In his State of the County address, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano called for Cobo Hall to become a tax-free zone to stimulate purchases and give it an edge in attracting conventions and trade shows. He also touted a sales tax holiday for back-to-school shopping, biodiesel and the Wayne County Land Bank.
Lizabeth "Beth" Ardisana is CEO of ASG Renaissance in Dearborn and chairperson of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She makes the case that SE Michigan must not only adapt for the future, but also play to its strengths right now. Check back here every weekday for new posts.
Larry Gabriel, former editor at Metro Times, debuts his new bi-monthly column for the publication with a call for regionalism with regard to the proposed Cobo Hall expansion.
Environment Michigan has released a report calling for 20% of the state's energy to come from renewable sources by 2015, twice what a report generated by the state calls for. It also quantifies how a $225 million per year investment into renewable energy and energy efficiency could generate jobs and otherwise boost Michigan's economy.
Wayne County and state officials are working towards the creation of an aerotropolis, or airport city, that would link Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports and create a major freight and aviation shipping hub.
The Michigan House of Representatives has convened a subcommittee devoted to public transit.
Quicken Loan's Dan Gilbert, named Crain's Newsmaker of the Year for 2006, spoke last week at an Inforum breakfast about Southeast Michigan's regional assets as well as its liabilities. Assets: work ethic, entrepreneurship and its research universities. Liabilities: brain drain, victim mentality and bureaucracy resistant to change.
As the price of gasoline continues to increase, ethanol blends are becoming increasingly cost-effective at the pump.
NOMI has opened in Northville, with a focus on design, service and unique food and drink offerings.
Meiden American Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Meidensha Corporation, plans to invest nearly $17 million on a new 78,000-square-foot technical center expected to open later this year.
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