Focus Macomb Presents Annual Report to Planning & Economic Development Committee.

Nearly 40 members of Focus Macomb attended the most recent meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners on March 11, 2008 to present the 2007 Annual Report.

Executive Co-chairs Donald Torline (Baker College of Clinton Township) and Roy Rose (Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick) opened and closed the presentation with adulations for members and the many hours of service they committed toward identifying strategies for stimulating economic development in the county.  They also commended Executive Director Stephen Cassin and the entire department for its efficient implementation of many of the recommendations presented in the Inaugural Report. 

Focus Macomb is a group of influential community leaders committed to making Macomb County a great place to live, work and play.  Members represent business, education, healthcare, nonprofit organizations and government.  Fostered in a belief that a private/public partnership is an effective way to implement positive change, these individuals work together to examine the issues that affect the business climate, develop recommendations to stimulate economic growth and then implement strategies to enhance, strengthen and expand the economic success of the county.  

Co-chairs from each of the five committees of Focus Macomb also provided a summary of work for the committee chaired by Commissioner Kathy Vosburg. Each described how members had endeavored to further explore issues identified during the first year and how the processes of developing implementation strategies were progressing.  

Rick Kincaid (K & F Electronics), Co-chair of Business Development acknowledged that many of the recommendations brought forth by the committee had been implemented with success in the county.  Some of the projects for the coming year include the establishment of a business advisory committee, promoting expanded use of the Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), and the development of “Source Macomb” – a Web site that will promote the opportunities available for businesses in Macomb County.

Barbara Rossmann (Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals) described how experts from the Workforce Development Institute of Macomb Community College – supported by testimonials of committee members - helped to further define their recommendation to “create a culture of education” from the first year.   The committee suggested that the county help to organize a career exploration fair that would help potential employees better prepare to meet today’s employer demands for basic and advanced skills.

Susan Murphy (United Way for Southeastern Michigan) and Joie West (Clinton Township) of the newly formed Health Committee gave credit to subject matter experts from the Michigan Office of Financial & Insurance Services, Humana, Southeast Michigan Health Association and the Macomb Health Plan helped members to better understand the complexities involved in employer sponsored health care programs.  Subsequent recommendations include creating a culture of health and wellness in the county as a way of staying the cost of health care, among the other obvious benefits to residents.

Quality of Life Co-chair Karen Parenteau (Health Alliance Plan) reported on the progress of the group to launch a Web site to provide comprehensive information about what makes Macomb a great place to be.

Finally, Tony Viviano (Sterling Heights Dodge) presented a concise set of recommendations for addressing transportation concerns as related to the lack of adequate funding for maintaining the current infrastructure as well as the need to enhance public transportation throughout the region.

Co-chairs Ron Reed of Business Development and Paul Socia (Citizens State Bank) of Quality of Life were unable to attend. 

A common thread of each of the reports was a desire for the Macomb County Board of Commissioners to acknowledge the findings of members and to affirm ways in which county government could partner with the businesses and institutions that are represented through Focus Macomb for implementing recommended strategies. 

A celebratory gathering of Focus Macomb, sponsored by Baker College of Clinton Township is planned for mid-April.