Message from Vicky Rowinski
Welcome to the new Momentum newsletter, a comprehensive look at all of the good news coming out of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development. This publication replaces the Macomb Business Insider as a complete look at the department and will be shared quarterly. It will not only include economic development news, but also community planning; parks and natural resources; mapping and data services; and internal department updates. It will also serve as a compliment to the end-of-the-year hard copy Momentum magazine.
Together these publications will provide a look at the phenomenal work being done by our department. From our planners to our economic developers, and everyone in between, this team goes above and beyond to cultivate community and build business. They are part of what makes Macomb a great place to call home. And we’re proud to serve you every day.
Now, I hope you’re having a great summer and that you take some time to check out all of the good things we have going on in the department and throughout the county. Because we’re building some Momentum inside Macomb County Planning and Economic Development!
Economic development
Last call: Enter the Best of the Zest Macomb County food pitch competition and win prizes
The deadline to enter the Best of the Zest Food Pitch Competition is approaching! Small Macomb County packaged food and beverage businesses must submit their applications by 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 25 for a chance to win a share of more than $30,000 in grant funding or services.
Eligible businesses include:
- Packaged food producers that create products from raw materials, either for distribution or face-to-face sales. Can include beverage companies.
- Must be one of the following:
- Female-owned
- Minority-owned
- Veteran-owned
- Located in an “underserved area”
- Been in business since at least June 11, 2022. Located in Macomb County and has a brick-and-mortar facility with a commercial kitchen. No home businesses.
- Have less than $1 million in annual revenue. Copies of your Profit or Loss statement and W-9 are required.
- Have 10 employees or less, not including the owners
- Are in good standing with LARA (state Licensing and Regulatory Affairs) and have a MDARD (Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) license. (Proof is required)
The pitch competition will take place Aug. 22 at Velocity in Sterling Heights from 9 a.m.- noon. The finalists will be allowed to present a five-minute “pitch,” which will be followed by a five-minute Q&A between the judges and the participant. Winners will be announced by Aug. 27.
Seven winners will be selected and awarded grants and services that can be used on marketing, packaging, labeling and testing services, counseling and small business programming. The prizes are offered through MCPED and its partners, including Macomb Community College, MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, MSU Product Center, Pure Michigan Business Connect, Taste the Local Difference and Velocity. The support services that a business may receive are subject to change based on individual business needs.
Questions about the competition can be directed to MCPED Economic Development Specialist Emerson Krolewski at emerson.krolewski@macombgov.org or call 586-942-0913.
Success story: Dynamic Plastics expanding its Chesterfield Township facility
With the help of an industrial facilities tax abatement (IFT), Dynamic Plastics is expanding its operations in Chesterfield Township.
Dynamic Plastics is a full-service provider of tooling and injection molding solutions, including research and development to design and build customer prototypes.
On May 14, Dynamic Plastics received a 10-year tax abatement on the new real property investment with the help of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED). The company purchased property adjacent to its current facility and will add a 32,000-square-foot addition. With a total investment of $5.3 million in real and personal property, the company will now have 70,000-square-feet of operating space and will create 27 additional jobs, for a total of 83 employees.
This marks the second time MCPED has helped Dynamic Plastics with the industrial facilities tax abatement forms to receive an IFT. In May 2001, MCPED helped Dynamic Plastics receive an industrial facility tax abatement on its original facility.
MCPED connected Dynamic Plastics with Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Works!, and Macomb Community College to help find and train its new workforce.
The new building is expected to be completed this summer.
Is your company looking to expand its operations? If so, contact our economic development team at 586-469-5285 for free and confidential assistance.
Check out these other recent MCPED success stories:
Community corner
EPA cites Macomb County’s success with Brownfield redevelopments, awards additional funding
Macomb County Planning and Economic Development was recently recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which announced more than $6 million in grant awards to expedite the assessment and cleanup of Brownfield sites in Michigan while advancing environmental justice. Seven communities across the state were selected to receive funds, with Macomb County receiving additional dollars for its ongoing success within the program.
According to an EPA press release: "The Macomb County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has been selected to receive $1 million in addition to the $1 million in EPA funds already awarded. The recipient was selected because it has a high-performing program that has successfully made a loan and a subgrant leading to one completed cleanup project. Potential projects highlighted include the remediation of sites in Eastpointe, Warren, and Mount Clemens. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding will extend the capacity of the program to provide funding for more cleanups in the most underserved areas in Macomb County."
The EPA’s Brownfields program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.7 billion in grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. These investments help transform once-polluted, vacant and abandoned areas into community assets, while helping to create good jobs and spur economic revitalization in overburdened communities.
"Macomb County is a leader in utilizing Brownfield funds to revitalize areas of our community in need of redevelopment," said County Executive Mark Hackel. "Our most notable project is Jimmy John's Field, where we worked with partners to turn land that had long been a dumping site into a world-class baseball facility for minor league sports. It transformed from a toxic eyesore to a community gathering space, and I'm thrilled that with new funds we have the opportunity to pursue more of these improvement initiatives."
Additional information on how local communities, businesses and organizations can access these funds will be available later this year. Find more details and resources via Macomb County’s Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Pictured: Located in Utica, Mich., Jimmy John's Field is home to the United Shore Professional Baseball League. Formerly, the site was an unregulated landfill for household waste that had to have significant environmental remediation done. Today, the $15 million, independent league ballpark is breaking attendance records as an area fan favorite and vital economic driver.
Macomb County PNR to update master plan, tout new brand initiative
Macomb County is in the process of updating its five-year Parks, Natural Resources and Trails Master Plan and is seeking input from the public. The master plan will act as a roadmap for the future of the County’s parks and natural resource facilities, its operations, maintenance and enhancements for the next several years. It considers existing parks and programs in and around the community, as well as anticipated demand surrounding them.
When community members take the survey, they will be asked a number of questions ranging from which parks they frequent and what activities they enjoy there, to what they would like to see more of in the County. To offer your feedback, please visit the questionnaire.
The mission of Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources is to protect and restore the County’s natural spaces by providing a variety of resources to local communities. This includes efforts towards both land and water assets. On Wednesday, July 31 the PNR team will join County Executive Mark Hackel, Public Works Commissioner Candace Miller and Bethany Sly of the Michigan Boating Industries Association in presenting the 2024 State of the Lake Address. The annual event brings local community leaders together to highlight the invaluable resource that is Lake St. Clair. This year, the Blue Economy Taskforce will present their ‘Love the Lake’ brand, an initiative to bring awareness to the 430-square miles of freshwater that sits beside us.
For more information on upcoming PNR projects and their Urban Forest Partnership, please contact Amanda Oparka at amanda.oparka@macombgov.org or visit the Parks and Natural Resources website.
Macomb County CDBG preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary
The Macomb County Community Development team is marking a major achievement. The County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, along with CDBG programs across the country, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Enacted by Congress in 1974, CDBG provides essential funding to communities across the country, addressing infrastructure, economic development, and housing needs.
“We’re excited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CDBG with the communities in Macomb County,” Project Manager Stephanie Burgess said. “Macomb County Planning and Economic Development will lead efforts to amplify the impact that the CDBG program has had throughout the County, celebrate projects and best practices and encourage dialogue to secure the program for future success.”
The Community Development Block Grant program, which operates from within Macomb County Planning and Economic Development, provides 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.
An official celebration will take place in September. More details, including date, time and location, will be announced soon.
So stay tuned for more on the CDBG 50th anniversary, and learn more about the national celebration via the Office of Housing and Urban and Development.
Talking talent
Deadline approaching: Macomb County seeking Manufacturing Day host sites and sponsors
Time is running out to join the 11th annual Manufacturing Day as a host site or sponsor in Macomb County! The event will run from Sept. 30-Oct. 4, but the deadline to participate is July 31 – and assistance is still needed.
“We hope to connect classrooms with careers and to inspire our future workforce,” said Macomb County Planning and Economic Development Director Vicky Rowinski. “Ultimately, our goal is to have 2,000 students join us from all 27 Macomb County high schools. It’s a big lift, but with our partners, host sites and sponsors, we know it’s possible. Over the last 10 years, we’ve had more than 16,000 students take part in MFG Day, and we know collectively we are making an impact.”
How to get involved:
- Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) is seeking companies interested in serving as host sites. Hosting organizations can pick their day and time to participate, which gives them a chance to promote their companies and interact with young people interested in manufacturing careers. Those chaperoned students receive a 90-120 minute guided tour that includes discussions with company leaders and employees.
- MCPED is also seeking sponsors, which help offset costs of the event. In return, sponsors receive recognition and exposure for their involvement. Three sponsorship levels are available. They include: All-In ($3,000); Big Supporter ($2,000); and Contributor ($1,000). Please note that there is a limited number of sponsorship opportunities remaining.
MFG Day offers a great opportunity for local manufacturers to help Fuel the Talent Pipeline by opening up their facilities to potential future employees. Organizations wishing to participate in the 2024 celebration, either as a host or a sponsor, can visit: macombgov.org/macomb-business/workforce-and-talent/fueling-talent-pipeline/manufacturing-day
GIS and data services
Cost of living comparison now available for Macomb County employers
Feedback from Macomb County employers recently sparked a new project within MCPED’s GIS and data services team. Working alongside marketing and communications, the work group developed a cost of living comparison to highlight why making Macomb your home makes sense economically.
The tool, which is available online as a digital resource and as a downloadable pdf, is intended for employers looking to recruit new employees, and more specifically, employees from out of state. By comparing Macomb County to other major metropolitan areas across the country, it proves a fiscal point: Your paycheck may be higher in other regions, but when you add in costs of living, you actually make more when you live in Macomb County.
The data is proof. For example, an industrial engineer living in Washington D.C. makes $114,574 per year on average. In Macomb County, an individual with that same position makes an average of $97,021. However, after all costs and expenditures (housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, taxes, etc.), the average annual wage for the individual living in Washington D.C would be $46,547, while the individual in Macomb County would have $54,148 - an almost $10,000 difference. This truly demonstrates how your dollar goes further in Metro Detroit.
Using the data and information available to our teams, MCPED was able to develop the comparison and make it public for interested parties. Employers are encouraged to share the resource with their human resources representatives and recruiters, who can then pass it along to potential candidates. If additional comparisons or information is needed, get in touch. Our team is standing by to help you build your workforce.
Department happenings
Meet the new Macomb County Planning and Economic Development interns
Please join us in welcoming Rob Gurzick and Gabriella Noble to the MCPED team!
Under the guidance of program director Gerry Santoro, Rob will work throughout the summer on PNR projects and initiatives across the County.
“I love being outside and working on multiple projects at once, which this position allows me to do,” Rob said when asked what drew him to the department. “It has been fantastic so far being able to work alongside such a great team and I am extremely grateful for the guidance I receive from them every day!”
Meanwhile, Gabriella (Gabby) started with the department in May and continues to work with the economic development team under program director, Jack Johns.
When asked what she liked most about working with the team, Gabby said: “I find it amazing to see how local businesses function and I enjoy being a part of the team that helps them continue to grow.”
Currently, Gabby is a sophomore studying economics at the University of Michigan. Rob is in his fourth year at Michigan State University and studies environmental geography.
MCPED is excited to have them on board!
Megan Ochmanek promoted to project manager
As of this past May, Megan Ochmanek has been promoted to project manager for the marketing and communications team at Macomb County Planning and Economic Development.
She previously served as a senior communications specialist focused on digital marketing and content management in a variety of formats. For the last six years, Megan has applied her community pride and passion for public service to every project and initiative she has been assigned. From spearheading our talent attraction campaign, to working as part of the County’s Joint Information Center during COVID-19, Megan plays a key role in communications.
Congratulations, Megan!
Blog log
-
Rutkowski uses FTTP to help land internship at Department of Roads
-
Macomb County seeking Manufacturing Day host sites and sponsors
Macomb in the news
-
New businesses coming to Metro Detroit's Partridge Creek Mall
-
U.S. Army Detroit Arsenal in Warren Awards $232M in Orders to Oshkosh Defense
-
Macomb County government recognized with four awards from national organization
