Table of contents
Message from Vicky Rowinski
Welcome to the Macomb Business Insider Spring edition prepared by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development (MCPED).
This is a very busy time of year for us, notably marked by new construction projects and shovels in the ground. In the first quarter of 2023, our team has assisted 17 expansion and attraction projects, with a total investment of more than $180 million and creating and retaining almost 350 jobs.
This is also the start for our busy season for our parks and natural resources group and the team leading up our parks and trails plan. As the weather warms up, access to the outdoors increases, and our team shifts out of the office and spends most of its days in the field. This is also when our local farmers begin planting their crops for the season. There is no better way to kick off spring than our tree plantings, starting with our Arbor Day festivities throughout the county.
We are also undertaking many new initiatives, including our electric vehicle study, our broadband study, and our child care coalition grant, which is featured in this newsletter. All of these activities fall in line with our five strategic initiatives, including business growth and attraction, community development, talent attraction and retention, infrastructure and lastly quality of life.
Other featured items in this newsletter include the unveiling of our Health Care Hubs concept and the success stories of Sonus and L&L Products. Our Economic Development Program Director Jack Johns discusses how MCPED can assist developers looking to expand or relocate to Macomb County. Senior Business Developer Todd Seibert shares that Industry 4.0 grant money is still available for companies that qualify. Speaking of I4.0, we also profile our next workshop on virtual reality/augmented reality, which takes place June 15. And Senior Outreach Specialist Jennifer Weot tells us what events are coming up to Fuel the Talent Pipeline.
We are a small but mighty team here in Macomb County, but our footprint expands beyond our borders thanks to relationships with our partners, our communities and the people who make Macomb their home. We hope you enjoy our quarterly recap of all the happenings in Macomb Business.
Reach out if we can assist you, and make sure to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn for our latest news.
Vicky Rowinski
Director – Macomb County Planning and Economic Development
2023 Macomb Business Award winners announced
Congratulations to the winners of the 11th annual Macomb Business Awards.
The ceremony was held May 4 at the historic Emerald Theatre in Mount Clemens before more than 300 business and community leaders. Awards recognized local organizations for their agility, generosity and innovative practices.
The winners included:
- Hidden Gem: Horstman Inc., Sterling Heights - Horstman Inc. supplies suspension systems for nearly all new military vehicles. This work, which is a crucial part of military readiness and capability, has helped the company grow tenfold since it was founded in 2010. Today, Horstman is future-focused. It’s invested in solutions like artificial intelligence and autonomous technologies to create state-of-the-art products for the military. And ultimately, this ensures the safety and well-being of soldiers on and off the battlefield.
- Hometown Hero: Families Against Narcotics (FAN), Clinton Township - Families Against Narcotics was founded in 2007. It has since grown from a small group of concerned individuals to an established organization, with 50 employees and 20 chapters across Michigan. FAN offers free, community- and evidence-based services to anyone who has been impacted by addiction. It also has numerous programs aimed at bridging gaps and breaking down barriers, including Hope Not Handcuffs, which has connected more than 9,500 people to recovery resources. These efforts are erasing the stigma that surrounds addiction, and they are saving lives.
- Manufacturer of the Year: TARUS, Sterling Heights - TARUS creates products for companies who develop complex shapes and forms for manufactured goods. Founded in 1969, the organization is known as the inventor of the Claymill, a tool which revolutionized transportation design. This commitment to new technologies and innovations has helped the company expand and diversify its customer base outside of automotive. TARUS now serves the aerospace, oil and gas, and energy production industries. Its client base includes customers throughout North America, Europe and Asia, and include among their clients, Mercedes-Benz, Rivian and Harley Davidson.
- Small But Mighty Award: Maggie's Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan, St. Clair Shores - Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids of Michigan is a local 501(c)3 organization that provides wigs and support services to children at no charge. Since its creation in 2003, the nonprofit has helped 5,200 Michigan children while also providing classes, social activities, field trips and counseling at its Wellness Center. All of this is made possible through a small but mighty team of six full-time employees who work to advance the group’s mission, which is boosting the self-esteem of young people as they journey through health challenges.
- Trailblazer of Future Talent: KUKA Systems North America, Sterling Heights - KUKA Systems North America is a leading international supplier of design and assembly tooling automation for industrial and automotive applications. Based in Germany and established in Sterling Heights in 1981, KUKA employs more than 1,500 local workers. The company has long been committed to fueling the talent pipeline, working to build connections with high schools and colleges through Manufacturing Day, AUTOSteam Days, student visits, co-op experiences and summer internship opportunities. KUKA has also created two successful in-house training programs - including Kickstart Academy and the PLC Programming Academy. Notably, nearly 200 individuals have completed the programs.
- Workforce Champion: Godlan Inc., Clinton Township - Godlan Inc. is a professional manufacturing services company that implements integrated technology solutions. Founded in 1984, the company is dedicated to creating a positive employee experience. Along with competitive salaries, it provides an all-encompassing benefits package, work-from-home options, flexible scheduling, professional development and an employee recognition program. Godlan also sponsors a charitable giving program, which in the last three years has seen more than $70,000 donated to projects around the world. Together, these efforts create an environment for retention – with an average employee tenure at Godlan of 10 years or more.
- Economic Development Partner of the Year: Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center - The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center is an organization dedicated to supporting Michigan manufacturers. In 2008, during the recession, this organization stepped up to help businesses diversify their customer portfolios into emerging markets. More recently, it has joined the County’s Macomb Next Industry 4.0 effort by providing assessments and recommendations for technology advancements to more than 70 local businesses.
Developers - How can we help?
When it comes to manufacturing your product, nobody does it better. But knowing the ins and outs of finding a new site, tax abatements, talent recruitment or finding ways to purchase and implement new technology may be out of your range of expertise. That’s where the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) comes in.
Our economic development team can fill out all of the forms for a tax abatement for a manufacturing business looking to build a new facility or expand its current facility footprint. Whether a business will be leasing or owning the new facility or expansion, it can still receive an abatement for taxes on that new real property investment if they are paying the taxes even on a lease. Almost 50% of the taxes on the new real property investment is cut, or abated, for up to 12 years, depending upon the decision-making body of the local community government and the state of Michigan. MCPED will also join you at city/village council meetings or township board meetings to support the project and answer any questions.
If you need help finding the new, perfect site, our CoStar database can locate any piece of available commercial or industrial property or building that you are looking for in Macomb County. If there is a concern with utilities, we know who to contact at DTE or Consumers Energy. If you need to contact the county regarding new water and sewer extensions or roadways, we are the liaison between your business and all of the partners and service providers that can help your business grow.
If you want the state of Michigan at the table for any financial programs, incentives, or services, we make that happen. If there are wetland or brownfield concerns, we know who to call, and at times our department has funds for petroleum and phase 1 ESA to identify environmental conditions in the past.
Filling that new space with equipment and technology is expensive. But MCPED can help you find grant monies to soften the blow. Right now, grant funding is available to manufacturing businesses looking to upgrade to Industry 4.0 technologies. There are free Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) assessments available to determine I4.0 readiness. With the assessment completed, there are matching funds of up to $25,000 to purchase equipment. A new grant is coming out related to I4.0 that can help up to $100,000 implementing I4.0 into the business. The first step is just simply reaching out to us to indicate your needs and concerns. This is not a one-way conversation. We will keep in contact for events, grants and programs that will help you now and into the future.
If you’re looking for an infusion of talent, MCPED can help connect your business to on-the-job training programs, apprenticeship programs and the Michigan New Jobs Training Program that takes the income tax dollars from new employees and returns them for training costs that were incurred. Our local partners at Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!, along with Macomb Community College, will explain all the eligibility requirements for the programs, but we can use many programs that not only save money but also help place great candidates with your business. Our department even has a designated staff member that makes connections between your business and local students to introduce them to the many great employment opportunities In Macomb County. Your business can have a say in school programming, show your business off at events, mentor students or assist with the Macomb Automation and Robotics Zone.
You may have always wondered how businesses are doing so well and have new equipment purchased through grants – and now the secret is out. To learn more about available assistance, go to business.macombgov.org/Business-Home. To learn more about our remaining Industry 4.0 workshops, go to macombnext.com/2023-workshops.
Jack Johns is the economic development program director for the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development department.
Recent Successes
Sonus Engineered Solutions expands its operations in Warren
Sonus Engineered Solutions, a powertrain and vehicle noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) tier one supplier to major OEMs, is expanding its operations in Warren.
Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Warren, Sonus will construct a second 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in the city. The investment includes $18 million in real and personal property and the creation of 30 new full-time positions. The new facility will handle part production to fulfill orders for Stellantis, General Motors and Volkswagen. While out-of-state options were considered, Sonus President and CEO Timothy Droege decided to expand in Warren due to the quality talent and labor pool in Macomb County.
Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) worked closely with Sonus to introduce them to local resources like Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! for workforce assistance. MCPED also helped the company fill out all of the paperwork and assisted in requesting a resolution for an industrial facilities tax exemption. Sonus received a 12-year tax exemption, which is expected to save the company about $1.8 million over the length of the exemption period. It is expected that Sonus can move into the new facility in March.
Is your company looking to expand or move into Macomb County? Call our Economic Development team at 586-469-5285.
L&L Products expands its operations in Romeo
L&L Products, an award-winning company that serves the aerospace and automotive industries, among others, will be making a $27 million, 140,000-square-foot expansion to its facility in Romeo.The 64-year-old company is a technology driven, family owned business that creates solutions for various applications requiring static sealing, better acoustics, reduced vibration, structural reinforcement and composite components. L&L Products also serves the industrial, commercial vehicle and rail industries and has customers located around the world.
L&L opted to expand its Romeo facility instead of looking elsewhere after receiving a $450,000 Michigan Business Development Program grant. In addition, L&L received a 50% Alternative State Essential Services exemption valued at more than $532,600, and a Public Act 198 tax abatement. Macomb County’s Planning and Economic Development team provided assistance on the project from start to finish, including preparation of the PA 198 abatement application, support at village council meetings, guidance throughout the process and connection to valued partners to assist with hiring and training, like Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works! and Macomb Community College.
The expansion will help L&L Products remain competitive and support continued growth in the automotive sector. It is expected to take two years to complete.
“L&L Products has made Macomb its home since 1961,” Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said. “The planned expansion in Romeo will ensure that L&L remains a major economic driver in the north end of the county. They have been a model citizen partner helping support our community in so many ways. We want to thank the entire team at L&L, and look forward to continuing our partnerships.”
“The timing for this news couldn’t be better for the village of Romeo,” added Village of Romeo President Meagan Poznanski. “L&L Products’ decision to expand its business here not only provides employment opportunities for our community, but maintains its business’ contribution to the growth and stability of Romeo’s industrial corridor. On behalf of the village, I would like to thank L&L for their continued representation that Romeo is a great place for businesses to develop and prosper.”
In addition to previous honors for its award-winning products, in 2022 L&L Products was named winner of the Detroit Free Press Michigan Top Workplaces Award. It also joined BASF, and Flex-N-Gate to win the Society of Plastics Engineers Automotive Innovation Award for their composite seatback design on the 2022 Toyota Tundra. L&L Products also has office and/or production facilities in South Carolina, Brazil and Mexico, as well as China, Australia, India, Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia.
Is your business looking to expand or move into Macomb County? Call our Economic Development team at 586-469-5285.
Department Happenings
Industry 4.0 workshop series continues in June with virtual reality/augmented reality program
After two successful workshops, the Macomb Next Industry 4.0 series rolls into its summer offerings with a virtual reality/augmented reality workshop set for June 15 at the Velocity Center in Sterling Heights.
Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is the ongoing automation of manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology. It helps manage and optimize all aspects of the manufacturing process and supply chain, while providing access to real-time data and insights necessary to make smarter, faster decisions, which can ultimately boost the efficiency and profitability of an entire operation. While this evolution impacts all industries, it is especially critical in manufacturing, where companies must learn to adapt or be left behind. Through careful assessment, planning and implementation, manufacturers can realize improved efficiency, profitability and most importantly, sustainability.
MCPED's first workshop, focusing on The Internet of Things and Cloud Computing, took place in February. And the second workshop, What’s the big deal about Big Data?, took place in mid April. The series is designed as a comprehensive tutorial on the I4.0 process, but each individual workshop has its own merits and should be attended even if either of the previous workshops were missed. Topics include discussions on the nine pillars of I.40, including:
- Additive manufacturing (3D Printing)
- Advanced robotics and automation
- Advanced simulation
- Big data and analytics
- Cloud computing
- Cybersecurity
- Internet of Things
- Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
- System integration
A panel of industry experts and peer adopters discuss these topics, as well as returns on investment and how workers play a role in these changes. Vendors will also be in attendance to answer questions and show new available technologies.
To sign up for the June I4.0 workshop, and to learn more about upcoming events in August and October, go to macombnext.com/2023-workshops.
Macomb County unveils health care hubs concept
Macomb County is home to four, top-rated hospital systems that provide world-class care for residents and others. With this in mind, MCPED has set out to foster health-care zones or “hubs” to support area hospitals, grow complimentary businesses and make them more attractive to patients and their loved ones. The hubs would serve as one-stop shops to attract and retain people in our community and drive the local economy. Through collaboration with city planners, educational systems and major health organizations, we can create a county that not only meets our residents’ health needs but also draws new residents to the community.
It makes sense to encourage symbiotic businesses and organizations to be a part of these “hubs” for the benefit of the hospitals; patients and their loved ones; and the communities in which they exist. Currently five areas in the county have been identified as spaces that can be strategically developed into health-care based centers, with a hospital system as the epicenter, surrounded by supporting development.
“The Health Care Hubs’ initiative is more than dots on a map,” said Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. “It is about growing an ecosystem where health care systems thrive to meet the demands of the community. And local expansion happens through coordinated collaboration supported by data and business intelligence.”
Health care hubs would:
- Create convenience for patients and their loved ones by supporting commercial establishments, such as restaurants, coffee shops, etc.
- Attract other supportive businesses, such medical practitioners, testing facilities, urgent care centers, etc.
- Attract medical suppliers who wish to be closer to customers.
- Collaborate with education to help fuel the talent pipeline.
Branding for this initiative will be very important. It will create awareness of what Macomb County has to offer to both its residents and visitors to our community. The county will be able to provide imaging and information to utilize on websites and social media outlets. The county has also developed an interactive map that shows where each of these proposed hubs is located, where hospitals or other medical facilities are found within the hub and where post-secondary educational facilities and properties that are available for lease or sale are located.
In early April, MCPED held its first health care hub community meeting with Chesterfield and Lenox townships, as well as the Village of New Haven and St. Clair County. The hub would center around Corewell (Beaumont) and Ascension medical systems in the area of 26 Mile Road and Interstate 94. More meetings with communities in the four remaining hubs are planned for the future.
Industry 4.0 grant money still available for eligible companies
In 2022, Macomb County Planning & Economic Development (MCPED) was awarded $475,000 in grant monies to assist small manufacturing businesses with the purchase and implementation of hardware and software technologies associated with Industry 4.0. The funding came to Macomb County through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation grant program.
To date, the county has awarded 18 companies with grants totaling $418,435. While that only leaves a little more than $56,000 to still be awarded, in December, the MEDC earmarked another $1.5 million that will be available for eligible companies. The grant provides a 50% reimbursement up to $25,000 for technology costs that qualify. Contact MCPED Senior Business Developer Todd Seibert at 586-469-6298 to find out if your company is eligible for grant money. To learn more about the Technology Implementation grant program and submit your application, visit macombnext.com/
As background, Macomb County Planning & Economic Development is engaging with businesses through the Macomb Next initiative. Our goal is to educate businesses on the pillars of I4.0, including cybersecurity, virtual and augmented reality, big data and analytics, advanced robotics and automation, additive manufacturing (3D printing), system integration, advanced simulation, cloud computing and The Internet of Things. Grant dollars have helped establish a general I.40 education program and five I4.0 workshops scheduled throughout 2023, technology assessments provided by the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) and funds to purchase new technologies. (The assessment is required to be considered for funds for the purchase of new technology.)
This initiative is a big undertaking, and that is why Macomb County has partnered with a number of organizations to provide as much knowledge as possible to assist in the decision making process.
Todd Seibert is a senior business developer for the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development.
Fueling the Talent Pipeline Events
2023 has been and is going to be a very active year when it comes to Fueling the Talent Pipeline here in Macomb County. Here are some of the 2023 FTTP events designed to connect the businesses with their future workforce:
Romeo Job Shadow - In March, departments within Macomb County opened their doors and offered opportunities for Romeo High School students to shadow various positions within the county. Some of the departments that participated were the Prosecutor's Office, the Department of Roads, the Planning and Economic Development marketing and communications team, Community Corrections and more. The students enjoyed the opportunity to see what a “day in the life” of their potential future career was like. The employees all agreed they would do it again and saw the benefit of exposing these students to what they do. The fact that these employees offered up their time and talent was greatly appreciated.
MARZ VIP Robotics tour - Also in March, Macomb County businesses were invited to a VIP robotics event at the Macomb Community College Sports & Expo Center. This took place during the FIRST in Michigan robotics district competition. Those who attended had the opportunity to watch the competition, tour the pits and learn more about the Macomb Automation & Robotics Zone (MARZ) and its goal of growing a kindergarten through post-secondary talent pipeline to support the region's robotics industry. This was the first time I had ever attended a high school competition, and the energy was infectious.
MFG Day - This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Macomb County’s involvement in Manufacturing Day, which will take place Oct. 2 -6. Registration for host sites and sponsors will start in June.
MICareerQuest Southeast - This is the largest career exploration event in our area. The last time this event was held was back in 2019, and everyone is really excited that it is back. I have been told that this is the best day of the year! This event is scheduled for Nov 14 at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. More than 10,000 students from Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, Monroe and Washtenaw counties will attend. We are looking for exhibitors in construction, modern manufacturing, health and technology fields. Exhibitors must provide an engaging hands-on exhibit for student involvement.. Deadline for exhibitor registration is June 30. There is no cost for exhibitors.
Career Resource Fair - Operation Senior - The Macomb Intermediate School District will play host to a Career Resource Fair on Thursday, May 18 from 5 - 8 p.m. and again on Friday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. They are accepting booth reservations for employers to showcase the many opportunities available to undecided Macomb County students from the class of 2023. To sign up, contact Sarah Strohbeck (sstrohbeck@misd.net) or Shannon Williams - (swilliams@misd.net).
Jennifer Weot is the senior outreach specialist for Fueling the Talent Pipeline in Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.
Current Opportunities
Free technology assessments
Are you interested in preparing your business for the next industrial revolution - I4.0? We can assist your business with planning for the digital transformation.
The technology assessment includes answering 40 quantitative and qualitative questions. Drawing from data and information provided by your company, our partner ranks each response according to how strong your current practices are for each category. Reach out and we can set up a meeting to discuss your business's future.
The assessments are free, and spots are still available for your company’s assessment. Contact Economic Development Senior Todd Seibert at todd.seibert@macombgov.org, or linkedin.com/in/todd-seibert-b2576511a/
What's next?
Look for us at these upcoming events where we will be working to improve our services to Macomb County:
- Automate, May 22-25 at Huntington Place Convention Center in Detroit
Macomb Business in the news
K-Block's Fire Pit BBQ named back-to-back winner for the best mac-and-cheese contest
Macomb County is tackling workforce challenges by connecting students with local businesses
Second in a series of Industry 4.0 workshops asks the question: What's the big deal about big data?
