It's party time in Pontiac. Well, at least for Perry's Party Rentals. Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's, there should be enough parties to ring in the new year -- quite literally -- and Perry's is here to serve.

Maureen Donohue Krauss is director of Oakland County's Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs. A county employee for more than 11 years, she is the first woman to oversee the department's 90-person staff and its $7.2 million budget. She spoke with Prosper about economic development in the county, a shrinking budget and the challenges that face Oakland County in the coming years.

Oakland County saw $28.9 million of investment, 267 jobs created, and 225 jobs retained from the county's Emerging Sectors and Traditional Sectors Program in the month of October.

Prosper visited the Troy Career Center for Michigan Works! to find out what's going on over there. The conclusion? If you're transitioning from unemployment to employment or just looking for some new opportunities, Michigan Works! is the place for you.

Are you ready for anything? Most of us aren't but Patriot Services Corporation most certainly is. This prospering company, based in Walled Lake, offers detailed disaster and emergency plan solutions. And if the last five years are any indication of its next five years, well, plan on seeing major growth from this company.

When your business relies on great ideas it's wise to keep your inventory happy; namely the creatives that work for you. Birmingham-based Brogan And Partners Convergence Marketing gets it. Seriously. From its historic downtown digs to its employee perks to an underlying appreciation for the creative spirit, Brogan has long been one of Metro Detroit's most desirable places to work.

You don't have to go to New York City or Chicago to get top-of-the-world views. Urban professionals are rethinking the traditional big house, big yard template of living, and moving into downtown high rises. From Royal Oak to Birmingham to Ann Arbor, Metromode gives you a sense of what it means to be "movin' on up" in Metro Detroit.

Last issue we rolled out a new feature to the Prosper newsletter. If you scroll down, below the featured stories, you'll see our workforce section. Each issue we'll display three jobs landed, three jobs available, as well as three internships that are up for grabs -- and they are all in Oakland County.