Shaping the Future: Despite Challenges, Detroit Has Resources to Write Strong Next Chapter
February 28, 2014There isn’t a city in the country poised for the growth and comeback like in Detroit. That was the inspirational message gleaned from the Conference’s closing panel discussion, “Shaping the Future: Detroit’s Next Chapter.”
The panel emphasized the importance of placing an equal premium on business startups as well as existing companies, and the notion that, while politics is key, the “business as usual” approach should no longer be a part of the city’s governance. Despite the challenges that lie ahead, panelists agreed that Detroit has the resources to write an impressive next chapter over the course of five years and beyond. The panelists were (in order of appearance) Don Graves, executive director of President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness; Thomas Sugrue, David Boies professor of history and sociology; Dave Egner, executive director of New Economy Initiative; and Dan Kinkead, director of projects of Detroit Future City. The discussion was moderated by Christy McDonald, anchor of DPTV’s MiWeek.