Community Spotlight: Westland

Westland is Michigan’s 10^th largest city. An “All American City,” Westland has the location, the land, the infrastructure and the leadership under Mayor William R. Wild, to attract new industry and help existing businesses stay competitive in today’s global economy.

Quality of Life

Quality of life is a reality for those who choose Westland. From businesses seeking a welcoming site in which to locate, to workers in search of a safe, attractive place in which to raise a family, to the visitor looking for a memorable night on the town, Westland has something for everyone. Enjoying city status for over 40 years, and with a population exceeding 86,000, Westland is home to over 38,000 households and offers an excellent blend of single-family homes, apartments and condominiums. Westland is also in close proximity to several world-renowned medical facilities including the University of Michigan, St. Mary Mercy, Garden City, Oakwood and Oakwood-Annapolis Hospitals

Shopping

Indeed, Westland is Wayne County’s premier “Shopping and Dining Destination” drawing patrons from a 30 mile radius, yet there is much more to Westland than shopping and dining. Westland is perhaps best known for Westland Shopping Center, one of America’s first four regional shopping centers. The mall is home to over 80 retailers and is the anchor of the City’s commercial district.

Recreation & Amenities

Beautiful, well maintained parks are conveniently located on 1,500 acres of land throughout the City of Westland. Tattan Park, located behind City Hall, is home to Play Planet, one of the country’s largest play structures and the H20 Zone water park. In addition to Tattan Park, Westland’s Historic Village Park is the site of several historic Westland structures and the central location for civic events and activities. Westland also boasts a highly rated municipal golf course as well as the Bailey Recreation Center, which has with an outdoor pool and banquet facilities. Other recreational amenities include a skate park and the Mike Modano Ice Arena.

Going Green

In 2009, Westland’s Mayor William R. Wild launched “Mission Green,” the city’s first curbside recycling program. During the first six months of the program, Westland residents recycled in excess of six million pounds. Residents who recycled received discount cards to Westland retailers, a win-win for Westland and its businesses. Westland’s recycling program has been so successful that it was recognized by Recycle Bank, a National Rewards Company. John Hawthorne of Great Lakes Recycling commented that Westland’s recycling program was “one of the best launches we have ever seen.”

Education

Winner of 14 Golden Apple Awards and 2 Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Awards, Wayne Westland Community Schools educates more than 12,000 students annually. The District’s William D. Ford Technical Center was a recipient of the prestigious Center of Science and Engineering Excellence Award with its Café Marquette offering superior culinary arts training to high school students. With M.E.A.P. scores above the State average, Livonia Public Schools also provides high quality education to Westland youth and is known for its college preparatory curriculum. A number of private and parochial schools may also be found in the Westland area as well as the 34,000 square foot Westland Public Library which enjoyed 260,000 visitors last year. Within a half hour drive of Westland, one may find a variety of higher education institutions such as the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Dearborn, Eastern Michigan University, Madonna and Wayne State Universities and the community colleges of Schoolcraft, Henry Ford, Wayne and Washtenaw.

Commercial Environment

Westland has six modern, platted industrial parks situated on 320 acres. All six parks are served by public utilities and Class A internal roads with rail access available within two of the parks. Westland’s Downtown Development Authority recently completed visionary “Ford Road 2020,” a long-term conceptual design master plan for the Ford Road corridor between Wayne Road and Central City Parkway. This progressive plan entails significant improvements to buildings including the adoption of common architectural designs, and the development of a “village green” for special events, a farmer’s markets, and other civic gathering spaces.

Business Services

Westland’s commitment to businesses is reflected in its streamlined planning process that involves the State of Michigan, Wayne County and the Westland itself. Several sites within Westland are prime locations for industrial and commercial redevelopment, and with the City’s expedited planning process, Westland has proven that it is ready for business. In fact, over 100 businesses chose Westland in 2008/09, among them Sonic, Verizon, Cintas, Nano Sec and Kroger. Over $27 million of investment and over 500 new jobs were realized as a result.

City businesses are invited to use “Westland Works!” – an initiative of Westland’s Economic Growth Center, to advertise employment opportunities free on Westland’s website. The City works closely with the Westland Chamber of Commerce to help new businesses establish themselves as valued members of the community.

Looking Ahead

Westland’s location is suited to support the growth of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis, a transformational initiative led by a partnership between Wayne and Washtenaw counties. Westland is conveniently located just minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Willow Run Airport, one of the nation’s busiest on-demand cargo hubs, is only a short drive west of the city. Westland can be accessed conveniently by interstate travel with I-275 being less than five minutes from the City and I-94, I-96 and I-696 being less than 10 minutes away.

For more information on doing business in the City of Westland, please contact Lori Fodale, Economic Development Director at 734-467-3264. You can also follow the City of Westland on Twitter, Facebook, and Nixle.

Cindy King is the Director of Human Resources for the City of Westland