Oakland County, Michigan: Automation Alley Growth

Tucked away quietly in suburban industrial parks and office buildings, the high-tech business consortium known as Automation Alley is giving local firms a worldwide reputation.

Launched just over four years ago by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Automation Alley has grown from 40 member businesses to 500, mostly in Oakland County. In that time, the number of high-tech businesses in Oakland County has grown from 1,800 to more than 3,000, according to the county.

While the definition of high-tech has evolved since then, Automation Alley officials estimate the county’s tech work force has grown from 41,000 to more than 150,000.

Automation Alley’s annual global export trade missions have landed about $21 million in contracts for small Oakland County businesses from companies in China, Germany and Mexico. And in August, the Alley will unveil its $10 million business center in Troy.

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