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Detroit Regional Chamber > What Mayor Duggan’s State of the City Means for Businesses

What Mayor Duggan’s State of the City Means for Businesses

March 11, 2021
Mayor Mike Duggan gave his eighth State of the City address virtually on Tuesday, March 9, from the floor of the Stellantis NV (Formerly FCA) factory on East Jefferson. The Mayor covered a wide range of topics including, vaccination efforts around the city, a post-COVID-19 recovery for Detroit led by new jobs, improving education outcomes, and a continued focus on the city’s neighborhoods.

There were many important points for businesses in the city and the Detroit region. The Chamber breaks down some of the key highlights.

Vaccination Efforts in the City

  • Mayor Duggan praised the city and health department for the current vaccination distribution but said more needs to be done to get people back to work and get the economy on track.
  • The next steps for administering vaccines include opening the downtown TCF Center garage vaccination site to all residents 50 and older on March 22 and with the goal of all residents being eligible by May.
  • Additionally, the Mayor outlined plans to open the Northwest Activities Center at 18100 Meyers Road is expected to open later this month for Johnson and Johnson vaccines.

Plans to Drive an Economic Recovery

  • Mayor Duggan highlighted the Detroit at Work program, designed to expand skill training programs and hiring efforts as manufacturers like Stellantis expand operations in the city.
  • More than 10,000 Detroiters applied for those jobs, and 2,100 have filled 3,850 jobs promised at the new Detroit Assembly Complex by Stellantis. There are an additional 1,100 positions to fill at the Jefferson North plant.
  • Mayor Duggan repeatedly highlighted efforts and plans to ensure that Detroiters can access capital and achieve equity in the workforce as the city facilitates developments across industries.
  • Motor City Match gave over 8 Million dollars to minority-owned businesses. Of the 119 firms receiving Match dollars, 111 remain open. 81% of all grants in the program have gone to minority-owned businesses.
  • Finally, the Mayor highlighted the Detroit Means Business efforts to administer more than 6,000 Paycheck Protection Program loans during the pandemic to Detroit businesses.

Educational Programs

  • The Mayor highlighted a key Detroit Regional Chamber program, the Detroit Promise, a student success program that allows Detroit students to attend community college for free if they maintain a 2.0-grade point. The program also provides coaching to students to help them finish their degrees.
  • Finally, two of the main pillars of the Mayor’s People Plan are programs to help pay people while they complete their GED or high school equivalent and to help pay with a high school degree to learn a trade or new skill.

The Chamber will continue to provide insight into how City of Detroit programs impact Michigan businesses and residents and keep our members updated on the latest governmental actions.