SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments’ and the Metropolitan Affairs Coalition’s recently released report, Partnering for Prosperity: Economic Development Strategy for Southeast Michigan, presents a comprehensive approach to economic development for the seven-county Southeast Michigan region.
“Partnering for Prosperity charts a path for us to work together to benefit our regional economy, our local communities, and our residents,” said Westland Mayor William Wild, one of the co-chairs of the Economic Development Task Force.
Approved at both SEMCOG’s Executive Committee and MAC’s Board of Directors meetings in February, the plan is the culmination of a year’s effort of extensive public and stakeholder input including a survey, public forums, and county meetings; SEMCOG and MAC meeting sessions; research and data analysis; and guidance by the Economic Development Task Force.
“Our Partnering for Prosperity graphic illustrates the plan’s comprehensive approach to grow the region’s economy and jobs,” says SEMCOG Executive Director, Kathleen Lomako, “It is comprehensive in both the scope of its set of interrelated strategies and in its focus on regional collaboration to advance them. We know it will take the efforts of many public, private, educational, and nonprofit organizations to carry out the actions set forth in these strategies”
The 11 broad-based economic development strategies are centered around three major elements – community assets, business climate, and talent and innovation. These are all important factors in growing investment, businesses and jobs.
These 11 strategies and their associated action steps reflect Southeast Michigan’s current and future needs, and identify opportunities for building on the region’s strengths and assets and addressing the challenges. The strategies are devised to support an array of economic development efforts by a variety of organizations at the regional, subregional, and local level. Partnering for Prosperity also contains a list of regionally significant projects that are aligned with and advance the 11 broad-based economic development strategies.
SEMCOG is the only organization in Southeast Michigan that brings together all governments to solve regional challenges and enhance the quality of life for the seven-county region’s 4.7 million people.
To learn more about what SEMCOG does, click here.
The Metropolitan Affairs Coalition (MAC), a non-profit public/private partnership, is the only group in Southeast Michigan that brings business, labor, government, and education leaders together to build consensus and seek solutions to regional issues. Click here for more information about MAC.
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