January 10, 2012
Macomb Business Climate Survey results released
Over 550 business leaders responded to this December 2011 survey, the highest number of responses of the four surveys conducted to date. Read the analysis and resulting projections for economic development in Macomb County.

August 11, 2011
Economic Impact Report
The Department issued its Economic Impact Report for the first half of 2011, which highlighted the $55.1M investment and 600+ jobs that were created in Macomb County. For the complete report, click here.

August 5, 2011
The Upside of Downtowns
Macomb County's downtowns are vital community anchors.  These traditional commercial centers are destinations with profound social and economic impact on Macomb County.  With a wealth of interests, resources, and stakeholders these entities are an important factor to Macomb County's economic resurgence.  Understanding the importance of these entities MCPED has been engaged with a number of Downtown Development Authorities providing planning and economic development assistance services.  One of the County's partnering communities is the City of New Baltimore.  Currently the City and DDA are involved in a number of impactful initiatives.  For additional information on the City of New Baltimore DDA visit http://www.cityofnewbaltimore.org/ for more information.

July 28, 2011
Opportunity Awaits!
Attention all entrepreneurs….Now is your time to shine, and win some big money for your business in the process!
We’re talking about the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition that is open to mid- to-late-stage start-ups with bright ideas. This international business competition has more than $1 million in cash prizes and lots of in-kind awards such as services, staffing and software for the winners.
But the deadline is approaching soon……..applications are due August 10. Click here for details.

June 28, 2011
Our Good Fortune
The department is pleased to welcome Carrie Fortune as an associate planner working within the Community Development service group.  Carrie will support Community Development Block Grant programs, especially as related to non-profit agencies within the county.  Fortune was previously coordinator for the Macomb County Continuum of Care for the Homeless program.  Welcome Carrie!

March 23, 2011
Million Dollar Opportunity
Several MCPED staff members participated in the Macomb Intermediate School District’s Global Trade Mission, which took place from March 10-12. Students prepared marketing plans for products and services of Michigan’s emerging sectors, and presented them to a panel of “investors” in hopes of being awarded $1M to launch their business. This hands-on annual event introduces high school students to the complexities of the global economy.
Don Morandini, Bob Madigan, Susan Bates, Julie Oldham, Nadine Thacker and Cathy Federspiel volunteered their assistance as business coaches and/or presentation evaluators on a mock investors’ panel.
The overall consensus of our staff volunteers was unanimous: The students did an amazing job in the short time they had to prepare, and learned many skills that will help them in their future endeavors.

March 3, 2011
New Finance and Strategy Specialist at MCPED
The department welcomes Julie Oldham, a Finance and Strategy Specialist with the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center, to our office. Julie has extensive experience in accounting. She will work with "second-stage" companies (those with 10 or more employees and more than $1 million in sales) to review financial records to ensure that they are accurate and ready for loan applications. She will also compare those records to industry benchmarks to identify areas for improvement and develop "what-if" scenarios. Welcome Julie!

January 18, 2011
Macomb Business Climate Survey results released
Over 500 business leaders responded to this December 2010 survey. Read the analysis and resulting projections for economic development in Macomb County.

December 17, 2010
MCPED donates to Food Pantry
It was a busy day at the Macomb Food Program warehouse yesterday! With the support of donors and 55 partner pantries throughout the county, this organization served more than 150,000 individuals in 57,000 households last year. Our department held a drive and contributed more than 125 pounds of food and $200 to this worthy program.

For more information contact:
Macomb Food Program

December 2, 2010
Nicholson Nature Center grant
Good news for Macomb from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund! A grant of $205,000 has been recommended to fund improvements at the Nicholson Nature Center located along the Clinton River off Dunham Road. Coupled with private donations from the Nicholson family, the project will include installation of a boardwalk and outdoor classroom as well as trail improvements. Final approval is expected sometime next summer.

November 30, 2010
The department has created a Facebook page! Click the link to the left and be sure to "like" us so that you can see our posts.

November 9, 2010
New GIS aerial photos available
Infrared digital photos are available on the Department's GIS website to view and/or purchase.

October 27, 2010
Merging Resources at MCPED
The department extends a warm welcome to Senior Secretary Joann Priester. The recent merger of the Macomb County Reference & Research Center with the Macomb County Planning & Economic Development Department has resulted in Joann’s relocation to the front office of MCPED. In addition to her duties for the MCRRC, she will assist in keeping our office running smoothly. Welcome, Joann!

October 26, 2010
MI-SBTDC welcomes new Business Counseling Aide
A big welcome to Denise Mentzer who joined the department as a Business Counseling Aide for MI-SBTDC earlier this month. Denise arrived just in time to attend a week-long training seminar offered by the SBTDC Academy of Small Business Consultants. The class is one of four which will fully prepare Denise to work with SBTDC Business Counselors and the entrepreneurs whom they assist in starting or expanding a business.

October 19, 2010
4th Annual eCities 2010 Survey Results
U of M Dearborn's Center for Innovation Research (iLabs) shared the best practices of Michigan's local communities at a luncheon on October 19. The top seven communities were recognized for innovative programs and collaborations that encouraged entrepreneurial growth. Research specialists Cathy Federspiel and Nadine Thacker attended the presentation.

October 19, 2010
Southeast Michigan Census Council Workshop
Research specialists Cathy Federspiel and Nadine Thacker attended the Economic Census Data User Conference at SEMCOG headquarters on September 30. Census representatives from the Washington D.C. national Census headquarters demonstrated practical applications of census data for business and local government. The Southeast Michigan Census Council sponsored this event.

October 6, 2010
Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition
MCPED, in conjunction with the Macomb-Oakland University Business Incubator, is pleased to announce a business plan competition that offers as much as $250,000 for winning entries.  For more information, click here.

September 21, 2010
New Blue Economy Seminar
Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development was one of the sponsors of the "Southeast Michigan New Blue Economy Seminar; Re-inventing our Economy Using our Water Resources" that was held on Friday September 17th, 2010. Gerard Santoro, Senior planner with the department, was a speaker at the event, which showcased many of the programs, support tools, and technical support that is necessary to forward these plans. Read about the seminar here.

September 17, 2010
Leadership Macomb's Government Day Presentation
John Paul Rea, Associate Planner, was part of a panel for Leadership Macomb's "Government Day" on Thursday, September 16.  Together with Kristen Griftka, John Hejza and Bob Cannon they discussed and answered questions about Regionalism.  The focus was on collaboration and how working together gets more done with fewer resources.