The Case for the Aerotropolis

As Wayne County Executive, I have visited many airports around the globe as part of various trade and information gathering missions. My travels have taken me to airport developments at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport in The Netherlands, Frankfurt Airport in Germany, Beijing, Dubai and, closer to home, Louisville, Kentucky. The growth of these airports into aerotropolis developments is the result of robust partnership between the airport, the home city, the private sector, and the State or National government. Because of cross-sector and multi-governmental partnerships, these airports have evolved into engines of economic activity and are viewed by local citizens as regional and national assets.

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), and its sister airport, Willow Run (YIP), draw passengers and cargo activity from all over Michigan, southwest Ontario, and the Midwest. DTW serves more than 35 million passengers annually, connecting Detroit with 27 international cities and 129 destinations in the United States. With our capacity to handle new development and new air traffic, and our academic institutions, international border, and robust manufacturing capacity, the potential of these airports to create jobs is enormous for our State. Yet, the ultimate success of the Aerotropolis vision it is also dependent upon support from the larger Metro Detroit region and requires cooperation at all levels of government.

Over the past few years, we have built the case for the Detroit Region Aerotropolis through an Urban Design Charrette with the Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, through a Governance Study with the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, through a Benchmarking Study by John Kasarda with the Keenan Institute of Private Enterprise, through a Strategic Development Master Plan by Jones, Lang, LaSalle, and through a Business Attraction Study with Angelou Economics. These studies have all confirmed a vision of what is possible within the Aerotropolis region but also the challenges to making that vision a reality. In order to effectively compete in a global market and with other aerotropolis developments, we need to streamline the regulatory process for new businesses, plan together, and speak as one voice when it comes to attracting business to the region. We must also make sure the Aerotropolis connects with the rest of Metro Detroit via transit, and that the Aerotropolis fits with the larger plan for the development of our region into a global logistics hub.



As a result, Wayne County joined with Washtenaw County and seven local governments to form the Aerotropolis Development Corporation (ADC) in June of 2009. The ADC is a symbol of regional collaboration in Metro Detroit, allows ongoing participation by the private and nonprofit sectors, and reflects shared ownership in the destiny of the region. The communities within the Aerotropolis are suffering just like many other communities in the region and state, yet they have chosen to define their destiny around the vision for the Aerotropolis and have made a shared investment in their future. By showing our unity, we hope to show the world, including our leadership in Lansing, that we are serious about our endeavor and ready for business.

Over the past few months, we have worked with leadership in surrounding cities and counties to identify a package of incentives that would help support economic development projects with regional implications.  On Thursday, September 10th, legislation was introduced in the State House Transportation Committee under the name Next Michigan Development Act. This legislation is designed to further projects like Aerotropolis by providing regional entities with the tools to attract new business activity and create jobs for our citizens. This legislation will help accelerate the development of the Aerotropolis while providing similar incentives to other intergovernmental entities that have underutilized or distressed assets.

The Next Michigan Development Act is not designed to put any other city or region at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting business and development. The legislation is about creating jobs, something our state so desperately needs as the Michigan economy struggles to redefine itself. Renaissance Zones would be competitive so that any region could apply for incentives to develop or redevelop strategic areas and assets in their region. Jobs created in the Aerotropolis region, like jobs created in other parts of Metro Detroit, will be accessible to all citizens of Metro Detroit. And because the Aerotropolis acts as a magnet for new economic activity, businesses outside the Aerotropolis region stand to benefit from the new economic opportunities created through this legislation.

Our region has operated in silos for too long when it comes to regional collaboration, and we have done so at the expense of our citizens. Regional infighting and harmful rhetoric from our region's leaders is counterproductive while the average citizen struggles to make ends meet. I ask all Michigan businesses and residents to contact your state legislators and convey your support for the Next Michigan Development Act.  These incentives are crucial to diversifying our economy and creating jobs for our people. Our state desperately needs economic development, so we must put aside our political differences and recognize that supporting job creation in all areas of our State is the right thing to do at this time.

Robert Ficano is the Wayne County Executive