Focus Macomb - April 2025

• Message from Mark
• BizClips: News updates
• Department of Roads improving Macomb County bridge conditions through agency’s bridge program and strategic investments
• Macomb Community Action to host 35th annual Walk for Warmth
• Macomb sees millions of dollars of investment for infrastructure, housing and economic development through federal Community Development Block Grant
• Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive returns May 10
• Macomb County Regional Housing Partnership announces Community and Housing Needs Assessment public engagement plan
• Lights. Camera. Action! Tickets on sale now for 2025 Macomb Business Awards

Message from Mark

Hello and welcome to the April issue of Focus Macomb. I’m thrilled to be sending this message out on the heels of President Trump’s announcement regarding Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Yesterday, he visited our hometown airbase and shared plans for a new fighter mission here. More specifically, the addition of F-15EX fighter jets, which is a significant milestone for Macomb County and the entire state of Michigan. For years, we have led the conversation about Selfridge being the ideal location for these advanced fighters. The President’s announcement reinforces the Selfridge advantage and ensures the next 100 years of mission readiness.    

I want to personally thank President Trump, Governor Whitmer, our congressional delegation, the servicewomen and servicemen at Selfridge, and all of our military and civilian partners who were engaged in these efforts. We look forward to welcoming these new aircraft in the near future and we will do everything in our capacity to prepare the base for this historic squadron.

Now, this is my favorite time of year here in Macomb County. As summer creeps closer, our communities come together for tons of festivals, outdoor concerts, sporting events and parades. In fact, I’ll be attending the 72nd annual Memorial Day Parade in St. Clair Shores again this year on May 25. If you see me walking the route that day, don’t hesitate to say hello.

Late spring is also the perfect time to get out on the water or on one of our trail systems – or even to participate in a walk/run event in our community! The Macomb Community Action’s annual Walk for Warmth is coming up on May 10 for those interested in walking for a good cause. Learn more how you can help raise funds for families in need in the article further in this newsletter. And if you’re looking for more fun activities, you can visit the Make Macomb Your Home website and the Make Macomb Your Home events page. 

Finally, I want to add that last week was National Work Zone Safety Week and served as a crucial reminder that motorists must prioritize safety in maintenance and construction work zones. When we don’t pay attention on the road, it can lead to not only the destruction of a vehicle and the disruption of essential work, but also the loss of life. It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure all road workers get home safely to their loved ones, so I implore all of you to perform the necessary precautions so that these things do not happen. Some ways you can do this is by staying alert while driving, watching out for traffic signs, obeying the speed limit, changing lanes safely, being patient and obeying the instructions from traffic control flaggers. For more tips on construction zone safety, check out our MCDR website.

Thank you and take care,

Mark Hackel

For happenings throughout the county, visit Make Macomb Your Home events and stay up to date with the Make Macomb Your Home official Facebook page.

Department of Roads improving Macomb County bridge conditions through agency’s bridge program and strategic investments

As part of the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) ongoing mission to provide the public with a safe and efficient transportation system, the agency has made significant progress to improve Macomb County’s bridge network. As part of the agency’s bridge program, MCDR has multiple preventative maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement bridge projects taking place this year and planned in the future.

“The Department of Roads has systematically improved the condition of Macomb County’s bridges by utilizing available transportation funds and securing additional state and federal funding resources,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “The Department of Roads has strategic programs in place that maximize the funding the agency receives and allocates resources based on data, conditions and community needs. There isn’t a bridge we can’t fix if we have adequate funding.”

Of the 225 bridges under the jurisdiction of MCDR, 89% are rated in fair or better condition while only 11% are rated poor or critical. Through the agency’s bridge program and by utilizing available federal and state programs, MCDR has made notable progress to enhance the conditions of Macomb County’s bridge infrastructure.

“We are committed to improving Macomb County's bridge system through a sustainable balance of preventive maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement projects to strengthen our bridge infrastructure,” said MCDR Director Bryan Santo. “We’ve made critical investments in Macomb County’s bridge infrastructure while utilizing federal and state funding opportunities to enhance the conditions of our entire bridge network.”

While investing in bridge maintenance, repair and replacement is an additional cost in the short term, it can lead to significant long term cost savings. Since 2019, MCDR has completed 38 bridge and culvert projects throughout the county, representing more than $38.7 million in local, state and federal bridge infrastructure investment. 

Macomb County regularly seeks and secures project funding through the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Local Bridge program and has previously secured several bridge projects through MDOT’s Local Agency Bridge Bundle program. MCDR actively works to identify and secure available resources to invest in Macomb County’s bridge infrastructure, including federal and state programs, grant opportunities, and other funding sources.

For a list of Macomb County construction projects, locations and information, visit the Department of Roads page. 

Macomb Community Action to host 35th annual Walk for Warmth

Registration is now open for the 35th annual Macomb Community Action Walk for Warmth. The walk is scheduled for Saturday, May 10 at the Robert A. VerKuilen Building located at 21885 Dunham Road in Clinton Township. On-site registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the walk beginning at 9 a.m. This is a family-friendly, pet-friendly event. All funds raised through the event will be used to assist low-income individuals with heat-related emergencies, like paying a utility bill or repairing/replacing a broken furnace.

Individuals interested in participating in the 2025 Walk for Warmth can find details and a registration link at RunSignup.com/w4w2025. The registration fee is $30 per walker; children ages 12 and under are free. 

Macomb sees millions of dollars of investment for infrastructure, housing and economic development through federal Community Development Block Grant 

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) is marking National Community Development Week by celebrating its Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, a 50-year-old federal initiative that provides essential funding to communities that can address infrastructure, economic development and housing needs. 

“These dollars improve quality of life in Macomb County,” said Vicky Rowinski, director, MCPED. “Our team facilitates the funding and gives it to our local communities for projects that range from park development to senior housing – and we wouldn’t be able to bring these efforts to life without the grant coming down from the federal government. It’s been in place for over 50 years, and in that time, it’s had a tremendous impact.”

Enacted by Congress in 1974, the CDGB program distributes annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.

Macomb County has been a part of the program since the very beginning, receiving up to $1.8 million in annual grants from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development in the last five years. During the 2024 program year alone, 46,326 residents were impacted and saw real benefit from CDBG funds.

To learn more about the Macomb County planning and CDBG program, visit our website and to learn more about the overall HUD program at the HUD Exchange. 

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive returns May 10

The National Association of Letter Carriers will be out and on a mission to diminish the problem of food insecurity in America on Saturday, May 10. The date marks the 33rd Annual Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, which will see postal workers in Macomb County neighborhoods picking up donated food from mailboxes. Since launching in 1993, the National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has grown into the nation’s largest one-day food drive, helping to fill the shelves of food banks in cities and towns throughout the United States.

“Macomb County has always been a community that steps up to support its neighbors, and the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a perfect way for residents to make a real difference,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. “We are proud to support this effort and grateful for our letter carriers and volunteers for their continued commitment to fighting hunger in Macomb County. I encourage everyone to participate on May 10. A simple donation left by your mailbox can help put food on the table for a family in need right here in our own community."

The importance of the second Saturday in May is front and center for letter carriers, postal coworkers, and family and community volunteers. Donations collected on this day provide emergency food supplies for thousands of families and individuals, including veterans, seniors, children and the homeless. Last year Macomb County residents donated 126,384 pounds of food to neighbors in need.

“We’re proud to be able to support the Letter Carrier’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive said Andrew Cox, director/health officer, Macomb County Health and Community Services. “This collection helps provide much-needed assistance to people who can really use the help.”

Individuals participating in the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive should fill a bag or two with non-perishable, non-expired food and leave it on their porch or near their mailbox on Saturday, May 10. Glass containers will not be accepted. The United States Postal Service letter carriers and a league of volunteers pick up the donations.

“The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive gives everyone an easy, convenient way to help in the ongoing fight against hunger, said Ed Scott, director of Macomb Community Action. “All donations – large and small – make a big difference in people’s lives.”

“With rising food costs for families, the demand for food from food banks has increased,” said Linda Azar, division director, Macomb Community Action Children and Family Services. “Families are struggling to put food on the table and the need is great. You can help.”

All donations stay in Macomb County and will be distributed to those in need through the Macomb Food Program's network of over 40 food pantries and hunger related organizations.

Macomb County Regional Housing Partnership announces Community and Housing Needs Assessment public engagement plan

The Macomb County Regional Housing Partnership, led by the Macomb County Department of Health and Community Services, is announcing the launch of itsMacomb County Community and Housing Needs Assessment. The purpose of Community and Housing Needs Assessment is to better understand the housing needs in Macomb County, help focus efforts, and to guide strategic decision-making about the housing market. Key components of outreach efforts include the Community and Housing Needs Survey, and a series of localized community engagement events scheduled for May and July.

The Community and Housing Needs Survey is open to all residents of Macomb County and is designed to learn about residents’ current housing situation and challenges.

There is also a series of 24 community engagement events scheduled throughout Macomb County. The purpose of the community engagement events is to provide in-person dialog and exchange with the public as well as stakeholders and focus on gaining initial input on housing challenges and perceptions. Participants will also be given an opportunity to react to preliminary data findings and engage in discussions about community and housing issues. The first group of 12 engagement events are scheduled for May 6-8, and a second group of 12 engagement events are scheduled for July 15-17. The schedule for the May engagement eventscan be found here.

Your input will help shape the future of housing in Macomb County. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and participate in an engagement event near you.

Lights. Camera. Action! Tickets on sale now for 2025 Macomb Business Awards

Grab your popcorn and snacks, because tickets for the Macomb Business Awards are now on sale! Presented by Consumers Energy, this premier event will take place on Thursday, May 15 at the AMC Theatre Forum 30 in Sterling Heights. With the new location, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) plans to incorporate a bit of Hollywood magic into the festivities, leaning into the bright lights and dazzling immersion that comes with a movie theater experience.

At the event, 129 local businesses will be celebrated for their innovations, generosity and agility after being nominated for one of six categories:

• Hidden Gem
• Green Macomb Sustainability Award
• Manufacturer of the Year presented by Macomb Next
• Best Place to Work
• Fueling the Talent Pipeline
• Nonprofit of the Year presented by Advancing Macomb

Tickets can be purchased for $45. Over 400 business and community leaders are expected at the ceremony for networking, delectable breakfast bites and a fantastic program! For more information and to see a list of nominees visit the Macomb Business Awards website.