Novi

Oakland County notches $2.4 billion in investment since 2004

By Newsroom

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July 16, 2009

During these tough economic times, many companies and organizations bring out the long-term statistics from the past several years to put themselves in a better light. Oakland County can fall back on both the long- and short-term statistics.The county released a report that shows not only has it taken in about $2.4 billion worth of investment over the last five years, it did well in June, with $748 million in investment.Most of that comes from General Motors' plans for a $650 million Orion Township plant, which will build smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. However, that leaves about another $100 million that the county was able to attract in the midst of one of the toughest economies in generations. Oakland County has had more than $2.4 billion worth of business investment in the past five years, giving residents a reason to be optimistic about its future during the most difficult economic challenge in its history, County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said recently."We had our best month ever during one of the worst times ever," Oakland County Executive L Brooks Patterson said in a press release. "We've withstood all of the body blows and we're still standing."More of the $2.4 billion came from emerging sectors based in the new economy ($1.3 billion), compared to traditional business sectors, like automotive manufacturing. Oakland County created its Emerging Sectors program five years ago to help diversify its economy and make up for lost manufacturing jobs. Source: Oakland CountyWriter: Jon Zemke

Macprofessionals hires 10, plans to add up to 5 more

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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June 25, 2009

The money from all of those MacBooks, iPods and iPhones you see at the coffee shops and classrooms isn't just going into Steve Jobs' pockets. Macprofessionals is getting its fair share and then some.The Novi-based firm got its start in 2000, providing support for the growing contingent of Mac users. Today it employs 53 people and about 8-10 independent contractors on a consistent basis. That's up from 43 employees at the beginning of the year and it expects to hire up to five more by year-end.The firm, which is currently on the Edward Lowe Foundation's Michigan 50 Companies to Watch list, also recorded 25 percent revenue growth last year and expects to post a similar number next year. "It's been growth year after year," says Maria Eby, finance controller for Macprofessionals. "A lot of companies are coming to us now."It has been riding the Mac popularity wave and its own wave of good word-of-mouth marketing. Macprofessionals plans to focus on education this year as more schools get federal funding to provide computers and other electronics.Source: Maria Eby, finance controller for MacprofessionalsWriter: Jon Zemke

Oakland County to hold workshop on zoning flexibility

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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June 4, 2009

Oakland County officials want local governments to become more flexible in their zoning rules and master plans, and now they're ready to teach them how to do it.The county wants municipalities to be ready to welcome and facilitate growth from new economy firms; hence, it will hold a Technology Planning Toolkit workshop on Monday, June 8."We hope they can use this as a basis when they update their own planning documents," says Bret Rasegan, planning supervisor for Oakland County.It introduced this program as a way of making local governments friendlier to knowledge-based firms. By streamlining the old bureaucracy, the hope is to make these cities more attractive for new economy start-ups and their new jobs. For instance, buildings zoned for one purpose can be diversified to include a number of uses."It's very important, especially with how quickly the market is changing," Rasegan says.The free workshop will be held at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center, 2100 Pontiac Lake Road, west of Telegraph in Waterford. For information, call (248) 452-2166 or send an email to browningj@oakgov.com.Source: Brett Rasegan, planning supervisor for Oakland CountyWriter: Jon Zemke

Rethinking The Cineplex

By Amy Kuras

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Arts and Culture

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May 28, 2009

Most people view multi-screen cineplexes as joyless movie warehouses with only one goal: To get you in and out with as much popcorn grease on your fingers as possible. Local movie chain Emagine is trying to remake the muliplex image by offering its audiences unexpected amenities and local outreach.

METROMODE RADIO: Michigan’s Power Grid’s Command Central

By Chris McCarus

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Economic Development

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May 21, 2009

In February, Governor Granholm formed a wind advisory panel. It's a diverse group from industry, government and academia. The group will tell the Governor that Michigan's power plants are old. They need replacing. But not with coal. Instead go out on the Great Lakes and look for wind. Michigan Now's Chris McCarus talks with one of the panel members.

Prosper Spotlight: Oakland County’s Economic Outlook Luncheon

By Megan Pennefather

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Arts and Culture

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May 11, 2009

Yes, there is a light at the end of the economic tunnel, say forecasters. If the county can bear a few more months of hardship, it will be poised to emerge more prosperous than ever.

ITC Holdings takes big bite out of emissions

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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April 30, 2009

Lots of companies like to announce sustainability-based programs, emphasizing their grand ambitions. The follow-up announcements aren't as common. This story is about the latter kind of announcement. Novi-based ITC Holdings has dramatically reduced its emissions of Sulfur Hexafluoride (a greenhouse gas) three years after starting a program to contain the problem. The gas was escaping from old transmission equipment at an average of 13,275 pounds per year in 2005. That number stands at 1,836 pounds as of 2008.ITC Holdings, which runs electrical grids, has been chasing similar efficiencies in its infrastructure for years. It is investing about $10 billion in upgrading the electric grid in the Midwest, a move that will make the grid more efficient and sustainable.The firm is also expanding the grid to wind farms in places like the Upper Peninsula so that they can provide renewable energy to places like Minneapolis or Detroit. The Green Power Express project will eventually transport 12,000 megawatts of renewable energy to city centers. Source: ITC HoldingsWriter: Jon Zemke

Prosper Spotlight: Lola Are

By Prosper Oakland County, MI

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Arts and Culture

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April 27, 2009

The Prosper Spotlight is on Lola Are, the head of the Oakland County Business Center and the Senior Business Consultant on the OC economic development team. Her primary focus is on helping small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs promote growth, expansion, innovation, increased productivity and improved management.

Patrick Energy Services to hire 20-30 people in Novi

By Newsroom

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Arts and Culture

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April 16, 2009

The green jobs are starting to trickle into Michigan now that Patrick Energy Services is expanding its presence in Metro Detroit.The subsidiary of Patrick Engineering specializes in energy systems for everything from smart-grid technology to alternative energy. The company currently employs 60 people in its Livonia office. It is in the process of moving to a larger office in Novi, where it plans to add 20-30 new jobs within the next few years."We took a good look at Michigan and decided to expand here instead of elsewhere," says John Abramson, director of business for Patrick Energy Services.One of the company's focuses will be on wind energy; specifically, helping to connect wind turbines to the grid. It hopes to expand into other parts of the wind farm sector as it continues to grow.Sources: John Abramson, director of business for Patrick Energy Services and Chuck Albrecht, vice president of Patrick Energy ServicesWriter: Jon Zemke