- Message from Mark
- Macomb County project recognized for creativity, innovation and excellence
- Your Help is Needed for the 2025 Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Population
- The 12th annual State of the County address highlights Macomb County’s powerful community partnerships
- First Merchants Bank Donates $15,000 to Support Community Food Bank of Macomb
- Ten local businesses receive $1,000 grants through Shop Local Macomb campaign
- Warren family gets a household surprise from the Kelly Clarkson show
- Macomb in the news, Blog log
Message from Mark
Hello and welcome to the final edition of Focus Macomb for 2024. It’s been quite a year in our community. We’ve welcomed new businesses, and new residents. We’ve celebrated our 27 municipalities, our natural assets and individuals who have achieved great things. We’ve made improvements, from regional infrastructure to local systems and services. And we’ve taken steps to ensure our county is financially secure and ready for the future.
I reflected on all this recently at the annual State of Macomb County address. If you tuned into the livestream, you were able to see, a lot of great things are happening here. But what’s behind it all? I don’t know that there is a single answer to that question, but I think there’s a reason that often gets overlooked. It’s our values. We believe in doing things together, not going it alone. We believe in bringing people in, not shutting them out. We believe in lending a hand, not pointing a finger. We believe in giving credit where it’s due, not assigning blame. Quite simply, Macomb County is a place where collaboration turns ideas into realities. And you’d be hard-pressed to find another community doing it better.
So in 2025, let’s remember to choose partnership over partisanship. We’ll all be better for it.
Have a safe, happy and restful holiday season, and a great start to the new year.
Thank you and take care,
Mark
Macomb County project recognized for creativity, innovation and excellence
The Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) announced the largest and most transformational road project in Macomb County history, Innovate Mound, was named the number five road project in North America by Roads & Bridges magazine. As part of the trade publication’s annual Top 10 Roads Awards, the project was recognized for construction excellence and the use of creative funding solutions, innovative design and engineering, and emerging technology.
The $217 million multi-year project broke ground in August of 2021 and reconstructed approximately nine miles of the Mound Road corridor between I-696 and M-59 with work phased over four construction seasons – opening on time and on budget. The project is the result of years of planning and coordination between MCDR, Sterling Heights, Warren, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
In 2016, more than 100 business and community leaders came together to support a long-term solution for Mound Road. A federal grant application was submitted in 2017, a collaborative effort spearheaded by leaders from the state, county, local governments, and businesses. In 2018, the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) selected the joint application by Macomb County and the cities of Sterling Heights and Warren for a $98 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant that was funded by Congress. The project received an additional $32 million from the State of Michigan in 2022.
The project strengthened the county’s infrastructure network and enhanced connectivity by incorporating a state-of-the-art design and smart technology to create a modern corridor.
- Created a user-friendly corridor. The project transformed Mound Road into a corridor safe for motorized vehicles, bikes and pedestrians.
- Increased mobility. The reconstructed roadway reduces congestion in one of Michigan’s densest manufacturing areas.
- Enhanced connectivity. State-of-the-art design and smart technology create a 21st-century multimodal corridor.
- Implemented innovation. The project showcases the future of transportation safety and mobility with diverse data-smart traffic management strategies, connected and automated vehicle (CAV) technologies, advanced software and automation.
- Supports an economic powerhouse. The transformed roadway connects residents to major employers and supports more than 200,000 jobs in Macomb County and across the state.
- Delivered on time and on budget. Successfully implementing MCDR’s first design-build project, Innovate Mound showcases Macomb County’s ability to deliver complex and innovative projects.
MCDR and their owner’s representative consultant, HNTB, as well as the design-build team consisting of AECOM, Dan’s Excavating and Ajax Paving Inc. were all recognized for the award. The Roads & Bridges Top 10 Awards recognize the most outstanding road and bridge projects of the year. Winning projects are innovative and creative, improve the area’s infrastructure and the lives of motorists, and bring together community stakeholders to overcome challenges.
Roads & Bridges 2024 list of Top 10 Roads is available online at roadsbridges.com. For additional information about MCDR and Innovate Mound, visit macombgov.org/roads.
Your Help is Needed for the 2025 Point-in-Time Count of Homeless Population
Macomb Community Action (MCA) is currently seeking volunteers to support the upcoming Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This annual census, required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is a nationwide effort that collects critical data about those experiencing homelessness in our community. The census will be used to help direct resources and implement policies to those who need it the most. The 2025 PIT count will take place on Wednesday, January 22 from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Groups of three to four volunteers, with an experienced volunteer as a team lead will canvass the County in search of those who are found outside unsheltered during the PIT count hours. Volunteers will be provided specific areas of the county to monitor. They will collect data and distribute care bags containing helpful items to everyone they meet.
Volunteers gather data on those encountered, including gender, race and ethnicity for all persons. Additional data will be gathered if the person interviewed voluntarily provides the information. This could consist of veteran status, age, whether the person is “chronically homeless” or if the person is experiencing homelessness due to domestic violence, disability status, HIV/AIDS or those who have a substance use disorder.
Those interested in volunteering with Macomb Community Action for the night of the PIT Count must complete an online registration form and attend volunteer training. For those unable to volunteer, but still wanting to contribute, can make donations for the giveaway bags. Organizers are currently seeking:
- winter gloves
- small blankets
- hand and foot warmers
- travel size hygiene products (toothbrushes, lip balm, lotion, deodorant, tissues, nail files/clippers and shampoo).
The deadline to volunteer or make donations is Monday, January 6, 2025.
For more information, please email coc@macombgov.org.
To register to volunteer for the 2025 PIT Count, click here.
The 12th annual State of the County address highlights Macomb County’s powerful community partnerships
Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel delivered his 12th State of the County address at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The event, which was presented by Velocity, covered a wide-range of topics, starting with community metrics:
- Population - The county’s foreign-born population is now over 100,000, which shows that now more than ever, people from around the world are choosing to make Macomb their home.
- Housing - To meet increasing demand, 2,300 homes have been added to the county’s inventory, and median home values have risen to nearly $260,000.
- Jobs - Employment numbers are strong, with more than 460,000 residents in the labor force.
- Education - Residents are increasingly pursuing education. More than 61% of Macomb County’s population has some form of post-secondary education, degree or certification.
- Income - Median household income has hit a historically high level, and currently is near $79,000. This figure is $11,000 higher than the state average.
- Fiscal stability - For 14 consecutive years, the county has built a structurally balanced budget, creating a healthy fund balance of more than $120 million and resulting in a AA-1 bond rating with a positive outlook.
“These numbers tell us that the State of Macomb County is strong,” Hackel said. He then transitioned to the topic of partnerships, and the powerful impact they are having in Macomb County. “A lot of the good things happening in Macomb County are not the result of one person or one organization,” he said. “But they come about because of people working together.”
Six areas were then given as examples of where collaboration has been key for progress:
- Economic development
- Quality of life
- Roads and infrastructure
- Health and community services
- Public safety
- Education
In economic development, Hackel cited how local municipalities work with the county and businesses to bring large projects to life.
Hackel also discussed how the county’s Blue Economy and Green Macomb initiatives bring together public and private entities to improve quality of life by promoting, protecting and preserving local assets like Lake St. Clair, the Clinton River, public trails and open spaces. These collaborative efforts have resulted in millions of dollars of state, federal, and private grant funding coming into the county
Hackel noted other achievements related to the power of partnerships while speaking on roads and infrastructure, health and community services, public safety and education.
The entire State of the County address can be found via the 2024 livestream page.
First Merchants Bank Donates $15,000 to Support Community Food Bank of Macomb
The Community Food Bank of Macomb recently received a generous $15,000 donation from First Merchants Bank. This contribution will help stock the shelves at Community Food Bank of Macomb’s network of 56 pantries and hunger relief organizations across the county.
“The timing of this incredibly generous donation couldn’t be better,” said Ed Scott, Director of Macomb Community Action. “As we head into the holiday season, we’re seeing increased demand for food at all of our partner pantries. This donation will go a long way in helping get much-needed food to those who need it.”
The Community Food Bank of Macomb, through a network of over 56 pantries and relief organizations, supplies food at no cost to stock pantry shelves across Macomb County offering immediate relief to those in need of food. In 2024 alone, this extensive network has served over 2,921,000 pounds of food to more than 148,000 households. These efforts are crucial in combating hunger and offering hope to countless families, particularly during times of increased demand like the upcoming holiday season.
Learn more about the Community Food bank of Macomb County.
Ten local businesses receive $1,000 grants through Shop Local Macomb campaign
Ten local businesses have been announced as recipients of $1,000 grants from the 2024 Shop Local Macomb campaign. The initiative, which is organized by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development, encourages shoppers to give business to independently owned and operated establishments during the holiday season for the chance to win one of 10 $150 gift cards provided by First State Bank and a grant for the business they supported. In all, there were more than 735 entries. A drawing was held Monday, December 9 with organizers selecting gift card winners and grant recipients. Winning businesses include:
- Boater City Marketplace - New Baltimore
- Green Thyme Workshop - Richmond
- Max & Ollie’s Vintage Boutique - Mount Clemens
- New DJ Shop - Warren
- Riverside Vintage Market - Mount Clemens
- Sarge & Red’s - Utica
- The Nest Collaborative - Mount Clemens
- The Baking Room - Clinton Township
- Uptown Girl Novelties - New Baltimore
- Whistle Stop Hobby & Toys - St. Clair Shores
“It’s incredible seeing our community come together and shop small for the campaign,” said Vicky Rowinski, director, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. “And because of this effort, we’re able to award $10,000 in grants to our local retailers. These funds can make a big difference for these businesses. In the past, we’ve heard that the grants have been used for repairs, new equipment, staff bonuses and much more. So as we’ve said before, when you shop small here in Macomb County, everyone wins. Let’s continue this momentum, and keep supporting our local retailers this holiday season.”
Shop Local Macomb is coordinated by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development with support from area chambers, including Connect Macomb, the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce, the Eastpointe-Roseville Chamber of Commerce, the Northern Macomb Regional Chamber and the Anchor Bay Chamber of Commerce.
For more details visit makemacombyourhome.com.
Warren family gets a household surprise from the Kelly Clarkson show
The following excerpt originally appeared on WXYZ, featuring a Macomb County family who worked closely with Veterans Services and Macomb Community Action to receive assistance after Veteran Wilford Bearden lost his job at Rent-A-Center following a tragic injury. Since then, however, the Beardens have come a long way. See their story below:
By: Mike Duffy
(WXYZ) — A family from Warren essentially has a new home thanks to the kindness of "The Kelly Clarkson Show." This week, the family was surprised with a whole new redesign of their house, and I got to be there to take part in the big reveal.
“It was automatic amazement because it exceeded my expectations,” said Andraya Turner. “Just very thankful for the new space and the new home and just to come in and see my kids so happy.”
I asked her if she had to pick, what her favorite room would be.
"I would have to say the girls' room. They went totally out on Mya and Bella’s room and they’re never coming down from their room. So it gives me a little bit of peace cause I know they’re going to be playing and having fun,” she said.
The especially touching elements were the service medals the military sent to replace those veteran dad Will Turner had lost, and new dining table to share meals during the holidays, and photos of the family sharing treasured moments.
It's meaningful because the family had lost their home not once but twice in the recent past.
Macomb in the news
- NextGEN names this year’s list of 40 Under 40 Award winners in Macomb County
- USPBL to construct headquarters, with a restaurant, next to Jimmy John’s Field
Blog log
- Get cozy and get work done in Macomb County coffee shops
- Macomb County attends 2024 Ford NGL Leadership Council Conference
