2026 Tri-County Summit

The 2026 Tri-County Summit, hosted by the Macomb County Board of Commissioners along with Oakland and Wayne counties, focused on regional collaboration around key issues including clean water protection, data center growth, and artificial intelligence (AI) impacts. The meeting featured panels with experts discussing challenges and strategies for water infrastructure, invasive species management, and leveraging federal funding such as the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The data center panel addressed local control, zoning challenges, infrastructure demands, and environmental concerns, highlighting lessons learned from other regions like Loudoun County, Virginia. The AI panel emphasized responsible adoption, transparency, procurement considerations, and the need for ongoing staff training and flexible policies to manage rapidly evolving technologies. The summit also included updates on county legislative advocacy efforts, particularly around revenue sharing and property tax issues. Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of inter-county cooperation, informed policymaking, and proactive engagement with emerging technologies and environmental stewardship.