The big 4 what regional priority do you believe the big 4 should focus their efforts on and resolve? Every year Mackinac Policy Conference participants look forward to the big four panel. This year, the Detroiter asked them.Mass Transit mass transit, public transportation systems designed to move large numbers of passengers. Types and AdvantagesMass transit refers to municipal or regional public shared transportation, such as buses, streetcars, and ferries, open to all on a is Top Priority Willliam A. Crouchman chairman Macomb country Board of commissioners Is there anyone who has not felt the pinch of rising fuel prices? Can anyone deny that our region is in dire need of economic development and investment? I believe that the development of a mass transportation plan here in Southeast Michigan Southeast Michigan, also called Southeastern Michigan, is a region in the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan that is home to a majority of the state's businesses and industries, and is home to slightly over half the state's population. will help to address and alleviate both of these issues and more. Further, mass transit should be a top priority upon which regional leadership places immediate focus and resolves with collective efforts and resources. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are many positive benefits to creating a convenient, affordable, reliable and safe public transportation system. Mass transit reduces congestion The condition of a network when there is not enough bandwidth to support the current traffic load. congestion - When the offered load of a data communication path exceeds the capacity. on roads, increases accessibility, results in fewer accidents and improves air quality. It increases mobility choices for aging populations and people with disabilities. In addition, it provides a link to more jobs and provides workers with options for cost-effective, dependable commuting. Employers also gain access to a broader workforce, which enhances competitiveness. Mass transit encourages growth in planned corridors, provides interconnection to vibrant centers and discourages sprawl. Mass transit can also reduce dependence on fossil fuels fossil fuel: see energy, sources of; fuel. fossil fuel Any of a class of materials of biologic origin occurring within the Earth's crust that can be used as a source of energy. Fossil fuels include coal, petroleum, and natural gas. , and since it now costs upwards of $3.50 per gallon of gasoline, that would certainly provide welcome relief. Over the last 20 years, light rail projects developed within our country have created jobs and enhanced economic development. Research indicates that for every dollar invested in light rail mass transit development, an additional $8.50 is generated through private investment in commercial and residential development. Consider this: If leaders in the Southeast Michigan region were to take a conservative approach and expect a return of "only" 4:1 on mass transit development dollars invested, we would still experience a $4 billion surge in private development from an investment of $1 billion dollars. In metropolitan areas that already have mass transit systems in place, it has been demonstrated that this investment supports regional economic vitality and sustainability. It serves as a catalyst for new opportunities for users of the system as well as non-users. The benefits of having an effective mass transit network to serve our regional area are clear. It is absolutely necessary for leadership to focus on finding a viable way to bring mass transit to our region so that we can meet the future economic and social needs of our population. Cobo Hall Cobo Hall, officially Cobo Conference/Exhibition Center, is a convention center situated in downtown Detroit, Michigan, USA. It and the adjacent Cobo Arena are named for Albert E. Cobo, mayor of Detroit from 1950 to 1957. Must be Renovated Robert A.Ficano Wayne Country Executive More than 16,000 jobs and nearly $600 million a year in economic impact. That's what the North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. International Auto Show An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year. provides for the metro Detroit The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in southeastern Michigan, centered on the city of Detroit. As the home of the "Big Three" American automakers (General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler), it is the world's region. No wonder other cities around the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and the world are trying to take what we have. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Auto Show is a trademark for this region. But to protect our trademark, we need a renovated, expanded Cobo Hall. Our regional crown jewel Crown jewel A particularly profitable or otherwise particularly valuable corporate unit or asset of a firm. Often used in risk arbitrage. The most desirable entities within a diversified corporation as measured by asset value, earning power, and business prospects; in takeover is badly in need of a facelift and more space to house the Auto Show and a attract other shows and conventions. My administration has proposed a plan that would renovate Cobo and add 120,000 square feet at a cost of $323 million. It would be paid for by extending the hotel and liquor tax for seven years. Originally, we had proposed a bigger expansion that would have extended the tax 22 years. Legislation has been introduced that would make Cobo a first-class venue. Now we must act with a sense of urgency to get this project done. Despite numerous meetings, the stakeholders Stakeholders All parties that have an interest, financial or otherwise, in a firm-stockholders, creditors, bondholders, employees, customers, management, the community, and the government. have not been able to reach a consensus. But the stakes are too high to quit now. After all, this is about real people, real jobs. The regional stakeholders must focus on the renovation and expansion of Cobo before it's too late. Meetings are ongoing but the parties and their staffs must negotiate around the clock if necessary to reach an agreement. Rebuilding Southeast Michigan's Economy L. Brooks Patterson Lewis Brooks Patterson (b. January 4 1939) is an American lawyer and politician, currently County Executive of Oakland County, Michigan. Oakland County has an affluent population of over a million, that includes the northern and northwestern suburbs of Detroit. Oakland Country Executive Rebuilding the economy of southeast Michigan, which has been decimated by home foreclosures, layoffs, plant closings and manufacturing job losses, stands out as job number one for this region. All other issues pale by comparison. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the latest economic outlook for Oakland County conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan (body, education) University of Michigan - A large cosmopolitan university in the Midwest USA. Over 50000 students are enrolled at the University of Michigan's three campuses. The students come from 50 states and over 100 foreign countries. , the worst of our economic tailspin tail·spin n. 1. The rapid descent of an aircraft in a steep, spiral spin. 2. Informal A loss of emotional control sometimes resulting in emotional collapse. may be over, but that's not to say there will not be more pain in the immediate future. After losing 18,500 jobs in 2006, Oakland County is projected to lose only about 4,400 jobs in 2008 while gaining 1,200 new jobs in 2009 and 5,600 new jobs in 2010. Part of this rebound is being fueled by my Emerging Sectors program, which has attracted 71 emerging sector companies that have pumped more than $1 billion in new investment into the region while creating 11,732 new jobs, all in the span of just three and a half years. In the days and months ahead, all of us in leadership positions must work together to come up with ways to put our residents back to work, partner with the educational and business communities to provide new learning opportunities for our children to enable them to compete in the new global economy and retrain re·train tr. & intr.v. re·trained, re·train·ing, re·trains To train or undergo training again. re·train workers who have lost their jobs or need new skills to keep their current jobs. The challenge before us is to transform southeast Michigan once again into a thriving, strong and growing economy that can compete head-to-head and toe-to-toe with anyone, anyplace an·y·place adv. To, in, or at any place; anywhere. See Usage Note at everyplace. Adv. 1. anyplace - at or in or to any place; "you can find this food anywhere"; (`anyplace' is used informally for `anywhere') anywhere in the world. Light Rail: A Powerful Economic Driver for the Region Kwame M. Kilpatrick Mayor, City of Detroit Light Rail implementation should be top priority for regional leaders. In addition to transporting our residents and visitors, it will be a vehicle for continued economic growth and prosperity for the entire region. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Decades of failed regional cooperation around this topic leaves us as the last metropolitan area in the nation without a rapid transit rapid transit, transportation system designed to allow passenger travel within or throughout an urban area, usually employing surface, elevated, or underground railway systems or some combination of these. system. We now have a legitimate plan for rapid transit that will allow our region to get rid of that designation and help retain talent, diversify our industries and compete in the new global economy. The Detroit Transit Options for Growth Study (DTOGS), a technical review following funding guidelines established by the Federal Transportation Administration, has concluded a light rail line along Woodward Avenue would be a viable mode of rapid transit for our region. Research shows building a new light rail system from downtown to Eight Mile would be a powerful economic driver that would create more than 12,000 jobs; increase business sales by at least $130 million and stimulate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic development. It is also a benefit that DTOGS has the support of state congressional leaders from both sides of the aside who sit on the appropriations committee In the United States government, the Appropriations Committee can refer to either:
Our region is poised to finally have rapid transit, now it's up to us to make it a reality. Visit www.dtogs.com to get on the fast train to economic growth and prosperity. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] |
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