- Message from Mark
- Roads Construction Update
- New county-wide health survey launched
- Public input needed to determine future use of property along Clinton River Spillway
- Manufacturing Day Week 2022
- Macomb County hiring for multiple positions
- Save the Date!
- Macomb in the News, Macomb Business Blog
Message from Mark
Hello and welcome to Focus Macomb. You’re receiving this edition of the newsletter just ahead of Memorial Day, so I’d like to start this message by recognizing the importance of this occasion. For many, the long weekend is marked with barbecues and outdoor gatherings. But Memorial Day has a deeper purpose - and that’s honoring the military men and women who died while serving our country. To do this, American flags are placed at the half-staff position, people lay wreaths or flowers at cemeteries and memorials and parades are held in towns and cities across the country.
Here in Macomb County, we’ve got the 69th annual St. Clair Shores Memorial Day Parade on Sunday, May 29. The event starts at 1 p.m. on Harper, and runs from Ridgeway to 11 Mile Road. I’ll be there, so if you attend, make sure to say hello.
Now I’d like to share a few other updates from my office. It’s been a month full of meetings, events and work on behalf of our residents. For instance, I joined with the Department of Roads to welcome a delegation of officials from The Netherlands and to discuss mobility. It was an interesting and productive session and I’m proud of our teams for facilitating the meeting. Additionally, I recently attended the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Big Three event and joined our regional partners - Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans - on stage for a great conversation about regional economic development, roads and bridges, SMART, electric vehicles, health care and much more. You can watch the entire Advocacy in Action event, right here.
As you can see, we’ve been busy here at the county. And since we’re on the cusp of summer, I’m sure you’ve all got a full calendar too. So in closing, take care, stay safe this weekend and this season and remember that Monday is for recognizing those who died in service to our country. If you’re able, please join us in honoring these individuals so no one forgets their sacrifice.
Thank you,
Mark
Updates from the Macomb County Department of Roads
Road and Bridge Improvements Underway in Macomb County
The Macomb County Department of Roads (MCDR) annual construction and maintenance operations are underway, which includes more than $80 million in substantial road and bridge improvements that will strengthen and enhance Macomb County’s infrastructure and transportation network.
The 2022 schedule includes primary and local road projects, bridges, culverts, asphalt resurfacing and concrete pavement repair projects as part of MCDR’s county-wide pavement preservation program, and township residential streets as part of MCDR’s subdivision reconstruction program. The Department of Roads also has multiple maintenance projects and traffic technology and communication network modernizations planned this year.
To help Macomb County motorists and road users navigate local construction work, the Macomb Work Zone is a weekly email built to keep you informed and up to date of what's happening on our roadways. Click here to sign up for lane closures and construction updates.
Help Keep Our Community Clean, Adopt-A-County Road
While we work to repair our roads, you can help keep them clean and contribute to the enhancement of our community by adopting a county road.
As part of Macomb County’s Adopt-A-County Road program, individuals, families, businesses, charitable organizations, schools and other groups can adopt a section of road in just three easy steps. A commitment of just two clean-ups a year is all it takes to make a positive impact in Macomb County.
To learn more about Macomb County’s Adopt-A-County Road program, visit macombgov.org/adoptaroad-home. For the latest news and information from MCDR, visit roads.macombgov.org.
Macomb County Health Department and community partners launch county-wide health survey
Healthy Macomb, a partnership between the Macomb County Health Department (MCHD) and over 20 organizations and agencies in Macomb County, has launched a county-wide survey to collect information on the needs and priorities of community members. The Macomb County Community Health Survey will help MCHD and its community partners identify and address the most important health concerns in the county.
Everyone who lives, works and plays in Macomb County is encouraged to complete the survey at macombgov.org/cha-survey. The survey takes 5–10 minutes to complete and is available in English, Spanish and Arabic. By taking the survey, community members throughout Macomb County have the opportunity to tell county organizations how to make Macomb County a healthier place for their families and their communities.
“As a result of the pandemic, we’ve all been through a lot over the past couple years. Although not new, health disparities and the social determinants of health became even more evident during COVID-19,” said Andrew Cox, director/health officer of the Macomb County Health Department. “This survey gives people a chance to share their input on these issues and contribute to a plan that will make Macomb County a healthier place. We want to hear from everyone.”
The Macomb County Community Health Survey is part of the 2022 Community Health Assessment (CHA), a process that aims to understand the greater health and well-being of Macomb County. The first CHA in Macomb County was completed in 2016. Healthy Macomb organizations will continue to gather community member input in the coming months, with the goal of completing the CHA in late 2022.
To learn more about Healthy Macomb, the CHA process or how community member input is used to improve the health and well-being of Macomb County, you can visit https://cha.macombgov.org/.
Public input needed to determine future use of property along the Clinton River Spillway
Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED) has released a new survey to gather public input on future land use near the Clinton River Spillway. The survey will be used by the county and its partners to determine improvements to 200 acres of publicly owned land located near Harper Avenue, Interstate 94 and Jefferson Avenue and running adjacent to the spillway.
“The Clinton River Spillway is an engineering marvel, built 70 years ago to alleviate flooding in Mount Clemens, Clinton Township and Harrison Township,” said Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller, a member of the Clinton River Spillway Inter-County Drain Board. “Today we need to explore what public recreational opportunities may exist. We welcome public comment.”
The Clinton River Spillway was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1950 to provide flood control for Mount Clemens, Clinton Township and Harrison Township. It is a 2.5 mile long, 80-foot-wide, man-made channel that runs in a southeasterly direction from approximately Gratiot to Lake St. Clair near Metro Parkway.
“For over 70 years the Clinton River Cutoff Canal, or spillway, has been preventing flooding in eastern Macomb County during wet weather events,” said Harrison Township Supervisor Ken Verkest. “For most of that time, this asset was overlooked for its recreational value. Recent investments in improving and developing the shoreline of the spillway have resulted in better wildlife habitat and greater access. Our hope is that the development of a master plan for the spillway will lead to further enhancements in habitat, access and recreation.”
MCPED has partnered with the Clinton River Spillway Inter-County Drain Board, the City of Mount Clemens, Clinton Township, Harrison Township and the Huron-Clinton Metroparks to make improvements to the area. The group would like to improve water quality, ensure flood control, create habitat and improve local recreational offerings.
The survey is their first step towards those objectives. It will be available through May 31 here and it features 10 questions that can be completed in under five minutes. For additional information on the spillway and other county initiatives, click here.
MFG Day Week host sites and sponsors needed
Mark your calendars for the return of Manufacturing Day, which this year, will be celebrated for an entire week! MFG Day Week 2022 will run from October 3 through October 7 and will provide opportunities for students to tour area advanced manufacturing facilities and meet people who make things. This ultimately connects classroom to career and inspires the next generation of our workforce.
The 9th annual event is coordinated by Macomb County Planning and Economic Development and the Macomb Intermediate School District (MISD). Their goal – to have 2,000 students from all 27 Macomb County high schools participate. It’s a big lift, which is why organizers are reaching out looking for host sites and sponsors now. Are you interested in joining the effort? Learn more and sign up to get involved here.
Macomb County hiring for multiple positions
Know someone who is looking for a new career? Macomb County Human Resources and Labor Relations is hiring for a variety of positions. From skilled trades to law enforcement, health care to education, the county has a role covering most interests and professions. And with a number of generous benefits, applying for an opening is worth the effort. Help us spread the word about our career opportunities, and if you’re interested in a new start, consider joining our team too. Learn more and get started today here.
Save the Date(s)
Macomb County Animal Control Low Cost Pet Vaccine Clinic
Saturday June 25; 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Freedom Hill - 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights
Macomb in the News
Macomb County receives dozen national good government awards
Macomb Business Blog
MCPED Director Vicky Rowinski on Economic Development Week 2022
Macomb County businesses assist with Project DIAMOnD effort to help Ukraine