Coulter Unveils Innovative Economic Strategy

by Becky Andrus | Oct 26, 2020 | Local News

Coulter Unveils Innovative Economic Strategy Focusing On Diversification, Workforce And Community Development First New Economic Plan In 16 Years Touts Local And Global Appeal

Pontiac, Michigan – Oakland County Executive David Coulter today launched a new economic development strategy for the county which aims to spur innovation, investment and growth through a focus on digitized manufacturing, regional collaboration, environmental sustainability, and increased workforce education and training.

The new strategy operates under the premise that Oakland County is an inviting global destination for world-class talent, investment and jobs. It will be data driven through equitable and inclusive development, with the county involved as a catalyst for collaboration locally and across the region. Key focus areas are educational attainment, mobility, digitizing manufacturing and supporting small businesses.

“Oakland County’s economic development strategy has not been updated since 2004,” Coulter said. “This is a rapidly changing landscape, and our focus must be intentional and directed. For example, we have more than 2,200 manufacturers employing 69,000 people and generating $5.7 billion in goods and services. The engineering talent found in Oakland County is second to none and we must leverage it to ensure we solidify our status as the mobility capital of the world.”

The county, with more than 1,000 international firms from 39 countries, has an international diversity that many states can’t match – an advantage the strategy seeks to further develop. The strategy sharpens county efforts to help local companies attract lucrative aerospace and defense contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense and Homeland Security. It strengthens the mobility/autonomous vehicles sector, helping small manufacturers through Industry 4.0, which brings them into the world of digitized manufacturing, 3D printing, advanced materials, robotics, cybersecurity and internet of all things.

Oakland County recently invested $10 million in Automation Alley to help the county become more resilient to pandemics such as COVID-19, and less reliant on foreign manufacturing for essential goods such as protective equipment for first responders, hospitals and health care workers.

Strategy highlights include:

Oakland80, which Coulter introduced in February during his State of the County address, set a goal of having 80 percent of county adults attain a post-secondary degree or industry-recognized credential by 2030. This initiative makes the county an attractive destination for employer relocation or expansion and to help sustain and grow investment.
Hiring our Veterans seeks to connect retiring veterans with good paying jobs, should the veteran return to Oakland County. The county’s Veterans’ Services division is being moved to the Workforce Development division.
Mobility: Silicon Valley and Oakland County/Southeast Michigan are competing to own this space. The county and Southeast Michigan make a strong case for supremacy because of the high concentration of engineers in the region. Oakland County will work with Macomb County and Wayne County to create mobility corridors for autonomous vehicles.
Oakland County International Airport and Oakland/Southwest Airport: Leverage the use of county-owned airports to support autonomous aerial platforms and programs expected to grow rapidly because of Amazon’s expansion in the county.
Promote Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovation: The county recently received a $3 million grant from the federal government with a matching $1.3 million from Oakland County to support small entrepreneurs impacted by COVID 19, which includes the promotion of minority-owned, woman-owned and veteran-owned companies.
Environment & Sustainability: Oakland County has over 90,000 acres of parkland, more than 1,400 freshwater lakes, 65 miles of trails for hiking and biking. The strategy acknowledges the county’s fiduciary duty to be stewards of these natural resources and ensure their preservation and viability for future generations.
Local Small Businesses: COVID 19 hit every business hard, especially small businesses with less than 50 employees. The county invested over $74 million in 15,000 small businesses, and $1.7 million in 22 local chambers of commerce.

Oakland County Economic Development Strategic Plan

EGLE launches online tool to report drinking water concerns

by Becky Andrus | Oct 26, 2020 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 26, 2020
EGLE Media Office, EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov, 517-284-9278

EGLE Clean Water Public Advocate launches online tool to report drinking water concerns

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) today announced that its Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate has launched its Drinking Water Concern System to track and respond to public concerns about drinking water quality. The EGLE call center is also available to receive water quality concerns at 800-662-9278.

The web-based platform, Michigan.gov/DrinkingWaterConcerns, is available in English, Spanish and Arabic and can be accessed from computers, mobile phones and tablets. The system also allows users to post images that illustrate their drinking water concerns. Michigan residents with concerns about their community water supplier or their own private wells may utilize the online system to raise concerns. As residents complete the online form, they are provided with helpful tips and resources to address common drinking water questions based on the concern category selected. Later this year, a public facing dashboard will be available to display water quality concerns received by EGLE based on location.

The Clean Water Public Advocate’s network of volunteer Clean Water Ambassadors also played a key role in ensuring that the online system was user-friendly. The Ambassadors will also help spread awareness in their communities that the new system is available. For more information on the Clean Water Ambassador initiative visit Michigan.gov/CleanWaterAmbassadors.

“Michigan residents need a clear path to submitting their water quality concerns and this new online system was designed to improve access, align resources and provide a second level of protection for residents who have drinking water concerns,” said Ninah Sasy, EGLE’s Clean Water Public Advocate.

Community water suppliers, also known as local water departments, monitor drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Residents who receive their water from a community water supplier can contact the water supplier for answers to questions about water quality concerns. This new state-wide Drinking Water Concern System is an additional resource available to residents who experience barriers and would like to escalate their water quality concern.

The Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate was created through Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Executive Order 2019-06. The Office operates as a type 1 agency within the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, while having a connection to the Governor’s Office to elevate concerns. The Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate ensures that drinking water concerns are investigated and that trends are analyzed. Based on trend analysis, recommendations to laws, rules, regulations, and procedures will be made to ensure that community concerns are addressed. The Office also connects resources at the state and local level to ensure that Michigan is more responsive to drinking water quality concerns.

“Every Michigander deserves to trust the water coming out of their tap, which is why I made protecting and delivering clean water and rebuilding trust in state government a priority from day one,” Whitmer said. “This new tool is yet another example of this administration’s commitment to make clean water a reality for all Michiganders.”

The Office of the Clean Water Public Advocate acts as an interface between state, local and private sector stakeholders to ensure that Michigan is more responsive to drinking water concerns. It also works closely with EGLE’s Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division and many other agencies including the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Division of Environmental Health to address water quality concerns. The partnership with local municipal water suppliers and local health departments also ensures that all parties work together to address water quality concerns received from Michigan residents.

Football Playoff Matchups are Officially Set

by Becky Andrus | Oct 26, 2020 | Feature Writers, High School Sports

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Football Playoff Matchups are Officially Set.

Written Sunday October 25th at 12:30 PM

Here are all the playoff matchups surrounding the OAA. I credit Anthony Taormina and the MHSAA for doing a good job on the brackets. We will have complete coverage on these matchups on the podcast and on the blog. Should be very interesting to watch.

Here are the matchups.

Division One.

Region 2, District 4

8. OXFORD (31.367) at 1. CLARKSTON (75.333)

5. LAKE ORION (45.000) at 4. Grand Blanc (59.367)

6. Lapeer (40.000) at 3. Davison (64.667)

7. ADAMS (36.167) at 2. ROCHESTER (70.000)

Region 4, District 7

8. FARMINGTON (15.4.00) at 1. Sterling Heights Stevenson (64.367)

5. TROY ATHENS (37.000) at 4. SOUTHFIELD ARTS AND TECH (39.000)

6. TROY (34.867) at 3. BLOOMFIELD HILLS (46.067)

7. Utica Ford II (25.500) at 2. WEST BLOOMFIELD (64.167)

Region 4, District 8

1. STONEY CREEK (71.900)-Bye

5. Utica Eisenhower (38.400) at 4. Chippewa Valley (39.000)

6. Romeo (36.200) at 3. New Baltimore Anchor Bay (50.833)

7. Macomb L’Anse Creuse North (7.000) at 2. Macomb Dakota (67.333)

Division Two.

Region 6, District 12

8. Walled Lake Central (14.700) at 1. Fenton (67.667)

5. Waterford Kettering (35.233) at 4. NORTH FARMINGTON (44.000)

6. Waterford Mott (30.000) at 3. Walled Lake Western (46.067)

7. Milford (26.400) at 2. South Lyon (49.200)

Region 7, District 14

8. OAK PARK (15.600) at 1. Grosse Pointe South (56.567)

5. Detroit University-Detroit Jesuit (31.600) at 4. Grosse Pointe North (38.500)

6. Detroit Renaissance (28.333) at 3. FERNDALE (53.400)

7. Lincoln Park (21.767) at 2. Wyandotte Roosevelt (56.167)

Region 8, District 15

8. Sterling Heights (12.000) at 1. SEAHOLM (56.333)

5. GROVES (40.333) at 4. AVONDALE (40.700)

6. ROYAL OAK (22.333) at 3. BERKLEY (50.900)

7. Warren Cousino (21.400) at 2. Warren Mott (56.000)

Division Three.

Region 11, District 21

1. Linden (47.833)-Bye

5. Holly (32.000) at 4. Bay City Central (28.333)

6. PONTIAC (15.000) at 3. Bay City Central (38.167)

7. Clio (8.863) at 2. Flint Kearsley (44.333)

MDOT to meet the challenge of winter during a pandemic

by Becky Andrus | Oct 26, 2020 | Regional News

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020
CONTACT: Dan Weingarten, MDOT Office of Communications, 906-250-4809
WeingartenD@Michigan.gov

MDOT prepares to meet the challenge
of winter during a pandemic

October 26, 2020 — With winter already on its way to parts of the state, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is doing what it does every year: preparing. But this winter may pose new challenges for keeping our roads clear.

“Over the years, maintenance workers at the state and local levels have handled everything winter could throw at them but, with the continuing threat of COVID-19, this is going to be an unprecedented winter,” said State Transportation Director Paul C. Ajegba. “We’re working with local agencies and county road commissions to plan for contingencies, but we want drivers to know the pandemic could affect our ability to maintain winter levels of service.”

The goal of MDOT and its partner agencies remains clearing highways to bare pavement as quickly as possible after a winter storm. If MDOT or local contract agencies are temporarily affected by COVID-19 infections or associated quarantines, it may take longer to reach this goal.

“During snowstorms, MDOT and our contract agencies will have all available staff out working to clear roads as quickly as possible,” Ajegba said. “We’ll be asking the public for their patience and understanding if we need to manage temporary staff shortages. We’ll do the best we can with the resources available.”

As we move into winter, drivers need to remember they also share responsibility for safety when they venture out. Motorists must follow Michigan’s Basic Speed Law, which requires them to drive at a “careful and prudent” speed in all driving conditions that also allows them to be able to stop within the clear distance ahead. It may mean driving slower than the posted speed limit.

MDOT and Michigan State Police (MSP) collaborated to produce a video with information on how roads are maintained each winter and the actions motorists should take now to be prepared for inclement driving conditions. The video also covers:

How to prepare your vehicle for winter driving, such as making sure tires are in good condition and that all snow and ice have been cleared from your vehicle before heading onto the road;
Why drivers should give plow operators extra space, and consider staying behind them in winter storms;
How drivers can see what plow truck operators see through the Mi Drive travel information website, and see their position on state routes in real time;
The use of green lights on plow trucks;
Michigan’s Move Over Law, which requires motorists to move over for stationary emergency vehicles with their lights activated or slow down and pass with caution if it is not possible to safely change lanes, and
Other reminders for winter driving, such as avoiding distractions, using headlights during winter weather, and leaving extra space between vehicles.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Receive Prestigious Justice Award

by Becky Andrus | Oct 26, 2020 | Regional News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2020

Media Contact: Press@Michigan.gov

Governor Gretchen Whitmer Receive Prestigious Detroit Branch NAACP 2020 Mary Church Terrell Freedom & Justice Award

DETROIT, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer received the Detroit Branch NAACP Mary Church Terrell Freedom & Justice Award at the NAACP’s 65th Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Event. The award is presented each year to an individual whose actions, commitment, and integrity reflect the continuous struggle for justice and equality, exemplified by one of the founders of the NAACP. It was named after Mary Church Terrell, a champion in the struggle for dignity and respect for African Americans.

“As a lifelong NAACP member, it is such an honor to receive this award, and I am so grateful for the NAACP’s partnership as we have worked to build a more equitable Michigan together,” said Governor Whitmer. “This year, Michigan has faced multiple crises that have shined a light on the racial disparities in our communities, and I was proud to work with community leaders across the state to tackle those issues head on. The theme of today’s event is ‘Take Your Souls to the Polls,’ so I want to remind everyone in Michigan to fill out your absentee ballot and drop it off, vote early in person, or vote at the polls on election. We can enact more change in Michigan when we vote for leaders who share our goals to create a more just, equitable Michigan for everyone.”

The Detroit Branch has remained the largest Branch of the NAACP since its inception. Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony is currently. serving his 14th term as President of the Detroit Branch NAACP, a position he has held for 27 years.

“Today the Detroit Branch NAACP will present it’s prestigious Mary Church Terrell Freedom And Justice Award to Governor Gretchen Whitmer,” said Rev. Dr. Wendell Anthony. “In lieu of the Annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner we are having a Freedom Fund Experience. This Award is presented to Governor Whitmer for her unyielding stand for health care protection for Michiganders, refusal to submit to threats against her life and liberty and standing strong against personal attacks from the President of the United States. She is indeed BIG GRETCH OUR GOVERNOR!”

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