Michigan has entered a new era with Rick Snyder as our governor. As the executive of Michigan's largest county, I'm truly excited to work with our governor and our legislature in a bipartisan manner to address our region's most difficult challenges. We are ready to lead as a county government in working with Governor Snyder to implement changes that will ensure the long-term economic vitality of our county and our region.
Through six trade missions over the course of the past five years, Wayne County has built relationships with government and business, resulting in local investment. Now, more than ever, is the time to seriously determine if Michigan can overcome its own hurdles to step up as a major player in driving the U.S. to continued world dominance.
Michigan is in desperate need of economic transformation. The Next Michigan Development Act would reflect a significant investment in the future of the state's economy -- if it were ever to move off the desks of Lansing's legislators and onto the Senate floor.
From October 4 through 6, the World Stem Cell Summit will bring life science leaders from around the world to Wayne County to network, learn, and advance the cause of new life saving technologies. The 2010 Summit will attract more than 1,200 attendees from 30 nations, 60 exhibitors, and more than 200 endorsing organizations and media partners from around the world. As home to world-class researchers and facilities, enthusiastic public support, commitment from public officials, and private philanthropic support, our region is an ideal host for the Summit.
Plans for a mass transit system are finally rolling in the Detroit Region, but there is plenty of work still to be done.
Our region and state are facing the toughest economic climate in decades. Here at Wayne County, we are doing everything we can to provide a safety net for our most vulnerable citizens while working tirelessly to attract and create new jobs for our residents. Through innovative programs and aggressive business attraction efforts, we have been successful in keeping our economy afloat, even as we operate with a smaller budget than we had the year before.
Wayne County scored big in the recent allocation of funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). More than $40 million in federal grants will be used for projects throughout Wayne County, the largest annual HUD distribution the county has ever received.
As business and government leaders prepare to descend on Mackinac Island for the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual Policy Conference, I wanted to share with you some of my administration's positions on legislative matters and economic development.
Over the last eight years, I've had the pleasure of participating in many exciting initiatives aimed at proactive growth of our economy. Yet, when the economic downturn hit us the past few years, my administration was forced to find ways to stabilize our economy.
Last week Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano addressed the state of the county. He outlined what the County has done and what the County aims to do. Here is what he had to say.
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