Business Leaders for Michigan Launches Urban Strategies Initiative
Business Leaders for Michigan, the state's business roundtable, today announced that it launched its Urban Strategies Initiative, a project designed to develop effective strategies that the state could use to encourage, facilitate and support our urban areas with their redevelopment efforts.
"The business leaders of our organization recognize the importance of vibrant cities to growing the state's economy and included it as a critical aspect of the Michigan Turnaround Plan," said Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of the group. "We are excited to work with the Brookings Institution on this project to identify a number of innovative and creative approaches the state can take to help local communities redevelop their urban areas."
The initiative is expected to be completed by year-end.
"Brookings has deep experience helping state leaders connect their policies to the unique assets and particular challenges of their metropolitan areas," said Bruce Katz, vice president and founding director of the metropolitan policy program at Brookings. "We look forward to working with Michigan's state and metro leaders to determine how the state can set the platform for metros to flourish."
The project is being conducted by Public Sector Consultants in partnership with the Brookings Institution and in collaboration with the Snyder Administration. The project involves many components, including:
* A review of Metropolitan Statistical Area-level data for Michigan's major metropolitan regions and a comparative analysis to peers nationally
* A review of best practices nationally
* An assessment of key existing Michigan and federal urban policies and programs, as well as philanthropic priorities, how they align with the asset-driven goals and strategies determined by Michigan MSA leaders, other experts, and foundations
* A recommended set of changes to state and federal policies based on best practices and asset driven priorities of Michigan's MSAs
Rothwell noted, "We sought input at the local level in order to obtain an overview of the greatest issues, assets and liabilities facing the state in the context of urban redevelopment. My appreciation goes out to those who participated as it will help shape the outcome. "
Rothwell stressed that the initiative would not include an analysis of the effectiveness of urban redevelopment efforts by region or recommendations on how to best develop any specific Michigan city.
Business Leaders for Michigan is the statewide successor to Detroit Renaissance. It is comprised of board chairs, CEOs or the most senior executives of Michgian's largest companies and universities. Together, the businesses and universities represented by the group provide more than 320,000 jobs and generate more than $1 trillion in annual revenue in Michigan.
More at www.BusinessLeadersforMichigan.com.
