County Executive L. Brooks Patterson Administration
Number 1 Automation Alley
A consortium of high-tech focused companies created in 1998 to compete with the nation’s other major technology clusters such as Silicon Valley, Boston’s Route 128 and North Carolina’s Research Park Triangle. Today Automation Alley, with more than 900 member companies, is Michigan’s premiere technology corridor. Former Detroit News business columnist Jim Higgins called Automation Alley “one of the most effective brand identity campaigns in the history of Michigan economic development. Automation Alley sponsored trade missions have resulted in more than $126 million in new business for small and mid-sized companies in southeast Michigan. President George W. Bush has presented Automation Alley with the Presidential “E” Award for Excellence in exporting. The award, created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, is the highest award the federal government can present to any organization or individual for contributions to increasing American exports.
Number 2 Emerging Sectors
A program launched in 2004 to attract high paying, sustainable, knowledge-based jobs of the future to offset the dramatic loss of manufacturing jobs to foreign competition. Since its inception, the program has attracted 72 emerging sector companies that have generated more than $1 billion in new investment, created 11,873 new jobs, retained 3,230 other jobs and pumped more than $25.5 million in new revenues into the tax bases of Oakland County and local communities.
Number 3 Main Street Oakland
In 2000, Oakland County became the first county in America accepted into the National Main Street Center. Local communities that qualify for the program are provided technical assistance to revitalize their downtowns. In the first five years of the program, Main Street Oakland has served as a catalyst for $400 million in new private and public investment in Oakland County along with hundreds of new jobs and businesses.
Number 4 Count Your Steps
Alarmed by the growing national epidemic of childhood obesity, Mr. Patterson launched his "Count Your Steps" pedometer walking in 2004. Annually more than 24,000 third and fourth grade students in 1,100 classrooms throughout some 200 schools in Oakland County participate in this program which stresses regular exercise and proper nutrition.
Number 5 Mandarin Chinese
As a result of China's growing prominence in the global marketplace, Mr. Patterson in his 2007 State of the County Address called for Mandarin Chinese to be taught in all 28 public school districts in Oakland County. Today 19 school districts are teaching the Mandarin Chinese language while all 28 school districts have Mandarin Culture and History as part of their curriculums.
Number 6 Privatization
Since 1993 a number of county operations, including the Medical Care Facility, the Sheriff's Civil Division, Courts Summons Services and Body Shop at the Garage have all been privatized, saving taxpayers nearly $6 million annually.
Number 7 AAA Bond Rating
In 1998 Wall Street's top bond rating firms, Moody's Investors Services and Standard and Poor's, awarded Oakland County the coveted AAA Bond Rating which is the highest rating possible. A Moody's vice president was quoted at the time as saying: "Everything about them (Oakland) is stellar. Their economy is high and there is a lot of growth in their tax base." "From my perspective, she went on to say, they are not just better than most counties, they are better than all." The AAA rating saves Oakland County taxpayers an estimated $2 million - $3 million annually on drain and infrastructure projects.
Number 8 eGovernment
The Oakland County web site (www.oakgov.com) contains more than 22,000 individual web pages of content and services online along with over 12,000 government publications, documents, forms and reports. It won first place among more than 3,000 county governments nationwide in the National Center for Digital Government's Best of the Web competition in 2008. The Oakland County Mobile Services pilot program was also honored with a Digital Government Achievement Award and a National Association of Counties Achievement Award.
Number 9 Trust Certificates
Through the creative and innovative use of Trust Certificates Oakland County is the first county in America to fully fund employee and retiree healthcare while saving taxpayers more than $150 million.
Number 10 Oakland County Business Roundtable
Established in 1993, this blue ribbon panel of some 125 representatives from business, government and education has guided Oakland County's economic future. Major recommendations enacted include "The One Stop Shop" for business development and the Export Assistance Center. Parts of the Business Roundtable have been replicated at the state level.
Number 11 Balanced Budget
The Patterson administration resolved a serious budget shortfall of $24.5 million shortly after taking office in 1993 by instituting a wage and hiring freeze; an early retirement program and the elimination of 120 budgeted positions.
Number 12 Employee Suggestion Program By asking county employees to submit their best ideas for making county government more efficient and cost effective, Oakland County has saved more than $5 million since 1993.
Number 13 Casual Day Program
Employees are permitted to wear casual attire to work each Friday, but asked to contribute $1 for the privilege of doing so. To date $450,000 has been collected and distributed to local charities during the holidays in December.
Number 14 West Oakland/South Oakland Service Centers
In order to make county services more accessible to residents in the southern and western reaches of the county, two new office buildings were opened. The West Oakland Office Building gives citizens access to Health Services, Probate Court, Juvenile Probation and Veterans' Services. The South Oakland Office Building houses Circuit Court Probation, Veterans' Services, Community Corrections and Information Technology.
Number 15 Wireless Oakland
Since March of 2007, more than 21,000 new users have experienced free wireless Internet service, utilizing over 46 million minutes. Although the project has been temporarily delayed until additional funding can be secured, efforts to make Wireless Oakland a reality will continue to be aggressively pursued.
Number 16 Arts, Beats and Eats
Founded in 1997 by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, this annual family-oriented music, arts and food fest, which is held over Labor Day weekend, attracts more than one million people to downtown Pontiac. Arts, Beats and Eats is recognized as one of top 20 most popular summertime festivals in the nation.
Number 17 Customs Service at Oakland County International Airport
With business booming and more companies learning of Oakland County's business friendly environment, a successful effort was launched to bring full time customs service to Oakland County International Airport to handle the increasing international traffic. Among those leading the fight in Congress was Joe Knollenberg who got a law passed and signed by the president which paved the way for full time customs agents at the airport. This has made it much easier for international companies to do business in Oakland County.
Number 18 Great Lakes National Cemetery This pastoral site located in Holly began providing end of life services in 2005 to an estimated 460,000 veterans who live within a 75 mile radius of the cemetery. Great Lakes is the 122nd National Cemetery and only the second located in Michigan.
Number 19 Apprenticeship Handbook
Oakland County has compiled a 50-page apprenticeship handbook which outlines in great detail the many apprenticeships available in such fields as auto body repair, brick layer, boiler operator, cement mason, dental assistant, cook, electrician and pipe fitter, etc.
Number 20 Preparedness
In the wake of 9/11, the Patterson administration moved quickly and decisively to shore up Oakland County's homeland security measures. With an initial $1.7 million in county funds approved by the Board of Commissioners, Oakland County purchased hazardous materials vehicles, bio-chemical suits, masks and personal protection equipment for first responders. The county also funded Haz-Mat training for first responders and the Health Division developed the first in the state Pandemic Preparedness Plan, 500,000 copies of which have been distributed to school districts around the county and is also available online.
