Focus Areas

Arts + Culture

Oakland County has a world-class selection of professional theatres, art museums, cultural destinations and historical sites. It is home to Cranbrook Educational Community (which includes the Cranbrook Art Museum, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Art Academy and Cranbrook House & Gardens), Detroit Zoo, Walter P. Chrysler Automotive Museum, and Meadow Brook Hall.No matter the season, Oakland County has plenty of fun and entertaining events � Fire & Ice Fest, Uptown Film Festival, Woodward Dream Cruise and Arts, Beats & Eats.read on…

Automotive

Oakland County is considered the brains of the automotive industry in Michigan and a global leader in engineering and research and development. The county has the third-highest number of technical workers in the nation and more than 70 percent of Southeast Michigan's top original equipment manufacturers are headquartered in Oakland County. Our skilled work force engineering and R&D work force is increasing to meet the demands of the comeback of the auto industry. Such global automotive leaders as Chrysler, Lear and Meritor have their headquarters in Oakland County.read on…

Community Building

A home, place of business, lifestyle…whatever you're seeking, chances are you'll find it in one of Oakland County's many distinctive communities. Ranging from rural and traditional to modern and urban, Oakland County has the perfect fit for every income, lifestyle and taste. More than one million residents enjoy the quality-of-life advantages available in Oakland County, including 1,400+ fresh-water lakes, 76 public and private golf courses, 88,000 acres of park land, miles of trails and pathways for hiking, biking and horseback riding and more. Diverse shopping, entertainment and restaurant destinations are among the many advantages the county has to offer. Whether you're looking for a place to call home, raise a family, work or spend leisure time, there's a community with your name in Oakland County.read on…

Design

Some of the most innovative work done in Southeast Michigan comes from a large, renowned field of top-notch designers, including cool furniture makers in Royal Oak, cutting edge fashion labels in Detroit, and a much-sought-after tile-works in Ann Arbor. And don't forget the gleaming cars that come from the creative minds all over metro Detroit.read on…

Education + Learning

Boasting some of the top schools across the nation, over 200,000 students are proud to call Oakland Schools their own. 28 different school districts have their own distinct character, forged by relationships between learners and educators. The Oakland Schools model is so successful, it's even been outsourced to China. Oakland County also boasts an award-winning community college system and several colleges and universities, including Lawrence Tech University and Oakland University. Look for LTU to create the high-tech employees to fill the New Economy jobs for tomorrow. OU, long renowned for its liberal arts curriculum and arts education, is also home to the brand-new Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine.read on…

Emerging Sectors

Oakland County's Emerging Sectors® business development and attraction strategy recognizes the importance of advanced technologies to ensure the continued growth and development of business. The strategy envisioned by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson in 2004 emphasizes the creation and retention of jobs while expanding and diversifying the employer base, as well as attracting international companies to the North American marketplace. read on…

Entrepreneurship

Whether its medical device developers like Rochester Hill’s Oxus, alternative energy companies like Troy’s Ecojiva, Hazel Park’s designers Ryde Motorcycles, or toy/engineering labs like Birmingham’s The Robot Garage, economic pioneers are reshaping Michigan’s business landscape. You can’t stop them, so why not join them?read on…

Film + Digital Media

The Internet, your iPhone, that plasma TV you want, those video games your kids (or you) can't stop playing - all exist because of digital media. Digital media looks to be the future and SE Michigan is poised for growth with the number of companies already at work in the area and in this field.read on…

Global Oakland

"Home away from home" to over 700 foreign firms, Oakland County is truly international. The international flair is enhanced by rich cultural offerings, a wide variety of restaurants, and educational experiences.read on…

Health + Wellness

Year-round activities and events abound in Oakland County, where health, wellness and fun are part of the quality-of-life landscape. From amateur hockey and hydroplane races to half-marathons and more, Oakland County gets people up and moving. Here are just some of the events aimed at keeping county residents happy, healthy and on the go – "Count Your Steps," Fire & Ice Fest, Oakland Edge Adult Hockey Tournament, and the Brooksie Way Half-Marathon.read on…

Medical Main Street

Oakland County, Michigan's Medical Main Street is a unique alliance of world-class hospitals, universities, medical device and bio-pharma companies creating a global center of innovation in healthcare, research & development, education and commercialization in the life sciences industry.read on…

OakGreen

Oakland County is building strong communities by encouraging economic growth and environmental stewardship though OakGreen. This initiative promotes reducing energy consumption to meet the “Triple Bottom Line:” Money saved = economic bottom line; Cleaner Air = environmental bottom line; and Stronger Economy = community bottom line.

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Research + Innovation

Research and development activities in Oakland County cover a wide spectrum of today's leading technologies including: advanced electronics and controls, aerospace, alternative energy, communications, life sciences and transportation. More than one third of Michigan's R & D facilities are located in Oakland County. That includes almost half of the state's automotive research and development operations. read on…

Transportation

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