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Design Regional Detroit Q & A What is Design Regional Detroit? The Detroit Regional Chamber created the project to develop and implement a blueprint for achieving long-term economic and community prosperity in Southeast Michigan. Regional thinking, problem solving, and creative design are essential to long-term development and prosperity. Leaders need to work as a team on economic and community development, workforce development, marketing and branding, business attraction, and the quality-of-life issues that influence economic and community prosperity. How is the Detroit Region defined? The region encompasses at least 10 Michigan counties—Genesee, Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair, Washtenaw, and Wayne. Our planning may well take us into nearby counties, as well as northern Ohio and western Ontario. How is Design Regional Detroit organized? Edsel B. Ford II serves as “champion” of the process. Approximately 35 others serve on a steering group called “Champions.” They have been selected based on their proven commitment to the region, out-of-the-box and risk-taking thinking, and collaborative leadership. The Detroit Regional Chamber, with assistance from Public Sector Consultants and Marx Layne and Company, provides staff, research, public relations, and outreach services to Design Regional Detroit. What research is taking place? Staff is compiling research that describes the region’s economy, demographics, and quality of life. We compared our region to four regions and analyzed leading indicators that capture assets, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen economic and community prosperity. Is the planning effort top-down? No. Design Regional Detroit emphasizes inclusion by engaging and mobilizing stakeholders throughout the region in business, government, labor, civic, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations. They are instrumental in defining regional strengths, barriers, opportunities, and priorities. What is the time frame for work? Through May, staff and planning leaders will be inviting hundreds of key stakeholders—through interviews, web surveys, and community conversations— to identify key regional opportunities, priorities, and early strategies. A report that captures the regional consensus for regional action will be previewed at the Mackinac Policy Conference in 2006. In Fall 2006, a summit of regional leaders will be convened to receive the regional consensus report and begin work on a full-blown blueprint/action plan for regional prosperity. Work on this blueprint will continue through 2006 and into 2007. At the Mackinac Policy Conference in 2007, the blueprint for regional prosperity will be presented. How is the Design Regional Detroit effort compatible with or different from other planning endeavors? The United Way of Southeastern Michigan has a planning process underway for human services needs and opportunities. Detroit Renaissance is carrying out an intensive, focused analysis of high-potential economic clusters. Local economic development agencies all have plans and strategies to grow their local economies. The state is pursuing implementation of the Governor’s 21st Century Jobs Fund, in addition to its ongoing business development strategies. There may be other initiatives underway or planned. Design Regional Detroit will collaborate closely with these efforts. DRD emphasizes including leaders and communities within the region in the essential cultural change needed to transform Southeast Michigan. In so doing, it reaches out to the broadest possible constituency, probes barriers and opportunities with the greatest number of stakeholders, and builds the army of people who are invested in regional prosperity. In the early going, what can I do and how can I get involved?
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