City of Wixom Kicks Off Economic Development Strategy

Team ready to move forward

WIXOM, Mich., June 3, 2013 — In April 2012, the City of Wixom submitted a grant application to the U. S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration for the preparation of an Economic Development Strategy.  According to Tony Nowicki, City Manager, in July 2012 the City officially accepted federal financial assistance for the Economic Development Strategy Plan.  After employing a qualifications-based selection process, Wixom City Council selected the firm Clearzoning, Inc. of Lathrup Village, MI.

Clearzoning, Inc. is one of two Oakland County-based firms on the team, bringing planning, economic assessment, branding, and marketing expertise to the City.

Tony Nowicki said, “The combined skills of these three firms will help create a broad framework for creating an economic development strategy that builds upon the existing assets of the City.” Rod Arroyo, president of Clearzoning, Inc., which is the lead firm on the project, notes that his firm has over 24 years of planning and economic development experience, both locally and nationally. “While we have traveled across the country and are aware of established and emerging planning issues, most of our staff is from this region. We understand the history of the City’s manufacturing economy.  We also recognize that there is still a demand for manufacturing, and we want to help the City build upon its history and move into the future.”

The planners at Clearzoning, Inc. assembled a team including Brent Eastman of Identity PR of Bingham Farms, MI, branding and public relations specialists based in Oakland County, and Howard Kohn and The Chesapeake Group of Cadillac, MI and Baltimore, MD to partner on this project. Howard Kohn, president of The Chesapeake Group has over 40 years of experience in market analysis and economic development planning. The project has three main components: one is understanding the City’s assets and creating strategies fill gaps in the market for industrial, retail, and research and development businesses; the second is creating an efficient land development review process within the City; and the third is assisting the City in the development of its unique “brand voice”—an understanding of who the City is, what it has to offer, and how that message is best shared.  In addition to extensive research, the team will survey and interview local businesses and residents to learn more about the local workforce and the needs of local businesses. Strategies to strengthen the attractiveness of the workforce through education and specialized training will be developed. In addition, the team will look for opportunities to facilitate collaborations between existing businesses and potential new businesses.

About the City of Wixom

The City of Wixom is a 9.35-square mile City of approximately 13,500 people located in the I-96 corridor of Oakland County, Michigan. It is within driving distance of three major internationally known universities, two airports, a variety of recreation opportunities, and a diverse housing stock. The City’s major employers include the Walled Lake School district, Moeller Manufacturing Company, Mac Valves, Inc. and Adept Plastic Inc.

For more information about the Economic Development Strategy, please contact Debra Barker, Business Development Liaison, at 248-624-3280 or [email protected].

About Clearzoning

Clearzoning is a 24-year old planning consulting firm that was originally established as a subsidiary company of Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc. Founders David Birchler, AICP, PCP, and Rodney Arroyo, AICP, established Clearzoning as a consulting firm that provides planning, zoning, and transportation services. Based in Lathrup Village, Michigan, the mission of Clearzoning is to help municipalities improve customer service and attract economic development by utilizing clear, easy-to-read plans, codes, online resources, guides, and reports that improve the development review process.

Clearzoning, its logo, and the mark “clear and connected” are registered trademarks.  The Clearzoning zoning ordinance format is copyrighted by Clearzoning, Inc.

Clearzoning is located at 28021 Southfield Road, Lathrup Village, MI  48076. For more information, contact Rod Arroyo, President at 866-271-ZONE or [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT:

Mark Winter
248.258.2333
[email protected]