Economic Development Update: July 2013

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s MICHauto program is proud to host a first of its kind event focused on Michigan’s commitment to the automotive industry and the opportunities that exist to grow the sector in the 21st century. The 2013 Michigan Automotive Summit will feature an action-packed agenda with high level speakers from industry, academia and government on Wednesday, September 25 at COBO Center.

Economic Development Update: July 2013

Over the next 60 days, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Business Attraction team is aiming to secure and set up site visits with call center prospects focused on finance, information technology, insurance and real estate (FIRE) support and other customer support services. These types of projects have the potential to create anywhere from 800 to 1,300 local jobs.

Economic Development Update: July 2013

The Detroit Regional Chamber is continuing its successful partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s Pure Michigan Business Connect (PMBC) program and conducted a “Connection Point” matchmaking summit with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan earlier this month at the company’s headquarters in downtown Detroit.

Economic Development Update: July 2013

More than 2,300 high school seniors have registered their interest in the Detroit Scholarship Fund (DSF), which offers Detroit graduates a tuition-free path to an associate degree beginning with the graduating class of 2013. The DSF is a place-based scholarship designed to help more Detroit students acquire a post-secondary degree and provide an incentive to live in the city.

Economic Development Update: July 2013

Last month, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center and the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership visited Clark Engineering in Owosso as part of the InnoState program. Clark Engineering exemplifies the kind of adaptability needed for 21st century manufacturers with the flexibility to meet variety in design, application and volume.

Economic Development Update: July 2013

In 2012, the Detroit region ranked as the fourth largest export market in the U.S., with regional Detroit businesses shipping more than $55 billion in goods and accounting for nearly 73 percent of Michigan’s exports. Exports from the Detroit region have enjoyed double digit growth over the past several years, experiencing growth of more than 12 percent or $5.5 billion over the last two years.

Economic Development Update: July 2013

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released a draft of the Michigan Freight Plan for public review and comment. The plan is a new supplement to the 2035 MI Transportation Plan that includes a list of projects designed to address freight mobility in Michigan. MDOT is seeking comments on the plan through August 7.