There are many reasons to proud to be the City Manager of Auburn Hills.  The dynamic content of this community makes for every day challenges that are exciting.  No two days are alike and that is what makes my job so rewarding.  But like every great organization, it takes some very focused and hard-working individuals to keep us humming along.  Economic development is always a key focus of our efforts.  No community survives and thrives without constantly re-inventing itself.  It is the role of the Community Development Department and its economic development division to lead that effort.  Last year, our Economic Development Coordinator retired.  Recognizing the ongoing belt-tightening that we have to continue to achieve, I chose to combine the Economic Development Coordinator position with another position of Coordinator of Community Relations and Legislative Affairs.  Those two positions were rolled into one and established as the Manager of Business Development and Community Relations, a role now held by Stephanie Carroll, a seventeen year employee of the City.  Stephanie is passionate about her role in economic development and is actively engaged in all aspects of our Business Development initiatives here at the City.  Each and every week she is meeting with community  stakeholders on issues of business retention and expansion, along with activities surrounding business recruitment.  She is proud to represent the Auburn Hills philosophy of regional cooperation and clearly understands that Auburn Hills can’t attract every business that wants to be in Michigan, but that the greater approach is to at least get them to Michigan and to work hard to retain businesses in Michigan.  Everyone benefits from a thriving Michigan. 

The Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) is a statewide organization that promotes economic growth throughout the state.  Its mission is to undertake education, networking, and advocacy on economic development for and in support of its members, partners and stakeholders.  It is my privilege to share with you that our very own Stephanie Carroll was last week elected to the position of President of MEDA.  Stephanie’s passion, energy and commitment to economic growth in Michigan, along with her previous active involvement in the organization, are no doubt the reasons she is now MEDA’s President.  Congratulations Stephanie!  All of us at the City of Auburn Hills are proud of your accomplishment. 

Tom Tanghe, City Manager