Feeds‘Airport City’ could prevent flight of youth
In an even bleaker than bleak economy, some people may cringe when they hear those words. Possibly because it sounds like the lyrics to the tune of more money being spent that we don’t seem to have.
But, maybe, just maybe, the project could be the savior that so many of us are stretching to reach for: jobs, jobs and more jobs and money, money and more money to Michigan.
Van Buren Township recently approved an agreement between the Detroit Region Aerotropolis partners and stakeholders to create the Aerotropolis Development Corp. This would make the township an active member, with annual dues at $50,000 to come from the Downtown Development Authority.
The key part of the agreement is all local control is preserved, according to Cindy King, supervisor of Van Buren Township.
“This is the answer to the economy if we can get businesses here to set up shop,” she said. “This is our answer to that.
“I think we desperately need to diversify the economy,” she added. “The motor city will be important, but it’s necessary to be broader than that.”
A series of bills were also introduced recently to the Michigan House of Representatives that would allow significant economic incentives—like tax abatements, refundable tax credits and other financial incentives— to be available to attract businesses to locate in the Detroit Aerotropolis region.
Bryce Kelley, director of planning and economic development for Van Buren Township, said by approving the first official document for the project, officials hope years of planning and working can now move forward.
“The value is believed to be an absolute positive for the State of Michigan,” he said.
Positives, such as attracting new wealth, global production, making links for tourist and entertainment destinations, embracing alternative energy, a link to the ‘brain drain’ and enhancing export markets, according to officials.
“For all practical purposes, it’s the development of new investments,” said Kelley. “We’re talking to some fairly large investors coming to the area for future growth so I think there’s going to be things in the ground by spring. We’ll be able to report new businesses in the area because of aerotropolis.”
We also keep hearing this project is driven by the economy.
“There’s a need and a void that’s trying to be filled,” said Kelley. “Auto will never leave, but the system is contracting and because we have empty buildings and layoffs, we have distribution that needs to be placed.
“We’ve got an international marketing plan where we want posters in airports, we want networking, we want universities getting the word out, we want people to know there are jobs here, a quality of life and tourism here, too,” he added.
Officials are learning ways to capitalize on natural features and take advantage of the ‘just in time’ business world, as well, they said.
“Without aerotropolis we lose the momentum of sharing staff and resources and become individual people,” said Kelley.
“The goal is the younger generation—the now 20 to 30-year-olds—because by the time the project builds out. It’s absolutely geared toward that bright generation with more tools at hand, who are more technology driven,” he added. “We find younger people are hard workers and hard players. There’s a reason why it’s (aerotropolis) important to the state. We need high-tech and industrial, we need open space and parks and those aspects to lure in investment around the world. Aerotropolis will bring sustainability.”
Easy to say, but when it’s difficult to pay your bills each month, it’s not so easy to hear. We want that reassurance that it’s going to work, but at this point, it’s almost better off accepting any positive news that comes our way.
Airport city. Sure it’s still years away, but I say if it means creating more jobs, bringing in more money and having a ‘working’ Michigan economy, give aerotropolis flight.
Most of us know that today’s times call for a global economy, new money and links and enhancements for tourism, entertainment, culture, alternative energy and exports. That old saying really does go ‘the times have changed’ and we have to keep up with them and work together.
People—in particular my generation—want to know there is more for them here in Michigan so if and when the opportunity knocks, they don’t pack up and leave here altogether.
