PROGRAM SEEKS TO EMPOWER RESIDENTS

It will offer one-on-one counseling to people of all income levels

Macomb County plans to establish a Financial Empowerment Center that will include of one-on-one counseling to help residents improve their financial literacy.

Macomb Community Action is partnering with the county Treasurer and Executive offices in seeking to set up a program through the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund, a New York-based nonprofit group that supports efforts of communities to improve individuals and families’ financial stability.

The county already provides regular home-ownership and “Adulting 101” classes through the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Service, but the FEC will provide individual counseling on a more diverse set of topics.

“We’re really excited about this initiative,” said county Health and Human Services Director Andrew Cox. “I think we’ll take things to the next level for provide one-on-one counseling services for any Macomb County resident over age 18. It will be available to all demographics and income levels.”

The program will offer counseling services on credit, banking, budgeting, and other financial matters.

The program is part of a request in the MCA budget for funds to pay for three employees — a manager and two case workers — for the FEC at a cost of $260,000, with the county and the nonprofit organization splitting the cost. Part of the county’s contribution would be $30,000 from the Treasurer’s Office.

The program is part of the proposed 2024 MCA budget within the county budget that is expected to be approved late this month.

Multiple county commissioners at the recent MCA’s budget hearing questioned MCA Director Ed Scott on whether the FEC will merely duplicate services provided by MSU Extension.

But Scott and other officials emphasized it is an expansion of services.

“This is an opportunity to bring staff into the picture and increase our capacity to work with individuals on how to manage their finances,” Scott said. “One of the greatest tools to overcome those obstacles (to healthy finances) is knowledge and learning. How do you work the best with what you have? You make sure you know enough to avoid going to a payday lender who will charge 700%” interest.”

Richard Wooten, who at the time was interim director of the MSU Extension in Macomb before Kristi Evans was named to

GEORGE NORKUS — FOR THE MACOMB DAILY Discussing a planned Financial Empowerment Center in Macomb County are Julie Hintz, from left, of Macomb Community Action; Mary Frontiero, program manager at Macomb Community Action; Andrew Cox, county Health and Community Services director, and Edward Scott, director of Macomb Community Action in MCA offices.