- Message from Mark
- Great volunteer opportunities at the Community Food Bank of Macomb County
- MSU Extension's Adulting 101 helps individuals manage and conquer real life skills
- Nominations to open for the 13th annual Macomb Business Awards
- How Macomb County is building tomorrow’s talent today
- Macomb County and Anchor Bay High School team up to paint the plow
- Point-in-Time census complete with help from volunteers
- Macomb in the news, Blog log
Message from Mark

Hello and welcome to the January edition of Focus Macomb. This month has been a busy one here in the County. First and foremost, we’ve had weather events that have required the support of our Department of Roads. From ice to snow, our dedicated team works tirelessly to keep our streets safe, and I’d like to thank them for their efforts. I’d also like to remind all drivers to be mindful when our trucks are out on the road. It’s simple: Give plows room to safely operate, never pass a plow on the right, remain alert and drive with caution, and allow extra time to arrive safely.
Outside of the winter weather, January also marked the return of the Detroit Auto Show, an important event for Macomb County. It's a chance for our local automotive industry – which includes 400 companies involved in the R&D, production, wholesale, retail and maintenance of motor vehicles – to showcase innovations, designs, technologies and products. It’s also an opportunity for our Department of Planning and Economic Development to talk about talent, and how we’re working with partners to build a next generation workforce ready to take on the roles of tomorrow. I attended the show alongside members of that team, meeting with industry leaders to discuss future-focused initiatives and how our highly skilled workforce can be of value. It was a productive event, and one I’m proud to continue to attend and support on behalf of our community.
I’d like to close this message with a call to volunteer. This time of year can be challenging in a number of ways, but volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Macomb County has several opportunities for people interested in helping their neighbors. For instance, our Animal Control unit and Meals on Wheels program is always in need of volunteers, as is our Friendly Caller program. And Macomb Community Action requires volunteers to assist its Community Food Bank of Macomb. There are plenty of ways to get involved and give back.
Thank you and take care,
Mark
Great volunteer opportunities at the Community Food Bank of Macomb County

The Community Food Bank of Macomb County is looking for volunteers to assist with either our Center Line or Warren food distribution locations. The total commitment is two hours per month. You can volunteer to support either of these locations:
Center Line - 3rd Tuesday of each month - 10 a.m. – noon (two hours)
- Serves an average of 85 households/month
Warren - 3rd Thursday of each month - 10 a.m. – noon (two hours)
- Serves an average of 46 households/month
What you’ll do - volunteers will load prepackaged boxes of food into cars or carts, help families with information collection, and most importantly, create a warm and welcoming experience. We can really use your help. Join us to make a difference! Sign up here, or call us at 586-469-6004.
MSU Extension's Adulting 101 helps individuals manage and conquer real life skills

MSU Extension is bringing back Adulting 101, a monthly online program that is free to attend. Classes will go over essential skills and knowledge that young adults will need to successfully manage the responsibilities and complexities of adulthood.
This year’s program will include new and past subjects. See the 2025 schedule below:
- Medical Insurance 101 - February 10 at 5:30 p.m.
- Get It Together: Time and Organization Tips to Thrive - March 3 at 7 p.m.
- Wealth Building - April 8 at 5 p.m.
- Stay Safe Out There - May 15 at 6 p.m.
- International Travel on a Budget - June 2 at 6:30 p.m.
- Mastering Meal Planning - July 9 at 4 p.m.
- Navigating Life: Addressing and Handling Peer Pressure - August 18 at 6 p.m.
- Professionalism: Communicate, Dress, and Deliver with Confidence - September 17 at 6:30 p.m.
- Enjoy your Holidays on a budget - October 23 at 5 p.m.
- Navigating Tough Talks: Conflict Resolution & Civil Discourse - November 13 at 6:30 p.m.
For details on each of the sessions, visit: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/adulting-101-2025.
Adulting 101’s goal is to help individuals become self-sufficient and well-rounded adults. For more information about the course, please contact Kathy Jamieson at jamies13@msu.edu, Laurie Rivetto at rivettol@msu.edu or Janice Zerbe at rajzerj@msu.edu.
Registration is now live for all classes and available here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/events/adulting-101-2025
Nominations to open for the 13th annual Macomb Business Awards

Macomb County Planning and Economic Development is thrilled to announce the return of the Macomb Business Awards this year on Thursday, May 15! The event will once again honor local businesses for their innovations, generosity and agility. But first, organizations can submit themselves for consideration in one of our six categories:
- Best Place to Work
- Fueling the Talent Pipeline
- Green Macomb Sustainability Award
- Hidden Gem, Manufacturer of the Year
- Nonprofit of the Year
Nominations open February 5 on the Macomb Business Awards website. There you can also find more information on categories and rules for eligibility. Nominations close March 7.
How Macomb County is building tomorrow’s talent today

The following is a personal essay from Jennifer Weot, a senior outreach specialist for Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.
When you graduated from high school, did you know what you wanted to do next? What career you wanted to pursue? I’m going to guess and say no. It is interesting how we end up where we are, isn’t it?
I knew what I wanted to do. However; what I wanted to do and what I ended up doing are very different. I wanted to be an elementary teacher. When I graduated from college, the job market was saturated with teachers! Nobody ever said to me: “It’s great that you want to be a teacher, but so does everyone else. It will be very difficult to find a job.” Of course now, it is a completely different job market.
What about the students of today? Do you think they know what they want to do after high school? I can guarantee that most of them don’t. They have no idea what is out there.
This is where we have a problem.
Depending on who you ask, you will hear different verdicts on the state of education in Michigan and the preparation our students are receiving for life after graduation. According to the Detroit Regional Chamber Foundation (DRCF), the high school graduation rates in our area are high:
- Detroit region - 85%
- City of Detroit - 74%
So, what is happening to all of these students after they graduate from high school? The DRCF also provides data showing that college enrollment in our region is down 37% and that 42% of the students who choose to pursue a post-high school education do not have the credential or are no longer enrolled after six years. At this rate, the fear is that Michigan employers’ talent shortage is likely to get much worse than it already is.
What can you do about it? Get involved! As an employer, you have a unique opportunity to help high school students, our future workforce, figure out what careers best fit their interests and abilities by offering them exposure to what it is that you do. You can help develop your future workforce! And Macomb County is here to help. Our “Fueling the Talent Pipeline” initiative is all about connecting industry to educators. By providing meaningful career exploration opportunities, such as industry tours, job shadows, internships and more, your business not only provides exposure to what it is that you do. It helps in developing interest in these students. Many may not even be aware that your career exists.
Here’s a brief rundown of the types of work we do:
- Host Manufacturing Day Week (MFG Day). This is a national event held on the first Friday of October. It is manufacturing's biggest opportunity to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in modern manufacturing. Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) partners with the Macomb Intermediate School District, along with an active planning committee and generous sponsors, to coordinate one of the nation’s largest celebrations of MFG Day. Since 2014, more than 22,000 students have participated.
- Partner with Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL). MCPED is the convening organization for two Ford NGL school districts in Macomb County - Romeo and Center Line. In this role, we connect the schools with opportunities for their students to explore career pathways in every industry.
- Collaborate with the Macomb Intermediate School District. Outside of its work with the Ford NGL districts, MCPED collaborates with the MISD to ensure all students across the county have access to career training and education.
- Sponsors and participates in MiCareerQuest Southeast. Michigan Works! offices from across the region partner to host MiCareerQuest Southeast every year for 8,000 students at the Novi Suburban Showplace. This event provides hands-on activities related to career exploration in four quadrants: construction, information technology, advanced manufacturing and health sciences. MCPED partners with organizers to have Macomb County companies represented.
We have 21 school districts in Macomb County and they all offer some type of Career & Technical Education (CTE) classes. These instructors are looking for businesses that can help their students understand what the real world looks like in these fields. Help the students and your business by getting involved and developing your future workforce. Reach out to me at jennifer.weot@macombgov.org for more information and to get involved today.
Macomb County and Anchor Bay High School team up to paint the plow
As the snow starts to fly, the Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) will hit the roads with a freshly painted snowplow, known as Blizzard Wizard. As part of the agency’s annual paint the plow program, MCDR partnered with Anchor Bay High School to paint one of the department’s snowplows ahead of the winter season.
High school graphic design and art students from Anchor Bay High School created and submitted designs for the snowplow in the fall and the winning design was voted on by Macomb County and MCDR staff. The snowplow was unveiled by Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, MCDR director Bryan Santo, Anchor Bay High School principal Michael Mackenzie, graphic design teacher Liz VanNuck, art teacher David Stumpf, and students from Anchor Bay High School.
“The Department of Roads is dedicated to keeping Macomb County roads as safe as possible around the clock during the winter months,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “Thanks to the creativity and work of students at Anchor Bay High School, one of our snowplows will be hitting the roads in style for the entire community to enjoy.”
MCDR has more than 100 snowplows, salt trucks and graders in its fleet and more than 100 maintenance employees that are dedicated to keeping the roads clear of ice and snow. This is the third plow that has been painted as part of MCDR’s paint the plow program.
Previously, MCDR partnered with Switzer Elementary School and Collins Elementary School to paint county plows, which are still in service today. Macomb County residents can catch a glimpse of the painted plows patrolling this winter.
“We appreciate the partnership with the Department of Roads to showcase the work of our talented students at Anchor Bay High School. We have many gifted design and art students, and this was an exciting and creative way for them to be recognized,” said Anchor Bay High School principal Michael Mackenzie. “It is a great example of a cross-curricular activity that encourages students to work together to create a project from start to finish. I applaud our teachers, Ms. VanNuck and Mr. Stumpf, for taking on this fun but challenging endeavor and appreciate the support from Cori Wiley, the Anchor Bay supervisor of maintenance and facilities, for making it possible.”
Schools and teachers that are interested in participating in MCDR’s annual paint the plow program can contact the Department of Roads at 586-463-8671 or geninfo@rcmcweb.org for additional information.
Point-in-Time census complete with help from volunteers

On the night of January 22, a hearty group of over 60 volunteers from the community and 12 local agencies conducted its annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, a census of those who are experiencing homelessness in Macomb County. The Point-in Time Count is a requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is intended to provide a better understanding of Macomb County’s homeless population and help direct resources to those who need them most. Macomb Community Action, as the lead agency for the Macomb County Continuum of Care, organized and led the Point-in-Time Count.
Groups of three to four volunteers per vehicle canvassed the County in search of those who are found outside unsheltered. Staff members and volunteers collected data and information on those they encountered that will be submitted to HUD. In addition, volunteers provided a bag of personal care products, food, and winter accessories to everyone, along with a listing of resources including information on shelter, health care, and other housing support services.
Special thanks are due to the Macomb County Rotating Emergency Shelter Team (MCREST) for providing shelter to a number of individuals who needed refuge, as well as several local police departments who assisted with transportation of individuals.
Information and data on this year’s count will be available after all information is compiled and verified through state and federal partners.
Macomb in the news
- Macomb's GDP hit $53B in 2024, here is where the county's investing
- County medical examiner’s office once again earns national accreditation
- Real ID Deadline Just Months Away: What To Know In MI
Blog log
- Macomb County is ‘part’ of your vehicle
- Feature: Q/A with the Dean of Engineering and Advanced Technology at Macomb Community College