Wayne County, Michigan -Jobs and Economic Development

:: Although Wayne County was first settled in 1701, making it the oldest county in the state, the history of development in Wayne County is inextricably tied to the 20th century industrial revolution that produced the automobile. This revolution was born in Wayne County - through the creation of new industrial methods, such as the assembly line, and the changes created through higher wages and a new middle class.

:: The population of Wayne County swelled as a result, as millions of new citizens streamed into the cities of Wayne County to share in the wealth. Jobs were plentiful - and offered a living wage without many skills. The population of Wayne County became highly diversified through these employment opportunities, and often neighborhoods bore the identity of ethnic populations. While the auto industry was strong, whole infrastructure was developed; roads, shipping, railroads, and airport systems were created that linked Wayne County to suppliers and consumers world-wide.

:: The industries that built Wayne County also caused a crippling effect starting in the late 1960s as the growing trend of globalism reduced the need for as many employees, and corporate mergers shut down the oldest plants in a corporate portfolio. Older Wayne County communities are at a particular disadvantage left holding the inventory of aging infrastructure. These communities built roads, commercial districts and neighborhoods at a time of high employment, but many now lack the financial resources to maintain and improve this infrastructure.

:: Through creative diversification, manufacturing entities can take advantage of the tremendous infrastructure built for the auto industry and redirect growth into new industries along the same trade corridors. The most basic of needs is employment and the importance of job readiness cannot be overstated. Distressed communities require programming to train residents for the jobs of the 21st century and transportation systems to link people to places where jobs are currently located. Other issues, such as affordable childcare, must also be addressed to assure the employment potential for workers in Wayne County.

:: Older infrastructure of sewer lines, roads, and utilities must be rebuilt to remain competitive with "greenfield sites." Partnerships between communities and corporations, and legislation such as NAFTA and brownfield redevelopment incentives have made older industrial areas into desirable trade zones and re-introduced manufacturing back into the older cities. These areas retain a built environment and transportation network intended for industry, providing a full range of services. If the infrastructure can be rebuilt to accommodate growth, these attributes place the older Wayne County industrial corridors in a position to maintain the County's role as a leader in industrial development.

:: Wayne County is the most fully developed of all counties in Michigan, containing approximately 623 square miles and a population of 2,061,162 persons in 2000. Of the County's total land area, approximately two-thirds is developed, the remainder making up agriculture, open space, wooded areas and wetlands.

:: Geographically, Wayne County is distinguished by its location on the Detroit River, an important international crossing into Canada and water thoroughfare to the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Seaway to the Atlantic Ocean. The water linkage is one of several important transportation mechanisms that connect Wayne County to the nation and the world. These important systems include the federal and state highway systems, air service and rail.

:: Politically, Wayne County is divided into 43 governmental bodies, including 10 townships, 33 cities and one village, which is part of a township. Other political jurisdictions include State, Federal, special districts and the County itself. Wayne County is designated as a charter county, incorporated under Public Act No. 293, as amended. It is governed by a Chief Executive Officer (County Executive), who is elected on an at-large basis for a four-year term. This body of government provides a variety of services and facilities to support business development and enhance the quality of life for all constituents of the County. The County serves in the role of the federal agent for Urban County Funds under the federal Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) for 33 non-entitlement communities in the County.

:: Several state-enabled authorities and districts with Federal designations are present in Wayne County that bring special taxing and regulatory authority or finance mechanisms to enhance the economic viability of each. The State-enabled authorities that allow self-taxing and regulations include 44 Downtown Development Authorities, TIFA and/or LDFA districts, 15 Brownfield Redevelopment Authorities, 3 Economic Development Authorities and the Detroit-Wayne County Stadium Authority, and Port Authority. Other designations include the I-94 Trade Corridor, Detroit River - American Heritage River, Motor Cities - Automobile National Heritage Area, Woodward Avenue Michigan Heritage Route, Detroit Empowerment Zone, Renaissance Zones, Foreign Trade Zones, and Historic Districts. The most recent authority is the State – County Airport Authority established to operate Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County and Airport and Willow Run Airport.

:: The population and labor force of Wayne County has fluctuated through the economic cycles of the 20th century. According to the Census 2000, the population of Wayne County is 2,061,162, making it the largest population center in the state. However, following the trend of most older, industrialized cities and counties in the Midwest, the population has decreased during the past several decades, due to changes in household formations, greater sub urbanization, and migration for retirement or employment purposes. The population loss in Wayne County is largely the result of the loss of population in Detroit, the largest city in the state. Between 1980 and 1990, Detroit lost over 175,000 persons, and an additional 77,000 persons between 1990 and 2000. During those same time periods, the balance of Wayne County experienced a population loss of 51,000 between 1980 and 1990 and gained 26,000 persons between 1990 and 2000.

:: During the decade of 1980 to 1990, the Wayne County communities experiencing the greatest economic distress were also those that lost population. Population growth, on the other hand, occurred in most of the outlying suburban communities in Wayne County where employment opportunities and new housing is offered. Although since 1990, an upsurge in immigrant population locating in the area has resulted in a population rise in some distressed areas, most noticeably in the city of Hamtramck, which experienced a 25%, increase in population. Additionally, the smaller population loss in Detroit between 1990 and 2000 is chiefly due to a substantial increase in immigrant population.

:: Economically distressed communities in Wayne County share several common work-related characteristics: lower education attainment, lower per capita income, thus, higher unemployment rates. While the County’s unemployment rate reached a historic low point in 2000, many of the available positions are only accessible to individuals prepared for the workforce and and holding college degrees. Since 2000, the unemployment rate has risen on a local, state, and national level. This increase has been sharpest in the more distressed communities where ‘work readiness’ is often a hindrance to achieving and maintaining employment.

:: Clearly, the County has overcome the economic slump of previous decades with tremendous growth in employment opportunities. Most of the communities in Wayne County are benefiting from these job opportunities. Those communities that are not sharing in these benefits are those with the highest share of disadvantaged persons - who are not prepared to enter the work force due to low education attainment and thus remain in the lower ranks of income.

:: Wayne County has consistently led the state in economic growth and development, prospering as the manufacturing, residential, cultural and education capital of the state. The economic growth of the 20th Century was primarily due to Wayne County serving as the world capital of automotive manufacturing. While this industry has become more global since 1970, resulting in a severe loss of manufacturing jobs and establishments, other automotive related fields such as supplier business development, research and design have continued to grow in Wayne County. Increases in actual income produced through manufacturing fields’ remains among the highest categories in the state, resulting in greater demand for housing, entertainment, goods, and services.

:: The County's economy is also growing in non-manufacturing fields. The health care service field accounts for one-fourth of the top fifteen employers in the County. Tourism is continually on the rise, attracting $5 billion in visitor-related income to the region, according to the Detroit Regional Chamber. Tourism fuels a large part of the service industry in Wayne County. Construction jobs are in high demand for all trades through growth in new housing starts, industrial expansion projects and Detroit's stadium and casino development in 1999.