11 Biggest Takeaways From Mark Hackel's 'State Of The County' Address

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel delivered the 6th Annual State of the County on Dec. 7 at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts.

For nearly an hour, Hackel spoke glowingly about the county's achievements. Below are 11 of the top takeaways from the address:

1. Hackel delved into why Macomb voters were overwhelmingly against the Regional Transit Authority millage, which would have for the first time in history brought public transportation to Metro Detroit and connected Macomb County, Wayne County, Oakland County and Washtenaw County. Hackel offered this explanation, "It was unclear to voters what they were getting."

2. Macomb County has had six years of balanced budgets.

3. Macomb County has experienced seven consecutive years of job growth. Hackel stressed "Nowhere is this more evident than in manufacturing."

4. The county website is being redesigned and "geared toward the people."

5. Macomb is home to nearly 400 IT firms that employ 9,000 workers.

6. Macomb hit a home run with Jimmy John's Field in Utica. Attendance averaged 3,100 fans over the 75 game schedule and 8 players were picked up by Major League organizations. The League has announced expansion plans to add another team next season.

7. Macomb County was invited to the White House in honor of its initiative, One Macomb, which Hackel says the goal is to "embrace, share, celebrate our increasing diversity. Our vision is to celebrate multiculturalism and create a county that welcomes all people."

8. Macomb County created the Thompson Center and Macomb County Resource Center to support families with financial and home ownership counseling, fitness and nutrition, and resources to get back on their feet.

9. Macomb County's greatest environmental initiative is Green Macomb. Hackel said the county has planted thousands of trees and focused on planting the "right tree in the right place for the right purpose." These efforts caught the eye of the U.S. Forest Service, which awarded Macomb an additional grant to plant thousands of trees across Macomb.

10. More than 1.6 million people visited Make Macomb Your Home to get familiar with local businesses, destination packages, and attractions.

11. Selfridge Air National Guard Base is a finalist to be a home base for America's fighter aircraft.

Photo courtesy of Mark Hackel's Facebook Page