Accomplishments of Macomb County’s Blue Economy Initiative celebrated during annual State of the Lake

County Executive Mark Hackel was today joined by community leaders for the State of the Lake address held along Lake St. Clair at HOOK Restaurant in St. Clair Shores. The annual event, which fosters discussion and boosts public awareness of the 'Blue Economy,' is made possible with the support of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development (MCPED).

"In 2012, we recognized the need for us as a county to enhance access to the water, improve water quality and use the water as a tool to attract residents, visitors and business and created the Blue Economy Initiative," Hackel said. "Our ever-growing network of experts and advocates have done a great job protecting and promoting our freshwater advantage through the initiative. This effort was created to transform our lake, river and tributaries through economic development, environmental stewardship and quality of life enhancements. We have unrivaled freshwater assets here in our community, and we must continue to collaborate and innovate to ensure they remain clean, clear, and connected for generations to come."

Speakers also included Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller as well as Bethany Sly from the Michigan Boating Industries Association.

"Macomb County is proud to have launched significant projects to protect our beautiful Lake St. Clair, which we affectionately call 'the heart of the Great Lakes.' But we won't rest on our laurels because more work needs to be done throughout the region to protect this wonderful natural asset," Commissioner Miller said.

• Several of the items discussed and celebrated include:
  A proclamation from Governor Whitmer's office
  A representative from Governor Gretchen Whitmer's office delivered a proclamation marking July 31 as Lake St. Clair Day as recognized by the State of Michigan.
  
• The Lake St. Clair Coastal Study
  Unveiled during the 2023 State of the Lake Address, the report established a baseline of current water assets and quality of life amenities within a 12.1 square-mile Coastal Area of Study along the lake's shoreline. It is being used to market the region, address deficiencies and opportunities and support funding requests that will strengthen the natural asset and its surrounding areas. Notably, in 2024, MCPED and partners began implementing the report's recommendations.
  
• The creation of the Blue Economy Taskforce
  At the beginning of 2024, MCPED led the creation of the Blue Economy Taskforce alongside the Macomb County Chamber of Commerce. There are currently more than 50 individuals in the group representing the governor's office, elected officials, local municipalities and funding agencies.
  
• The development of a feasibility study for a waterfront hotel and convention center
  MCPED and the taskforce are currently initiating a feasibility study with coastal communities to determine the need and the economic impact of a hotel and conference center along Lake St. Clair.
  
• Release of the film "The Hidden History of Lake St. Clair"
  In February 2024, MCPED and its partners released the grant-funded documentary titled "The Hidden History of Lake St. Clair." The movie premiered at a special fundraising event for the Blue Economy Taskforce and the Noble Odyssey Foundation, where 1,000 people attended and watched the film. It has since received more than 125,000 views on YouTube and was recently awarded a 2024 Communicator Award for General-History & Biography, Distinction 2024 Craft Categories-Use of Music, Distinction 2024.
  
• An update to the Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources Master Plan
  MCPED is in the process of updating its Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources Master Plan and combining this with a non-motorized trail plan for the area. This will look for ways to fill gaps in the Great Lakes Way Trail, which follows the shoreline of Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair and St. Clair River. Public input is being sought throughout the summer.
  
• Major grant funding for projects
  Earlier this year, MCPED led grant writing efforts to receive $1 million from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation, which will be used by Harrison Township to build a new pedestrian bridge that connects the Clinton River Spillway along Jefferson Avenue. The pedestrian bridge will supplement the existing bridge at the mouth of the spillway, which is designed for automobiles and challenging for non-motorized traffic to safely cross.

Additional information on the Blue Economy can be found at macombgov.org/planning-and-economic-development/parks-and-natural-resources/blue-economy-initiative.

Gerard Santoro
586-469-5285
[email protected]

Department:Planning and Economic Development

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