Our very own Cathy Federspiel earned the top spot in the county’s annual "Healthstyles” program!  Cathy participated in the year-long program by earning points for walking, exercising, eating a colorful diet, attending “Lunch & Learn” programs and participating in charity walks.  Overall, she earned 80 points with fellow Research Specialist Nadine Thacker close on her heels with 72 points.  The results were announced at the 9th Annual Awards Luncheon and Health Fair at the VerKuilen Building on August 18th.  Congratulations to both!

The department was pleased to work with the Oakland University and the Macomb Chamber Alliance to conduct a second survey of the business climate in Macomb County. Subscribers to eMacomb, the department's electronic newsletter, were invited to participate. To see the compiled results, click here.

Senior Economic Development Specialist Justin Robinson is helping the Macomb Cultural and Economic Partnership (MCEP) as they host 24 material science engineering students from Shanghai University.  In town since July 14, the students will spend two weeks touring Michigan universities and participating in two-day internships at Macomb County corporations.

Host families throughout the county have generously opened their homes to give students an opportunity to see and experience American life in action, and to take in the many sights and sounds that make metro Detroit special during the summer.

The program is part of a larger effort by Macomb County and MCEP to create long term relationships with foreign countries that will lead to economic development and increased opportunities for our students, businesses and communities.  Participating corporations include Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick; Dupont; and Polymer Process Development.

The department partnered with the Macomb County Board of Commissioners and the Macomb Cultural & Economic Partnership (MCEP) to host a special Stars and Stripes Celebration on Friday, July 2. Honored guests included the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit as well as members of the Association of Mexican Professionals in Michigan (APROMEX), Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Bar Association and TechBA Michigan.

Nearly 300 individuals attended to enjoy networking opportunities, share a meal, visit the Stars and Stripes Festival and then watch Mount Clemens’ spectacular fireworks display. The event was funded by MCEP and by sponsors Baker College, Macomb Community College and Wayne State University.

A portion of the program was broadcast live on the Internet and is available to view here.

Senior Business Consultant Bob Madigan was highlighted for his commitment to small business on the Small Business and Technology Development Center web site. As the primary consultant to all three of Region 10's SBTDC Best Small Business Award winners, Bob has demonstrated outstanding ability to mentor a company to success. Read more here.

Staff member Maria Zardis represented the V8 Gateway during a Centers for Regional Excellence statewide conference in Meridian Township. CRE provided competitive funding for local governments to work together to streamline government and save taxpayer dollars. The purpose was to make their communities better places to live, work and play. Governor Granholm herself was on hand to lead the discussion. In all, nine examples of regional collaboration were highlighted. To see the two-hour video: click here.

Economic Specialist Justin Robinson has been working since 2008 with Belle Maer Harbor, MacRay Harbor and the Michigan Boating Association to develop a tourism initiative for Lake St. Clair. With funding from area marinas, businesses and key stakeholders, the group recently launched a new web site designed to educate and connect everyone with the many recreational opportunities that this freshwater gem offers.

Many plans are in place to expand the current web site, and additional sponsors are welcome. Visit www.TourLakeStClair.com.

Executive Director Stephen N. Cassin, AICP, has been appointed by Governor Granholm to serve on the Michigan Finance Authority Board of Directors.  The MFA was created by Executive Order 2010-2 to consolidate ten public finance authorities into one, thereby improving the efficiency of state government.  The MFA is an autonomous entity within the Department of Treasury.  The State Treasurer serves on the authority, as well as six additional members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate.  Steve's term began May 30, 2010 and will continue until September 20, 2013.

The Department is in the final stages of approval to receive two grants totaling nearly $2 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grants, which will be executed by the end of the month, will provide funding for wetland restoration along a portion of the Lake St. Clair coastline, as well as environmental improvements along Metro Parkway.

Macomb County's application was one of 270 applications selected for funding from a pool of 1,100 proposals.

The department is pleased to announce that it received a grant of $2,000 to help cover expenses for the upcoming "Meet Me on the Trail" day.  The award will help to cover event expenses and publish new maps of the expanding hike/bike trail system in Macomb County. The grant is from the DALMAC Fund which is supported by proceeds from the annual Dick Allen Lansing to Mackinaw Bicycle Tour (DALMAC) which is administered by the Tri-County Bicycle Association of Lansing, Michigan.

MCPED recently received notification that an application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources & Environment has been recommended for funding. Submitted through the Michigan Coastal Management Plan, the total cost for the project is $80,000. The grant will match a $40,000 award with another $40,000 offered as an in-kind match from participating communities along Anchor Bay in Macomb and St. Clair Counties. The department will partner with SEMCOG, the Michigan Natural Features Inventory program, and key communities along the Anchor Bay that participate in the Subwatershed Management planning process to identify and evaluate key parcels of land. The data collected about each will help to prioritize which have the greatest potential for future habitat protection and restoration. The application now moves forward to the U.S. Department of Commerce; Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management for final review and approval.

The department recently partnered with Oakland University and the Macomb County Chamber Alliance to develop and conduct a survey of area businesses. Subscribers to eMacomb with a business were asked to answer a series of questions designed to draw information about current conditions as well as predictions about the future. Dr. Al Lorenzo, Executive in Residence for Oakland University, oversaw the project and made a full presentation to the Macomb County Planning & Economic Development Committee on January 13. Click here for the Macomb Business Climate Survey Results

Department staff attended a loan and grant workshop hosted by Congresswoman Candice Miller and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Office.  Read More

The Community Development Services Group is abuzz with a rush of supplemental federal funding opportunities to promote housing, community development, and healthy economic growth.  Read More

The department recently hosted more than 280 manufacturers at the Mac Ray Event Center in Harrison Township for a day-long workshop on the topic of manufacturer diversification.  Read More

The Department is delighted to announce that Senior Planner Gerard Santoro is a recipient of the 2008 Joahanna Roskopp Award.  Named after a founding member of the Clinton River Watershed Council, the distinction is given to individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the increase awareness of water quality issues and promote sound watershed management planning.  Gerry will be presented with the award at the CRWC Annual Meeting on March 26

Department staff attended the “Planning For Agriculture” conference hosted by the Michigan Farm Bureau in Lansing. The event focused on agriculture and its importance as Michigan’s second largest industry. Read More

Department staff attended training for the “Specialized Technical Assistance and Revitalization Strategy” (STARS) as provided by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority in early February.  The seminar focused on resources and opportunities for downtowns in the State of Michigan.  Read More

The Department has recently partnered with the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning on a series of graduate student practicum projects throughout Macomb County. Six graduate student groups will be working on the following projects: Read More

Executive Director Stephen Cassin and Deputy Director Don Morandini attended the annual Economic Forecast hosted by the Macomb County Chamber Alliance. Click here to view the presentation.

Jacobs is to be formally inaugurated as President of Macomb Community College on March 30 and invited all attendees to a special breakfast panel discussion dedicated to "Creating Opportunity, Changing Lives" and how community colleges are driving economic recovery. As a bonus, the $40 registration fee will benefit a new scholarship fund.  Click for Details

Michigan is currently offering the most incentivized plan for making movies and television program in the entire world. With a rebate up to 42 percent for certain production expenses, Michigan has become a hotbead for all sorts of creative projects. Read More

• $225,000 to Macomb County Habitat for Humanity to build new homes in Roseville.  These modest but attractive new homes will replace three dilapidated units that were acquired from the Federal government for $1.  The homes will eventually be owned by low-income as required by Habitat guidelines.  The City of Roseville will commit its resources to the project as well.  Construction should be complete within one year.
• $60,000 to Macomb County Habitat for Humanity to build three new homes on Pinehurst in Roseville.  The City has already purchased the land and will subdivide the property into three lots for the new homes, which will be owned by qualified families, including a previous owner, who has special needs and faced homelessness before the City intervened.  This action will create long-term stability for the family and the neighborhood.
• $200,000 to rehabilitate nine homes owned and occupied by families in Clinton Township and other Macomb County communities. Families assisted are lower-income and cannot therefore repair their homes. All units will meet local and State housing code requirements when the repair work is complete, within 6 months.

The Macomb HOME Consortium Requests Proposals from Housing Developers - up to $591,602 in HOME funds is available for affordable housing projects in all Macomb County communities, except Warren and St. Clair Shores.  A request for proposals is available for developers and others who may be interested in participating in the program.  The RFP is broadly worded to encourage a variety of proposals.

Projects will be selected based on a number of factors, including previous experience, the ability to leverage funding for the project, and generating matching funds for the program.  The proposals are due by 4:30 pm, June 16, at the Department’s offices.Decisions are expected to be made by the end of September.

We previously reported that 24 non-profit organizations requested CDBG funds for the coming year. The review is complete and 21 communities have awarded more than $300,000 for human services, public facilities, and comprehensive planning activities administered by non-profit organizations. Awarded CDBG dollars will enable these organizations to leverage an additional $3.8 million in other funding, which tremendously expands the their impact on the communities served.

The Macomb County Board of Commissioners will consider the recommendations to be presented by the Planning & Economic Development Committee on May 15, 2008. If approved, the next and final step is to submit the recommendations to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If all goes as expected; the monies will be awarded beginning July 1, 2008.

Eager to keep the momentum of brownfields redevelopment moving in the county, the department will host an exhibition booth (#1726) during the conference.

We invite YOU to join us and promote properties with investment potential! More than 6,000 people will visit Detroit to attend this annual conference. Some come to gain additional information about how brownfields redevelopment works while others attend in search of properties with great investment potential. We want YOUR site to be included! Please call Jason Friedmann at (586) 469-5285 to recommend a site or to volunteer to help greet visitors to our booth.

Those with properties waiting for investors should also consider posting information on the Brownfields Transaction Forum - but act quickly – the deadline for listings is April 19, 2008.

MCPED is also partnering with the Michigan Suburbs Alliance to host a networking event on Tuesday May 6 from 7 – 10 p.m. at Cliff Bells (“the oldest jazz club in Detroit”). The Regional Summit will enable participants to continue dialogue with conference attendees. For more information: Regional Reception.

Good news for redevelopers in Macomb . . . the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just announced that Macomb County will receive $400,000 in grant funding to assess Brownfields in the county.  Actually, the county received two grants; $200,000 to assess properties suspected of petroleum contamination and another $200,000 to test sites suspected of contamination by other hazardous materials. The funding will build upon the nearly depleted EPA grant that was awarded in 2005.

Related Links

EPA Press Release regarding 2008 award

Fact Sheet

The Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (SBTDC) Network annually recognizes staff and volunteers for exemplary work.

The MI-SBTDC Recognition of Excellence - Leadership Awards Program was established to publicly acknowledge and reward outstanding service and collaboration within the state-wide and to recognize demonstrated excellence benefiting our clients, partners, or community.

Over the last several years, our SBTDC staff and volunteers, as well as the Department, have been recognized through this awards program. This year is no exception.

We are proud to announce the following awards:

Susan Bates - Intake Counselor/Administrative Personnel

Bob Madigan - Business Counselor

Linda Geary - Special Recognition

Linda Geary is a CPA who volunteers her time to do a series of Tax Seminars for us. She has also assisted in several of the business planning classes we sponsor.

The evaluation committee included business people who are not directly associated with but are familiar with the SBTDC Network. As a compliment to our staff and volunteers, our nominees won 3 of the 7 Leadership Awards categories.

An Awards Dinner is scheduled for May 15 in Grand Rapids where each recipient will be recognized individually by the SBTDC Network.

Jane Rosiek, Community Development Housing Rehabilitation Program Supervisor, will participate in the Family Resource Fair from 5 - 8 p.m. on April 3 at St. Basil the Great Parish in Eastpointe at 22860 Schroeder. Sponsored by Macomb County Commissioner Phil DiMaria, the event will offer information about county programs for residents of ages. Jane will distribute information about MCPED’s housing rehabilitation program. Other county agencies and organizations will also be on hand to share information about various programs including health care services, prescription drug assistance, special services for seniors and children, family safety, etc. Free hot dogs, a crafts station for kids and special visit from Rosco the Clown is also planned. For more information: Family Resource Fair

The Honorable William A. Crouchman, Chair of the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, unveiled the series in his State of the County address on March 18 at the MacRay Harbor Banquet & Events Center.  The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development developed the series in conjunction with the Macomb County Chamber.

The series was developed to help create awareness of the importance of international trade and focused on cultures with the greatest presence in the area.  Featured countries include China, Germany, India, Lebanon, Mexico and South Africa.  Each brochure contains general information about the history, languages, culture, religion and business practices of each country.

“We think these brochures will help businesses become more culturally aware so they can serve customers more effectively and be more competitive in the global marketplace,” said Stephen Cassin, MCPED Executive Director.

After reviewing the brochures, John Golaszewki of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights stated, “The value Macomb County will realize from both international business and enhanced relationships with the community members will be immeasurable.”

Sponsors Baker College of Clinton Township and Beaumont Hospitals provided funding to print the brochures which are available at the offices of MCPED and the Chamber.  A printable version of each is also available to the left.

The phones rang off the hook following two interviews with Program Manager for Community Development Services Mike Rozny to promote the Macomb County Housing Repair Assistance Program. An on-camera interview was on Fox 2 Detroit and then on WDET radio.

The program provides up to $20,000 in zero-interest, deferred loans through funding available through the Federal HOME Program. Eligible households are single-family residences that are owner-occupied.  Other eligibility factors include household income and type of repair assistance requested. The program is available to residents in 21 of Macomb’s 27 communities (Interested residents of Clinton Township, Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights or Warren should contact their respective communities as they manage their own HOME programs.)

On the morning following the on air interview, more than 640 calls from interested homeowners who want to repair their homes were logged.  Although a majority of the calls were from individuals outside of Macomb’s HOME jurisdiction, a total of 64 applications were sent to callers who met initial screening eligibility.

Gerard Santoro, AICP, will join a panel of expert speakers at the upcoming “Local Leadership in Sustainable Development” conference hosted by the International Council of Shopping Centers – East Michigan Alliance.

The event will be held from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on April 17, 2008 at the Townsend Hotel in Downtown Birmingham: Click here for information.

The moderated panel will discuss the benefits and cost savings achieved through the incorporation of low impact design elements in the development (or re-development) of sites. These design standards not only help to decrease demand and impact of local utility systems but can also reduce engineering and long-term maintenance costs. Low impact development is generally defined as a comprehensive land planning and engineering design approach with a goal of maintaining and enhancing the pre-development hydrologic regime of urban and developing watersheds. This design approach incorporates strategic planning with micro-management techniques to achieve superior environmental protection, while allowing for development or infrastructure rehabilitation to occur. MCPED helped to design and implement a very successful low impact development project in 2007 in downtown Mount Clemens.