Strong job growth continues in Macomb County

The most recent jobs update released from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows Macomb County gained 1,590 jobs last month and 10,730 total so far in 2017. The July data shows a total of 422,219 Macomb County residents are working. This is the highest number of people employed in Macomb County in more than 16 years, dating back to November 2000 when 418,451 people were employed.

Macomb County voters adopted an executive form of county government that began in 2011. Under the leadership of the first-ever county executive, Mark A. Hackel, Macomb County has gained 59,320 jobs. The unemployment rate in the county is currently 4.2 percent.

“Our local economy is growing at a remarkable pace. These new jobs are a direct result of Macomb County’s leadership in sectors of mobility, aerospace, life sciences, information technology, defense and homeland security,” said John Paul Rea, director of the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development. “We are excited about these results and will continue to work toward greater economic vitality for our families in Macomb County.”

Year-over-year job growth shows gains in the county. The county’s 2017 to-date job growth is outpacing its 2016 to-date job growth of 8,511.

The updated jobs numbers continue the streak of eight continuous years of job growth in Macomb County. Jobs numbers have grown every single year in Macomb County since the height of the recession in 2009, when 350,776 people in the county were working. The county peaked in jobs numbers in May 1999, when 437,251 were employed. At that time, unemployment was at a mere 2.7 percent.

The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development has been integrally involved in supporting the automotive industry. We offer free and confidential services to businesses of all sizes across multiple targeted industries. Reach out today so we can assist with your needs.

 

Nick Posavetz is an economic development specialist for the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development and is focused on growing, retaining and attracting businesses to Macomb County. To learn about what resources are available for your business, reach out to him at posavetz@macombgov.org.

Romeo High School to implement college and career academies as first designated Ford NGL district in state

Over the past two years, the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development (MCPED) has been working with partners to explore and create a foundation for implementing college and career academies at Romeo High School with support from the Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL) network. The result will be standing up various academies that emphasize career exploration, experiential learning and college readiness rather than perfecting the art of standardized test taking. While Ford has NGL communities throughout the country, this will be the first designated district in the state of Michigan.

Our department sees this effort as a way to prepare the next generation to meet workforce demands. This transformation is currently in the planning phase, and implementation is scheduled for the 2019 school year. MCPED serves as the community convening organization. As such, some of our responsibilities include supporting successful government, academic and business collaboration; building credibility in the community and gaining support; and focusing on business and community development.

Over 50 stakeholders make up the program’s steering committee. Our department helps advise this committee about current industry trends and in-demand jobs and promotes the county’s 10 targeted industries (automotive, advanced manufacturing, defense, food and agriculture, health care and social assistance, information technology and cybersecurity, logistics and warehousing, professional services, and retail) to businesses, community organizations, teachers, parents and academia.

By examining the local area, the businesses located there, who is hiring and what kind of talent is needed, a determination can be made as to what career pathways ought to be offered for that specific area. The steering committee is examining these options and will help determine the top career academies best suited to offer in the Romeo community.

While core studies will still be taught in the classroom, they will be incorporated into the larger career pathways. For example, a student in the automotive academy would learn the futuristic technologies of autonomous vehicles through studying a blend of information technology, robotics, computer science and engineering. The result is that students will receive extended hands-on exposure to different careers, empowering them to make informed career choices.

In addition to Ford, other local businesses are a necessary part of this framework. They offer externships to the high school teachers, enabling them to spend time at the business so they can better understand the industry and teach it to students. Industry experts are also welcomed to teach in the classroom, working hand in hand with teachers.

The ultimate goal is to build a model for other schools to replicate, with eventually every district in Macomb County offering some form of college and career academy.

If your business is interested in attending steering committee meetings, or if you are a school looking to enter the exploratory phase of implementing the NGL framework, please contact our department at (586) 469-5285.

Caitlin Gerds-Habermas is an associate planner in business outreach and communications for the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development.

Your chance to shape Macomb’s future workforce

Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) in Macomb County is one of the largest events in the country introducing high school kids to local manufacturing companies. In many cases, this is their first time seeing a manufacturing facility, which will likely be much different than what their parents have been advising them. There is a huge disconnect between many parents’ perceptions and the jobs that will be available in a highly skilled manufacturing workforce.

The Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development has been in manufacturing facilities throughout the county, and we have seen that the majority of the workforce is mature and will be retiring soon. We have heard that there are very few young people showing any interest in this line of work. This must be changed, and it starts with MFG Day.

This event allows kids to tour your manufacturing facility, and you will get to talk directly to them to explain the importance of manufacturing jobs in Michigan. You can show these students what you do for a living, the atmosphere you work in, the pay levels and opportunities for advancement. This creates a chance for your company to market directly to the local future workforce.

We know you are busy, but we also know you are concerned about the workforce problem that everyone will face in the future. The work has already been done to get the schools involved and transportation provided. The last step, and most important, is for you to get involved in MFG Day – to put a picture of what manufacturing is today in these students’ minds before they make decisions after high school.

Please join us on MFG Day Friday, Oct. 6. To invest in your company’s future, please be a host. Learn how by going to www.MacombBusiness.com/mfgday or contact Maria Zardis at maria.zardis@macombgov.org or by phone at (586) 469-5285.

Jack Johns is a project coordinator for the Macomb County Department of Planning & Economic Development. He specializes in working with food, agriculture, energy, robotics, autonomous vehicle and retail businesses. If you are a business owner and would like to contact him, email jack.johns@macombgov.org or call (586) 469-6293.

 

Have your cake and eat it too at The Sweet Shoppe

The Sweet Shoppe is perhaps Mount Clemens’ best-kept secret.

Tucked in the corner of Gumbo’s on North Walnut Street, the charming bakery stands ready for business. Like something out of Willy Wonka’s factory, the counters are filled with delectable sweet treats—apple turnovers, lemon poppy seed muffins, cinnamon rolls, chocolate chip cookies, and more.

Owner Christina Taite is new to the baking world, but she’s already running her business like a pro.

“I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” Taite says. “I’ve worked here at Gumbo’s with my mother-in-law for years. So when the opportunity arose, opening a bakery here just made sense.”

The business is a family affair. “After working 10-hour shifts at his own job, my husband Craig still comes to the shop to help me out. My daughters visit the Sweet Shoppe every day. Most of the customers know them already, because they grew up in the restaurant,” Taite adds. “It’s my daughters’ dream to own a bakery one day, so hopefully I can build something for them to take over.”

Gumbo’s, owned and operated by the Taite family, is an authentic Cajun/Creole restaurant with some of the best po’boys ever made outside of New Orleans. It’s no wonder, then, that one of Christina Taite’s favorite Sweet Shoppe items are beignets: a traditional New Orleans dessert similar to a fritter.

But Taite wants you to know that her shop offers more than just delicious pastries. “We have coffee and tea, as well as floats, shakes, sundaes, and smoothies. My personal favorite is the strawberry-banana, but our mango-pineapple is very popular too.”

Another reason Taite’s products are so scrumptious? They are made with local ingredients.

“Recently I got some freshly picked blueberries from a farm near here, so I decided to make blueberry cobbler with them. And of course, all our floats are made with Faygo. Whenever I can, I try to use Michigan-based products,” says Taite.

As for me, I tried the pineapple upside-down cake—warm, melty, and drizzled with caramel sauce—and immediately fell in love-at-first-taste. Now I can’t wait to go back and try everything else on the menu!

The Sweet Shoppe is open from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday-Thursday and from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Friday.  Whether you get dessert after a hearty meal at Gumbo’s or you just pop in for a refreshing smoothie, it’s the perfect place to indulge your sweet tooth.

Jenna Russell is an intern at the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development. She is a senior at Oakland University.

Appreciating Lake St. Clair

Community leaders took to the lake on Wednesday, July 26, for the Macomb County Chamber‘s ninth annual Lake St. Clair Appreciation Day.

This invitation-only event was designed to educate and engage lawmakers, area business leaders and other interested parties about Lake St. Clair’s vitality and impact as a tourism destination, lifestyle epicenter and economic engine for Macomb County.

The program began at MacRay Harbor in Harrison Township. Participants received a presentation by Dan Heaton, former public relations director from Selfridge, on the history of neighboring Selfridge Air National Guard Base which is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year. Boats then departed for a cruise of Lake St. Clair to Harsens Island with a stop for lunch there at the Old Club and a presentation about the island’s history.

Macomb County Executive Mark A. Hackel called Lake St. Clair the “heart of the Great Lakes” and remarked, “There are more boating, fishing and recreational activities here than anywhere else.”

With more than 16,000 boat wells across more than 70 marinas, the area is undeniably one of the greatest concentrations of personal watercraft in the nation.

Lake St. Clair defines much of the eastern boundary of Macomb County. It is “big water” for southeast Michigan with more than 400 square miles of recreational opportunity and one of the country’s largest freshwater wetlands.

“We are pleased to host this annual event of key decision-makers to keep them up-to-date on the important role that Lake St. Clair plays in our area’s blue economy,” said Grace Shore, CEO of the Macomb County Chamber. “We believe that once you experience Lake St. Clair, you will want to protect and promote Lake St. Clair.”

Event partners are the Macomb County Chamber, MacRay Harbor and the Macomb County Executive’s Office. Sponsors of this year’s event were Kirk, Huth, Badalamenti, and Lange; McLaren Macomb; First State Bank; and United Shore Baseball League.

Penny Carroll is with the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce.