DEGC Strategy: Looking At The Big Picture

In this newsletter you will be reading about how DEGC is helping property owners along Jefferson Avenue get their buildings ready for new retail businesses. And how we are helping manufacturers find new customers outside the auto industry. We also have news about street improvements and pedestrian amenities along Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street downtown.

When news about our work comes out in small pieces it is sometimes hard to see how they all fit together, and that's why I wanted to take a few moments to look at the big picture.

DEGC professionals are the staff for a number of key economic development authorities including the Downtown Development Authority, Economic Development Corporation and Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Using one staff for all these entities offers great value. We are the common thread that ties them all together to coordinate projects and offer comprehensive incentives to companies opening or expanding their business here.

 In the last two newsletters – two of my executives – in business development and project management described how we have added new talent to our staff and what some of them are working on. For instance, the project management team will be supervising downtown street improvements funded by federal stimulus grants. The business attraction and retention team worked on the summit to diversify Detroit's manufacturing companies.

Our two divisions allow us to apply a wide range of expertise to economic development opportunities. For example, in the new Paradise Valley Cultural and Entertainment District both divisions are working side by side – a project manager is supervising streetscape enhancements and building improvements while the business attraction team works with tenants who are bringing the district to life.

DEGC is leading initiatives in many directions, but the moves we have been making all take us in the same strategic direction – leveraging Detroit's competitive advantages with innovate forms of support, consistent execution and unwavering commitment.

George W. Jackson, President & CEO email [email protected]

Jackson is president and CEO of Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, a non-profit organization that works with businesses, government and other organizations throughout Detroit to encourage and manage economic development projects.