Apr 27, 2017
After just seven weeks with the Detroit Region Aerotropolis, I am convinced there exists no place in Michigan a more ideal location for corporate investment and expansion. My brief time here has expanded and reaffirmed any understanding I had of the opportunity for development in this region. I could not be more excited to be a part of this organization at such a crucial time.
The assets of the Aerotropolis are well known. With 6,000 acres of development-ready land, 5 rail lines, 3 freeways, and 2 airports – one of which is the 18th busiest airport in the county – this region is ripe for greenfield corporate expansion. Add to these assets the forthcoming $100 million American Center for Mobility, a 300-acre connected and autonomous vehicle test facility located in the western end of the Aerotropolis region, and it’s hard to ignore the development potential of the Aerotropolis.
In addition to the assets but perhaps less well-known is the incentive authority of the Aerotropolis. As a Next Michigan Development Corporation, we have the unique ability to approve and streamline a variety of state and local programs that make corporate investment more cost-effective, up to and including tax abatements and public infrastructure spending.
Still more important than the assets and incentives are the five communities and two counties that comprise the Aerotropolis region. These partners and others, including the Wayne County Airport Authority and DTE Energy, are committed to a regional effort to drive corporate investment and expansion in and around Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run Airports. Their personal support, financial investment, and embracement of the concept of “regionalism” is paramount to the success of the Aerotropolis.
While the assets and incentives are not new, there is a renewed commitment to transition the Detroit Region Aerotropolis from a geographic brand and a part-time or interim managed entity into a premiere multi-jurisdictional economic development organization.
I am incredibly honored and excited to be able to help drive this evolution and look forward to the results we will deliver in the days, months, and years to come.
Clarity of mission, purpose, and value will serve as our guide, and with dozens of active projects in the pipeline and more coming in by the day, I invite you to check back in and stay tuned for future updates.
