Message from Vicky Rowinski
Hello and welcome to Momentum, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development's quarterly newsletter.
As I write this, I’m reflecting on the power of partnerships. This is top of mind because in January, our team joined with several of our longstanding partners to host a booth at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show. Together with Macomb Community College, Macomb/St. Clair Michigan Works!, the Macomb County Chamber and Connect Macomb we promoted the County’s Future Talent for Future Tech. And working in tandem, we’ll continue to build tomorrow’s workforce today.
Partnerships are also key when it comes to the economy - and ours is booming. In 2024, Macomb’s GDP reached an all-time high of $54.4 billion. That’s phenomenal. But it simply would not touch these levels without the public/private partnerships that facilitate growth and expansion, job creation, new developments and more.
I say all this to remind you: MCPED is your partner. If you’re actively working with our team, thank you for helping us make our community a great place to live, work and play! Or, if you’ve partnered with our department in the past, and you’ve been meaning to get back in touch, this is your sign. Reach out today. Whether you need assistance with economic development, planning, GIS and data, or parks and natural resources, we’re standing by to help you succeed.
Vicky Rowinski
Economic development
Macomb Business Award event goes Hollywood, ceremony to be held at the AMC Forum Theater in Sterling Heights
Macomb County today announced the return of the annual Macomb Business Awards, with a red carpet twist. The awards ceremony, which is slated for Thursday, May 15, will be held at the AMC Forum 30 Theater in Sterling Heights. With this new location, Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED), the host of the initiative, hopes to incorporate some Hollywood magic into the event.
“This event is one of the County’s largest celebrations of local businesses and organizations, and this year’s program will be unlike anything we’ve done before,” said Vicky Rowinski, director, MCPED. “Since we’ll be at the AMC Forum 30, there will definitely be some Hollywood-style touches that will put a big spotlight on our deserving attendees and awardees. Needless to say, we can’t wait for the show to start!”
As always, the awards will recognize local businesses and organizations in several areas. Those interested can submit themselves for consideration when the nomination period opens on February 5. Categories include:
- Best Place to Work
A company that fosters a positive and supportive work environment where employees feel valued, trusted and have an opportunity for growth. Additionally, this company should have a sense of purpose and go above and beyond to support its community. - Fueling the Talent Pipeline
A company creating opportunities for the next generation of our workforce through meaningful career exploration experiences. - Green Macomb Sustainability Award
An organization supporting workplace green practices, strengthening the economy, quality of life and the environment. Examples include lowering greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency, incorporating reuse recycling practices, renewable energy technology, increasing local job opportunities in this sector and local production of goods. - Hidden Gem
A commercial business offering a unique Macomb County product, service or experience that deserves more recognition. - Manufacturer of the Year - Presented by Macomb Next
A manufacturer achieving success through its use of modern, smart technology to adapt to industry demands and diversify its customer base. The company is innovative in both its processes and products. Manufacturers of all kinds are eligible, from automotive to food and beverage. - Nonprofit of the Year
An organization that addresses an important need and plays a vital role in our local community, by contributing significantly to the well-being, vitality and growth of Macomb County. Must be a 501(C) organization.
*Note: A public vote will help determine the winner of this category.
“This year we’re thrilled to add a new category - the Green Macomb Sustainability Award,” said Rowinski. “This reflects our department’s work in the parks and natural resources space, and it will highlight the important and innovative efforts many companies and organizations are undertaking to be environmental stewards here in Macomb County.”
Nominations can be entered at MacombBusiness.com. The portal will close on March 7. All nominees will then be reviewed by a panel of judges. Recipients in each category will be announced during the awards program.
The Macomb Business Awards recognizes outstanding businesses that have made Macomb County their home. It will feature networking opportunities and presentations from leaders who will discuss relevant business topics.
MCPED is also seeking sponsors to help cover program expenses. For more information, please contact Chelssee Swarthout at chelssee.swarthout@macombgov.org or click here to learn more.
Macomb County is ‘part’ of your vehicle
With the return of the Detroit Auto Show, MCPED collaborated with community partners to host a space during the event’s Industry Days. Located in the Huntington Place’s Grand Riverview Ballroom, Macomb County, Macomb/St. Clair MI Works, Macomb Community College, Connect Macomb and Macomb County Chamber worked to promote the county’s impact on the world’s automotive industry. The following was published in the Macomb Business blog, detailing just how impressive our community is when it comes to cars:
According to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan has the highest percentage of auto production in the United States, with Detroit acting as the hub for all things automotive since the early 1900s. Since then, vehicle manufacturing has expanded throughout the metro area.
Macomb County lives 25 miles up the coast from the Motor City and acts as one major cog in the automotive machine here in Southeastern Michigan. While every car is not fully assembled here, our manufacturers help produce many of the parts that make up a vehicle, including some of the most important components, such as the engine, brakes and other electrical parts. In total, Macomb is home to 338 vehicle manufacturers that provide almost 22,000 jobs and $13 billion in revenue annually.
The different types of automotive manufacturers within the County can be broken down into eight different categories, pulled from Lightcast data:
- Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing
- Steering and Suspension Components (except Spring) Manufacturing
- Brake System Manufacturing
- Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing
- Seating and Interior Trim Manufacturing
- Metal Stamping
- Other Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing
Motor Vehicle Stamping, which brings in the most sales out of all Macomb County’s automotive manufacturing groups, also brings in the most revenue, with a total of $4.4 billion in sales. This category comprises 45 companies, including Oakley Industries, a long time participant of Macomb County’s Manufacturing Day, and AGS Automotive Systems, a 2024 Macomb Business Awards winner for Best Place to Work.
The 14 businesses who manufacture transmission and powertrain parts have the second biggest outgoing sales – a total of $3.2 billion – and provide 4,545 jobs. One of these manufacturers, SAPA Transmission, has been a leading supplier to the United States Army since as early as 1982. They expanded to Macomb County in 2018 and, currently, their location in Shelby Township acts as their only facility in North America.
The 20 local companies that produce vehicle seating and interior trim parts bring in $2.9 billion in total sales and provide 5,326 jobs. This is the third largest group of motor vehicle manufacturing in Macomb County and includes companies such as Fisher Dynamics, a Detroit-founded automotive supplier who has since expanded across the globe.
Gasoline engine and other engine parts manufacturing provide 727 jobs and bring in about $518.9 million in total revenue. In Macomb County, there are 12 businesses who are a part of this category. Additionally, the five businesses who manufacture brake systems provide 131 jobs and bring in a total of $100.3 million in sales.
Electrical and electronic equipment manufacturing, which is a category comprising six companies in Macomb County, provides 162 jobs and $56.2 million in total revenue. One of these businesses is Magna, a globally operating manufacturer with facilities in both Shelby Township and Sterling Heights.
The manufacturing category that makes up steering and suspension components provides 14 jobs and $5.3 million in total sales, while the 22 companies that produce other additional vehicle parts provide 3,592 jobs and a total of $1.7 billion in sales. This category of manufacturers is broad and fairly undefined, comprising not only Magna, but other automotive giants such as General Motors, Stellantis and ZF.
Macomb County is continuously evolving with the enhancement of new technology, and stays a driving force in the automotive sector. Our County’s workforce development and commitment to fueling the talent pipeline showcases why Michigan is the #1 home for the automotive industry in the nation.
Community corner
Affordable tree and plants available to purchase at the annual tree and plant sale
Macomb County is once again partnering with the Blue Water Conservation District to host the annual tree and plant sale. Throughout spring, the public has a chance to purchase affordable trees, shrubs and plants at reasonable prices. Orders are accepted now until April 4 on the Green Macomb website. Once purchased, plants can be picked up in person or shipped to your home. Pick-up will take place April 21 and 22 at the Armada Fairgrounds, and April 24 and 25 at the Clinton Township Civic Center.
Interested in buying a tree, but uncertain what’s available? The Blue Water Conservation website provides the 2025 tree sale catalogue, including names, descriptions, plant origins and benefits. From Douglas Fir to Magnolia trees, the Green Macomb tree and plant sale is ready to supply you with your newest green resident.
Green Macomb is a local initiative through the Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources division, whose goal is to enhance green infrastructure that will strengthen our region’s environment and quality of life. This year, the program turns a decade old. Within that time, Green Macomb has planted 4,056 trees in their efforts to increase Macomb County’s urban tree canopy for a healthy and strong community. This has led to air pollution removal, runoff and carbon dioxide emission evasion, ample saved energy and over $30.5K worth of benefits.
To learn more about the program or to find other environmental resources, visit the Green Macomb homepage.
Macomb County receives $1 million Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Grant from the EPA
Have you ever wondered how a polluted property, like an old dump site or closed gas station, becomes a functioning piece of real estate? Oftentimes, the EPA’s Brownfield Program is responsible for making this happen. According to the organization, “brownfields are properties that contain or may contain a hazardous substance, pollutant or contaminant, complicating efforts to expand, redevelop or reuse them.”
Through its funding program, the EPA is “cleaning up and reinvesting in these properties, which improves and protects the environment, increases local tax bases, facilitates job growth, makes use of existing infrastructure, and takes development pressures off green spaces and working lands.”
The EPA relies on partnerships with municipal governments to identify and distribute dollars for brownfield sites. For instance, Jimmy John’s Field in Utica is the result of this funding. It is located at the site of a former dumping ground that has been remediated and restored for the betterment of our community. MCPED helped to spearhead this effort, and our department recently received $1 million in new Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant dollars from the EPA to continue this type of work.
How does the Brownfield Revolving Loan Fund Grant work?
The grant agreement provides funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for Macomb County to recapitalize a revolving loan fund as authorized by CERCLA 104(k)(5)(A)(ii). Specifically, this agreement will provide funding for the recipient to re-capitalize a revolving loan fund from which to make loans and subgrants to clean up brownfield site(s) and conduct other necessary activities to prudently manage the RLF. Work conducted under this agreement will benefit the residents, business owners and stakeholders in and near Macomb County, Michigan. Sub-awards include loans or sub-grants to clean up brownfield sites.
What does a loan entail?
The County may loan RLF funds to eligible borrowers for the cleanup of eligible sites. Loans are provided for a minimum amount of $100,000 up to a maximum of available loan funds, which is currently about $1.2 million. The interest rate is 1.5% minimum for a term of up to 10 years. Repayment can be deferred until year five. Interest rates down to 0% and loan amounts up to the balance of funds available for loans may be approved by the County if it determines that this level of assistance and risk to the RLF program is outweighed by the likely benefits of the cleanup and redevelopment to the community, environment, and County at large.
Who qualifies?
Any public or private entity (including non-profits, community development corporations, private companies, development agencies, etc.) who owns contaminated property and is not responsible for the site contamination may borrow RLF funds for cleanup. In most cases, an RLF applicant must demonstrate that a Phase I environmental site assessment was performed not more than 180 days prior to becoming an owner of the property, in accordance with the EPA Rule on All Appropriate Inquiries (Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 312).
Parties seeking assistance for their projects are generally asked to demonstrate the following criteria to the public and MCPED:
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The cleanup will be protective of human health and the environment
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The applicant has financial need of assistance
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The applicant welcomes community involvement
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The proposed cleanup and redevelopment project is technically and financially feasible
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The applicant, and its partners, have the capacity, expertise, and financial means to perform the project, or at least a reasonable strategy for assembling these requisites
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The cleanup and/or redevelopment project will result in significant economic, environmental and social benefits to the community
For additional information and requirements, visit Macomb County’s Brownfield Program page.
Talking talent
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.
Department happenings
Congrats to 40 Under 40 recipient, Lauri Morley
Macomb County Chamber’s 40 under 40 Awards commend 40 amazing individuals under 40 years of age for their outstanding leadership, achievements and impact on their communities and fields. Last November, NextGEN Macomb presented these awards to their selected recipients of 2024, including Lauri Morley, program director for the marketing and communications team at Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.
Lauri was initially hired as a Communications Specialist for the department in 2017. Since then, her contributions to Macomb County have covered a broad range of feats, including promotion of the 2020 Census, distributing CARES Act funds during the COVID-19 pandemic and leading the countywide website update for macombgov.org.
Since 2024, Lauri has taken on the role of marketing and communications program director and continues to positively impact those who live, work and play in Macomb County through hard work and dedication. Congratulations, Lauri!
PED new hires and promotions
Macomb County Planning and Economic Development is happy to announce the recent hiring of Kiley Feld and the well-deserved promotion of Brittany Mohr.
In November of last year, Kiley was hired on as a sustainability associate for the parks and natural resources division. Before joining the department, she lived in Arizona where she received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies and a Masters of Arts in Sustainable Communities at Northern Arizona University.
When asked what she’s most excited about in her new role, Kiley replied, “I'm eager to be a part of the work Macomb County is doing to increase its canopy cover- a vital piece of climate mitigation and resiliency work- and growing its sustainability initiatives.”
Brittany Mohr was recently promoted to associate planner for the Community Development Block Grant team of the community planning division. Brittany started her employment with Macomb County in November 2012 as a Case Specialist with Macomb Community Action. In her role at the South Action Center, she spent years providing assistance and resources for housing, utility bills and referrals to low income individuals in the community. In May 2023, Brittany and the rest of the CDBG group were integrated into the Planning and Economic Development Department. Since then, Brittany’s role has transitioned into developing, planning, and implementing federal grant-funded programs. This includes assisting communities and partners in making their goals come to light.
“My new role may look different from week to week based on the current need, but I am ready for that challenge,” said Brittany.
This month, she plans to continue expanding her knowledge of community planning by participating in the Macomb County Citizen Planner program - a course on Community Planning & Zoning - to better assist her team with upcoming projects.
