Community Profiles: Wayne County

Website: http://www.waynecounty.com

Wayne County is proud to be a leader in the Aerotropolis effort. Our region is well positioned to become a national and global center for aviation-oriented businesses. The Aerotropolis initiative has the potential to spawn massive numbers of new economy jobs in Wayne County, the region, and the State of Michigan.

The Metro Detroit region has a strong set of resources to offer the 21st Century economy where speed, agility and global connectivity are key competitive advantages. Only a handful of places around the globe possess the combination of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, one of the world’s largest hub airports, and nearby Willow Run Airport, a leading international air cargo airport and general aviation facility. Detroit’s airports are surrounded by more than 25,000 acres of under-developed land. Its geographical location offers ready access to a majority of the North American consumer markets, a shorter flight distance to international markets, and a developed infrastructure connecting the transportation ports. Rail and highway can be accessed within a one-mile radius of the airport, making it an ideal location for a global logistics hub. Access to the Great Lakes through the Detroit River is only ten miles away. These existing resources lay the foundation for creating a world class Aerotropolis that meets the increasing demands of the global economy.

Detroit and Wayne County also possess a strong higher education system and deep talent pool. Our quality workforce makes Wayne County very attractive to companies looking to locate here. Businesses located in Wayne County enjoy a strong market for their product or service as well as an available supply of trained employees. These assets, coupled with an unmatched quality of life, make the Detroit region a highly attractive location for competing in the new global economy.

Wayne County also has a special interest in developing Pinnacle Aeropark, an area located just south of Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The project is poised for a variety of uses including corporate headquarters, research and development facilities, logistics centers, communications and information centers, and general office and retail space all supported by new infrastructure. Total project investment is expected to reach $1.5 billion and generate 10,000 new permanent jobs. Wayne County is committed to investing in Pinnacle and working with the State of Michigan to prepare the land for aviation-oriented development.

Wayne County has taken an active roll in promoting mass transit between Detroit and Ann Arbor. Working with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and our counterparts in Washtenaw County, we hope to create a regional transit corridor that will serve as a backbone to the Aerotropolis project, linking downtown Detroit with the airports and Ann Arbor. This unprecedented development will create the agile environment that transports people where they want to go in the most efficient manner possible.

Wayne County also recognizes the importance of the City of Detroit, its rich heritage, and its reputation as a world class city. The Aerotropolis concept promises to create jobs for Detroit residents and will help attract more activity to Detroit’s educational institutions, health care centers, restaurants, entertainment venues and cultural attractions. Wayne County looks forward to collaborating and planning with the City of Detroit to maximize the potential that will mutually benefit the region through the creation of an Aerotropolis.

Through collaboration at a regional level involving local governments, and through collaboration with our private, nonprofit, and academic partners on the Aerotropolis Task Force, the Aerotropolis project has the potential to set a precedent for cooperation in the State of Michigan. Wayne County is proud to provide leadership and resources to the Aerotropolis initiative.

Robert A. Ficano
Wayne County CEO