::   The Wayne County Department of Economic & Neighborhood Development has developed a number of programs to encourage economic development in the County. The County can promote job development through programs that improve the environmental and transportation systems of the County that, in turn, improve the climate for business development.

• $300-million / 1 million square foot Visteon Village in Van Buren Township
• $2-billion / 1.1 million square foot Compuware/Campus Martius development in Detroit
• $1.6-billion / 2 million square foot Wayne County's Detroit Metro Airport expansion, including a 97-gate terminal in Romulus
• $300-million / 0.7 million square foot Business Center in Brownstown

• Over $2-billion in three casino developments in Detroit
• $800-million Chrysler Jefferson Assembly Plant in Detroit
• $750-million Renaissance Center makeover by General Motors for its GM Global Headquarters
• $120 -million facility for the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources in Detroit
• $275-million used to build Waterworks Park, a new water-filtration plant in Detroit
• $23-million SmartZone Research and Technology Park at Wayne State University
• $300-million Consumers Energy power plant to service the Ford Rouge complex

::  Through galvanizing available resources and forming effective public/private partnerships, a number of large-scale new developments and expansions are planned for Wayne County. Equally important is small business development, which the County supports through programs that provide job training and placement, financing for business development and expansion, reuse of industrial land, and public infrastructure.

::  The Urban Recovery Partnership Program was initiated by the County to provide staff, technical assistance and financial resources to distressed cities of Highland Park, Hamtramck, Ecorse, River Rouge and Inkster. This program has been instrumental in providing support for a number of economic development and residential projects, which may not have otherwise been undertaken.

::  International trade has contributed toward a significant portion of the economic vitality of Wayne County, evidenced by its standing as nearby Canada's No. 1 and distant Mexico's No. 3 trading partner. As an international port, it is critical for maintaining this connection through efficient transportation systems that link water systems with rail, roads, and air routes. To remain competitive with other international routes, the Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone was created to offer incentives such as reduced taxes and a reduction of U.S. Customs intervention.

:: back to the top ::

::  The level of financial resources available to provide development capital greatly influences the economic development planning and undertakings in Wayne County. Several new programs created through public and private initiatives have generated the current favorable investment attitude in the County.

::  Wayne County is in a fortunate position in terms of infrastructure and services due merely to its size and position in the state as home to the largest city, Detroit. It is the most urbanized county in the state and one of the largest counties nationwide in population. It serves as the center of government for the state of Michigan outside of the state capital in Lansing. Most federal government offices in the state are located in downtown Detroit. The networks of transportation linkages are also primarily generated out of the former industrial center in Detroit.

::  Even though the infrastructure and services of the County are extensive, a number of deficiencies continue to impede growth. Among these is the absence of a regional rapid transit or public transit system. While a heavy rail system is in place for cargo, a light rail system that connects urban centers with other communities and suburban destinations such as the airport would serve to correct several issues. The presence of rail would serve as a catalyst to economic development and job creation, providing access to jobs that currently require automobile transportation.

::  Of equal concern is the age of the infrastructure among the oldest communities. Aging infrastructure systems, including water, sewer and public lighting systems are in dire need of upgrading and improvements. The communities with the most need - whose infrastructure is the oldest - tend to also be those without the financial resources to provide routine maintenance, thus, the public utilities deteriorate through lack of a sufficient tax base. The road system in particular is severely deteriorated and under serves the needed capacity. Major improvements are underway on expressways and primary and secondary roads. Nonetheless, a much greater investment will be required to bring the countywide road system to an adequate state to service all communities.

::  The most evident economic assets of Wayne County are its mature status as an industrial center and the presence of numerous multinational corporations. Additional progress has been made to diversify the economy witnessed by a growth in non-manufacturing sectors, including high technology.

::   Although major strides have been made, economic liabilities still remain. The continued dependence on industry as the economic basis of the region and the struggle for aging communities to regain a sustainable economy following the loss of major employment sectors in previous decades are two major obstacles. It is a challenge to the County to continue to build off its strengths to diversify the economy to withstand fluctuations in global and national economic trends.

::   The top economic development opportunities are:

The major liabilities facing the County are: