Photo: Stephen Henderson, Executive Advisor, BridgeDetroit; Host, Detroit Today and American Black Journal moderate panelists Denise Brooks-WIlliams, Executive Vice President and CEO, Care Delivery System Operations, Henry Ford Health, Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer, State of Michigan, Mike Malloy, Chief Amazement Officer, Rocket Central, Portia Roberson, President and CEO, Focus: HOPE
The Sound Board Conference Center at MotorCity Casino was overflowing with a sense of purpose and urgency at Detroit’s 2024 Policy Conference set against the backdrop of the city’s enduring mantra “Detroit Never Left,” centered on a critical theme: growing our population.
This conference showed the essential pillars that will drive Detroit’s and Michigan’s population growth – public transportation, education, workforce development, and retaining the young generation. The 11th annual conference underscored the resilience and ongoing transformation of the city.
“Michigan’s greatest strength is its people – and we’re losing them,” said Sandy K. Baruah, President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber. “If we don’t fix this cycle, we don’t fix Michigan.”
Panel discussion after panel discussion, leaders from different sectors across education, workforce training, business development, and beyond shared their ideas about how to help Michigan revive its declining population, while simultaneously proliferating ideas to make sure current Detroiters have opportunities to succeed.
With so much to dissect from the robust discussions, here are five key takeaways from the conference that candidly encompass public transportation, education, workforce development, youth retention, and the broader narrative of Detroit’s revitalization.
- Revamping Public Transportation: A Foundation for Growth
Detroit’s push towards enhancing its public transportation network is pivotal. It’s not just about connectivity; it’s about community upliftment. Improving transit systems means increased access to jobs, education, and essential services, fostering a more inclusive and equitable city.
Revamping public transportation in metropolitan cities like Detroit is more than a matter of convenience—it’s a foundational step towards sustainable urban growth and development. In cities grappling with population decline and economic revitalization, such as Detroit, an efficient and accessible public transit system can be a game-changer. It serves as a vital artery, connecting residents to employment opportunities, educational institutions, healthcare services, and cultural centers. In essence, improved public transportation reduces traffic congestion, lowers carbon emissions, and promotes a more environmentally friendly urban landscape. For economically disadvantaged communities, it provides a lifeline, ensuring equitable access to city resources and job markets. Additionally, a robust public transit system can attract new residents and businesses, fostering an environment of inclusivity and dynamism. Essentially, by investing in public transportation, cities like Detroit can catalyze a virtuous cycle of growth, enhancing the quality of life for all residents and positioning the city as a forward-thinking, connected, and vibrant urban hub especially in today’s climate where driving just isn’t as hot of a commodity.
“Young people don’t even want driver’s license,” said Shirley Stancato, Chair of the Growing Michigan Together Council. “Not only do they not want a car, but they also don’t want to drive. They want Uber and public transportation. My Goddaughter just received her master’s from the University of Michigan, and she said she wants to live in a place where there’s thriving public transportation and we must heed to that feedback and really listen to our young people.”
Panelists discussed the idea of speed trains from Ann Arbor to Detroit, with stops at Detro Metro Airport, but didn’t discuss a pathway toward making that happen anytime soon.
- Education: The Bedrock of Detroit’s Future
During the conference, Stancato led a compelling discussion on education reform. “Michigan is an old state with an old constitution. Our policymakers must enact changes,” she emphasized. Our public education system, burdened by nearly 850 school districts, faces the daunting task of streamlining for efficiency and effectiveness. For reference, California has fewer than 1,000 school districts, but the state has more than three times as many residents as Michigan.
Stancato’s message was clear: “It’s not over yet. We still have lots to do.”
It’s crucial to assert that education stands as the bedrock of Detroit’s future. In a city pulsating with resilience and the spirit of renaissance, education is not just a pathway to knowledge, but a cornerstone for rebuilding and revitalizing the community. For Detroit, investing in education means more than just producing graduates; it’s about nurturing a new generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators who will drive the city’s resurgence. High-quality education, from early childhood to higher learning, equips young Detroiters with the tools to tackle the city’s unique challenges and to capitalize on its opportunities. It’s about breaking the cycles of poverty and inequality and laying a foundation for long-term economic stability and social equity. Education in Detroit is more than a policy agenda; it’s a commitment to ensuring that every child and young adult can not only dream of a better future but also has the means to actively build it. As Detroit stands at the cusp of transformation, the strengthening of its educational institutions is not merely an investment in individual potential, but in the city’s collective destiny.
Photo: BridgeDetroit Engagement Director Orlando Bailey moderates a panel at the Detroit Policy Conference. Panelists: Jeff Donoforio, President and CEO, Business Leaders for Michigan, Chandra Madafferi, President, Michigan Education Association, Angelique Power, President and CEO, The Skillman Foundation, Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District
“For 20 years, we have been underfunding our public school system. And it shows. And so, each of us has to contribute. Each of us has to show up at the election at the ballot box and say, yes, our children are important. Yes, because it will populate Michigan. But yes, our children are important across the state. We each need to give more, and then we will see middle-class education outcomes because we have funded a middle class,” Angelique Power, President and CEO of the Skillman Foundation.
- Workforce Development: Aligning Skills with Industry Needs
A major highlight was the focus on workforce development, crucial for Detroit’s economic resurgence. Bill Pink, President of Ferris State University, stressed the importance of higher education, particularly for inner-city students. “Whether it starts at a community college or a four-year university, there must be alignment with industry needs,” he noted. This alignment is key to Michigan, currently ranked 34th out of 50 states in higher education attainment, in fostering a skilled and adaptable workforce.
Warren Evans said that it’s more important for us, specifically in Wayne County, to focus on employing local residents and reinstating previously disenfranchised residents to the workforce before we worry too much about importation of new residents.
“As one of the highest-ranking African American leaders, it seems to me that you might want to hear what I have to say about it,” Evans said. “Once you do, if you want to dismiss it, then dismiss it. But what I get pissed about is when you don’t even call me.”
He elaborated, saying that he feels like his voice is not called on enough to lend his expertise about how to resolve problems that exist within Detroit and the county.
“We spend money on workforce development, we spend money on health care, we spend money on a number of things that we think will make life better for people, and then we don’t have a process for them to get there,” Warren said.
- Retaining the young generation through Innovative Policies
The United States’ population since 1980 has grown 46 percent. During that same period, Michigan’s population has only grown nine percent. Also, ranking 34th in median income, Michigan households only make about 88 percent of the nation’s median income. Michigan is also getting older. In 1980, only 10 percent of the state’s residents were over 65 years old, while 60 percent of the population was under 35. The most recent census in 2020 showed that 17 percent of Michigan residents were over 65 years old, and only 44 percent of the population is under 35.
Hilary Doe, Michigan’s first-ever Chief Growth Officer and the first statewide CGO in the country, spotlighted the need for innovative policies to retain and attract the young population. This includes infrastructure development, improved public transportation, fostering community pride, and meaningful policy changes. “In order to see growth in our state we must first wrap arms around the folks that are here and are making decisions everyday about where they’re going to build their future,” Doe shared. “It’s a choice you don’t make once, you make it over and over again every year. ‘Can I build my first career here, build a home, and build my family here,’ public engagement is such a critical part of this work.”
- Development: Beyond Population Growth
The recent Detroit Policy Conference took a hard look at Michigan’s population woes, as the U.S. Census Bureau estimates a decline of over 43,000 people from 2020 to 2022. A focal point of the conference was the insights from Former U.S. Ambassador John Rakolta Jr., who leads the governor’s “Growing Michigan Together Council.” This council is at the forefront of tackling Michigan’s alarming population shrinkage. “More people are dying than being born – a climate crisis in its own right,” he stated. Instead of focusing solely on population growth, Rakolta urged a shift towards productivity growth.
“By 2050, we’ll be lucky to be the same size state as we are today, and there’s just enormous implications as a result of that the tax base can’t grow, our federal influence will wane,” Rakolta stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation. The declining population not only affects the state’s economic prospects but also its political influence and overall infrastructure.
A critical concern addressed was the exodus of young talent from Michigan. “Young people are leaving the state in droves to find high-paying jobs,” Rakolta pointed out. This trend is not just a demographic issue but also a significant economic challenge, as the loss of young, skilled workers hampers the state’s growth prospects.
In response to these challenges, the Growing Michigan Together Council has put forward a set of recommendations aimed at reversing this trend. These include creating communities with more housing options and better infrastructure, essential factors in making the state more attractive to young professionals. The Council’s strategy is clear: to build a Michigan where the younger generation can see a future, both professionally and personally.
However, the Council also highlighted a sobering statistic: Michigan ranks 49th out of 50 states in population growth. By 2050, it is expected that the state’s population will continue to fall annually, a trend that demands immediate and cohesive action across all sectors.
To counter this, the Council emphasizes the need for cohesion at all levels of government and business, this collaborative approach is crucial in creating an environment that not only retains its existing populace but also attracts new talent.
Why Detroit?
Detroit’s resurgence is not just about economic metrics. It’s about its soul, its grit, and its unyielding spirit where “why not Detroit?” demands a nuanced understanding of the city’s narrative. This query isn’t merely a rebuttal to the naysayers; it’s a powerful call to acknowledge and appreciate Detroit’s multifaceted journey. “Why move to or stay in Detroit?” is a question often shadowed by the city’s past economic challenges and social trials, yet it overlooks the burgeoning renaissance happening within its borders. Its affordability stands in stark contrast to other major cities, presenting unique opportunities for families, young professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking value and potential.
Detroit’s story is one of transformation and tenacity, where revitalization efforts are not just surface-level changes but are rooted in tech, arts, and sustainable development. In Detroit, you’re not just a witness to change; you’re an active participant in a community-driven revival.
So, when we address “why not Detroit?” we’re engaging in a deeper conversation about opportunity, potential, and transformation. It’s about seeing Detroit not through the lens of what it once was, but what it is actively becoming – a city not just bouncing back but leaping forward into a future ripe with possibility. This is the Detroit that beckons to those who are not just looking for a place to live, but a place to grow, contribute, and thrive.
The conference highlighted that Detroit’s path to population growth is not just through economic metrics but through a community-centric approach. Developing a city that offers quality education, robust job opportunities, and an inclusive community is key to attracting and retaining residents.
As Detroit continues to write its comeback story, the focus is clear: create a city where people not only want to live but thrive. As Doe stated: “It’s going to take all of us to grow Michigan, together.”
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