The optimist in me believes that Detroit has not an, but the advantage in opportunity.
Detroit
is different in that it is very local. People know each other here.
People support each other here. They want to see each other succeed and
make a difference. The opportunity to join such a close-knit community
rarely exists in regions the size of Detroit. Those that know the key
to leveraging this local sense of community are successful. And they
have the opportunity to create more than an idea, more than a business:
they have the opportunity to create a meaningful impact. This ability
to define and shape a city and region’s future should be a key
component to any economic initiative.
Compared to competing regions, Detroit is also inexpensive.
Space is relatively cheap. Housing is a steal. Sure, auto insurance is
high. Sure, taxes are more than they could be. Sure, you’re not going
to get 20,000 square foot storefronts on Woodward Avenue for bargain
basement prices. Still, Detroit offers a high value for
those who have the ability to relocate; those who have the desire to
open a business; and those who have the edge to innovate and change an
economy. This value can be leveraged regionally, nationally and
internationally in an effort to inspire and attract new talent, new
leaders and new ideas.
Too
often, Michigan gets caught up in the "woe unto me rustbelt mentality."
And, yes, there is no denying that our state has experienced tough
economic times. But to focus merely on problems and structural issues,
without consideration for this region’s unique opportunities, is to
miss the solution to addressing Michigan’s fundamental economic
problems. Any solution to these problems; any vision for
urban growth and density; and any plan geared towards attracting new
talent must whole-heartedly feature these notions of opportunity and
value as unique and distinguishing factors.