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Focus Macomb - July 2026

Message from Mark

Mark Hackel

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Focus Macomb newsletter.

This July we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, reflecting on our nation's history, its triumphs, its challenges and the sacrifices which laid the foundation for the great nation we live in today. Celebrations took place throughout the county, filled with family fun and fireworks.

Milestones have also been reached locally, as well. Macomb County recently received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for our Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and were even ranked 4th nationally in the 2026 Digital Counties Survey for the amazing work of our Information Technology Department.

On a more personal level, we were once again able to celebrate the wonderful men and women who have reached 100 years of age who make Macomb County their home. Congratulations to Richard Szymanski, Leonard Pointe, Bill Doehring, William "Bill" Russell, and George Gitari. For anyone 100 years in age or older who wishes to be recognized, fill out this registration form and we will follow up with an invitation to the next Centenarian Celebration.

I attended many other local events as well, including the opening of the newly completed Ford Cove Shoreline Restoration Project at the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores. Macomb County was a partner on the project, and we are thrilled to see the beautiful cove come to life. 

The 2nd annual RISE Recovery Expo was hosted by the Michigan Department of Corrections at Macomb Community College, where participants connected with opportunities and resources that would help them overcome life’s challenges. Shoutout to the incredible people behind the scenes who made this event possible.

I also attended the Martha T. Berry Foundation Car Show where car enthusiasts from across the County showed off their vehicles alongside the wonderful people who proudly call the Martha T. Berry Medical Care Facility home.

Now that we are halfway through summer, I implore you to not miss out on the amazing activities still happening in and around our communities. For summer concerts, check out our list of Music in the Park events. For other seasonal fun, follow our Make Macomb Your Home Events Facebook. And lastly, keep up to date on Macomb County happenings with our Macomb Matters series consisting of weekly updates that you can find on my social media channels, Facebook and Instagram.

Thank you and stay cool,

Mark Hackel 


Macomb County Office of Senior Services to host 35th Annual Senior Fun Festival

Three smiling women wearing balloon hats at an indoor event.

The Macomb County Office of Senior Services will host its 35th annual Senior Fun Festival on Thursday, September 24 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Lorenzo Cultural Center located at 44575 Garfield Road in Clinton Township. Admission to the Senior Fun Festival is free.

Recognized as Macomb County’s largest senior expo, the Senior Fun Festival is intended to serve as an opportunity for seniors and caregivers to learn about services and community resources to help enrich their lives. In addition to services and community resources for seniors and caregivers, the event will also feature raffles, entertainment, refreshments and snacks. Heiritage Law is the presenting sponsor of the 2026 Senior Fun Festival.

 More information can be found on the Senior Fun Festival website. 


Macomb County named one of America’s Top Digital Governments

Two men in suits smiling and holding an award certificate on stage.

Macomb County has been recognized as one of the nation's leading technology-driven local governments, earning 4th place nationally in the 2026 Digital Counties Survey for counties with populations between 500,000 and 999,999 residents. The ranking also makes Macomb County the highest-ranked county in Michigan. 

The annual survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government in partnership with the National Association of Counties (NACo), recognizes counties that use technology to improve government services, strengthen cybersecurity, increase efficiency and better serve residents.

“This recognition reflects our commitment to delivering government services that are smarter, more secure and more accessible,” said Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel. “In today’s world, investing in technology is about more than convenience, it’s about keeping our county connected and protected. Thanks to the continued support of our Board of Commissioners, we’ve made strategic investments that strengthen cybersecurity, improve efficiency, safeguard sensitive information and ensure residents receive reliable, responsive services. Technology is fundamental to how we serve our communities, and this honor is a credit to our outstanding Information Technology team and every county department committed to innovation.” 

The recognition highlights Macomb County’s continued investment in digital services, cybersecurity, cloud technology, website accessibility, artificial intelligence and enterprise-wide technology initiatives that improve services for residents and businesses. 

"This award reflects the commitment of our IT team, county leadership and the many departments who continually look for better ways to serve residents,” said Jako van Blerk, Director of Macomb County Information Technology. “Our most successful technology initiatives happen when our forward-thinking departments bring new ideas and push us to improve the way government works. Our focus remains on building a secure, innovative and resilient technology environment that delivers real value to Macomb County.”

Macomb County received the award during the National Association of Counties Annual Conference in New Orleans on July 17. The Digital Counties Survey recognizes the nation’s highest-performing counties for their excellence in technology innovation, cybersecurity, digital transformation and the delivery of public services. 

The 2026 top-ten rankings for counties in the same population category include:  

  • 1st – Prince William County, VA  
  • 2nd – Westchester County, NY 
  • 3rd – Utah County, UT  
  • 4th – Macomb County, MI.; 4th – Polk County, FL 
  • 5th – Snohomish County, WA 
  • 6th – City of Indianapolis-Marion County, IN 
  • 7th – Cobb County, GA.; 7th – New Castle County, DE. 
  • 8th County of Ventura, CA  
  • 9th – DeKalb County, GA 
  • 10th – County of DuPage, IL  

More information and Digital Counties Survey Press Release  
 


Macomb County to host fourth annual Health and Wellness Fair this September 

People interacting at a resource fair, with booths and informational materials on tables.

Macomb County will welcome residents, families, and community partners to the Fourth Annual Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday, September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD) located at 44001 Garfield Rd. in Clinton Township. All are welcome to attend this free event.

Attendees can enjoy a wide variety of free activities and services, including health screenings, wellness resources, educational sessions, food, and family-friendly entertainment. In addition, all attendees will also receive a Wellness Resource Guide to help them stay connected to services and support long after the event. 

Come out, bring your family and friends, and enjoy a welcoming, supportive environment dedicated to wellness in Macomb County. For more information, visit our event page, or call the Macomb County Community Mental Health Customer Service Line at 855-99-MCCMH (855-996-2264).


MCDR completes Mound Road and Metro Parkway resurfacing work

A large orange roller compacts freshly laid asphalt on Mound Road while a construction worker holds a "SLOW" traffic sign.

The Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) recently completed resurfacing projects on Mound Road and Metropolitan Parkway as part of the agency’s annual Pavement Preservation Program (PPP). The projects included pavement milling (removal of pavement), resurfacing the roadways with asphalt overlays and new pavement markings.

The two resurfacing projects are part of MCDR’s transportation asset management strategy to improve the surface of the roadways while the agency continues to secure the additional funding needed for the proposed future reconstruction projects. Due to the scope of work required and the high cost of reconstructing Mound Road between M-102 (8 Mile Road) and I-696 (11 Mile Road) in Warren and replacing the Metropolitan Parkway bridge between Mound Road and M-53 (Van Dyke Avenue) in Sterling Heights, additional funding sources are needed, including federal competitive grant and discretionary funding.

“Macomb County remains committed to enhancing the Mound Road and Metropolitan Parkway corridors through a combination of innovative funding approaches and collaborative partnerships,” said Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel. “Macomb County has always been focused on tackling complex road projects with constant community input, dynamic project teams and diversified funding strategies. This is the same approach we are deploying to reconstruct Segment II of Innovate Mound and replace the Metropolitan Parkway bridge. We are thankful for all of our congressional leaders and partners who have supported Macomb County’s plans to invest in our infrastructure and the future of our community.”

Innovate Mound Segment II 

In 2024, $2.5 million dollars was committed by the Michigan Legislature to resurface Mound Road between 8 Mile Road and I-696. MCDR leveraged these funds to resurface the Mound Road corridor in 2026 while Macomb County seeks additional funding for the reconstruction of Segment II.

“The pavement preservation projects recently completed by the Department of Roads will improve the driving experience for motorists while we continue to secure additional state and federal funding to support long-term solutions for both corridors,” said MCDR Director Bryan Santo. “We’ve had success with previous federal grant funding opportunities and we’re hopeful for a positive result on the next round of our application submittals.”

Building on momentum, Macomb County was recently awarded $8.75 million in congressional funding towards the $100 million dollars needed to fully reconstruct Segment II of Innovate Mound. MCDR also prepared a submittal for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program, which was submitted by MCDR in July of 2026.

The proposed Innovate Mound Segment II project will reconstruct and modernize Mound Road, representing the southern segment of the corridor. This segment is a significant regional connection supporting the movement of people and goods through a major industrial area in southeast Michigan. The proposed project continues the broader Innovate Mound corridor investment, complementing the northern segment reconstruction from I-696 to M-59 (Hall Road), which was supported by a previous INFRA grant.

Segment I of the transformational $220 million Innovate Mound project opened on time and on budget in December of 2023 with final restoration and landscaping work being completed in 2024. The multi-year project reconstructed approximately nine miles of the Mound Road corridor in Warren and Sterling Heights. The project included new pavement, drainage, curbs and driveways, traffic signal optimization, roadway widening north of 17 Mile Road, connected vehicle and fiber optic communications technology, enhanced non-motorized facilities and energy-efficient lighting. 

Metropolitan Parkway Bridge 

The Metropolitan Parkway bridge, which carries Metropolitan Parkway over an active railroad corridor between Mound Road and Van Dyke Avenue, remains a top priority for MCDR. The bridge is in fair condition but still deteriorating. Recognizing Metropolitan Parkway is a critical link through Macomb County, MCDR is choosing to prioritize early involvement. Without intervention, the bridge is at increasing risk of falling into poor condition and subject to load restrictions which could hinder freight and commercial travel.

The proposed $43 million project will replace the existing bridge with a new five-span structure with a reinforced concrete deck designed to current standards. The replacement will ensure the structure remains safe and operational, meets current and future traveler needs, supports local economies, strengthens supply chains, connects surrounding disadvantaged communities to critical facilities, and creates good-paying jobs while reducing the number of bridges in deteriorating condition. In addition to upgrading the bridge, the increase in railroad clearance will allow for additional railroad capacity in the future.

To assist with funding the proposed bridge replacement project, MCDR applied for a Bridge Investment Program (BIP) grant through USDOT in June of 2026.

For the latest news and information regarding active and planned MCDR projects, visit the Macomb Work Zone website 

 


Macomb County Office of Senior Services to host Volunteer Recruitment Fair

Recruitment fair graphic that features an American flag in the background. Message on the graphic is September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. Volunteer Recruitment Fair.   Message on the image is

The Macomb County Office of Senior Services will be hosting a Volunteer Recruitment Fair on Friday, September 11 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Macomb Mall located at 32233 Gratiot Ave. in Roseville. This free event is part of the nationwide Day of Service and is intended to help pay tribute to and honor the victims and heroes of 9/11 by promoting year-round volunteerism rather than single-day volunteer engagements.

Representatives from over 20 local non-profit and government organizations that are seeking volunteers will be on-hand to provide information on their volunteer opportunities and answer questions. Anyone who is interested in volunteer work is encouraged to attend; registration to attend is not required. To learn more, visit the Office of Senior Services Volunteer web page.

“The residents and employees of Macomb County have a long tradition of stepping up to support their neighbors through volunteer service that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families,” said Sheila Cote, Director of the Macomb County Office of Senior Services. “We invite everyone to attend, especially those who are interested in volunteering but are looking for an opportunity that matches their interests, skills, and schedule. There will be something for everyone.”


Save the date

National Night Out 2026 logo with blue and red star design.

 

 
National Night Out

Date: Tuesday, August 4

 

 

 

Great Lakes Policy Conference logo with a stylized wave and text.
 
 
Great Lakes Policy Conference

Date: Wednesday, August 12
Registration now open.
 

 

 

 

 

Recruitment fair graphic that features an American flag in the background. Message on the graphic is September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance. Volunteer Recruitment Fair.   Message on the image is

 

Volunteer Recruitment Fair

Date: Friday, September 11


 

Woofstock Logo with a dog sitting on a guitar, retro colors, flowers, and music notes.

 

Woofstock

Date: Saturday, September 19
 

 


 

Sprint and Splash

 

Sprint and Splash

Date: Sunday, September 20
Registration now open.


 

Vendor tables with staff, along with attendees at the 2024 Senior Fun Festival

 

Senior Fun Fest

Date: Thursday, September 24
Vendors and sponsorships available.
 

 

For more 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:Planning and Economic Development