Detroit is Michigan’s — and America’s — economic heartbeat. When challenges arise, we don’t shy away — we step up. Now, Detroit is designing real infrastructure to tackle population growth by confronting decades-long trends and sparking long-term healthy growth. With a new model for addressing one of the nation’s most pressing challenges, we’re ready to show the world what happens when Detroit leads.
Healthy population growth is critical to addressing our most urgent economic and workforce challenges. Approximately 70% of U.S. employers can’t find enough talent to fill open roles. Communities nationwide are struggling to make needed education and infrastructure investments amidst an aging population and a declining tax base. The World Economic Forum specifically identified workforce challenges due to population trends as a primary impediment to business and economic growth.
The good news? Michigan’s recent work on population growth led the nation. During my service as our state’s first Chief Growth Officer, Michiganians came together to outline a blueprint for growth and began delivering results, leveraging population research, public engagement and innovative first-in-the-nation programs. Today, Michigan and Detroit are proving what many once thought impossible: population decline can be reversed.
For the first time since the early 1990s, Michigan’s domestic migration is net positive, which means more people are choosing our state. We’ve had the fifth fastest acceleration among states in growth of our young adult population. And recent Census data confirms, after decades of decline, Detroit’s population increased for a third consecutive year. Neighborhood by neighborhood, Detroiters have invested in building even stronger communities, and their hard work is paying off. Actionmatters.
However, momentum should not be confused with a job completed. There has never been a more critical moment to continue tackling this existential challenge for our communities. In fact, international migration — a consistent source of growth in Michigan, even when all others were in decline — is down in everyU.S. state. Without action, demographic trends mean workforce shortages deepen, tax bases will shrink and economic challenges will become harder to overcome.
But not if Detroiters have something to say about it. Detroit knows a thing or two about keeping our foot on the accelerator and never backing down. Our city has responded to the nation’s biggest challenges before, from inequality to poor working conditions, by producing innovations like the modern middle class, labor law and American music that took over the world. Now, Detroit is doing it again.
Just seven weeks ago, more than 50 community, corporate, educational, labor and philanthropic partners came together, alongside Detroit mayor Mary Sheffield, to launch the MoveDetroit coalition — a citywide initiative focused on ensuring the city’s population and economic momentum continue for generations to come.
MoveDetroit recognizes a simple truth: growth requires holistic strategy and bold action. Detroit’s people and culture are already unmatched. We’re launching marketing and talent programs to kickstart growth, while making long-term investments in the great places, great opportunities and welcoming communities people look for in the place they call home. Amid the “talent war,” cities that offer all three in spades will compete for and win talent, creating economic opportunity for decades to come.
MoveDetroit accelerates growth by retaining current Detroiters and connecting them to opportunities, while welcoming new and former residents home to Detroit. Our first program,“Make Detroit Home”offers housing and relocation assistance, alongside support for local entrepreneurs, creatives and small businesses. In a matter of weeks, more than 5,600 people have applied to call Detroit home. And we’re just getting started.
Growth is a group project. It requires all of us playing our part to invest in and amplify people, neighborhoods and opportunities — all reasons people will keep choosing Detroit. If we continue to work in partnership, we can be the model for growth-driven shared prosperity and build a brighter future for all Detroiters — and Michiganians — current and future. Let’s move.
Hilary Doe is president and CEO of MoveDetroit.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Detroit’s growth model starts with partnership | Hilary Doe
Reporting by Hilary Doe / The Detroit News
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