TugVolt battery electric railcars at a mining site in the Upper Peninsula, to support a new railway that will carry one six-car train of ore per hour. It will be the first real-world operational deployment of a battery-electric freight railcar capable of operating without a locomotive pulling it. It will also be one of the largest scale implementations of industrial robots.

 

Rather than implement an additional full locomotive to transport the six-car train, Intramotev will retrofit three existing railcars into self-propelled, battery-electric TugVolts that will pull three additional traditional railcars. This change is estimated to eliminate up to 55,000 gallons of diesel consumption and 617 tons of vehicle-level CO2 emissions. The deployment will also save the mining partner a significant amount of operating expenses and help keep their workers safe.

 

This project will help Intramotev prove its solution on a small-scale, allowing the company to improve and implement its technology throughout the state and beyond. Not only is there expansion potential to help further modernize the partner’s other sites, there are additional opportunities for deployments throughout Michigan at mines, ports, transloads and manufacturing facilities that are rail-connected.

 

“Through this project, Michigan is setting the stage to revolutionize transportation again through the first implementations of battery electric self-propelled railcars,” said Timothy Luchini, Chief Executive Officer of Intramotev. “When scaled more broadly, our technology will help foster a cleaner, less congested and safer world – and it will have been deployed first in Michigan.”

 

Meili Technologies ($50,000 – Detroit)

Meili Technologies (Meili) offers deep learning software that uses in-cabin sensors to detect driver and passenger health emergencies based on body pose, facial expressions and vital signs. Meili’s software integrates into fleet and passenger vehicle sensors and helps to enable mobility for those who are susceptible to medical emergencies while driving, making roadways safer for all. If a health event, like a heart attack or seizure occurs, the software communicates signals to the vehicle to take action – which could mean emergency braking, flashing taillights, or changing vehicle door access – to proactively avoid a crash, and contacts first responders to ensure lifesaving care arrives as quickly as possible.

 

With funding from the MMFP, Meili will conduct a pilot project with Stellantis subsidiary, FCA US. Over the course of the project, Meili will work toward continued integration within a Stellantis vehicle. The project will demonstrate how lifesaving software like Meili’s can integrate into in-cabin settings and sync with vehicle advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The project also aims to show how Meili’s technology will help alleviate existing mobility barriers – a necessary step to further OEM development and integration of Meili’s technology.

 

“At Meili, our mission is to build a world-class solution that enhances mobility and freedom for the one in three drivers who suffer from a pre-existing condition, as well as make transportation safer for all stakeholders,” said John DeFelice, COO of Meili Technologies.

 

PlugZen ($150,000 – Metro Detroit)

Dating back to the old-fashioned, full-service gas stations of days past, drivers have depended on limited, stationary options to refuel their vehicles for over a century. As more OEMs prioritize the development of EVs, similar challenges have arisen regarding the accessibility of EV chargers, with electric “range anxiety” replacing the uneasy feeling of the gas light turning on. This is especially true in underserved communities where EV infrastructure investments have been slow to emerge.

 

PlugZen, a Detroit-based EV manufacturer, is developing a modular, flexible EV Charging Platform that will evolve charging options beyond the traditional “fill up” and adapt them for more convenient environments such as multi-family housing units, offices and workspaces, and directly to fleet operations providers. Plug Zen’s charging platform will be able to charge up to 10 vehicles simultaneously through either cable or inductive charging.

 

PlugZen will leverage its MMFP grant to create opportunities for workforce development and generational wealth in the Metro Detroit communities it serves, reduce its carbon footprint and deliver environmental justice to communities, all while improving access to EV charging options.

 

“The inclusion of all voices elevates business, drives sustainable policies, and creates equitable opportunities for all,” said Kwabena “Q” Johnson, president at PlugZen. “With the support of MEDC, PlugZen is committed to making sure Metro Detroit communities have access to affordable EV charging and a stake in the future of the EV infrastructure they depend on.”

 

“The future of mobility is built in Detroit” said Senator Erika Geiss (D-Taylor). “This funding opportunity will advance PlugZen’s technology as they grow their footprint in the communities I represent, right in the heart of the Motor City. This company is facing the challenges of the 21st century economy head-on, and as the Chair of the Senate Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, I am excited to see how their work will advance opportunities for electric vehicle ownership. Michigan put the world on wheels in the 20th century, and the next century of electric vehicles is driven by Detroit.”

 

To learn more about how Michigan is leading in transportation mobility and electrification, visit www.michiganbusiness.org/mobility.

 
Teenage Musician Records Album for Eagle Project

Teenage Musician Records Album for Eagle Project

by | May 10, 2023 | Scouting

Brandon Kathman                                                                             FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Sr. District Executive & Operations Marketing Lead                                                               5/9/23

[email protected]

947-886-5736

Teenage Musician Records Album for Eagle Scout Project

 

DAVISBURG – Young musician and prospective Eagle Scout Kieron Holloway, 17, is making history, recording a therapeutic album for his final service project in what may be a first for the Scouting movement.

“The Eagle Project represents one of the final challenges for youth seeking Scouting’s highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout,” Bob DeWar, a field director with Scouting’s Michigan Crossroads Council, said. “Kieron has channeled his passion and unique talents for what promises to be a novel approach to fulfilling the project requirements.”

The Davisburg drummer and guitarist has partnered with Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s Department of Music to produce the album, which he titled “Music for Mental Health.” A lifelong musician, Holloway comes from a family of performers. A second cousin once removed of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly, Holloway describes music as his love. 

According to Holloway, the album’s ultimate objective is to supplement the therapeutic process for those living with depression or anxiety. Painstakingly composed to facilitate self-care, the songs will be free and accessible on most major music platforms.

“Mental illness is a very serious problem that can be difficult to deal with alone, yet difficult to find help for,” Holloway said. “However, music is often used as a tool to help alleviate the stresses of it.”

Under the guidance of the university’s director of music therapy, Sophia Lee, Hollway learned about the science behind music as well as the specific needs of his intended audience.

“I posted surveys on social media, gathering the musical elements people gravitate to in order to address mental health,” Holloway said. 

Ambient and largely instrumental, Holloway’s “Music for Mental Health” will make use of drums, a guitar, a keyboard and even woodwind and brass ensembles. Holloway has recruited additional talent from the Clarkston High School band club, selecting for players he feels are “compatible with each other.” Once completed, the album will be around 20 minutes in length.

After finishing his project, the Scout must go before an Eagle Board of Review, which will determine whether to recommend him for the award. On approval, Holloway can join an exclusive few, as only 6% of youth who register in Scouting ever achieve the honor, according to the movement’s National Council.

 

Whitmer Signs Bills to Invest in School Safety

Whitmer Signs Bills to Invest in School Safety

by | May 10, 2023 | Regional News

Governor Whitmer Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 8, 2023

Contact: [email protected]

Whitmer Signs Bills to Invest in School Safety, Transportation, and Technology Upgrades, Lower Costs for Michigan Businesses 

LANSING, Mich – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation to assist schools with providing funds for school security improvements, acquiring and upgrading technology and vehicles used for transportation and school maintenance, and real estate purchases. Governor Whitmer also signed bills to lower taxes for property that will be used for the production and recycling of materials for construction or maintenance of real estate, and provide greater access to insurance corporation board meetings by allowing them to continue to conduct meetings electronically.

 

“Today, I signed several bills to make a real difference for students, families, and communities,” said Governor Whitmer. “We’re helping schools more easily improve campus security, upgrade technology and vehicles, and fund maintenance projects. We are lowering property taxes for land used to produce or recycle construction or property maintenance. And we are boosting transparency by offering people greater access to insurance corporation board meetings. Let’s keep working together to lower costs, help schools better serve their students, and ensure Michiganders have greater access to information that impacts their bills.”

 

Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bills 63, 97, 101, and 160 and House Bill 4054.

 

Senate Bill 63 will keep students safe at school and provide improved learning environments by amending the Revised School Code to allow a sinking fund tax authorized on or after the bill’s effective date to be used for the purchase of real estate for school buildings, for school security improvements, for the acquisition or upgrading of technology, for the acquisition of student transportation vehicles, or for the acquisition of vehicles used in the maintenance of school building.

 

“I would like to thank Governor Whitmer for supporting Senate Bill 63. This legislation gives schools and taxpayers more flexibility to purchase and maintain school buses,” said state Senator Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia). “To best serve students, it is important that schools have a safe and reliable bus fleet.”

 

Senate Bill 97 and House Bill 4054 will lower costs for Michiganders by amending the Use Tax Act to exempt from taxation the sale of property, used for production, manufacturing, or recycling of aggregate by the property if the aggregate would be used as an ingredient or component part for construction, maintenance, repair, or reconstruction of real property in Michigan.

 

“This is about helping reduce taxes on Michigan businesses struggling with ever-increasing costs due to high inflation,” said state Senator Joseph Bellino (R-Monroe). “I want to thank the governor for signing this bill to provide this relief by clarifying how state tax exemptions apply to producing aggregates, like crushed stone and gravel and recycled materials that are critical to improving our roads and reducing trash in our landfills.”

 

“This plan will help clear up Michigan’s tax code and remove costs and barriers for Michigan businesses,” said state Representative Greg VanWoerkom (R-Norton Shores). “I’m glad the bill was able to receive clear bipartisan support and moved swiftly to provide relief for these businesses.”

 

Senate Bill 160 is a bill that continues the progress made in public act 21 of 2023, exempting delivery and installation charges from taxable value in certain circumstances.

 

“After taking office in January, businesses in my district shared with me their concerns about the unfair tax treatment of delivery and installation services by the state,” said state Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing). “I appreciate Governor Whitmer’s support of this bipartisan tax package that clarifies the tax code and brings tax fairness to small businesses across the state.”

 

Senate Bill 101 will amend Chapter 52 of the Insurance Code to eliminate sunsets on provisions that allow stockholders or directors of certain insurance corporations to adopt bylaws permitting meetings through electronic means, improving member and shareholder access.

 

“Virtual communication is an increasingly important tool in doing business. It’s time that our insurance code reflects that,” said state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing). “This bill will allow members of Insurance Boards to meet virtually, bringing our code into the 21st century and making firms in a critical sector of our economy more responsive to consumer needs.”