Detroit Regional Chamber > Chamber > How Gov. Snyder’s ‘Relentless Positive Action’ Is Helping Detroit Win

How Gov. Snyder’s ‘Relentless Positive Action’ Is Helping Detroit Win

December 18, 2018
With Michigan’s new governor and legislators poised to take office in the new year comes an opportunity to support Detroit in its continued growth and revitalization.

Three years after exiting bankruptcy and nearly a decade since the Great Recession, Detroit is coming back — the Detroit MSA labor force is up 6.2 percent, employment is up 15.9 percent, and per capita income is up 34.2 percent. It has been a remarkable turnaround, and so much of the success is attributable to the earnest work of Gov. Rick Snyder and his administration.

That he has been able to garner statewide support for Detroit’s transformation without criticizing others or resorting to the lack of civility that is so common in today’s public discourse is remarkable – and appreciated.

Gov. Snyder’s unique willingness to bring the business, community, government, nonprofit and the public and private sector together as “One Michigan” paid dividends for Detroit, our state and region during his tenure. His positive message that “when one community wins, we all win,” resulted in a city and region more unified than when he took office.

The results of the Governor’s collaborative spirit is evident in the work being done and the relationships forged between the business community and groups across the city and state in everything from economic development legislation, the Gordie Howe International Bridge project and foreign business attraction to support for the landmark passage of the “Grand Bargain” facilitating Detroit’s exit from bankruptcy.

Part of this success is the result of the Governor’s message that cities, of all shapes and sizes, play a role in fostering economic growth and talent attraction. Gov. Snyder’s leadership in the comeback of Detroit was not just critical to Southeast Michigan, but his “ignore the politics” approach resulted in a transformation that the nation is still talking about – and has made Detroit a city that once again makes all parts of the state proud.

Under the leadership of the Governor, Detroit has achieved more than anyone could have expected in 2010. You need look no further than the growth of our economy and the vibrancy of places like downtown.

There is still much left to do for Detroit to experience its full renaissance. It is paramount that Governor-elect Whitmer and the soon-to-be-sworn-in members of the state Legislature take a page from Gov. Snyder’s playbook and set aside their differences, avoid politically-charged attacks and come together on key issues like education reform, broadband access, transportation and mobility, and other economic issues that will allow our business community to thrive.

In his exit interview with the Detroit Economic Club the Governor said, “The greatest threat to our country is our lack of civility between one another. It’s not about who is on the other side and why you should insult them or call them a name or anything else. What’s the problem we are there to solve?”

Let’s show the world how Detroit and Michigan can disagree without being disagreeable, how we can debate without personal attacks, and how we can solve more problems together than we can apart.