On December's Corkboard...

• Director's Message: Forget the Good News

• Project Updates: In the Ring Looks at Retiree Healthcare; Plus, Transit Builds World-Class Metropolitan Regions

• In the News: Taylor Gets Windy; Tax Breaks for Manufacturers Gets Challenged

• Upcoming Events: A Season of Redevelopment for Detroit

Director's Message

Forget the Good News: What We Need Is A Ross Perot Informercial

In a lot of ways I’ll be glad to see 2007 gone. It’s been a hard year for just about everyone. BBC’s World Service recently featured a story on Michigan’s stagnating economy – amid reports on the Bangladesh cyclone, potential corruption of Russian elections and emergency rule in Pakistan, Michigan’s crisis is now international news. Accompanying this bellwether was the equally disheartening news that unemployment is at a 15-year-high, with research from U of M suggesting that the situation will worsen over the next two years. 

Generally, I’m not a pessimist. I thrill to upbeat narratives like Model D’s reports on investment in Detroit, U of M’s note that most of its graduates stick around and news that hundreds of new tech jobs are headed to our region. However, you’ve got to have your head in the sand if you let a few pieces of good news blind you to the plight of 387,000 jobless Michiganians.

Finish reading. . .

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Project Updates

In The Ring: Retiree Healthcare

 

The rising cost of employee benefits strain already tight municipal budgets. Continued healthcare inflation and large numbers of retiring baby boomers will dramatically increase this strain very soon. According to The Heartland Institute, state and local government retiree health benefits are already underfunded by $1.4 trillion nationwide.

 

Fortunately, there are a number of strategies a city can undertake to creatively address this challenge--such as tapping into alternative revenue sources, encouraging the use of generic drugs and promoting wellness and preventative care.

 

Get the details in the latest issue of the Suburbs Alliance's premier publication! We're in the process of delivering the latest In The Ring now. Contact Anna Clark with any questions.

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Building World-Class Metropolitan Regions Around Transit

 

Our very own Luke Forrest, public policy director at the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, testified before the House Commerce and Transportation committee. Partnering with Megan Owens of Transportation Riders United, Luke discussed why our state's economy is hinged on transit-oriented development. Get the good word right here. (It's a PDF file, and yes, it's worth it.
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Are You Ready For It?

 

Brownfields 2008 is coming to Detroit! Around the Suburbs Alliance, we're gearing up for the nation's largest comprehensive conference focused on cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned and possibly contaminated properties. Registration is free, so you have no excuse not to join us the first weekend in May for this exciting event.

 

What's in it for you? Access to more than 130 learning opportunities, plenary sessions, 200 exhibitors, scores of networking events, special training sessions, film screenings, book signings, and--yes--much, much more. In fact, the conversations have already begun

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In the News

Cheers to Taylor! One of our member cities follows Wyandotte's lead in pioneering wind power as a renewable energy resource in southeast Michigan with a $100,000 deal.
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Local tax breaks for manufacturers don't work, according to a new report from Gary Sands (Wayne State University) and Laura Reese (Michigan State University). In fact, the authors contend, abatements end up subsidizing sprawling development with minimal job growth or diversification. It's time to focus on a new economy.

 

And what about social equity? Do tax incentives tilt or level the playing field? Sands and Reese take their research to the next level.

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Survey says: 75% of Americans would rather spend money on public transit and smart redevelopment--not new roads. Nearly 90% believe we should design our communities so we can walk more and drive less, according to the poll from Smart Growth America and the National Association of Realtors.

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Upcoming Events

Navigating Your Community to Redevelopment

 

Is your community ready for redevelopment? Developers want predictability, buy-in from elected and appointed officials, and community support for their projects. Built communities that seek developers and contractors can capitalize on community assets, streamline review processes and attract great projects by applying techniques acquired at this workshop.

 

This workshop provides the necessary tools to refocus your community's development challenges and attract redevelopment investment. Registration is only $10!

 

January 16, 2008

9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Michigan First Credit Union

27000 Evergreen

Lathrup Village, MI 48076

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The D Brand Summit

Meet the D Brand and discover how it's already working to change perceptions of the city and region through tourism, economic development, employee recruiting and retention. Make it work for you!

February 1, 2008
The Henry Ford

20900 Oakwood Blvd.

Dearborn, MI 48124

 

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Redevelopment Ready Summit

 

Southeast Michigan’s leading voices on urban redevelopment are coming together for a one-day Regional Redevelopment Summit! Now in its third year, the Summit is not only the signature event of the Michigan Suburbs Alliance’s redevelopment program, but it’s a key opportunity for development professionals to interact, shape policy, share innovations and make deals.

 

At the 2008 Summit, we ’ll empower you to carry a strong message about the unique redevelopment opportunities in Michigan. With tactical training sessions on engaging media, navigating the upcoming Brownfields 2008 national conference or finding funders, this is your chance to sharpen your skill set.

 

March 7, 2008

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
MGM Grand Detroit

1777 Third Avenue

Detroit, MI 48226

 

 

Visit our website for more events!
 

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