On Wednesday, December 7, Executive Mark Hackel delivered his 10th State of the County address at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which was presented by DTE Energy, covered a wide-range of topics, including quality of life initiatives. For instance, Hackel shared news of a partnership between the Detroit Zoological Society and the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, which will bring meaningful programming and educational resources to residents of Macomb County and southeast Michigan.
Hackel also discussed several key community metrics, including:
- Educational attainment: Residents are increasingly pursuing certifications, with nearly 50,000 associates, bachelor’s and/or graduate degrees obtained in the last decade.
- Financial stability: The County maintains a AA+ bond rating, which translates to lower interest rates for repaying bonds.
- Housing: Home values increased $29,000 in one year, and housing stock continues to rise through new construction.
- Income: Median household income is well above the state average at $67,000, a figure projected to increase over the next five years.
- Jobs: Employment numbers are strong, with 440,000 residents in the workforce and an unemployment rate at 3.2 percent.
- Population: A decade-long trend continues with an average of 11 people making Macomb their home each day.
“Together these core six metrics illustrate the strength of Macomb County,” said Hackel. “Our growing population is more diverse, educational attainment is increasing, employment is steady, household income is growing, the housing market is favorable and the County government is financially sound. These and many other reasons are why people make Macomb their home.”
Looking ahead, Hackel shared a vision for the Macomb County Jail. He also outlined plans for a new approach to safeguarding the individuals that are in the County’s care and custody.
“With an aging facility, and a strained network of physical and mental health providers, it's time for a new approach,” he said. “The design of the current facility focuses mainly on incarceration.
Future facilities must have a greater focus on treatment, and that must begin with a more comprehensive intake and assessment process. Fortunately with the funds available from the American Rescue Plan, we are finally in a position to design and build a facility that is capable of providing this transformative approach.”
Hackel concluded his address with a call for unity.
“If you think about it, we've been dealing with a lot lately,” he said. “The global pandemic, contentious elections, economic uncertainty and an unsettling lack of civility. It seems like the result of all of this is that we are becoming more divided than we are united. We often hear people from both parties saying that they are willing to reach across the aisle, and I don’t believe that’s enough. I think it’s time to stop reaching across the aisle and get in the aisle. There isn’t a problem that we can’t solve if we are truly willing to come together to solve it.”
Afterwards all attendees were invited to the annual Taste of Macomb in the adjacent Lorenzo Cultural Center. Featuring 19 Macomb County restaurants and food emporiums, this event has been called the “must-attend gathering of the season.”
The entire State of the County address can be found on the Make Macomb Your Home YouTube channel. It can also be accessed on Macombgov.org.
