Press Release

Economic Development & Community Affairs Launches e-Focus, the Countys First Free Electronic Newsletter

Pontiac, Michigan – Nov. 13, 2006 -- Oakland County's first electronic newsletter about economic development and community affairs in the county is now available online and it's free.

e-Focus, a creation of the Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs, is produced every month and publicizes the news in Community & Home Improvement, Planning & Economic Development Services, Waste Resource Management and Workforce Development. The newsletter is mailed out electronically to subscribers each month.

"e-Focus allows us to get important news about economic development out on a timely basis to our residents and our businesses," County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said. "No one wants to wait for information anymore. People have busy lives. Customers we court in foreign countries can now find out instantly what's going on in Oakland County. It's very exciting."

November's e-Focus includes stories on Patterson's recent trade mission to Sweden, America Recycles Day and a grant recently given to Royal Oak Dondero High School by the county's Arts & Culture group to restore a series of historic murals. A "toolbox" is included on various resources available in the county including data on business and industry, labor and wages, quality of life and "Fasts Facts" about the county. The newsletter also features two Oakland County communities each month. Troy and Milford are November's featured communities in the current edition. A calendar of upcoming events is included each month.

Those people interested in signing-up for e-Focus should go to www.efocusoakland.com, click on the SUBSCRIBE button and follow the directions.

For further information contact: Kristie Everett Zamora, Marketing Coordinator, Economic Development & Community Affairs, (248) 858-0415

###