1 an Environment for Investment in TroyPlanning & Zoning Economic Development Building Inspections Community Affairs Public Infrastructure Creating an Environment for Investment in Troy
2 OVERVIEW Outstanding Community Assets/National RecognitionZucker Report – A Roadmap for Improved Development Processes Departmental Coordination Community Affairs Economic Development Planning & Zoning Building Inspection & Plan Review Testimonials Questions/Answers
3 COMMUNITY ASSETS Largest City in Oakland County (pop. 80,980)Outstanding Central Location & Highway Access Diverse & Highly Educated Population One of Oakland County’s Lowest Tax Rates 6,400 Businesses Employ 129,000 People Michigan’s Top Location for Automotive R&D Home of Automation Alley Major Financial Services Hub for State World Headquarters for Two Fortune 500 Companies: Meritor and Kelly Services Nationally Ranked School District Twenty Parks & Recreational Facilities of 900+ Acres
4 NATIONALLY RECOGNIZEDIn 2013, Family Circle Magazine Named Troy One of Top Ten Cities for Families in U.S. Named the #1 Best Place to Live in Michigan and 26th Best in U.S. by CNN Money Magazine in 2012 Named the #1 Safest City in Oakland County and #3 Safest in Michigan Over 75,000 in Population For the 3rd time Named a “Top Performing” Community for Attracting & Retaining Entrepreneurial Companies in 2012 by the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s eCities Initiative and 6th year receiving top rankings overall Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from Government Finance Officers Association
5 TRANSFORMATION OF DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL PROCESSES2008 Zucker Systems Report Evaluated Troy’s Development Approval and Permit Processes 102 Recommendations Set Forth Led to Streamlining of Development Systems Hybrid Model of City Staff and Private Consultants Implemented for Planning and Engineering Depts. Building Department Contracted Out for Cost Savings and Increased Level of Service
6 COMMUNITY AFFAIRS New Website Launched in December 2012New Economic Resource Guide Published 2012 Troy Prominently Featured in Publications Like Xology, Prosper, Asource and Others Quarterly Troy Today & Business E-News Highlights New & Expanding Businesses Media/Publicity/Ribbon Cuts - Support Provided to Businesses Promote Troy as Michigan’s Premier Address for Business, Retail and Commerce Contact: Cindy Stewart at
7 COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BEST PRACTICES Troy’s new website has been redesigned to make navigation easier for residents, businesses and visitors.
8 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Economic Gardening: Provide Information, Infrastructure and Connectivity to Address Business Needs and Encourage Growth Emphasize Partnerships & Collaboration Serve Entire Business Community and Target 2nd Stage Companies Expanded Tools/Online Resources: Business Roundtable Meetings, One-on-One Business Visits, New Business Checklist, Business Interest Form, Insyght Resources Tool, Intern in Michigan Link, Business Development E-Blast, Small Office Site Search Tool Key Partners: MEDC, Oakland County, Automation Alley, Walsh College, Troy Chamber Contact: Glenn Lapin at
9 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BEST PRACTICESTroy Michigan Business Connect Troy’s Economic Gardening initiative emphasizes strong partnerships and collaboration in order to address business needs and encourage growth.
10 PLANNING & ZONING 2008 Master Plan Sets Innovative Vision, Expands Range of Land Uses, and Protects Neighborhoods 2011 Zoning Ordinance is User-Friendly, Flexible, and Responsive to Market Conditions 2011 Big Beaver Design Guidelines Promotes Placemaking Sustainable Development Project tool encourages sustainable measures in exchange for regulatory flexibility On-Line Resources: Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance, GIS Mapping, Big Beaver Design Guidelines Contact: Brent Savidant at
11 PLANNING & ZONING BEST PRACTICESGranite City 699 W. Big Beaver Troy’s Big Beaver Zoning District requires active people-oriented uses adjacent to the street.
12 PLANNING & ZONING
13 BUILDING SERVICES SAFEbuilt Building Department ServicesTroy is Largest Michigan City with All Building Plan Review & Inspection Contracted Out Fast, Fair & Predictable Permit & Inspection Services Commercial Plan Review in Ten Days or Less Residential Plan Review in Five Days or Less 98% Customer Satisfaction Rating Coordination with Engineering & Fire Departments Contact: Steve Burns at
14 BUILDING SERVICES BEST PRACTICESO’Brien Construction 966 Livernois Fast, fair and predictable permit and inspection services led to project completion in a timely manner. Troy’s Sustainable Development Project tool encourages “green” building design in exchange for regulatory flexibility.
15 TESTIMONIALS “The City of Troy has a distinguished business-friendly attitude. Our company, UBT, purchased a building in Troy and completely redesigned it with “green” technology including geothermal wells, radiant heating, foam insulation, white PVC membrane roof technology, energy efficient lighting and electrical components, and recycled bamboo furniture. When we experienced obstacles with plumbing and our geothermal wells throughout the redesign, the City of Troy was fantastic in obtaining the pertinent historical data we needed to make the repairs and move our team into our new home. And to our pleasant surprise, the City of Troy followed up in person to verify that our construction was running smoothly so that we could safely operate our business once we settled in. We are extremely happy to have relocated to Troy and would highly recommend this city to any business looking for a new home!” Michelle D’Souza Chief Executive Officer Unified Business Technologies April 2013 “Thanks for taking the time to organize the Manager’s Business Roundtable. It was very informative and I look forward to working with the City and you in particular. The event was so good that 3 out of the 4 businesses already have connected and purchase orders will be issued within a week…” Sri Bramadesam President Autoline Industries Ltd. January 2013 "I am very grateful for the wonderful help you provided and was extremely impressed how Troy went above and beyond what any other economic development agency provided. I know that the companies were also very impressed and that they will consider Troy when they are ready to set up in Michigan. Thank you again so much.“ Patrick Dine President & CEO PSD Global (Representing Portuguese Delegation Visit) September 2012
16 TESTIMONIALS "Mahindra looked at Illinois, the Netherlands and other locations when scouting a spot for a technical center in the West. And we found that Troy was the best location for engineers, for access to design and testing. Mahindra is keen to be a part of this ecosystem and culture.“ Rajan Wadhera Chief Executive for Technology, Products & Sourcing Mahindra Engineering September 2012 “Huntington Bank is proud to call Troy home for our East Michigan Headquarters. The City of Troy has been a supportive and collaborative Team to work with and we feel very welcomed by the community. Troy’s central location in the region is critical to our Huntington East Michigan Operation.” Mike Fezzey Regional President Huntington - East Michigan April 2012 "I work with many cities in Macomb and Oakland County and unfortunately deal with a lot of bureaucracy which causes long delays in my line of business. However, working with the city of Troy is just the opposite. I get things done quickly, efficiently and professionally. I enjoy working with the City of Troy and look forward to many more successful years together." Jamie Blumenthal President, H.E.R Management Long Lake Plaza January, 2012
17 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Thank You!