Wayne County, Michigan is a world hub for innovation, ingenuity, and trade.
With a vast and developed transportation infrastructure, world-class universities and academic institutions
and the largest concentration of engineers in the nation, Wayne County offers the most dynamic
environment for business growth in the United States. From small businesses to Fortune 500
companies, the Wayne County Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) provides a
supportive environment to emerging companies of all sizes and from all sectors.
EDGE is leading the economic transformation of our region and state. We pride ourselves on
our automotive heritage, excellence in manufacturing, and a workforce that can design and
develop the goods of tomorrow. EDGE works closely with local governments, private partners,
and academic institutions to diversify our economy and attract new businesses.
Through partnership, robust incentives and a dedication to the businesses and citizens that
have made their home here, Wayne County is a dynamic hub for advanced manufacturing,
biotechnology, life sciences, health, alternative energy, logistics, and air commerce.
According to many, airports are the rivers of the future. Wayne County Michigan has the only operationally planned Aerotropolis in North America. The Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport (YIP) form the foundation of the Detroit Regional Aerotropolis, a global logistics hub for the movement of people, products and information.
Wayne County and the Detroit region -- with their capacity, skills and world-class infrastructure to move products effectively and efficiently throughout North America - offer an ideal geographic location for the movement of goods and people.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport ranked first among large airports in JD Powers’ bi-annual customer satisfaction study.
Willow Run Airport is the third busiest cargo airport in the nation and 1st in on-demand.
The combined total of 11 runways between Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run airports offer more take-off and landing strips than any other metropolitan area in North America.
Sixty-five percent of the North American population can be reached from the Detroit region via overnight trucking.
The Detroit region is served by four of the seven national Class I railroads in the US, with more than 3,600 miles of track.
In late 2008, GE began looking for a new location with access to global markets, an advanced and highly integrated logistics infrastructure, and a highly skilled workforce. Their real estate team asked
EDGE to provide a proposal that addressed GE requirements.
The EDGE team put its imagination to work. It emphasized the many advantages Wayne County offers; an Aerotropolis, a concentration of highly skilled manufacturing technicians and industry-leading engineers, world class research and development facilities, and a large number of local manufacturers interested in leveraging their specialized machinery and unique knowledge to manufacture products outside the traditional automotive world.
Wayne County also worked closely with GE and local officials to provide a quick and comprehensive solution. The county
contributed to the township’s P.A. 328 tax abatement as well as provided a TURBO. Under TURBO, investors may receive a one year tax exemption during the year of construction, in addition to a 50 percent reimbursement of an amount equal to the real property taxes for the following five years.
In 2009, they located in the Detroit Aerotropolis region, investing $100 million and creating 1,200 jobs in an advanced manufacturing technology and software center.
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