Detroit Region Aerotropolis: Collaboration will yield huge economic payoff

Metro Detroit, once America's Motor City, will soon be known as a different kind of transportation hub. The Detroit Region Aerotropolis is poised to leverage the resources of and surrounding the Detroit Metro and Willow Run airports across a 60,000-acre swath of land that will soar with economic development.

The aerotropolis, a revolutionary urban form first conceived by Dr. John Kasarda, utilizes proximity to airports to attract businesses dealing in time-sensitive manufacturing, telecommunications, logistics, and e-commerce. The region can support business and industrial parks, wholesale warehouses and retail distribution centers, information technology centers, and even certain forms of agriculture.  The creation of a Detroit aerotropolis has been the vision of Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano since he first took office in January, 2003.

"Job creation and retention is my number one priority for this region," said Ficano. "There is no better place in Michigan to attract jobs than in the Aerotropolis Region.  Our world-class airport system offers enormous potential for the state and my goal is to utilize it in creating strong career opportunities for our children and grandchildren."

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