2014 Year in Review - Detroit Regional Chamber

Moving the Economic Needle for Southeast Michigan
From successfully advocating for the elimination of the Personal Property Tax (PPT)
to serving as a key voice in the local and national dialogue on Detroit’s revitalization,
the Detroit Regional Chamber continued to move the needle for Southeast Michigan
in 2014. The Chamber’s unique role in attracting talent and investment, advocating
for business, convening policy events that matter, and shaping the regional message
continues to play a vital role in the city and region’s prosperous future. This year in
review takes a look at the most noteworthy stories from the past 12 months.
The 2014 Mackinac
Policy Conference
Chair Hank Cooney
welcomes attendees
to Michigan’s Center
Stage.
Former Indiana Governor
Mitch Daniels addresses
the importance of good
government.
Former “Nightline” correspondent Vicki Mabrey
interviews Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr about
Detroit’s bankruptcy at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
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A Relentless Commitment to Business
With a relentless commitment to powering the economy for Southeast Michigan, the
Chamber is focused on four pillars: economic development, regional collaboration,
education reform and membership value. Moving into 2015, the Chamber will continue
to work to grow the economy in the Detroit region and help organizations of all sizes
embrace the realities of globalization.
The Chamber is committed to providing its members with the resources they need to
succeed, attracting high-level talent, encouraging continued investment and innovation,
and showcasing the region as a great place to live, work and play.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Attract and retain talent and business investment in
the Detroit region.
REGIONAL COLLABORATION
Act as a platform for problem-solving by uniting
government and business leaders and regional
stakeholders to share ideas to impact Michigan’s
turnaround.
EDUCATION REFORM
Advance education reform to ensure businesses have
the highly skilled workforce they need to adapt to the
ever-changing global marketplace.
MEMBERSHIP VALUE
Provide members, from the Fortune 500 company to
the new start-up venture, the resources to succeed
while advocating for policies to create the best possible
business climate.
A Relentless Commitment
•
3
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers visits the Chamber to
explore investment and partnership opportunities in the Detroit region.
Attracting Business and Investment from Around the World
Michigan’s economy is strong and growing with an improved tax structure, increasingly
competitive business environment and expanding automotive innovation. That’s the
message the Chamber’s Business Attraction team communicated nationally and
internationally this past year showcasing the Detroit region as a premier location for
global business.
Over the past year, the Chamber engaged in four trade missions to China, Germany and
Italy to market the region and build relationships with key governments, companies
and associations to attract talent and investment. It also participated in 14 tradeshows
and conferences and nine domestic site consultant marketing trips while hosting 11
delegations from across the nation and world.
Since 2012, the Chamber has contributed to the generation of over 900 jobs and
$132.1 million in investment.
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Trade Missions with the Governor and MEDC
In April, the Chamber helped lead a European trade
mission with Gov. Rick Snyder and the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation (MEDC) to promote Michigan’s
automotive and manufacturing industries in Germany and
Italy. The weeklong trip culminated with the announcement
of Hugo Benzing’s $4.7 million manufacturing expansion in
Lyon Township, creating 37 new jobs. Additional wins from
the trip included Brugola OEB Industriale S.p.A’s investment of
$19.6 million to create up to 58 jobs in Plymouth and Eissmann
Group Automotive’s investment of $13.55 million to create 233
jobs in Port Huron.
The team also participated in the Governor’s China trade
mission in November to meet with manufacturing firms
looking to grow their business in the United States, as well
as facilitate dialogue with Michigan companies wanting to
increase their exports to China.
The Chamber leads a coalition to the Beijing
International Auto Show in April to build
partnerships between Chinese and Michigan
automotive companies.
The ITS World Congress came to Detroit in
2014 providing a great stage to showcase
the region as a leader in connected vehicle
technology.
Bringing Chinese Auto Suppliers to Detroit
A coalition, led by the Chamber, to the Beijing International
Auto Show facilitated partnerships between the Chinese
and Michigan automotive industries. As a result of the trip,
the Chamber and the Michigan Economc Development
Corporation hosted leadership and member companies
from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers,
consisting of more than 20 Chinese automotive suppliers
exploring investment and partnership opportunities in the
Detroit region.
Collaboration Helps Region Shine at ITS
World Congress
The Chamber team along with Butzel Long, Detroit Economic
Growth Corporation, DTE Energy, Flint and Genesee Chamber
of Commerce and the counties of Macomb, Oakland and
Wayne collaborated at the Intelligent Transportation Systems
(ITS) World Congress in Detroit in September to showcase
Michigan as the epicenter of innovative connected vehicle
technology. The event brings together more than 10,000 of the
world’s leading transportation policymakers, researchers, hightech innovators, and business professionals from the United
States, Europe and Asia to share the latest ITS applications
from around the globe.
Economic Development
•
5
MICHauto Continues to Grow as Statewide Industry Association
MICHauto continues to earn recognition as the industry’s statewide automotive
association. With nearly 90 MICHauto investors, the annual MICHauto Summit
cemented as a can’t-miss event, and robust programming around key issues such as
talent and intelligent mobility, the program is effectively coordinating all stakeholders
across the industry. MICHauto continues to work strategically with Gov. Rick Snyder
and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) on the statewide
automotive strategy spearheaded by the state’s automotive industry office.
General Motors Co.’s Executive Vice President, Global Product Development Purchasing and
Supply Chain, Mark Reuss, delivers the lunch keynote at the annual MICHauto Summit.
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MICHauto Promotes Automotive Industry
with Vehicle Tour
Continuing its effort to raise awareness of the importance of
the automotive industry to Michigan’s economic comeback,
MICHauto partnered with the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation (MEDC) to lead a summer tour
of six vehicles representing a variety of manufacturers and
suppliers that assemble, design and/or engineer world-class
vehicles in Michigan. Tour stops included the Center for
Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars and
the Woodward Dream Cruise in August, and the MICHauto
Summit in September.
MICHauto partnered with the MEDC
to lead an awareness tour featuring
vehicles designed, engineered or
manufactured in Michigan.
Joint Legislative Hearing at NAIAS Focuses
on Automotive Talent Attraction
MICHauto and the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA)
hosted the Michigan Senate Economic Development
and House Commerce committees for a joint legislative
hearing at the 2014 North American International Auto
Show, emphasizing the importance of technological
development, talent attraction and collaboration amongst
stakeholders as keys to maintaining and improving
Michigan’s status in the global automotive marketplace.
At the invitation of the Chamber and Detroit
Auto Dealers Association, legislators held
a joint legislative hearing at the 2014 North
American International Auto Show.
MICHauto Releases Survey Reflecting
Perceptions on Careers in Automotive Industry
During the 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference, MICHauto
unveiled the results of a survey on perceptions of
automotive careers in Michigan. The survey indicated that
a high percentage of youth and influencers do not view
the automotive industry as an attractive career option.
In using the survey results to spur action, MICHauto
led a roundtable discussion with leading automotive
stakeholders and Fortune magazine’s Nina Easton on
what the state can do to attract, develop and retain the
highly-skilled talent needed to drive the innovation that is
reshaping the industry on a daily basis.
Fortune magazine’s Nina Easton moderates
a closed-door panel discussion of key
automotive stakeholders.
Economic Development
•
7
Chamber Launches Startgrid to
Support Entrepreneurs
Gift Detroit Makes Local
Gifting Easy
Building on Detroit’s rich culture of innovation,
the Chamber unveiled new tools and
resources needed to integrate entrepreneurs
into the regional economy.
In an effort to further support
the entrepreneurs in Detroit, the
Chamber created Gift Detroit to
strengthen the business climate
for small businesses by making
local gifting easy and rewarding.
Through the program, employers
or customers can purchase gift
certificates that can be redeemed
at local businesses participating
in the program.
The Chamber launched Startgrid, an online
community platform for entrepreneurs
to exchange ideas, gather feedback and
make connections. The program received
a $100,000 grant from The New Economy
Initiative and enables entrepreneurs to
create a collaboration page that outlines
their idea or business plan. Since its launch,
200 members have signed up, attracting
the participation of key entrepreneurship
organizations, including Ann Arbor SPARK,
Ponyride and TechTown Detroit.
Startgrid CEO Peter Gardner (far left) introduces the online platform for entrepreneurs at
the 2014 Detroit Policy Conference along with (left to right) The New Economy Initiative
Executive Director Dave Egner, and Chamber Vice President of Economic Development
Ben Erulkar and Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah.
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Connecting Michigan
Businesses to Global Customers
The Chamber continued to connect
existing Michigan businesses to new
global customers via its InnoState
program and strategic partnership with
the Michigan Economic Development
Corporation’s (MEDC) Pure Michigan
Business Connect (PMBC). This year
featured curated matchmaking and
unique services geared toward helping
businesses improve operations.
As part of its efforts to assist more
than 100 pre-selected firms develop
advanced manufacturing capabilities,
InnoState led 12 Michigan companies to
the APTA EXPO in Houston to present
to nine public transit original equipment
manufacturers. Again partnering with
PMBC, InnoState helped 12 aerospacecertified members present new products
to Boeing’s purchasing team at the
Seattle Supplier Summit in August.
The
Chamber’s
event
support
throughout the year proved critical as
PMBC held hundreds of one-on-one
meetings between purchasers and
suppliers at matchmaking summits.
The Detroit Three Matchmaking
Summit held on July 22 at COBO
Center included Chrysler Group LLC,
Ford Motor Co., General Motors
Co. and 42 Tier 1 suppliers. Over
1,000 attendees participated in over
800 targeted face-to-face meetings
throughout the day, marking the largest
PMBC matchmaking summit yet.
Through strategic partnerships, the Chamber helps businesses
expand and improve operations via curated matchmaking events.
The Detroit Three Matchmaking Summit held in July marked
PMBC’s largest yet.
Since 2012, the Chamber’s partnership
with PMBC has resulted in more than
20 global purchaser trips, five supplier
missions and $30 million in contracts
for Michigan companies.
Economic Development
•
9
PREMIER POLICY AND
BUSINESS EVENTS
Bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell delivers a keynote address at the 2014 Mackinac
Policy Conference.
National Speakers, DetroitTake Center Stage at Mackinac Policy Conference
The 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference once again demonstrated its significance
as Michigan’s premier stage for driving statewide dialogue amongst top business
leaders, government officials and entrepreneurs from all corners of the state. Led
by Conference Chairman Henry Cooney, president and CEO of Plunkett Cooney, the
Conference focused on the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the importance of
STEM education, impact and Detroit’s irreplaceable role in Michigan’s future.
This year’s lineup, featuring 12 national speakers, brought thought-provoking
programming to the stage including bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell who
encouraged Conference attendees to embrace Michigan’s “disagreeables.” Jim Clifton,
chairman and CEO of Gallup Inc., and former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels stressed the
need to focus on international investment and create good-paying jobs to attract talent.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu shared lessons from his city’s revitalization while
CNN political experts Paul Begala and S.E. Cupp brought their expertise heading into
the midterm elections.
New programming this year included brief Mackinac Moments where prominent
leaders from business and education delivered poignant remarks meant to inform and
inspire attendees to make a difference in Michigan’s future. The Chamber also brought
six military veterans to the main stage to showcase how their skills and experience
earned serving in the armed forces translate to the civilian workforce.
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City’s Next Chapter Highlighted at
Detroit Policy Conference
Urban expert Thomas Sugrue shares insight
on revitalizing cities.
The Detroit Policy Conference brought more than
700 business, community and political leaders to the
MotorCity Casino Hotel to focus on Detroit’s next
chapter in February. With nationally-renowned keynotes
and nearly 40 of the region’s most dynamic leaders at
the forefront of Detroit revitalization discussions, the
Conference sparked dialogue on the future of the city’s
business landscape.
Keynote speakers such as TED Senior Fellow Candy
Chang, University of Pennsylvania history professor
Thomas Sugrue, and Wayne State University President
M. Roy Wilson, highlighted the city’s innovative spirit
and opportunities for a renewed Detroit. In addition, the
Chamber announced its partnership with Startgrid in
launching a collaborative community for entrepreneurs to
come together to test, share and grow ideas.
TED Senior Fellow Candy Chang illustrates
how art can impact a community.
Premier Policy and Business Events
•
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MICHauto Summit Explores Industry Role in State’s Prosperous Future
In only its second year, the 2014 MICHauto Summit cemented the event's status as a
signature Chamber event, drawing automotive industry leaders and stakeholders from
across the state. The daylong program, held in September at COBO Center in Detroit,
provided a unique platform to discuss promoting, growing and retaining Michigan’s
automotive industry and its role in the state’s prosperous economic future.
More than 500 leaders from industry, academia, government, nonprofits and professional
service firms joined automotive experts that included Rod Alberts, executive director
of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and the North American International
Auto Show; Ralph Gilles, senior vice president of product design for Chrysler Group
LLC; and Mark Reuss, executive vice president of global product development for
General Motors Co. and Gov. Rick Snyder. The Summit galvanized statewide efforts to
leverage the automotive sector.
In addition to impressive sponsorship support for the event, the Summit attracted
more than 30 members of the media, including MLive and the Detroit Free Press.
The Summit also generated strong Internet traffic, as its official hashtag #MAS14 was
trending locally on Twitter throughout the morning.
S
U
M
M
I
T
WXYZ news anchor Jeff Vaughn (left) moderates a discussion on state-of-the-art auto design with Jeremy Glover (center), an
exterior designer at Jeep Brand Design Studio, and Chrysler Group LLC’s President and CEO of Motorsports Ralph Gilles.
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Networking with the Big Four
Executive L. Brooks Patterson highlights key staff and successes in
Oakland County at Meadow Brook Hall.
This year, the Chamber launched a new
series of quarterly Networking Receptions
for members that showcases the Big Four
regional leaders in Wayne, Oakland and
Macomb counties, and the city of Detroit,
along with their key staff. Nearly 300
attendees participated in the Chamber’s
inaugural reception in August with Detroit
Mayor Mike Duggan. In November,
members networked with Oakland County
Executive L. Brooks Patterson at Meadow
Brook Hall. The receptions are part of the
Chamber’s ongoing effort to promote
regional collaboration among business and
political leaders across the Detroit region.
Mayor Mike Duggan presents his view of the new era in Detroit at
the Chamber’s quarterly networking reception.
The Right Place’s President and CEO Birgit Klohs (left) discusses
manufacturing’s role in Michigan’s future as part of a panel with Rush
Trucking Corporation’s founder and CEO Andra Rush.
Premier Policy and Business Events
•
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Gov. Rick Snyder signs legislation key to the Grand Bargain and Detroit’s exit from bankruptcy.
ADVOCACY
The Grand Bargain: Building a Bridge from Bankruptcy
Leveraging its bipartisan reputation and clout as one of the largest Chamber’s in the
nation, the organization worked on both sides of the aisle to advocate for the passage
of the historic Grand Bargain legislation in June to address Detroit’s bankruptcy woes.
The legislation, which was central to Detroit’s expeditious exit from bankruptcy,
provided $800 million in combined public and private dollars to protect pensioners and
ensure that the Detroit Institute of Arts’ collection would remain intact.
Discussion on the Grand Bargain took center stage at the 2014 Mackinac Policy
Conference in May, drawing broad support from business and civic leaders who came
together across party lines to advocate for its passage throughout the week. The
dialogue generated on the island was a main catalyst to the bill’s eventual approval in
the state Senate, echoing the fact that Michigan goes as Detroit goes, and the fiscal
health of Detroit impacts businesses across the state.
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Chamber-PAC Endorsed Candidates
Sweep Elections
The Chamber’s Political Action Committee (PAC) flexed its
bipartisan muscle in the critical 2014 midterm elections as
91 of 94 candidates it endorsed were elected at the local,
state and national level, culminating with the re-election of
Republican Gov. Rick Snyder – the Chamber’s No. 1 election
priority. The victories by these pro-growth candidates from
both sides of the aisle, particularly the Governor, sets the
stage for Michigan’s continued reinvention.
The PAC endorsement of Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield
Twp.) proved impactful as the Congressman cruised to
victory over former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land for
Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat. In addition to Peters’
victory, all four Congressional endorsements – Debbie
Dingell (D-Dearborn), Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), Brenda
Lawrence (D-Southfield) and David Trott (R-Birmingham) –
won in their respective races. In the state Legislature, 59
out of 60 PAC-endorsed state House candidates and 20 out
of 21 endorsed state Senate candidates were elected.
Other major victories included two out of three Michigan
Supreme Court candidates, as well as candidates for
Macomb County Executive, Wayne County Executive,
Michigan Attorney General and Secretary of State.
Reforming the Personal Property Tax
Collaborating with a wide coalition of business, labor and
local government representatives, the Chamber led the
way in eliminating the onerous Personal Property Tax (PPT),
putting Michigan manufacturers on a level playing field with
global competitors and making the state more attractive to
site selectors by eliminating taxes on industrial capital.
As part of its advocacy effort, the Chamber staunchly
supported the passage of Proposal 1 during the August
primary election, achieving a “yes” vote as part of the
2014 Mackinac Policy Conference To-Do List, including an
aggressive communications campaign. Eliminating the PPT
via Proposal 1 is estimated to create an additional 15,000
jobs and generate $450 million in investment for Michigan.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley speaks to the media
about the importance of passing Proposal 1
at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
Advocacy
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Congressman Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.), Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske discuss proposed customs plazas like the one for the New International Trade Crossing.
Making the New International Trade Crossing a Reality
With lack of federal funding a main obstacle hampering the construction of the
New International Trade Crossing (NITC), the Chamber hosted U.S. Department of
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield
Twp.), in addition to other high-ranking officials, in May for a roundtable discussion
on the proposed customs plazas at high-volume trade crossings, such as the DetroitWindsor border. The talks represented a renewed effort to secure federal dollars for
the NITC, which would increase international trade, create thousands of jobs and grow
the Michigan economy. The NITC remains the Chamber’s top public policy priority due
to its economic impact on the region.
Welcoming Vice President Joe
Biden to the North American
International Auto Show
The Chamber welcomed Vice President
Joe Biden to Detroit at the North American
International Auto Show at COBO Center
in January. Introduced by Chamber CEO,
Sandy Baruah, Biden praised the tenacity of
U.S. automakers and spirit of auto workers,
stating that their resolve has once again
made American cars and trucks competitive
in every market across the globe.
The Chamber welcomes Vice President Joe Biden to
the North American International Auto Show.
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Reducing Shipping Costs,
Protecting Water Resources
As a leading member of the Great Lakes
Metro Chambers Coalition (GLMCC), the
Detroit Regional Chamber continues to be
a strong voice in Washington, D.C. Through
fly-ins to the Capitol and coordinated
advocacy outreach to key legislators, the
GLMCC served as a deciding voice in the
passage of the Water Resources Reform
and Development Act, which classified the
Great Lakes as a single navigation system.
This effort ensures the region gets its due
federal funding for harbor maintenance
and dredging which positively impacts
Great Lakes commerce by allowing
greater freight loads and significantly
reducing shipping costs.
The Chamber also leveraged its leadership
position in the GLMCC as part of a broad
coalition in support of the Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative to ensure federal
funding levels for remediation efforts
remained steady amid major cuts to
many other government programs. The
GLMCC serves as the business voice in
Washington on preserving the Great Lakes
as a water resource; critical to commerce
and quality of life alike.
Gov. Rick Snyder announces his
support to secure an additional
50,000 employment-based visas to
bring skilled immigrants to Detroit.
The Chamber played a key role in federal legislation that will
reduce shipping costs and protect water resources.
Pushing for Immigration Reform
As part of the 2013 Mackinac Policy Conference
To-Do List, the Chamber continues to support
comprehensive immigration reform to drive
economic growth, including Gov. Rick Snyder’s
initiative to secure an additional 50,000
employment-based visas for skilled immigrants
to live and work in Detroit. In January, the
Chamber authored a joint letter with the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce and led the Great Lakes
Metro Chambers Coalition to Washington,
D.C., voicing support for immigration reform to
key congressional offices.
Advocacy
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Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah joins WDIV’s Devin Scillian (far left) and a panel of experts including
Congresswoman-elect Debbie Dingell, Detroit’s Corporation Counsel Butch Hollowell and Detroit
News Columnist Daniel Howes on “Flashpoint” to discuss Detroit’s bankruptcy.
SHAPING THE
REGIONAL MESSAGE
Chamber Shapes National Dialogue on Detroit Bankruptcy
As Detroit continued to navigate bankruptcy, the Chamber increased its efforts to
impact the national narrative by engaging media around the country. Throughout the
year, the Chamber took Detroit’s message of opportunity to media outlets including
Bloomberg TV, CNN Money and The New York Times. Outreach around approval of the
Plan of Adjustment in November netted nearly 50 media hits including coverage by
ABC News, The Economist, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald and Reuters.
Inaugural State of the Region Report Reflects
Economic Opportunities and Challenges
The Chamber released its inaugural State of the Region report
this year, offering an analysis of the economic indicators
related to business growth, talent, innovation and international
commerce for Southeast Michigan. The report highlights the
automotive, aerospace and defense, health care, transportation,
distribution and logistics, and IT industries. It is published to
coincide with the Chamber’s Annual Meeting to help inform the
public about regional economic development efforts. It provides
a unique perspective on the Detroit region with its independently
researched and interpreted data that reflects the challenges and
opportunities for business growth.
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2014
The Chamber shaped the narrative around Detroit’s bankruptcy with the national media,
highlighting the momentum and opportunity throughout the city and region.
Branding Campaign to Showcase Opportunity in Detroit
With the city emerging from bankruptcy, Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah co-chaired the
Detroit Branding Alliance with Tom Lewand, the city’s group executive for jobs and
economic growth, to develop a positive brand to promote opportunities in the Motor
City. The alliance included representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan,
DTE Energy, Rock Ventures, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and Downtown Detroit
Partnership, as well as several local creative firms, who provided their expertise in
developing branding concepts. In collaboration with Mayor Mike Duggan’s office, a
new brand will be announced in the upcoming year to help create a positive narrative
and increase pride in the city in the post-bankruptcy era.
World Economic Forum Publishes Chamber’s Detroit Case Study
Members of the Chamber’s economic development team co-authored a case study
on the city of Detroit which was published in the World Economic Forum’s “The
Competitiveness of Cities.” The report examines the common factors that make global
cities competitive, and was introduced through a webinar featuring participants from
every populated continent. The Detroit case study provided background on the city,
as well as analysis and data on the challenges and opportunities present in Detroit’s
economic development as it navigates bankruptcy.
Shaping the Regional Message
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Mayor Mike Duggan outlines his efforts to rebuild neighborhoods and tackle challenges facing
Detroit such as blight reduction at the 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference.
SUPPORTING DETROIT’S
REVITALIZATION
Supporting Mayor Duggan and Detroit’s Revitalization
Building on its support of Mayor Mike Duggan’s historic write-in campaign in 2013,
the Chamber continues to work closely with the Mayor serving as a key connection
between City Hall and the private sector.
In January, the Chamber joined the Mayor, the Detroit Crime Commission, and the
Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, as the coalition successfully pushed for the
passage of tougher scrap metal regulations, a key step in fighting blight, which has
had an immediate and positive effect on the city. The Chamber also remained actively
engaged at City Hall, lending its expertise on other key issues such as the impact of
community benefits agreement policies on economic development in the city.
At the 2014 Mackinac Policy Conference, the Mayor delivered an inspiring keynote
speech outlining the progress made in tackling the city’s challenges as well as his
vision for the future. In conjunction with those efforts, the Chamber placed the Mayor’s
TeenWork Detroit summer 2015 jobs initiative on the 2014 Conference To-Do List.
Duggan also returned to the Chamber stage in August as part of the new Quarterly
Networking series featuring the Big Four regional leaders.
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New Orleans Tour Provides Lessons for
Detroit’s Revitalization
In an effort to inspire ideas for Detroit’s post-bankruptcy
revitalization, the Chamber led a delegation of 35 business,
civic and philanthropic leaders, and representatives of the
city of Detroit, to New Orleans, La. for a three-day lessons
learned tour in October.
The delegation explored New Orleans’ recovery from
Hurricane Katrina and years of challenged government
function. Topics included economic development,
entrepreneurship, neighborhood revitalization, city
governance and community leadership, urban resiliency,
and education and charter school reform as well as a visit
from U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu.
Mayor Duggan’s Chief of Staff Alexis Wiley
and several of her colleagues played in integral
role in the success of the Detroit delegation in
New Orleans.
The trip came at the invitation of New Orleans Mayor Mitch
Landrieu, who delivered a keynote speech at the Mackinac
Policy Conference in May. The trip was also a continuation
of an action item from the Chamber’s 2013 Mackinac Policy
Conference To-Do List to expand visits to U.S. cities that can
provide models of ongoing renaissance for Michigan’s major
urban centers. Thoughtful participation from key members
of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s and Mayor Landrieu’s
administrations helped make the trip a success.
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (center), Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah and
The Kresge Foundation’s Managing Director of Community Development,
Detroit, Laura Trudeau on stage during the Detroit delegation.
Supporting Detroit’s Revitalization
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EDUCATION AND TALENT
More than 300 families celebrate their students’ commitment to higher education
at a summer ceremony for the Detroit Scholarship Fund.
Creating Access and Leadership Bagels and Boards Breakfasts
Connect Detroit Charter School
in Education
Leaders
Recognizing that today’s students are tomorrow’s
workforce, the Detroit Scholarship Fund (DSF)
program, administered by the Chamber,
helped 628 students from 60 high schools
enroll in tuition-free community college
courses in 2013, with similar numbers
expected for 2014. Over 1,000 high school
seniors have also registered to be eligible for
the DSF scholarship in fall 2015.
Building on the momentum of the past year,
more than 300 families celebrated their
students’ commitment to higher education
at a summer ceremony at the Michigan
Science Center. DSF complements the Detroit
Compact, the long-standing tuition assistance
program resulting from collaboration between
the Chamber, public and private universities
and Detroit Public Schools to help students
pursue bachelor’s degrees.
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Detroit Charter Schools are looking
for leaders who are willing to answer
the call to public service with a unique
opportunity to change the lives of young
people in Detroit. In response to this
need, the Chamber’s Bagels and Boards
program helps leaders become better
prepared to serve on charter school
boards. Informational breakfasts allow
prospective candidates to hear from
current charter school leaders, board
members and others in the community
on whether service on a charter school
board might be a good fit for their skill set.
To date, 19 prospective candidates have
been appointed to charter school boards,
with another 15 awaiting appointments,
through this effort.
MICHauto and Project Lead the Way Connect
Students to Exciting Automotive Careers
As part of its Discover Auto series, MICHauto partnered
with Project Lead the Way schools to provide students
and teachers in Michigan high schools with guided tours of
automotive technical centers across the state, in order to
educate them on the industry, its technology, and promote
automotive engineering as an exciting and viable career
choice. During the 2013-2014 school year, MICHauto and
its member companies hosted nearly 250 Project Lead the
Way high school students, who spent two to three hours
engaged in an interactive tour of the host facility.
Discover Auto also brought seven MICHauto companies to
Wayne State University in February where students could
hear from industry representatives and exchange resumes
with future prospective employers. The event is part of a
series to engage university students across the state and
educate them on the automotive industry, its growth, and
various engineering career paths.
The Kresge Foundation President and CEO
Rip Rapson addresses Leadership Detroit
Class XXXV at its June commencement.
Leadership Detroit Continues to Inspire
Regional Leaders
With over 1,800 alumni, Leadership Detroit, a Chamber
initiative, continues to create awareness of key issues
that affect the Detroit region and challenges emerging
and existing community leaders to bring about positive
change in the community through informed leadership.
During Michigan’s 2014 midterm elections, three alumni
— Brenda Lawrence (Class XVIII), Casandra Ulbrich (Class
XXIX) and Brian Zahra (Class XVII) — were among those
elected to office. These leaders will utilize the knowledge
gained through Leadership Detroit to make a positive
impact in Congress, the Michigan Board of Education and
Michigan Supreme Court, respectively.
Leadership Detroit Class XXXV features 70
executives from across the region who are
committed to creating positive change.
In June, the program graduated its 35th class featuring 70
executives from across the region representing business,
organized labor, government, education, media, civic
groups, health services and community organizations.
Education and Talent
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Delivering Membership Value Remains Our Priority
Each year the Chamber strives to increase member value and engagement by offering
business solutions and opportunities to learn and network.
Congratulations to Long-time Partner
on Reaching 75 Years of Service as a Nonprofit Health Insurer
in Southeast Michigan During 2014
For nearly 50 years, the Chamber has partnered with Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan to provide employers competitive options, quality and access to health care.
The Chamber remains proud of its joint accomplishments with Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Michigan and looks forward to the future.
For more information on Chamber membership, impact and benefits visit:
detroitchamber.com.
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