Director’s Corner: Growing Exports and Creating Jobs Through the Aerotropolis

The Aerotropolis Development Corporation (ADC) is a core component of Wayne County’s regional plans to integrate transportation, economic development and land use planning to make Metro Detroit a leading economic gateway to the state, nation, and world. It is estimated that the Aerotropolis has the potential to create 64,000 jobs for the Detroit region and $10 billion in annual economic activity upon full build-out.

The Economic Potential

In June 2010, the Detroit Regional Chamber and Michigan State University released a study concluding that Metro Detroit could create up to 66,000 new jobs and $10 billion in new annual economic development if the region develops a coordinated supply chain management strategy. The strategy would focus on business attraction around the region’s transportation assets. A month later, in July 2010, the Brookings Institute released a report that ranked Metro Detroit ninth among the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan areas for the dollar volume of its 2008 exports and fifth in export-related jobs. The report furthermore confirmed our region’s potential for export-led economic growth.

Business Demands

Customer service and speed to market are essential to business success in the 21^st century. Highly competitive firms use advanced information technology and high-speed transportation to provide fast and flexible responses to customers’ unique needs. These firms build agile production systems that quickly connect them to their suppliers and customers around the globe, allowing them to source parts and ship assembled goods quickly and frequently.

Firms specializing in information and communications technology such as General Electric, whose IT center is based in Van Buren Township, need to be accessible to air passenger and air cargo facilities. High-tech and other knowledge-based professionals travel by air much more frequently than do most other workers. Similarly goods processing centers such as overnight package delivery companies and call/repair centers need fast and reliable air transportation access.

More Competitive through Cooperation

The Aerotropolis Development Corporation (ADC) capitalizes on the natural synergy between Detroit Metro Airport, Willow Run Airport, and the communities that immediately surround the airports. Through regional cooperation and careful planning, our Aerotropolis region will be highly competitive with other airport developments in the U.S. and around the world.

The Aerotropolis concept fits squarely with region-wide efforts aimed at integrating transportation and economic development. In addition to working with the ADC partners and other local governments and counties, we aim to work closely with other transportation planning efforts including the Regional Transit Coordinating Council (RTCC), the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG), and the Detroit Regional Chamber’s TranslinkeD effort. By working together, we can create a more competitive environment for business attraction and growth and transform Metro Detroit into an international gateway for the movement of people and goods.

Turkia Awada Mullin is an Assistant CEO and Chief Development Officer for Wayne County EDGE

“With the immediate airport area serving as a region-wide multimodal transportation and commercial nexus, strings and clusters of airport-oriented hotels, convention, trade and exhibition facilities, office parks, information and communications technology complexes, recreation and entertainment venues, time-sensitive goods handling and mixed-use residential/commercial developments are forming along airport corridors up to 30 kilometers outward. Because of excellent airport corridor accessibility, (highway as well as often rail) these strings and clusters of businesses efficiently serve local residents as well as air travelers.“

Global Airport Cities
edited by John D. Kasarda
(London: Insight Media, 2010)

“We must translate our assets into the region playing an increasingly vital role in the global economy and garnering the accompanying businesses and jobs. And there is no better example of the need for this region to come together than what needs to be done in southeast Michigan to create and build upon the airport city.”

Paul Tait – Executive Director, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments

“As we stand together on the cusp of history, we hold the privilege and bear the responsibility to shape the Detroit region’s infrastructure to be the lynchpin of a global growth economy. With the Detroit Region Aerotropolis project, we are well-positioned to support key industries by developing an infrastructure that is second to none. We have a skilled workforce with the desire to make a difference and communities that are committed to growing Michigan. When the Aerotropolis is a reality, our horizon is limitless.”

Jennifer Shroeger, Vice President – Metro Detroit District, UPS