3/13/24 C & G Special Edition — Macomb/Grosse Pointes

NEWSPAPERS Special Edition

Panelists meet to discuss

Macomb County’s economic future

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

MACOMB COUNTY — Although inflation has decreased in recent months, “I don’t know if we’re out of the woods,” said Thomas Alongi, a partner with the UHY accounting firm, in Sterling Heights.

“Everything you touch, everywhere you go, prices are up 10% or 20% on everything,” Alongi said. “It’s come down, but maybe the damage has been done. We’ll see if we are able to keep that in check with fiscal spending.”

According to the website usinflationcalculator.com, inflation was at 6.5% in 2022 and 3.4% in 2023.

Alongi was among the panelists who spoke to business leaders, manufacturing employees and school officials at the 2024 Macomb County Economic Forecast, held Feb. 23 on the South Campus of Macomb Community College.

The panel also included Ahmad Ezzeddine, vice president for Academic Student Affairs and Global Engagement at Wayne State University; Brian Parthum, an econo-

See ECONOMIC on page 7A

MCC tuition rates to increase next year

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb Community College students will see a tuition increase next year.

At its regular monthly meeting Feb. 21, the Macomb Community College Board of Trustees authorized a 1.8% increase in tuition rates for the upcoming academic year, which is fall 2024 through spring/summer 2025.

The rate for residents will increase slightly from $111 per billable contact hour to $113. Even with the increase, college officials maintained that Macomb’s tuition rates are lower than average.

Board members Roseanne DiMaria, Joan Flynn, Katherine Lorenzo, Shelley Vitale and Vincent Viviano voted in favor of the increase, while Frank Cusumano voted against it. When the roll call for the vote was taken, Kristi Dean voted “present.”

Macomb President James O. Sawyer IV weighed in on the board’s decision.

“Providing accessible, affordable and high-quality educational opportunities that connect to meaningful career pathways is one of our highest priorities,” he said in a prepared statement. “This modest increase in tuition upholds our commitment to affordability while ensuring we have the resources to support our students’ success, to innovate and

Macomb

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

From left, Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development; Brian Parthum, an economist with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments; Thomas Alongi, a partner with the UHY accounting firm; and Ahmad Ezzeddine, vice president for Academic Student Affairs and Global Engagement at Wayne State University, discuss the current state of the economy.

File photo Tuition rates at Macomb Community College will increase by 1.8 % next year.

ROADS DEPARTMENT TRIALS

NEW TRAFFIC LIGHT TECHNOLOGY

BY DEAN VAGLIA dvaglia@candgnews.com

MACOMB COUNTY — Despite some odd winter weather, cold-weather traffic safety concerns have not melted away.

The Macomb County Department of Roads has teamed up with Sterling Heights-based manufacturer JVIS USA to pilot a new piece of technology to keep road users safely moving in snowy weather. Three intersections along Jefferson Avenue have had half their traffic signal lights outfitted with JVIS CoreHeat heaters around the lights, which aim to keep snow and ice from blocking the signals.

“Unlike the incandescent light bulbs that were in traffic signal lights predominantly up until a few years back, the new lighting systems are all LED-based,” said Bryan Santo, director of the Macomb County Department of Roads. “The incandescents previously generated heat when they were plugged in and working. The LED lights that we’re using now are more energy efficient, more reliable, but they do not produce any heat source.”

Primarily a builder of heating components for cars, JVIS came across the problem for the LED traffic lights and found a new way to apply its technology. Development on the traffic light heaters brought the company’s electronic en-

‘Friends’ help students get the job done

BY MARIA ALLARD allard@candgnews.com

WARREN — For 23 years, James Bailey worked as a human resources executive for General Motors Co., where he oversaw 10 automobile plants in three countries with a total of 28,000 employees.

Prior to that, Bailey was employed with IBM and before that he served five years in the U.S. Army, which

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

On Feb. 27, retired GM human resources executive and Army veteran James Bailey talks to Lincoln High School students about building their resume and their brand.

A Macomb County Department of Roads worker installs JVISmade heaters on a traffic signal light in November 2023.

Photo provided by JVIS USA

See LIGHTS on page 9A

Furniture Bank puts unwanted household basics to good use

NONPROFIT REPORTS SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF FURNISHINGS

BY K. MICHELLE MORAN kmoran@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Spring — the season of renewal — is a popular time for people to remodel or redecorate their homes.

But what many may not realize is the old dresser or couch they no longer want could make life substantially better for a local family in need.

The nonprofit Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan, which provides household basics like beds, dining tables and chairs to vulnerable metro Detroiters who are rebuilding their lives, is facing a serious shortage of furnishings at a time when demand for these items is spiking.

“Donations are down,” said Furniture Bank Board President Wanda Van Haitsma, of Redford. “We have about 180 families waiting for beds and other furniture, and that’s a big number.”

Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan Executive Director Robert Boyle, of Grosse Pointe Woods, said that’s three times the number of families waiting for furniture at this time in 2021. At the same time, furniture donations have dropped; Boyle said that in 2022, they went on 4,600 pickups, but in 2023, there were only 3,800 pickups.

“At a time of high inflation, it would seem people would rather sit on their current couch than buy a new one,” Boyle said.

That same high inflation disproportionately hurts people on the lower end of the income spectrum. More than 80% of the people the Furniture Bank serves have incomes of $20,000 or less, and most are families with children.

“Now it’s even more difficult to cover basics like a bed for a child or a dining table to share a meal at,” Boyle said.

The Furniture Bank will collect essential items in good condition from homes across metro Detroit at no charge, if these items can be placed in a garage or on a porch, or they’ll charge a flat fee of $75 to collect any number of essentials from inside the home. Essential items include mattresses, box springs, dressers, end tables, nightstands, coffee tables, sofas/loveseats (excluding reclining sofas and sofa beds), dining/kitchen tables (excluding glass or heavy marble), dining/kitchen chairs (in sets of at least two) and living room chairs. The Furniture Bank will also collect as essentials up to five bags or boxes of smaller housewares, such as towels, pots, pans, silverware, lamps, bedding and other basics; they cannot accept clothing.

ABOVE: Families served by the Furniture Bank are happier and healthier because they have a comfortable place to sleep and have a meal together.

LEFT: Over the last year, the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan has supplied more than 800 children in metro Detroit with beds, including Nehemiah, of Pontiac, who’s thrilled with his.

Photos provided by the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan

TIME TO GET OUTDOOR SPACES READY FOR SPRING AND SUMMER

BY GENA JOHNSON gjohnson@candgnews.com

METRO DETROIT — Outside living spaces have grown in popularity over the years. As spring approaches, this is the time to start preparing lawns and gardens for “backyarding” fun.

“‘Backyarding,’ I think we came up with the term during COVID. It was the first time I heard it,” said Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care of outdoor spaces from yards to parks. “It’s a verb meaning to champion the outdoors and creating the spaces for your particular needs.”

According to Kiser, lawns and backyards are no longer meant just to look pretty and provide curb appeal.

“We’ve worked with Realtors who have said, ‘Young people want outdoor living spaces,’” Kiser said. These spaces are determined with a purpose in mind and tailored to the owner’s needs and desires: a Zen space, a cooking space or outdoor fun. When planning these spaces, one must factor in kids, dogs, deer and flowering plants.

Matching the right plant to the right place is the mantra of many gardeners and growers. To find the right match, homeowners must know their climate zone, Kiser said.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently updated their plant hardiness map,” said David Lowenstein, consumer horticulture supervising extension educator at the Michigan State University Macomb County Extension Office. “Now everyone is in zone 6 in the Detroit metro area.”

“What the zone information describes is the average minimum winter temperature. Zone 6A, the average temperature is minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit,” Lowenstein said. “That means the plants can survive if temperatures get to minus 10 degrees.”

Combining the right plant with the right soil can yield thriving results. Common types of soil are clay, sand and loam, according to Lowenstein.

“We do tend to have a lot of clay soil in our area,” Lowenstein said about the soil in Macomb and Oakland counties.

The soil types can vary in this area depending on how close you are to a body of water, according to Lowenstein.

“Streams have been channeled, and they’re now underground,” Lowenstein said. “Where your house is now could have once been a wetland or had a stream nearby, and that can impact the soil type.”

The right plant for the right place is as simple as a couple of clicks of the mouse, according to

Outdoor living spaces are growing in popularity. Spending time outdoors can decrease stress and anxiety.

Photo by Rebecca Finneran

COMMUNITY BRIEFS

Prom Closet tour offers free dresses ROSEVILLE — The nonprofit charity Sparkle Network is holding its ninth annual Prom Closet Tour for 2024. The organization offers a chance for high school students to receive a free dress and accessories for prom night. The Prom Closet Tour is open for seniors graduating in 2024 and for juniors graduating in 2025.

All participants must make an appointment ahead of time. To request an appointment, send an email to sparkle.network3@gmail.com. Students will receive a form, which must be completed. The Prom Closet will be at Macomb Mall from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 12, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 13, and noon to 5 p.m. April 15. Macomb Mall is located at 32233 Gratiot Ave.

Green Macomb plant sale

comes to

Clinton Township, Armada MACOMB COUNTY — Macomb County residents looking to add a tree can find a variety available at the Green Macomb tree and plant sale.

Running until April 5 in partnership with the Blue Water Conservation District, residents are able to order shrubs and trees including arbor vitae, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, paper birch, redbud and red osier

through bluewatercd.org while supplies last. Items can be picked up at the Armada Fairgrounds on April 22-23 and the Clinton Township Civic Center on April 25-26. A limited number of trees can be purchased on site.

“Our goal is to increase the tree canopy in Macomb County and the Green Macomb Tree and Plant sale helps us do just that,” said Gerard Santoro, program director for Macomb County Parks and Natural Resources, in a press release. “We created the sale seven years ago and so far the response from residents has been amazing. It’s a privilege to be able to provide homeowners the affordable means to spruce up their gardens this year, as well.”

Volunteer Recognition Program announced

MACOMB COUNTY — In honor of National Volunteer Recognition Month in April, the Macomb County Board of Commissioners is accepting nominations of volunteers for its Volunteer Recognition Program. Chosen volunteers will be honored with a reception.

Nomination forms are available on the website bocmacomb.org. Click on the “What’s Happening” icon and then on “Programs & Events.” Send the completed form to bocadmin@macombgov.org or mail it to: Macomb County BOC Volunteer Rec. Program, 1 S. Main St., 9th Floor, Mount Clemens, MI 48043.

Nominees must be at least 18 years of age and have not received an award in the past five years. All applications are due by 5 p.m. April 5.

Furniture

from page 4A

Because there’s such a serious need for mattresses and box springs in good condition, the Furniture Bank is currently offering to pick up these items for free, whether they’re inside or outside the house.

For essential items that are structurally damaged, stained, torn or badly worn, they will haul these items away for $100 per item, whether they’re inside or outside of the home.

For fees ranging from $100 to $125 per item, the Furniture Bank will also pick up nonessential items from inside or outside of homes, including desks, bookshelves, armoires, china cabinets, buffets, sofa beds, reclining sofas, entertainment centers and treadmills. Proceeds from fees support the work of the Furniture Bank and enable them to hire professional movers to safely remove furniture.

“It’s such a great nonprofit,” Van Haitsma said. “We’re providing furniture and beds for people who are trying to get back on their feet.”

In some cases, the people helped by the Furniture Bank are individuals who are moving from a homeless shelter into their own apartment or home. In other cases, they’re people starting over after escaping from an abusive relationship.

Boyle said their clients are excited to leave shelters for their own dwelling — until they realize they were more comfortable in the shelter because, at least there, they had a bed.

“It’s stressful,” Boyle said of sleeping on the floor. “It’s not comfortable. It’s not good for your mental or physical health.”

Boyle said they’re trying to provide people with a stable, dignified life. Studies show there are higher rates of attention deficit disorder and obesity in children who don’t get adequate sleep.

“It’s really important that families get what they need when they need it and they don’t go through any more distress,” Boyle said.

To donate or for more information, visit www.furniture-bank.org or call (248) 3321300.

mist with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments; and Vicky Rowinski, director of Macomb County’s Department of Planning & Economic Development.

Through PowerPoint presentations displayed on two large screens, the panelists shared their knowledge and research. Much of the discussion centered on Macomb County. The Macomb County Chamber Alliance hosted the event.

“Despite all the news we get every year, some of it is not that rosy, there are always great things happening. Things are happening in the county, in the region, they’re happening in the state,” Ezzeddine said. “This is an opportunity for us to see how we can all work together and move on.”

Ezzeddine, who moderated the event, would like to see WSU and MCC collaborate more with local businesses.

“We have great programs that start at Macomb Community College and finish with us,” Ezzeddine said. “Both institutions are very open and interested in partnering with all of you in the room here.”

As a member of UHY’s audit and assurance department, Alongi advises public and private clients regarding their finances and operations. Alongi specified the economy’s success rests on growing and attracting knowledge. Last year, Alongi predicted the economy would be like a rollercoaster, but it ended up more like a merry-go-round.

“The data that we presented showed a mixed bag,” he said. “It shows how resilient our economy is. We’re really excited we were able to drive through that. How did we make our way through that? The reality is that consumers were resilient. Demand could not be broken. It ties into a strong fiscal spending.

“We have some excess inventories to work off. When I look at ’24 and from what I have seen with our clients, backlogs are strong, releases are strong. We have more job openings than we have individuals,” Alongi said. “The data is showing a kind of return to normalcy this year. Manufacturing, every report I see is that employment is up and opportunities are up.”

Alongi indicated colleges and businesses owners need to come together.

“I want to see more collaboration of industry with the schools and you’re seeing some of it,” Alongi said. “The skills that are needed today will be different than the skills

of tomorrow. When I look at 2024, we have more job openings than individuals.”

Parthum, who has studied economic trends in southeast Michigan since 1999, talked about electric vehicles. He said auto manufacturing is “critically important” and advised a dual growth strategy.

“It’s important that we, as economic developers, continue to help the automotive manufacturing in our region. It’s critically important to help them to continue the rapid change that is happening in the industry,” Parthum said. “At the same time, continue to diversify your economy and leverage those knowledge-based jobs. Professional and technical services, financial activities, management of companies and information. These are jobs that mostly require a bachelor degree or more.”

He also said the county gained 24,000 jobs in the last three years.

“I’m not saying that’s going to continue three years into the future, but it’s really encouraging,” Parthum said. “When I looked at those numbers, what was actually growing were the knowledge-based jobs, information, financial activities, professional services and management of companies all combined added 15,000 to 16,000 jobs of those 24,000 jobs.”

With “some funding through the state of Michigan,” Rowinski said she and her team have been conducting a “talent attraction” campaign in an effort to attract people from out of state to Macomb County.

“We’ve looked at top engineering colleges throughout the country and which of those colleges are actually producing more engineers, more professional severe degree individuals than there are jobs available in that area,” Rowinski said. “We also pulled together a roundtable with some of our business leaders that represent the aerospace industry.”

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, who provided the welcoming remarks, shared his thoughts on Macomb County’s manufacturing future. He said there are 1,600 manufacturing facilities in the county.

“I think our biggest challenge is making sure that we’re providing the talent for these facilities,” Hackel said. “That seems to be the void right now. How do we find people for the jobs that are available in manufacturing.”

“We knew the ‘silver tsunami’ was happening. This is looking at the number of seniors that are hitting retirement age,” Rowinski said. “Our youth, our Gen Xs, our millennials do not meet the number of retirees that are hitting 55 and up age.”

Students

from page 3A

included two tours in Europe and one in Central America.

Bailey, now retired, volunteers his time talking to others about his experiences. On Feb. 27, Bailey brought his expertise to Lincoln High School for a resume writing workshop.

“I just like to plant a seed. I see this as something they learn and will build on it,” he said. “I want them to get this early in life and build off these principles.”

Bailey talked to a number of students inside the media center about what companies are looking for in potential employees. As one example, he gave advice on how to dress while on the job.

“Men should wear business casual, nice slacks, fitted not baggy and not overly trendy, a nice polo shirt,” he said. “No loud colors, no red shoes.”

For female employees, Bailey offered several suggestions.

“Simple, clean basic clothing. The dress has to hit the knee. If it’s too short, it looks like you are going to the club,” Bailey said. “Don’t be showing any cleavage. You are contributing to a sexually charged atmosphere, and it’s distracting. If you’re a distraction, you’re affecting productivity.”

Bailey talked about someone he saw on TikTok who told her viewers “just do the minimum” when at work. But that has consequences, he warned.

“Don’t be surprised if you’re stuck in a dead-end job,” Bailey said. “Everyone

knows who is a good employee when they’re not just doing their job, but they’re doing more.”

Looking someone in the eye and shaking their hand when on a job interview is very important.

“It shows confidence and shows I’m someone who can be part of your organization,” Bailey said.

He recommended the students have a brand, which includes how they dress and present themselves. Also, be mindful of your behavior.

“Your best resume can be undermined by your own actions. Be careful what you

say on social media. It can get you fired. They’re watching you,” Bailey said. “Take away the excuses. Focus and get around the right people. Find a plan, focus and do it.”

After the presentation, David Forney, president of the Macomb Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., worked oneon-one with students as did members of the Friends on a Mission to Serve organization, which formed in August 2022 and services areas in Macomb County.

Cynthia Miree-Coppin is the president of Friends on a Mission to Serve, and Tuanda Ward-Holmes is the program director. Lincoln High School social worker Glynis

Dale is also a member of the organization. Other members include doctors, lawyers, professors and entrepreneurs.

“It’s a group of women who are friends who have come together to do service in Macomb County. Most of us have known each other 20 years or more,” Miree-Coppin said. “We have the skills and passion to make a difference.”

The group, which has 38 members, will be at Lincoln three times this year to offer guidance and support. The resume writing workshop was the group’s initial visit. Members will return in March to conduct mock interviews with the students and then in April for a job fair.

“I am hoping they will see their hopes and dreams are within reach and that their thoughts are validated,” Miree-Coppin said.

“I think they’re really excited to do the resumes,” Ward-Holmes said. “We’re so grateful to Lincoln High School to host this workshop.”

When writing their resumes, MireeCoppin and Ward-Holmes encouraged the students to not only include their skills but also any awards they won.

Robyn Murphy, who is the chair of the group’s youth connection committee, had the opportunity last week to talk with a student interested in becoming an engineer.

“It brought me back to my senior year,” said Murphy, who grew up in Kinston, North Carolina, and is senior talent acquisition representative for Delta Air Lines.

Murphy is a natural when talking to young people about their potential careers.

“Not everyone has access to the experiences I am blessed to have,” she said. “I look for opportunities to give back.”

Photo by Patricia O’Blenes

David Forney greeted Lincoln High School students as they entered the media center for the resume writing workshop. Forney is president of the Macomb Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and worked one-on-one with students.

Lights

from page 3A

gineering groups together to design temperature and moisture sensors to control when the heater is active in order to preserve the energy-saving benefits of LEDs.

“As you can imagine, they don’t want to have their cost savings, their energy savings with the new LED lights they just installed taken away by a heater that is wasting energy,” said Bill Parnis, electrical business unit manager for JVIS. “This thing only turns on when there’s snow present in the visor, so it’s only using power when it’s really needed so they still have these huge energy savings with the LEDs.”

JVIS reached out to the county, having established relations with its leadership after meeting officials at the 2022 auto show, and arranged to have heaters tested in Macomb County. Department of roads workers installed the heaters in November with JVIS representatives on-site, placing them in signals at intersections in Harrison and Chesterfield townships.

“We’ve enjoyed the partnership and the collaboration,” Santo said. “I think it’s a great thing that they’re looking at and

we’re looking at. We always continue to explore the latest technologies to make our roads as safe as possible for both the resident motorists and the visitors traveling through our county.”

As both parties wait to find out how the heaters perform, JVIS is working on different applications for the heaters. The Michigan Department of Transportation has taken interest in the technology and is working with JVIS on a louvered signalcompatible heater, while other versions of technology are being tested in Illinois and Pennsylvania. If the trials prove effective, JVIS believes the heating technology

Workers from the Macomb County Department of Roads install JVISmade heaters on a traffic signal light in November 2023.

USA

can be incorporated into new signals and eventually become an industry standard.

“This is a safety issue that we’re trying to resolve, and if the solution can be standardized, then now it can be implemented in a widespread fashion and at a low cost,” Parnis said. “That’s really the goal here. There really has been no solution to date that has worked well or worked well enough. This is the exception. This works very well, and our goal is to get it as a written standard and can be used on a national level.”

Santo says the pilot program is occurring at no cost to the county.

from page 1A

invest in emerging opportunities and to preserve the fiscal viability of the college.”

Tuition is one of the three primary sources of revenue for the college, comprising 35% of Macomb’s revenue, with local property taxes at 33% and state appropriations at 27%.

Here is the scope of increase per billable contact hour of the 2024-2025 rates:

• Resident rates increase from $111 to $113.

• Out-of-district rates increase from $208 to $212.

• Out-of-state/foreign rates increase from $265 to $270.

• Affiliate rates, which are students living in areas not served by a community college district, increase from $143 to $146.

• Early college/dual enrollment rates increase from $106 to $108.

According to college officials, 76% of the college’s students are Macomb County residents.

Photo provided by JVIS

Outdoor

from page 5A

Kiser. Homeowners can do research on the internet into the kind of soil they have and what plants are optimal in that environment. The MSU Extension Office also has soil testers that give the nutrient composition of the soil. The testers are available in the office or online for purchase. For more information, see homesoiltest.msu.edu.

Kiser created an outdoor office during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues to enjoy it today as it draws colorful migrating birds, butterflies and a fox.

“The office has turned into a bit of an interaction with nature,” Kiser said. “It’s a disturbance I like.”

“Whatever you have, work with it.” Kiser said. That can include everything from a potted plant on a terrace to sprawling acres with plants, bushes, flowers, fruit trees and vegetables.

A beautiful outdoor garden can attract unwanted visitors. Deer love tender young plants and flowers. According to Lowenstein, it is difficult to keep the deer away completely unless there is a high fence or other barrier.

Deer typically avoid holly and ornamental grasses, according to Lowenstein. Catmint

also deters deer with its fragrant scent and fuzzy leaves. Deer usually do not eat plants with hairy leaves like lamb’s ear.

Lowenstein suggests covering new plants and flowers with a cage to keep the deer away, at least until the new plants have been in the ground a month or two.

A lush green lawn can be a highlight of a beautiful outdoor space.

“Lawns look green when their fertility needs are met,” Lowenstein said. “What I mean by that is, when there is a sufficient amount of nitrogen available to them.”

Fertilizer can add nitrogen to the lawn, but err on the side of caution and do not over-fertilize, Lowenstein said. Slow-release fertilizer can be used less frequently than the fast-release variety, because slow-release continues to release nutrients.

Although metro Detroit had some unseasonably warm days in February, according to Lowenstein, the time to seed and plant will be in April.

“We could still have days that could bring us freezes, frosts or even snow,” Lowenstein said. “You don’t want to be fooled by Mother Nature and plant too early.”

Now the lawn can be mowed and any debris cleared. In a few weeks, the lawn will be ready to aerate, which involves punching holes into the ground, and to scarify, which

creates grooves in the soil for grass seed to penetrate, protecting it from birds, according to Kiser. Kiser said to order plants, hardscapes

and pools and arrange for labor now, because they may be more difficult to come by later in the season.

Ornamental grass absorbs rainwater and deters deer.

Photo provided by David Lowenstein

The Exterior Painters Celebrate 20 Years of Transforming Properties, Neighborhoods

Nothing transforms a property and makes it shine brighter than a fresh coat of paint. It’s simply the best and most cost-effective investment you can make for your home draped in the colors of yesterday.

The Exterior Painters have been revitalizing properties for 20 years.

“We specialize in just exterior painting, and the reason why we do that is we believe that repetition is the mother of all skill,” said owner Brian Scott. “For 20 years, that’s all we’ve been doing is outside work. When it comes to that, we do wood replacement and siding replacement. It makes us the perfect fit for homeowners who don’t want to re-side their whole house.”

The Exterior Painters replace damaged siding and boards as needed, but they’re not looking to push for a full siding replacement.

“It gets people by another 10 years and transforms the look of the house, bringing it to the next color trends of today,” Scott said.

“Another thing we do that makes us unique, we have a full-time color consultant,” Scott added. “For most people, that’s the hardest, most stressful part, choosing what color they want. Our consultant comes out and

meets with the homeowners and gives them an idea of what the new color trends are so they can make a good color choice that complements their landscaping, brickwork and architectural features.”

The Exterior Painters also specialize in brick staining.

“A lot of younger people are buying houses. We’re taking it from grandma’s house of the ’50s, ’60s or ’70s and bringing it to that HGTV look,” Scott said.

Power washing the siding — and for an additional charge, soft washing the roof if needed — can also make a big difference in terms of curb appeal.

you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck.”

It’s a win for everyone, from the crews The Exterior Painters employ and pay well to the homeowners who see their neighborhoods transformed. The company paints 30 houses a week on average in Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Livingston counties, and boasts a five-star Google review average.

Scott said his crews often see their work spread from house to house in a neighborhood as the properties are transformed through fresh paint, siding repairs and much-needed washing.

“With us you’re buying certainty. We don’t ask for a large deposit, and you don’t have to worry about anyone running off with your deposit,” Scott said. “We stand by our work. We provide a warranty and proven results by taking care of everybody in the community. We’re Nextdoor’s No. 1 preferred contractor in Rochester two years in a row. It’s that certainty factor. You know what you’re going

make a big difference in terms of curb work spread from house to house in a neighborhood as the properties are siding repairs and much-needed to get.”

“It’s the cheapest home improvement you can do without breaking the bank,” Scott said. “Compared to other home improvements,

The Exterior Painters are located at 2365

Avon Industrial Drive in Rochester Hills. To request a quote or for more information, call (248) 844-8888.