economic development

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

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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.

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City Of Detroit To Begin East Jefferson Redesign To Improve Safety, Help Connect Residents To Riverfront

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The City of Detroit this week will begin the first phase of a project to increase safety, mobility and connectivity along a 5.4-mile stretch of East Jefferson, redesigning driving lanes and installing new protected bike lanes and dedicated parking lanes, Department of Public Works Director Ron Brundidge announced today.More

Event Highlights Sustainability and Economic Development

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Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss recently launched Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) at a gathering of community leaders. PACE is a new and innovative option for financing energy-saving building upgrades.

 
Mayor Bliss noted: “We strive to be the greenest city in this country and our goal is to get to 100% renewable energy by 2025. The entire community is committed to being environmentally sustainable and PACE is a great tool to work towards that goal.” 


There is a growing need for building efficiency upgrades. The average U.S. building is over 50 years old and wastes 30% of consumed energy. PACE upgrades help reduce waste through improved lighting, energy efficient heating and air conditioning, high-efficiency appliances, renewable and alternative energy sources such as solar and geothermal, and building envelope improvements. In addition to saving energy, PACE upgrades frequently result in increased worker productivity by providing more comfortable working environments.
 
Congratulations to Mayor Bliss on a successful launch of Property Assessed Clean Energy and for recognizing the key role it will play in the “greening” of Grand Rapids.

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Foreign Investment is Focus as Economic Development Leaders Head to Washington D. C. and Paris Air Show Pitching Oakland County

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Oakland County MichiganOakland County economic developers are hoping to give the county’s sizable international business presence a boost as teams head to the 2017 SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C. and the Paris Air Show this weekend.

Deputy County Executive Matthew Gibb is leaving for Europe Saturday to attend the Paris Air Show, the largest air show in the world, to meet with mobility and aerospace companies in hopes of convincing them to expand into Oakland County. While Gibb is in Europe, Economic Development Director Irene Spanos will attend the 2017 SelectUSA Investment Summit, a three-day event that promotes foreign direct investment in the United States. It begins Sunday.

“International investment is vital to our continued growth,” County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. “Oakland County is a preferred destination for international investment. The international diversity of our business community – nearly 1,100 foreign-owned firms from 39 countries – is one few states, let alone countries, can match.”More

Dignitaries Describe Economic Development Opportunity of Building Renovations

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The United States has over six million commercial buildings – more than half are over 50 years old. These building are especially costly to operate, expensive to maintain and often uncomfortable to occupy. With Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE), an innovative energy efficiency financing mechanism, renovating these buildings represents an economic development opportunity requiring zero taxpayer funding!

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Line Connects ‘Economic Development Dots’

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MSF-supported projects line Woodward Avenue corridor in Detroit, offer testament to city’s promising future

 

LANSING, Mich. – In economic development parlance, Friday’s public opening of the QLine in downtown Detroit is a compelling case of connecting the dots.

Along Woodward Avenue from New Center through Midtown to the bustling entertainment and financial districts, the streetcar-on-rails will deliver (over 12 strategically located stops) the most vital of all ingredients to the resurgence of the state’s largest urban center – people. And, there’s no mistaking people are coming to the city as tourists, visitors and residents at a rate not seen since the 1950s.

“The QLine allows for efficient and affordable transportation at a historic time when new businesses, residential buildings and entertainment options are unfolding continually in Detroit,” said Steve Arwood, CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s chief marketing arm that administers programs and conducts due diligence on behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund.More

We’d like to hear from you!

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Dear Warriors & neighbors,

Since 2011, the Office of Economic Development (OED) has been leading Wayne State University’s efforts to catalyze business activity and promote a vibrant Midtown Detroit. Now we would like to hear from you—our partners and community members—to gain a better understanding of what we’ve been doing well and where we can improve.

Please complete this 5-10 minute survey for a chance to win a $25 gift card to 2941 Mediterranean Street Food, a $50 gift card to Cass Café or tickets to Legally Blonde at the Bonstelle Theatre!

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Merchants Collaborate With Fairies & Pirates To Create Successful Events For Economic Growth

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Towns peppered across America are colored with shops and eateries that appeal to us, but often our routines and rituals can keep us from taking time to find the new treasure that lie behind the door. As we drive by, we may even think to ourselves, “I have to stop by next week.” Often times we find that next week was too late, and a small business closes without us venturing inside. This town seems to have found an answer.

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