Together We Can Recover

This is No Ordinary Recession

In Florida and Nevada, they say we are going through a real estate crisis. In New York, they say we are going through a financial crisis. But here in Michigan, we know that what we are going through is much greater.

For those of us who are old enough to remember previous downturns, this cycle might seem familiar. The auto-industry hits the skids; local plants shut their doors,
suppliers put on the brakes and some local businesses close their doors from the lost business. But before too long, the auto industry comes charging back and brings our economy roaring back to life with it. But this is no ordinary recession. This time is different. We are not going through a typical boom-and bust cycle.

We are not even going through a “once in a generation” down turn, as some have said. What we are experiencing is nothing short of the complete transformation of our economy, our community and our way of life. Make no mistake - the economic changes we are facing today are no less profound than those that Henry Ford unleashed when he built his first assembly line – they’re just taking us in the other direction.

Our economy will never be the way it used to be again. Neither will our communities. But that does not mean we cannot prosper again. Transforming our economy and our communities is something we must all resolve to do. It will not be quick, and it certainly will not be easy, but we can and must do it.

Everyone is struggling for answers to our current crisis. All that seems clear at the moment is that no one knows what the future holds. What we do know is that we need to rethink everything. Our current approach to government, education, and economic development is not working and is no longer sustainable. We need to make some big changes. Government is going to have to shrink and consolidate. We need to re-think our approach to education from top-to-bottom, and consolidate where necessary. Our approach to infrastructure and transportation must be overhauled, as does the way we think about ourselves and market ourselves to the world. And this is just the start of the list.

We do not know what our future will look like. We do know that it will be different from our past, and that we have the power to shape our future so that it works for us. We must think long term and invest our limited resources in critical areas like education. We must also provide immediate short-term help to those whose lives have been turned upside down by the recession. With hard work, a new way of thinking, and a little luck, we can re-invent our community and economy once again.

Sincerely,

Edward Bruley, County Commissioner, District 17

 

Keeping the Jobs We Have

THE BRIGHT SPOTS

THE GENERAL MOTORS TECHNICAL CENTER in Warren is the largest automotive design and advanced engineering facility in the country and home to more than 16,000 engineers. Even though the center is more than 50 years old, it continues to be the central hub for GM engineering world-wide and is a focal point for new investment. Most recently, GM announced the opening of a $25 million advanced battery lab at the Tech Center which will employ 1,000 engineers and develop batteries for the next generation of green cars. 

THE ARMY'S TANK AUTOMOTIVE COMMAND CENTER in Warren is the hub of the growing defense industry in Macomb County. Over the past few years, Macomb County based defense contractors have been awarded a growing portion of the nation’s defense contracts. Additionally, ground was recently broken on a $75 million dollar project at TACOM to house 1,200 jobs that will move there as the Army consolidates operations from Rock Island, Ill.  The growing defense sector in Macomb County is an excellent opportunity for suppliers of all sizes to diversify from automotive to defense work. Macomb County can help your business get into defense work. For more information, call the Macomb County Planning and Economic Development department at (586) 469-5285 or visit their website at www.macombcountymi.gov/mcped

SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE is also a bright spot in our local economy.  Earlier this year, Oakland University partnered with Macomb County and the city of Sterling Heights to create a new small business incubator to help foster and support start-ups and growing companies.  Macomb County also has a special Small Business and Technological Development Center. If you have a small business or would like to start one, you can get assistance developing business plans, marketing plans, and applying for loans. For more information, call:  (586) 469-5118.

RETENTION EFFORTS

Preserving the jobs we have starts with building relationships between business and government. Since becoming co-chair of the County’s Planning and Economic Development Committee, County Commissioner Bruley has put an increased emphasis on business retention. Over the past six months, Macomb County has been conducting a series of business outreach events to help build relationships between government and business. County officials and economic development experts have visited businesses–big and small– across the county to see what government can do to support our local employers.

THE CURRENT SITUATION

The magnitude of the current economic crisis means that our efforts cannot possibly overcome the current wave of job losses. However, we will fight to save every existing job and attract every new job we can.

EXTENDING UMEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Unemployment assistance is not the answer to our economic crisis, but it will aid families until our economy turns around. Unfortunately the current round of unemployment insurance is set to expire soon for many laid off workers. State Representative Fred Miller and County Commissioner Ed Bruley are fighting to get our leaders in Washington to extend unemployment insurance for laid-off workers. Now is the time to fight for Michigan families

Education and Training Still Key for the Future

By: State Representative Fred Miller and County Commissioner Ed Bruley

No one knows for sure where the jobs of tomorrow will come from. But even in the midst of these tough times, employers say that future job expansions will be in areas that require highly skilled workers. That means that education is the surest course to economic security, both for individuals and for our community. If we are going to attract new, well-paying jobs to our community we need to boost our educational opportunities today.

We understand the value of education in Macomb County. Every year, thousands of our kids leave to attend colleges and universities around the state. But all too often the realities of life get in the way. The end result is that over 1/5 of Macomb County residents have some college, but lack a four-year degree. While we are committed to bringing a four-year university to Macomb County so that our children can attend school near home and those with some college can finish their degree, this will not happen overnight.

So, while we push for a four-year university, we are also pursuing a second parallel strategy of working with Wayne State University, Oakland University and Michigan State University to increase the number of complete degree-granting programs offered in Macomb County. Some of these efforts are already starting to bear fruit:

• Wayne State University will begin offering engineering, computer science, industrial relations and construction management programs at Macomb Community College’s South Campus in Warren. To find out more about the programs offered, visit Wayne’s website: http://macomb.wayne.edu 
• Over fifty medical students will start training next fall at Michigan State University’s new Osteopathic Medical School in Clinton Township. To find our more about that program, visit: http://com.msu.edu
• Oakland University is increasing its presence in Macomb County. To find out more about the courses and programs Oakland University is offering in Macomb County, visit: www.oakland.edu/Macomb
• The County has partnered with Wayne State University to transform the County Library into a cutting edge research and reference center that will also house a Wayne State University degree program in Information and Library management.

The State of Michigan’s No Worker Left Behind program provides tuition assistance to low income workers and those who have been laid off. To see if you qualify for up to $5,000 per-year in tuition assistance, contact Michigan Works at (586) 469-7702 or visit their website at: www.michiganworks.com.

Universities are the automotive plants of the 21st century. Not only do they directly employ many people, but they also generate substantial spin-off jobs and attract new knowledge-based business to locate near them. If Macomb County is going to attract the jobs of tomorrow, we must expand the higher education offerings in Macomb County today, and our young people and displaced work force must commit to engaging in those opportunities.