The City of Orchard Lake Village, Farmington Hills, and Madison Heights are the newest members of Oakland County’s One Stop Ready program, which helps communities embrace and streamline strategies that encourage economic development to implement a community’s vision.
The three communities were recently introduced during a One Stop Ready Academy “Back to Basics” session at the Oakland County Executive Office Building Conference Center. The program was created in 2013 by County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and recently honored for its innovative approach to economic development by the National Association of Counties.
“As Oakland County continues to grow and investment decisions become more complex, leaders need information, strategy and creative insight to help bring out the vision they have for their community,” Patterson said. “One Stop Ready gives them those tools.”
The communities join 20 others who are part of a program that provides resources, tools and trainings necessary to capitalize on community strengths. It focuses on alignment between boards and commissions and makes the development process more efficient through customer-friendly, solutions-oriented approach to economic development.
Madison Heights Mayor Brian Hartwell said his city has a potential project that could mean a $10 million investment in the community and is hopeful the program will help land the project.
“I’ve been looking for a program like this,” Hartwell said. “When I saw One Stop Ready, I knew right away this was what our city needs.”
Khalfani Stephens, director of economic development for Farmington Hills, said the program provides continuing education for staff as well as their elected and appointed leaders.
“From an economic development standpoint, we believe the program will help us stay at the forefront of new ideas,” Stephens said. “We hope to use it as a tool of innovation to introduce us to new ideas and new prospects.”
Since inception, it has provided formal training in development readiness to more than 750 community staff members and officials and has showcased One Stop Ready communities to more than 200 investors.
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