Embracing Innovation in Macomb County

• Macomb County has the most innovative, connected roadway in the country.
• With expansions in the three major healthcare systems in the County, they are building out world-class healthcare services.
• Macomb is focused on expanding its defense assets with a partnership with the Department of Defense, which is focused on building nuclear submarines in Macomb.

View the full session recording below.

Following the Detroit Auto Show last week, Hackel was not thinking about what car he wanted to buy, but what role government can play in the future of mobility. Cars are communicating more and more with other vehicles, requiring the infrastructure to update to match these abilities.

To do that, the county has the country’s most robust, connected roadway, with over 200 miles of connected roadways on key business corridors.

“We are proud to celebrate the most intelligent, robust transportation system in North America,” Rea said “We have invested in safer, more efficient roads.”

Next, Macomb has focused on an innovative health care system, with three major hospital systems expanding in the county. In order to match the talent needs, both in construction and in staffing the health care facilities, the county needs to have a role in providing that talent.

“People expect world-class healthcare, and they expect it in their backyard,” Hackel said, “Not only does this industry sustain a growing population in the county, but we see the effects across the Region and the state.”

Lastly, Hackel started the job as County Executive over a decade ago, when they were worried about protecting the defense industry assets in Macomb. Their focus has now shifted to growing the assets in the county, building out and advancing manufacturers.

With the Michigan Maritime Initiative, in partnership with the Department of Defense, Macomb is now working on building future nuclear submarines in the county.

“As a county, we have key partners to support talent needs,” Hackel said, “All of our schools work together with purposeful partnerships, finding kids early to connect them to opportunities.”

In closing, Hackel and Rea stated that wherever industry is headed, they are embedded. The investments that they have made in automotive, health care, and the defense industry have the greatest return.

“We can’t lose sight of the conference messaging from last year,” Hackel said, “We need to grow Michigan together, and we need to get loud and proud of the Region.”