Latest Updates

Detroit Regional Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah issued a on the passing of Carl Levin, Michigan’s longest-serving Senator.

In CNBC’s Top States for Business annual ranking, Michigan improved 13 spots from 2019, to move up to 11th. The jump in the rankings was driven by high scores in the categories of technology and innovation, cost of living, and cost of doing business.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Meijer created the MI Shot to Win program, which is giving away $5 million in cash prizes and college scholarships. The sweepstakes is designed to incentivize Michiganders to get inoculated as soon as possible during the summer months, when cases are low.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to businesses and residents in Michigan following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes from June 25-26, 2021.

Thirteen satellite vote centers in Detroit open Monday morning to register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and return a ballot for the city’s Aug. 3 primary election. Voters can also return their ballots at 20 drop box locations around the city. Learn more.

State lawmakers passed an unprecedented $17.1 billion budget on Wednesday, and federal COVID-19 relief funding will also send billions to schools. The latest budget hikes per-pupil funding in the state to $8,700, closing a persistent funding gap between Michigan school districts that state lawmakers for years have tried to incrementally close.

Dr. Audrey Gregory, chief executive officer of Detroit Medical Center (DMC), joined the Chamber for the fifth installment of its virtual Lessons In Leadership series to explore challenges she has faced as a health care leader navigating a global pandemic while also managing DMC needs in her first year as chief executive officer.

A Salesforce survey of 200 U.S. small business leaders illustrated how this sector is growing its customer base, using technology, and preparing for the future. Though small businesses have suffered revenue loss over the course of the pandemic – as more than half of survey respondents shared – these results show promise for businesses that prioritize safety, focus on customer experiences, and commit to technological investments.

Maj. Gen. Darren L. Werner, commanding general of U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, Army Materiel Command, joined the Chamber to discuss the U.S. Army’s current talent recruitment initiatives including the Army National Hiring Days.

Najah Bazzy, founder and chief executive officer of Zaman International, joined the Chamber to discuss the importance of prioritizing who and what matters most to fulfilling your mission, as told through her experience building an organization around the transformative power of hope.

Peter Quigley, president and chief executive officer of Kelly, joined the Detroit Regional Chamber to discuss how individuals can lead at all levels of an organization with increased awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The long-lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of sustaining a healthy work environment to allow employees and businesses to thrive was also covered.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today issued Executive Directive 2021-02 to help bridge the digital divide by establishing the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office to make high-speed internet more affordable and accessible. Learn more.

On May 19, the Detroit Regional Chamber gathered industry experts to discuss key workforce development considerations for commercial cannabis employers looking to attract talent in the region. Watch the recording and read a recap.

The Detroit Regional Chamber sent a letter to Michigan Sen. Jim Stamas (R-Midland) and Rep. Thomas Albert (R-Grattan Township) outlining a $400 million proposal for the 100K by Labor Day Back to Work Plan. Without spending additional American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, the plan extends the fundamental principles of a Michigan House proposal to address the critical need for employees to reenter the workforce amid growing customer demand.

Our partners at Bridging North America have shared for Chamber members informational documents regarding bid opportunities for the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. View them at the links below.

Maj. Gen. Ross Coffman, director of Next Generation Combat Vehicles, Cross Functional Team for the Detroit Arsenal, joined the Detroit Regional Chamber to share lessons learned throughout his career as a leader in the U.S. Army including what impacts effective leadership, the importance of a human connection, team collaboration, and demonstrating care to enable collective success.

On Wednesday, March 31, Dug Song, chief strategy officer for Cisco Secure and co-founder of Duo Security, joined the Chamber to discuss his perspective on leading in a technology-forward world, and share lessons learned throughout his journey from entrepreneur to corporate success. 

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II today joined with state, education, business, and community leaders, including Detroit Regional Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah, in pledging support for nearly 37,000 Southeast Michigan residents who’ve applied for a Michigan Reconnect scholarship in its first two months.

View the official statement from the Detroit Regional Chamber.

On Thursday, March 18, the Chamber brought together city and local leaders for Advocacy in Action: The Big Four, a discussion about the region’s biggest economic issues. Joining the conversation were David Coulter, executive for Oakland County, Mike Duggan, mayor of the City of Detroit, Warren Evans, executive for Wayne County, and Mark Hackel, executive for Macomb County. The leaders were joined by Carol Cain, senior producer and host of CBS 62 Michigan Matters and columnist for the Detroit Free Press, who moderated the conversation.

Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) is a city-wide summer job and training program that employs young adults between the ages of 14 and 24 for 120 hours. Youth participants are permanent residents of Detroit and have completed an application and registration process to become eligible along with work readiness training. Learn how to get involved.

The Detroit Regional Chamber (Chamber) is accepting proposals to develop a comprehensive website. In addition to initial development, the Chamber is looking for a partner that will work directly with the Chamber team on incremental updates and developments after launch that will help keep the site up-to-date with website best practices.

Hear expert leadership advice from this Inside the CEO Mind session with TCF National Bank’s Tom Shafer.

The Detroit Regional Chamber released its 2021 State of Education report, which offered a sober assessment of overall educational attainment in the region with many key indicators such as postsecondary readiness and enrollment, adult degree completion, and equity graduation gaps trending in the wrong direction.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined Republican and Democratic legislators to announce the launch of the $30 million Michigan Reconnect program, the largest effort in state history to ensure that more than 4.1 million Michiganders who are 25 or older and do not have a college degree will have an opportunity to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skills certificate. 

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded a state transportation economic development grant that will support 2,200 new jobs in the city of Detroit. The grant will help fund infrastructure improvements related to General Motors Co.’s (GM) Factory ZERO plant that straddles the Detroit-Hamtramck border.  Learn more.

As leaders of Michigan businesses; Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, some who supported President Trump for reelection and some who voted for Vice President Biden, we agree that a central tenet of American democracy is the maintenance of norms that provide the stability our society is based upon. One of those critical norms is the smooth and gracious transfer of presidential power.

As organizations work through the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been more important for companies to build emotional connections. Strong emotional connections between not only the consumer and the brand, but also the consumer and the associates working within the organization are vital for success. Linda Hubbard, chief operating officer and president of Carhartt joined the Detroit Regional Chamber’s President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah for a discussion on the importance of establishing an emotional connection with your brand’s consumer to not only attract the customer, but also encourage employee engagement.

Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah penned a message sharing a post-election analysis.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, LARA Director Orlene Hawks, Adjutant General and DMVA Director Major General Paul Rogers, and MVAA Director Zaneta Adams announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation that supports military personnel, veterans, and their families by reducing barriers to professional licensure. Rep. Andrea Schroeder (R-Independence Twp.), Rep. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Sen. John Bizon (R-Battle Creek), and Sen. Adam Hollier (D-Detroit) are the primary sponsors of the legislation. 

For the second consecutive year, the Detroit Regional Chamber has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Detroit Free Press. The recognition is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage. 

Michigan employers looking to take advantage of the Going PRO Talent Fund program will be able to apply for their share of the $27 million in training funds available to Michigan businesses beginning Monday, Nov. 2. The Going PRO Talent Fund helps individuals secure employment, industry-recognized credentials, and strong wages by providing training grants to Michigan businesses to support employees in high-demand, skilled trades industries.

Congratulations to the Chamber’s Vice President of Government Relations Brad Williams on being named among Crain’s Detroit Business’ 50 Names to Know in Lobbying.

Detroit Regional Chamber Chief Operating Officer Tammy Carnrike will join the AWE Project for When Women Lead, a discussion on supporting Black and Latinx women entrepreneurs, Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 5 p.m. Visit awefoundation.org/projects learn more and register for free.

Apply before Sept. 30. EY’s Entrepreneurs Access Network business accelerator program teams with Black and Latinx founders to transcend barriers, bridge the disparity gap, and scale their businesses.

The Detroit Regional Chamber congratulates Creative Director Katie Krizanich on her recognition by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of its 2020 Notable Women in Design.

Get the latest headlines from the week of Sept. 7, 2020, powered by Gongwer.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer today launched the nation’s first program offering tuition-free college to an estimated 625,000 Michiganders who provided essential, frontline services during COVID-19 Stay Home, Stay Safe orders from April to June of 2020. Read the Chamber President and CEO Sandy K. Baruah’s statement.

August 17 – More than 180,000 members with commercially insured individual health care plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will receive one-time credits on their health plan premiums this fall.

“MPC20 Conversations will bring viewers, across Michigan and beyond, the type of public conversations that drive action around the crucial immediate and longer-term issues that will move our region and state’s prosperity forward,” said Sandy K. Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Congratulations to the graduates of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Leadership Detroit program, a 10-month transformational leadership program designed to challenge emerging and existing community leaders from Southeast Michigan to bring about positive change.

On Wednesday, July 15, the Chamber welcomed new members to its Board of Directors. Ryan Maibach, president of Barton Marlow Co., is now Chairman of the Board; and Wright Lassiter III, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health System took on the position of First Vice Chairman.  

Last year, Gov. Whitmer signed new legislation to create a better no-fault system for Michigan drivers. This new auto no-fault law will lower costs for Michigan drivers, maintain the highest coverage options in the country, and strengthen consumer protections, according to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Learn more.

After a long session day today, the Legislature will break until the third week of July. During that time, work on the budget will continue. Before breaking, the Legislature met in Lansing on a number of issues, including the following:

The Detroit Regional Chamber joined 100 organizations nationwide to send a letter to U.S. Congress urging that elected officials—Republicans and Democrats alike—initiate important dialogue and implement necessary changes to current police policy. 

Today, the Chamber is taking the time off to reflect on Juneteenth, a day that has been largely overlooked throughout history. To further educate ourselves and our members, as well as those still learning alongside us, we have compiled a list of resources to learn more. 

The Detroit Regional Chamber understands how the COVID-19 health crisis is affecting businesses across the region. That’s why the Chamber will defer membership dues for up to 90-days for businesses who join the Chamber in April, May, or June. Existing Chamber members renewing their membership during the same time period can elect the same deferment option.

This month, more than 150 local business and community leaders gathered in recognition of International Women’s Day. The event featured an uplifting and empowering program that embodied the 2020 theme of Each for Equal, which emphasizes the importance of equity for women in the workforce and beyond.

Given the global spread and growing cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, many businesses are encouraging or enforcing work from home or remote policies. These policies will be effective in social distancing, which is being highly recommended by both health and government officials to #FlattentheCurve.

The outbreak of Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, originating from Wuhan, China has spread to 90 countries. Governments have closed borders and implemented quarantines, while companies have imposed travel restrictions. The impacts of Coronavirus on businesses are being observed globally. At this time, there is no reason to overreact, but businesses should be taking precautions.

DETROIT, MICH. (Jan. 27, 2020) – Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber released findings from a new statewide poll that highlights the issues that matter most to Michigan voters in advance of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s second State of the State Address and the Detroit Policy Conference on Wednesday, Jan. 29.  

The Detroit Regional Chamber is recognized nationally as one of the largest and most effective chambers of commerce in the nation. Yesterday, the Chamber’s 2019 annual meeting – State of Your Detroit Regional Chamber – highlighted how the organization is addressing critical challenges facing the region and the state.

The Detroit Regional Chamber founded the “Excellence in Education Leadership Award” to recognize educators who demonstrate outstanding public service and leadership on behalf of the region.

This month, the Detroit Free Press named the Detroit Regional Chamber a 2019 Top Workplace based on an anonymous staff survey.

Last week, the Chamber’s “The Business of Cannabis: Impact and Opportunities” showcased the potential of Michigan’s already booming cannabis industry. Speakers shed light on the future of drug testing in the workplace, economic opportunities in the industry, and workforce development through criminal record expungement. 

Switch was named the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Member of the Month for October because of its commitment to sustainability and sole use of locally generated 100% renewable energy to power its data centers, including its Pyramid Campus in Grand Rapids, MI.

MICHauto and Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-MI 57) hosted a tour of some of the region’s most innovative mobility hubs including Mcity, the American Center for Mobility, and the PlanetM Landing Zone with fellow legislators on Monday, Oct. 21 to showcase the cutting-edge work happening in Michigan’s mobility sector.

MICHauto’s Discover Auto program connects students to the career opportunities available to them in the automotive industry through immersive tours with those leading its ongoing evolution. In the first tour of the school year, 15 computer science students from Livonia’s Churchill High School were welcomed to HELLA’s Northville facility on Friday, Oct. 18 for career discussion and exploration.

On Monday, Aug. 19, Vice President Mike Pence visited Detroit for his third speaking engagement with the Detroit Economic Club.

Detroit Moves gathered the automotive community on Thursday, July 25, for an evening of networking and informative discussion on what’s next for the annual mobility festival.

Now in its 13th year, the Michigan Chronicle Men of Excellence Awards recognizes local African American men who inspire others through vision, leadership, exceptional achievements, and participation in community service.

Dave Dubensky, CEO of Ford Motor Land Development Corp., spoke with members about his leadership philosophies rooted in authentic engagement at Inside the CEO Mind on Thursday, June 20. Dubensky led a dynamic conversation in which he shared best practices for building strong teams, taking impactful action, and getting to know the hearts and minds of the people you work with.

Representing the Detroit region, the Chamber’s research team attend the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. The national conference, which took place June 3 to June 7, convened more than 315 community and economic researchers.

May 28 – WJR’s Mobility Makers with Guy Gordon

Hear from Glenn Stevens and others on important automotive issues during the Mackinac Policy Conference.

MACKINAC ISLAND, May 31, 2019 – Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber unveiled its 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference To-Do List following three days of discussions featuring top state, regional, and national thought leaders. Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah and 2019 Conference Chair Patti Poppe, president and CEO of Consumers Energy and CMS Energy, announced the list at the conclusion of the 39th annual Conference.

With auto insurance debates heating up in Lansing, the Detroit Regional Chamber is highly involved in the discussions working with bipartisan legislators and the governor’s office.

“MICHauto was the first statewide program to highlight the importance of connected vehicles and next-generation autonomous vehicles,” said Sandy Baruah, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber, during the 2019 MICHauto Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 26 at the Detroit Athletic Club.

At the 2019 Detroit Policy Conference, The Detroit News’ Nolan Finley took to the Sound Board stage with Stephen Henderson from Detroit Public Television and WDET 101.9 FM to announce the Detroit Civility Project, a regional call for leaders to participate in meetups with others who may not share the same political or ideological view.

As cannabis becomes legal in Michigan and across the nation, companies are trying to navigate new legal ramifications while understanding the business possibilities.

Throughout the 2019 Detroit Policy Conference, five local community leaders took the stage to deliver for “TEDx-style Power Perspectives.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s Board of Directors recently adopted its legislative priorities for 2019. These 14 priorities, which are critical to economic development and growth of the region, include investing in infrastructure, support for […]

The Detroit Regional Chamber and Michigan Economic Development Corp. convened a team of statewide economic developers to attend CES 2019 in Las Vegas this week. […]

General Motors was named Member of the Month for October because of its important work enabling change in Detroit’s neighborhoods through the NeighborHUB grant program.

Mayor Mike Duggan has joined businesses across the city and region to celebrate Detroit’s global leadership in automotive next-generation mobility technology by issuing a proclamation that recognizes Oct. 7-12 “Mobility Week” in Detroit.

DETROIT, Mich., Oct. 5, 2018 – Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber and General Motors announced the awardees for the NeighborHUB grant program during a press conference at the Northwest Activities Center in Detroit. Eight neighborhood nonprofit organizations will receive a grant and in-kind business support for innovative and collaborative solutions to problems their community faces.

On Thursday, Sept. 27, the Detroit Regional Chamber hosted its Attracting and Retaining Top Talent Lunch to address common talent challenges. Three regional experts took the stage to offer employers strategies on the latest talent-drawing tips and trends.

DETROIT, Sept. 20, 2018 – With 36 percent of Michigan college graduates leaving the state within a year of graduation, the Detroit Regional Chamber and its partners created Let’s Detroit to attract and retain the talent to Southeast Michigan.

David Lewis was the featured speaker at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s recent Inside the CEO Mind event at Castle Hall in Detroit. During his remarks, Lewis elaborated on AT&T investment in Michigan and alluded to future smart cell technology that will help push the evolution of autonomous cities.

DETROIT, Sept. 10, 2018 – Detroit Regional Chamber Chief Operating Officer, Tammy Carnrike, CCE has been named to the Michigan Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.

Glenn Stevens, Executive Director of MICHauto and the Detroit Regional Chamber’s vice president of automotive and mobility initiatives, likes to emphasize that the biggest challenge to keeping Michigan at the forefront of the emerging technologies is talent, and research backs up his statement.

“Would I have attended college if I didn’t have the Detroit Promise? Probably not.”

Those were the words of Eastern Michigan University sophomore Raynisha Pannell during the program’s fifth annual Summer Social event held at Focus: HOPE last week. Pannell is one of more than 600 new students who will participate in the Detroit Promise this year.

In partnership with regional chambers of commerce across Southeast Michigan, Wellness Works, an initiative of the Detroit Regional Chamber and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan launched its inaugural Healthy Workplace contest this summer encouraging businesses to show how they promote a healthy workplace for a chance to win Detroit Tigers suite tickets.

As one of the top leaders in the technology and communication industry, AT&T Michigan President David Lewis cites much of his success to learning from others at every step in his career. Lewis participated in a Q&A with the Detroit Regional Chamber to discuss his personal leadership style and how he encourages adaptivity in an ever-evolving industry. Read the full Q&A here.

Five years after Detroit’s historic bankruptcy, the city is experiencing an unprecedented rebirth on the world stage. From a bustling restaurant scene and a growing tech entrepreneurial ecosystem to multimillion-dollar development downtown and growth in the city’s neighborhoods.

To protect Michigan’s automotive and manufacturing industries, this week, the Detroit Regional Chamber announced its support for bipartisan legislation in Congress to limit tariffs on steel and aluminum imports (S. 3013).

One of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2018 Legislative Priorities is focused on increasing dedicated infrastructure funding. Arguably one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in Michigan, the Soo Locks in the Upper Peninsula, are in dire need of repair.

Last week, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Destination Detroit team welcomed eight French mobility startups to Southeast Michigan in collaboration with Ubimobility, Business France and the French American Chamber of Commerce.

Crain’s Detroit Business recently released its “Notable Women in Finance” report, distinguishing women who work in finance roles for Michigan companies. See which elite member company executives were awarded this distinction.

The Detroit Regional Chamber is committed to ensuring Chamber members get the most out of their membership. One of the best opportunities is the bi-annual Membership Maximizer event, where members receive a crash course on membership benefits while networking with staff and other Chamber members. While there are many potential benefits to attending, here are the top three reasons you should attend a Membership Maximizer.

When it comes to the future of autonomous and connected vehicles, talent is a major component of Michigan’s next-generation mobility leadership. With more than 150,000 engineers and world-class colleges and universities, the Detroit region is already a prime spot for companies in the mobility industry. Last week, Michigan put the future of its engineering talent pool on full display in downtown Detroit.

Last week, in her first official duty as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Tammy Carnrike, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s chief operating officer, greeted U.S. Secretary of the Army Mark Esper and U.S. Sen. Gary Peters for their visit of the Detroit Arsenal in Macomb County, including the Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC), the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM).

When it comes to motivating coworkers to produce top-quality work, infusing individuals with a sense of purpose is key, according to Consumers Energy President and CEO Patti Poppe. Poppe delivered a keynote address to nearly 50 regional business leaders at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s ongoing Inside the CEO Mind series and was held April 19 at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham.

In the race for connected and automated vehicle development, Michigan continues to solidify its leadership role with the grand opening of its latest asset, the American Center for Mobility (ACM). Government, automotive and technology leaders gathered at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti on Wednesday to mark the official opening of ACM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Gov. Rick Snyder was joined by over 200 business leaders and community influencers from the Detroit region who were eager to hear how the state has progressed during the Governor’s State of the State: Now and in the Future on March 27 at MGM Grand in Detroit.

Leadership Detroit is entering its 40th year and is currently seeking high-potential leaders in the Detroit region to join the upcoming class. Please consider nominating a leader from your organization, or if you have been nominated and want to learn more about the program, consider attending an informational breakfast.

Ninety days since the official launch of the PlanetM Landing Zone, efforts to attract and connect global mobility startups to the Detroit region are moving rapidly, with 18 global mobility startups, three Tier 1 OEM partners and a venture capital firm actively engaging at WeWork Merchant’s Row. The Chamber launched the PlanetM Landing Zone in October 2017, in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

The Detroit Regional Chamber is committed to ensuring Chamber members get the most out of their membership. One of the best opportunities is the bi-annual Membership Maximizer event, where members receive a crash course on membership benefits while networking with staff and other Chamber members. While there are many potential benefits to attending, here are the top three reasons you should attend a Membership Maximizer.

The sixth round of the North American Free Trade Agreement renegotiation is taking place in Montreal, Québec this week. It could be a decisive moment in these negotiations: Several key issues are being discussed by the three parties, and many stakeholders from the United States, Mexico and Canada are in the province’s metropolis.

Throughout the North American International Auto Show Industry Preview Days, conversations around autonomous vehicles flooded the halls. Everyone wants expert insight on when these vehicles will become consumer products, what infrastructure and legislation will be needed to move automated vehicles forward, and most of all – where will all the talent come from?

If you’re a mobility startup, you need to be in Detroit. That was the overarching consensus from an “Autoline” Supplier Symposium panel hosted by John McElroy at the 2018 North American International Auto Show on the show floor surrounded by newly unveiled vehicles Tuesday.

Continuing to share the message of the automotive industry resurgence and a growing tech boom in the Detroit region, the Detroit Regional Chamber, along with the Michigan-China Innovation Center, hosted a delegation of 21 Taiwanese experts in the field of semiconductors and electronics as part of outreach efforts during the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).

Following a four-month appointment to the board of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Detroit branch, Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah was recently reappointed to serve an additional three-year term that started Jan. 1.

This week, the Detroit Regional Chamber and its regional economic development partners launched a new online publication, Driven, which is devoted to telling the story of the Detroit region’s mobility assets and leadership.

The Detroit Regional Chamber, in partnership with statewide economic development agencies, traveled to Las Vegas this week for CES 2018. The trip, which featured representatives from Ann Arbor SPARK, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) and Oakland County, was held concurrently with a delegation led by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Last week, the Coalition for the Future of Detroit Schoolchildren endorsed the Detroit Regional Chamber’s plan to establish a regional Education Compact, a key step in ensuring that the region is educated, healthy and employed to compete in the 21st century global economy.

To accelerate the Detroit region’s growing economy, attract global firms, and bolster job creation in an age of rapid technological innovation, creative and collaborative solutions to improve Michigan’s education system must be a top priority. That was a key message a panel of economic and business experts reinforced repeatedly during the Detroit Regional Chamber’s fourth annual State of the Region on Wednesday, Nov. 1.

Now in its fourth year, the State of the Region provides an economic overview, both successes and challenges, of the 11-county region and benchmarks it against national peer regions. The report provides an analysis of several key economic indicators including per capita income growth, unemployment, median home values, talent, innovation and foreign direct investment.

As the fourth round of negotiations between Canada, the United States and Mexico surrounding the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) conclude, the Detroit Regional Chamber, along with MICHauto and the Consulate General of Canada, hosted members of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association for an informative discussion on NAFTA’s potential impact on trade and economic growth for the U.S. and Canadian economies.

I introduced my friend Bryan Lewis in my last post. He’s from Southfield, left the region for school and came back just a few years ago. When he graduated from Carnegie Melon University with a Master of Science degree in energy science, technology and policy in 2014, he was set on moving to Washington, DC or New York and had no plans to return to Detroit.

In an effort to put more of the $90 million in federal aid that went unclaimed in Michigan last year into the hands of students, Detroit Drives Degrees kicked off its second annual “Race to the FAFSA Line” Challenge, which promotes the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Challenge offers incentives to students, counselors and high schools to complete the form and runs from Oct. 1, 2017 through Feb. 28, 2018.

With efforts underway to position Detroit as the premier location for Amazon’s HQ2, the city’s latest accolade sends a clear message to the retail giant: Detroit’s innovation economy is powered by an unrivaled manufacturing workforce. On Wednesday, Freightliner Trucks awarded the city its “Hardest Working Cities” designation.

In an effort to attract and connect more mobility-focused startups and other emerging high-tech, automotive-focused companies to the region, the Detroit Regional Chamber, Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) and WeWork launched the PlanetM Landing Zone in Detroit last week.

In an effort to attract and connect more mobility-focused startups and other emerging high-tech, automotive-focused companies, the Detroit Regional Chamber, Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) and WeWork announced today the launch of the PlanetM Landing Zone. This first-of-its-kind space will serve as an environment where startups with connected and automated transportation technologies can connect with Detroit’s automotive and economic development network. Ford Motor Co. is the first automaker to join the partnership via its City Solutions team located on-site.

Southeast Michigan loses so much young talent to other states. And in our recent Southeast Michigan Talent Retention Survey, Detroit Drives Degrees had the chance to hear from almost 100 people who were born in the region but left. Based on this survey, the top three reasons people leave are for work, education and exploration.

With the Trump Administration re-opening the 23-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah continues to receive requests to provide insights based on his current role at the Chamber and his past work in Washington, D.C.

The Detroit Regional Chamber congratulates six executives from Chamber member companies for being named “30 in Their Thirties.”

After hurricanes Harvey and Irma flooded dozens of cities in Florida and Texas and left millions without power, Detroit Regional Chamber member companies have acted swiftly to assist with relief efforts.

With Detroit’s revitalization fresh on the minds of the business community, there is no better time to leverage the region’s world-class talent, assets and resources to attract leading global companies. With Amazon’s recent announcement to build a second headquarters, the Detroit Regional Chamber is doing just that.

Michigan is well-positioned to lead in the mobility race but risks losing its foothold without access to a pipeline of highly skilled talent and a renewed effort to attract entrepreneurs. That was a key message that automotive and technology leaders outlined during a panel discussion at the Michigan Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Annual Conference last week in Holland.

Officials from the United States, Canada and Mexico will meet in Washington, D.C. this week to begin negotiations to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The three countries have set an ambitious negotiating schedule, with a plan to hold seven rounds of talks before the end of the year.

At Detroit Drives Degrees, we want 60 percent of people living in our region to have a postsecondary degree (we’re currently at about 43 percent). We work throughout the entire talent development pipeline to reach our goal: To improve access to postsecondary opportunities, boost student success, and improve talent retention and attraction.

The Detroit Regional Chamber announced the election of Highgate President and CEO Stephen Polk as chairman of its Board of Directors for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Polk, who chaired the highly successful 2017 Mackinac Policy Conference, succeeds Archer Corporate Services President Dennis Archer Jr.

Detroit Regional Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah joined a panel of world leaders to discuss the impact of globalization and economic inequality during the 2017 International Economic Forum of the Americas in June in Montreal.

Today, Michigan legislators passed the “Good Jobs for Michigan” bill package, Senate Bills 242-244. This is one of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s legislative priorities as the government relations team has continuously urged legislators to adopt all three bills.

In a follow-up to a January fact-finding mission to Israel earlier this year led by Mark Davidoff, Michigan managing partner at Deloitte, and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, the Detroit Regional Chamber, along with economic development representatives from Oakland County, returned to the country in May to meet with automotive and manufacturing companies looking to expand into the U.S. market.

Alibaba Group Ltd.’s Gateway ’17 export conference held on June 20-21 at Cobo Center was the company’s first-ever event of its magnitude, attracting more than 3,000 businesses, entrepreneurs and media members from 48 states and many from the Detroit region.

Rush Group LLC founder Andra Rush addressed 70 Detroit Regional Chamber members and other business leaders at Inside the CEO Mind this week, discussing her journey as a female business owner through thoughtful tips and humorous anecdotes.

For the fourth consecutive year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) collaborated with the Detroit Regional Chamber to bring another voice to reporting on the Mackinac Policy Conference.

MICHauto’s fourth annual Supplier Fair and Legislative Reception connected more than a dozen suppliers with state lawmakers to continue the discussion on the economic impact of suppliers across the state.

The Detroit Regional Chamber joined Gov. Rick Snyder and Mayor Mike Duggan to announce a $3.5 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in support of the Detroit Promise, a last-dollar scholarship program administered by the Chamber Foundation.

For the first time ever, the Detroit Regional Chamber welcomed 20 students from The Lawn Academy along with more than 10 local professionals for a day of learning and career exploration, on April 27.

To continue to foster Detroit’s innovation community, Lear Corp. held an Open Innovation Challenge on April 1, which brought together six teams made up of students from three universities (University of Michigan, University of Michigan-Dearborn and Wayne State University) for a tournament-style pitch competition.

When it comes to Michigan’s economy, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters says he is bullish.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2030 millennials will make up 75 percent of the workforce.

Last week, five state lawmakers joined the Chamber’s government relations team and local leaders to explore transformational economic development sites in the city of Detroit.

Kelly Services’ Mark Lanfear, vice president and global practice leader of life sciences solutions, has spent years helping health care companies get the most out of their millennial talent and the rapidly changing workforce.

There are more than 8,300 skilled trades job openings across all industries in Michigan, and more than 6,200 are expected to be available each year through 2022, according to Pure Michigan Talent Connect.

Private investment from the state’s development community is helping to rewrite the narrative for what Detroit will look like in the future.

All across metro Detroit, what’s old is new again.

Christopher Ilitch, in a Bloomberg Television interview a month before his father died, succinctly captured his family’s role in Detroit’s riches-to-rags-to-revival story.

Despite significant industry diversification, however, automotive and manufacturing dominates Southeast Michigan, which makes the status of the industrial real estate market a key indicator of economic health.

If it feels like Dan Gilbert has taken Detroit’s development surge and thrust it into hyper drive, get ready to buckle up and brace for more.

The Detroit Regional Chamber held its Talent Outlook: Detroit Drives Degrees breakfast on Thursday, March 23 at the Detroit Athletic Club to discuss the region’s talent pipeline and report on the first year of the Chamber’s Detroit Drives Degrees (D3) initiative.

Visiting the Detroit Regional Chamber office just one day after being announced the grand prize winner of the inaugural Race to the FAFSA Line Contest, more than 20 Trillium Academy seniors got a chance to hear from a panel of millennial employees of the Chamber.

The Building the 21st Century Economy Commission held its most recent meeting in Detroit at the Chamber on Feb. 22. The Commission, created by Gov. Rick Snyder, has traveled across the state to gain public input from the business community on what needs to be done long-term to grow Michigan’s economy.

The Chamber, along with members of the Great Lakes Metro Chambers Coalition, met with members of Congress and their staff during a two-day legislative fly-in to Washington, D.C. last week to discuss key issues important to the business future of the Great Lakes/Midwest region.

Drawing on examples from her crusade to make New York safer, more sustainable and more connected, Janette Sadik-Khan, transportation principal for Bloomberg Associates, challenged leaders to take risk and reimagine new ways to utilize existing infrastructure to move people and grow the region’s economy.

In the midst of countless projects underway, developers must continue to make intentional decisions to include all Detroiters in the city’s revitalization.

With development showing no signs of slowing, engaging Detroiters in thoughtful dialogue on the city’s long-term vision and building up neighborhoods is necessary to continue Detroit’s momentum panelists said in the session, “Strengthening Detroit: Partners in Economic Development.”

When it comes to the impact of teamwork and collaboration on a community’s revitalization, Christopher Ilitch, president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings Inc., doesn’t have to look further than his own family.

Research shows that education is a driving force to foster a vibrant and strong economy. Detroit is no exception.

Detroit Young Professionals (DYP) is the premier networking organization for young professionals and entrepreneurs in metro Detroit.

Helping to debunk common myths about the auto and mobility industry, MICHauto, in partnership with Ford Motor Co., Oakland University and Planet M, hosted its “Opportunity Auto.Mobility” student career forum on Feb. 16 that included a keynote and networking reception for more than 70 students.

More than 50 attendees gathered at the College for Creative Studies to hear from Shinola President Jacques Panis, the latest executive to participate in the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Inside the CEO Mind series.

For many companies struggling to find their place in today’s digitally-driven world, lack of a clear marketing plan and failure to adapt to new platforms means getting left behind and losing business.

The Detroit Regional Chamber’s inaugural Digital Marketing Boot Camp, held on Feb. 15 at the College for Creative Studies’ A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education, brought together more than 200 attendees for a half-day of dialogue on improving the digital marketing footprint of their businesses.

Six Macomb County businesses were honored in grand fashion during the fifth annual Macomb Business Awards on Tuesday. The awards recognize organizations that strive to build a strong workforce, expand their market share, achieve efficiency, embrace diversity and are good neighbors. In total, 52 businesses were nominated by their peers.

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is the latest higher education institution to partner with the Detroit Promise program. Officials announced the university’s commitment during a signing ceremony last Friday, making Grand Valley the 13th public university to offer a tuition-free path to a bachelor’s degree for qualifying Detroit students.

The Detroit Regional Chamber recently joined 15 organizations across the state for a five-day fact-finding mission on Israel’s booming startup culture and cyber innovation hosted by Deloitte and the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit.

At Bamboo Detroit we started off just like anything else: an idea. The idea was simple, providing flexible workspace Downtown. We also started with a diverse team and open arms welcoming all to join us starting up in the city.

Thanks to a vision in 1979, Ideal Group CEO Frank Venegas Jr. wasted no time selling a Cadillac he won at a raffle during a Livingston County Builders Gala for capital to start his manufacturing and construction company.

Recently, the Detroit Regional Chamber released its third annual State of Region report, underwritten by Citizens Bank. Chamber President and CEO Sandy Baruah presented the report findings to nearly 300 business and community leaders at The Westin Book Cadillac in Detroit.

MICHauto presented Sen. Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) its 2016 Legislator of the Year award at its Annual Meeting at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn this week.

The millennial generation is the fastest-rising workforce and will comprise 75 percent of the global workforce by 2025, according to PwC.

As Detroit continues as a hotbed for the automotive and manufacturing industry, and foreign investors, creative solutions to the region’s limited industrial development space and the ability to attract and retain new talent will impact long-term prosperity.

As a way of thanking members for their support this past year, the Detroit Regional Chamber gave away a handful of prizes throughout the third Member Appreciation Day on Dec. 7th.

Yesterday, on Nov. 28, the Detroit Regional Chamber joined with Gov. Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to announce the expansion of the Detroit Promise college scholarship program to include free tuition for eligible students at four-year educational institutions.

One of the 2016 “To-Do” list items from the Mackinac Policy Conference is to support the establishment of the American Center for Mobility at Willow Run.

With high-quality hospitals, world-renowned programs and nationally recognized research universities and medical schools, the Detroit region is a premier location for innovators, investors and entrepreneurs who want to lead the health care industry.

Destination Detroit is North America’s premier regional business attraction team. The regional initiative brings together all the resources of one of America’s fastest growing locations.

In a visible sign of Detroit’s ongoing economic resurgence, more than 40 national and regional employers descended on Cobo Center on Monday to fill 300 full-time and 100 seasonal positions. The Pathways to Success summit, hosted by My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, connected employers with boys and young men of color.

HealthForward’s Employer-Provider Collaborations Luncheon, held on Wednesday, Nov. 9 in partnership with the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), focused on bridging the gaps between purchasers and providers of health care and find common goals, metrics, and processes. Attendees included representatives from large self-funded purchasers, hospital and provider executives, and other key health care stakeholders.

During the second quarter of 2016, Destination Detroit’s economic development partners directly assisted with the creation of 2,639 new jobs and $384.9 million in new investment.

Speaking just days after the city’s most successful Angels’ Night in years, Mayor Mike Duggan gave brief remarks about the city’s long-term goals, increased services and commitment to Detroit’s youth at the Chamber’s Networking Reception hosted at Ford Field.

“Innovation is a key ingredient for leaders to scale their business and sustain growth,” Jeff DeGraff, professor of business administration at the University of Michigan, said during his keynote address at the annual Middle Market CEO Summit.

Cybersecurity is one of the biggest obstacles CEOs face today, according to James Scopis, senior vice president and information security executive at Bank of America. Delivering keynote remarks at the second annual Middle Market CEO Summit, Scopis said that while most senior level managers understand the risk of a cyberattack on a company’s bottom line, security is often not top of mind.

When the election and inauguration are over, we will need to go through a healing process, as the country is more divided than it has ever been during an election, explained Ron Fournier, associate publisher of Crain’s Detroit Business. Fournier moderated a ‘National Election Outlook’ panel discussion between Truscott Rossman’s CEO and Principal, Kelly Rossman-McKinney, and President and Principal, John Truscott.

In today’s fast-paced world of instant gratification, innovation is not always easy but it is necessary if businesses are going to succeed in the marketplace. That was the message that kicked off the annual Middle Market CEO Summit hosted by Bank of America, Deloitte and the Detroit Regional Chamber last Thursday.

Building on its effort to grow the region’s economy and connect young people with jobs and sustainable career pathways, the Detroit Regional Chamber, together with My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and Mayor Mike Duggan, are recruiting regional businesses to pledge full-time jobs and career training for underprivileged youth and young men of color.

After a little more than eight months of renovations, a former cigar factory in Capitol Park is now Detroit’s newest example of renewed spirit: Lear Corporation’s Innovation Center located at 119 State St. The space is expected to house nearly 100 employees and will serve as an incubator for automotive and nonautomotive projects in design and research.

For the first quarter of 2016 the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Forward Detroit strategy reported the above results. The Chamber’s Business Attraction team assisted in closing three deals in the Detroit region, which created 223 jobs and brought in $69 million of investment.

The Detroit Regional Chamber in support of the region’s youth attended this year’s Manufacturing Day at Shiloh Industries.

With more than 35 years of transportation, logistics and supply chain management experience behind him – former Detroit Regional Chamber board member John James is a man of deep faith and uncanny business acumen.

Building loyal customer relationships takes time, skills and a personal touch, all of which many businesses forego in favor of the quick sale. But following some basic best practices can pay dividends in the long run, according to Lizz Glenn, a certified performance coach at Dale Carnegie Training of Southeast Michigan. Recently Glenn sat down with the eDetroiter to discuss her expertise on building win-win relationships through networking, and what to expect from her session titled “Six Ways to Instantly Make People Like You” during the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Business Cards to Business Dollars event on Oct. 12.

Nearly 18 months after taking office, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans delivered a positive message that the county’s fiscal health is on the upswing and has experienced remarkable improvement during remarks at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s quarterly Networking Reception at TPC Michigan in Dearborn.

The Detroit Regional Chamber today announced the participants in Leadership Detroit Class XXXVIII, a 10-month transformational leadership program designed to challenge emerging and existing leaders from Southeast Michigan to bring about positive change.

As one of the region’s most successful leaders, Consumers Energy CEO Patti Poppe says collaboration is the fuel that can drive the growth of a business and by giving employees a voice at the table offers them a sense of ownership and pride in a company’s long-term vision. Poppe, a Detroit Regional Chamber Board member, recently sat down with the eDetroiter to share her secrets for business success. Read the Q&A and register for Inside the CEO Mind.

Following the release of the statewide M-Step assessment results, the Detroit Regional Chamber is calling on state leaders to stay the course, with respect to standards and assessments, in order to better prepare students to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce. The results, released today, reveal only modest gains from the previous year.

This fall, the Detroit Regional Chamber will launch a new program designed to help students at risk of dropping out to navigate the rigors of higher education. Students who participate in the Detroit Promise scholarship program can access a suite of support services ranging from counseling to advice on exam prep through the Detroit Promise Path.

For Detroit to have sustainable economic growth, inclusion and collaboration among business, community, philanthropic, and government sectors must remain a top priority. That was a key takeaway from a panel discussion titled “Keys to Creating Places of Opportunity” featuring Detroit Regional Chamber President Sandy Baruah, The Skillman Foundation’s Tonya Allen, and Detroit Medical Center’s Conrad Mallett during the NeighborWorks Training Institute Symposium: Creating Places of Opportunity.

Working with key public partners, the Detroit Regional Chamber recently co-hosted five national site selectors for a firsthand look at the automotive and advanced manufacturing assets of Macomb and Oakland counties. The two-day tour was part of the Chamber’s ongoing effort to build relationships with site selectors and inform them of the region’s assets as they assist global companies in deciding where to locate.

Unofficial results show 91 percent of Chamber-endorsed candidates across 55 different races won their respective nomination, including wins in highly contested races for the 15th and 30th House Districts.

This week, the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan board voted down ballot language that would bring a proposal before voters in November to fund safe, reliable transit in the region. The vote proceeded a public hearing on the RTA’s master plan held at the Detroit Regional Chamber on Thursday.

The name HopCat may be new to some, but is revered by many in the Detroit region because of each location’s uniqueness and uncompromising quality. Founder and owner Mark Sellers, would have it no other way as he prides himself on his business approach and dedication to localism as his food and pub chain continues its rapid growth.

This week, the Detroit Regional Chamber welcomed eight new C-suite level members to its Board of Directors while Archer Corporate Services President Dennis Archer Jr. became Chair of the Board at the first meeting in the 2016-17 fiscal year. Archer, who chaired the highly successful 2016 Mackinac Policy Conference succeeds Deloitte’s Michigan Managing Partner Mark Davidoff whose one-year term as Board Chair came to an end.

As part of a strategic effort to learn more about Chinese automotive market trends and strengthen existing industry relationships, the Detroit Regional Chamber traveled to Chongqing, China in June to participate in the 2016 Global Automotive Forum.

DETROIT, June 30, 2016 – Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Political Action Committee (PAC) announced endorsements of 27 Republicans and 25 Democrats in the Michigan House of Representatives for the primary election, as well as the at-large seat on the Detroit City Council.

From assisting local companies to grow their customer base, to attracting new international firms to Southeast Michigan, Destination Detroit’s economic development partners helped generate 3,707 new jobs and $1.93 billion in investment during the first quarter of 2016.

This month, the state of Michigan, along with the Detroit Regional Chamber and MICHauto, took the state’s “Planet M” initiative on the road to ITS America in San Jose, Calif. to promote Michigan as the global epicenter of the automotive and mobility industries.

Reliable, connected regional transit is a proven engine for economic growth. Unfortunately, Southeast Michigan is missing out on economic benefits and letting its residents down with the current disconnected regional transit network.

Since opening its first U.S. location in Auburn Hills, Reply Inc. has grown from one employee to 45 in three short years. The company, a subsidiary of Italian-based Reply Group, specializes in consulting, systems integration and application management for new communication networks and digital media including the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile and social networking. In addition to Southeast Michigan, the company is poised to grow operations across the United States and recently opened another branch in Burr Ridge, Ill.

MACKINAC ISLAND, June 2, 2016 – Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber announced automotive expert, philanthropist and Highgate CEO Stephen Polk as Chair of the 2017 Mackinac Policy Conference. Archer Corporate Services’ President and 2016 Conference Chair Dennis Archer Jr. made the announcement from the main stage.

During Michigan’s “Lost Decade,” the state sometimes seemed fated to continue its economic decline. However, a dramatic reinvention, under the leadership of Gov. Rick Snyder, helped create more than 400,000 private-sector jobs and write a new comeback story for Michigan. Today, Snyder used his keynote address to look ahead towards the future, urging Conference attendees to overcome divisions, find solutions and write the state’s next chapter together, as “One Michigan.”

Tonya Allen, president and CEO of The Skillman Foundation stopped by the Blogger Zone in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Media Row during the Mackinac Policy Conference for a Q&A with the bloggers.

The Detroit Regional Chamber recently completed a weeklong business development mission to China, meeting with industry executives to make the case for Chinese companies to expand in Michigan while promoting the state’s automotive, manufacturing and talent assets. The trip coincided with the Chamber’s annual business attraction outreach at the Beijing Motor Show (Auto China).

DETROIT – For employers everywhere, timeliness and reliability are key factors when considering a job applicant. But for employers and employees in Southeast Michigan, the absence of frequent, reliable regional transit that connects Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties limits job and economic growth opportunities.

The Detroit Regional Chamber wrapped up a successful investment mission with Gov. Snyder and the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) this week, meeting with more than 30 automotive, aerospace and manufacturing companies in Germany, Italy and Switzerland to promote the region’s assets and attract job-creating investment.

One region. Endless opportunity.

That’s the mantra of Destination Detroit—a regional brand created by the Detroit Regional Chamber and its economic development partners in the city of Detroit and the 11-county Southeast Michigan region. The brand will be used to collaboratively promote the region’s assets while engaging with international and domestic companies looking to relocate or expand their operations in North America. The brand was unveiled during the Chamber Foundation’s Forward Detroit Annual

In an age of consumer-driven health care, finding innovative ways to get employees to adopt healthier behaviors at an early stage is critical to controlling cost for businesses and providers.

Destination Detroit, a collaborative brand created by the Chamber and regional economic development partners, will be used to promote the region’s assets among international and domestic companies looking to relocate or expand their operations in North America.

Every year on April 1, the federal government (US Customs and Immigration Service) opens up 85,000 H-1B opportunities for highly skilled workers in the lottery for talent to help drive our economy. That’s all employers are allowed, by law.

Attracting the next generation of talented workers for the automotive industry requires changing perceptions among parents and school counselors and creating awareness and excitement for manufacturing among younger students, industry leaders said during an “Industry and Education” roundtable discussion hosted by MICHauto at the Detroit Regional Chamber last week.

DETROIT— Whether it’s getting to work, the doctor or grocery store, hundreds of thousands of Southeast Michigan residents, including seniors and people with disabilities, are impacted by the absence of an effective and reliable regional transit system that connects Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.

The success of a business is directly linked to the satisfaction of its employees. From robust benefit packages to training opportunities, investing in employees must be a key component of a business’ long-term growth plan, according to Kouhaila Hammer, president and CEO of Ghafari Associates.

The Detroit Regional Chamber joined Mayor Mike Duggan this week in announcing the Detroit Promise Zone — an effort made possible by the work of the Detroit Scholarship Fund (DSF), which guarantees Detroit high school graduates two years of free college.

Page 4

Gentrification. Inclusion. The UAW. These are not topics typically embraced by a business organization, paid for by business to address business issues.

As national and international investors increasingly set their sights on the Detroit region’s revitalization, the Detroit Regional Chamber kicked off a new round of site selector engagement during a two-day trip to Phoenix, Ariz. in March.

In today’s technology-driven world, businesses face a barrage of cyber threats, each larger and more sophisticated than the last. Michigan alone sees more than 2.5 million annual attempted cyberattacks. Despite the risk, many businesses are still ambivalent or unaware of how to take action.

More than 1,200 representatives from automotive suppliers across the state descended on Cobo Center in Detroit last week for the 2016 Pure Michigan Automotive Summit – the largest matchmaking summit hosted by the state.

The day after Mayor Mike Duggan delivered a riveting State of the City Address, the focus on neighborhoods continued at the fifth annual Detroit Policy Conference at MotorCity Casino Hotel last Wednesday.

Detroit Public Television: Feb. 24, 2016

Detroit neighborhoods are the focus of this year’s Detroit Policy Conference. While Downtown and Midtown are thriving, how do we make sure the city’s neighborhoods are growing as well? Detroit Regional Chamber President Sandy Baruah joins the team to discuss revitalizing Detroit’s neighborhoods.

As the race for the connected and autonomous vehicle accelerates, continued collaboration between automakers and state and federal government policy leaders, along with public and private partnerships, is key to growing Michigan’s R&D leadership.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, best-selling author and Detroit native David Maraniss will deliver a keynote address at the 2016 Detroit Policy Conference. Maraniss, an associate editor at The Washington Post, will share reflections from his best-selling book, “Once in a Great City: A Detroit Story.”

He caught up with the Detroiter magazine prior to his remarks. Registration is still available for the Conference.

The Detroit Regional Chamber continues to work closely with state legislators on several bills focused on ensuring Southeast Michigan maintains a pro-economic growth environment. Read more about the latest issues.

Building on the goal of providing sustainable career pathways for young Detroiters, more than 150 business and community leaders helped kick off the second annual Grow Detroit’s Young Talent (GDYT) summer employment initiative at the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Paul Glantz, founder of Emagine Entertainment Inc., offers tips on how strong leaders can foster innovation among employees.

Fresh off one of the largest attended North American Auto Shows in over a decade, MICHauto recently announced the winners of its wildly successful #MichiganIsAuto social media contest.

As part of its ongoing effort to promote the economic impact of Southeast Michigan’s defense assets and highlight the alignment of the automotive industry and the military, the Detroit Regional Chamber hosted senior members of the U.S. Army for a private tour of the North American International Auto Show last week.

Cyber threats are increasing in frequency, scale and sophistication, and businesses are vulnerable to a wide range of risk. To help protect small and medium-sized businesses that are increasingly the victims of malicious attacks, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Detroit Regional Chamber are partnering on the 2016 Cybersecurity Summit

Whether it is a major expansion or an emerging startup looking for a home in Michigan, the Detroit region’s reputation as a premier location for business continues to rise. From July through September of 2015, the united 11-county area saw $468.3 million in private investment, creating 4,256 new jobs.

CCTV America: January 13, 2016

The city of Detroit is synonymous with American car manufacturing, but despite a strong revival in the U.S. auto industry, Detroit no longer has the prestige it once had. CCTV America’s Rachelle Akuffo spoke to Glenn Stevens, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s MICHauto and Strategic Development vice president.

Technology and design are the name of the game for today’s automakers, and the 2016 North American International Auto Show does not disappoint.

Last week, MICHauto presented Frank Ervin III, senior director of government affairs at Magna International, with its 2015 Volunteer of the Year award at its Annual Meeting at the Detroit Athletic Club.

Buoyed by an anticipated surge in global middle-class spending in the trillions of dollars and a Chinese market that is expected to provide millions of new customers, the automotive industry is growing and plush with opportunity.

In the 1973 film, “Sleeper,” Woody Allen wakes up after being frozen following a botched operation. To escape the inept police state trying to terminate him, he steals a car that looks like a bubble, with frosted windows and no steering wheel. He simply tells it where to go.

More than 90 students from the University of Michigan-Dearborn joined MICHauto and 12 of its investor companies on Dec. 8 to learn about exciting automotive technology and career opportunities in the industry.

Building off the 2016 Mackinac Policy Conference pillar of entrepreneurship, co-star of ABC’s “Shark Tank” and founder of FUBU, Daymond John will give a morning keynote address on Thursday, June 2 at the Conference.

In the new year, the Michigan Legislature will consider a major rewrite package of the state’s current energy policy, written in 2008, in an effort to address an evolving marketplace, plan for future capacity needs, maintain competitive pricing, and update clean energy standards.

More than 90 students from the University of Michigan-Dearborn joined MICHauto and 12 of its investor companies to learn about exciting careers as part of MICHauto’s ongoing Discover Auto series.

Recognizing the power of higher education in driving economic prosperity, the Chamber created Detroit Drives Degrees with the explicit goal of increasing post-secondary achievement to 60 percent at all levels, including advanced degrees and skilled trades certification, by 2025.

The Detroit News: Dec. 9, 2015

If we’re starting to feel good about the economic revival of Metro Detroit, it’s for good reason. Things are improving in the region, and the numbers prove it.

DETROIT, December 9, 2015: Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber released its second annual State of the Region report comparing metro Detroit’s economic performance to its peer regions. The report shows that while Southeast Michigan’s economy is stronger…

As a way of thanking members for their support this past year, the Detroit Regional Chamber gave away a handful of prizes throughout the second Member Appreciation Day on Dec. 2. To enter, members had to…

The Detroit Regional Chamber and National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) today announced a partnership to drive growth, increase competitiveness and job creation for middle market companies throughout Michigan. The Middle Market Council is the first of its kind in the state…

Who can use infographics to grow their audience? Everyone. That’s the goal of Pierrette Templeton, creative services director at Crain’s Detroit Business, who will provide easy cost-saving tips businesses on any size budget can implement to create compelling content at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Maverick Marketing Monday.

The roads funding legislation passed Tuesday night includes steps to address the Detroit Regional Chamber’s top policy priority, however the final plan is not the one the Chamber advocated for. The legislation contains long-term sustainability issues that likely will need to be addressed in the future and includes a significant lag before adequate funding is available to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads.

The Detroit News: Oct. 29, 2015

The national discussion on racial and economic equity that has grown in intensity over the last year resonates with leaders in Detroit, the region and our state. As a new era of economic growth is defined, we should consider also addressing the breadth of economic opportunity in a unified manner,

MICHauto, along with several key public and private partners from the state, attended the 2015 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) World Congress in Bordeaux, France in October.

Leadership Detroit, an initiative of the Detroit Regional Chamber, has joined forces with the Center for Community Leaders and the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce to host a thought exchange of best practices called “East Meets West.”

MICHauto, an initiative of the Detroit Regional Chamber, recently released its “Michigan is Auto” report at the 2015 MICHauto Summit. The report, now in its third iteration, details Michigan’s automotive and next-generation mobility assets and overall business climate.

If Michigan hopes to maintain its global manufacturing leadership, it will need a pipeline of STEM-educated workers who can meet the demands of high-tech business. Government and business leaders voiced their support for proposed changes…

Hundreds of students, families and community supporters poured into the Max M. Fisher Music Center on Aug. 11 to commend newly inducted and continuing Detroit Scholarship Fund (DSF) scholars for their commitment to advancing their education.

Building on its support of startup and minority-owned companies in the advanced manufacturing sector, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s InnoState program, a grant-funded program to assist small- and medium-sized manufacturers,..

Southeast Michigan manufacturers opened their doors to over 5,000 students from across the region last week to provide an up-close look at the industry during Manufacturing Day, a nationwide event aimed at changing misperceptions about skilled trades and fostering interest in manufacturing careers.

Gov. Rick Snyder closed out the 2015 MICHauto Summit with an enthusiastic call for Michigan’s automotive industry to continue its mobility leadership, promising that the state would continue to serve as a partner in building an overall environment for success, job-creation and economic growth.

Much of the technology and business models disrupting the auto industry continues to come from startup companies, according to Mike Morin, portfolio relations strategist for Start Garden.

For a limited time only, non-Chamber members can register for any upcoming Maverick Marketing Monday at the discounted member price. Each event includes lunch and focuses on the latest marketing trends and best practices presented by regional and national leaders in the field.

Mike Rowe stopped thinking of himself as a TV host more than a decade ago when he realized the people who perform the sometimes dangerous and unglamorous, yet fascinating and necessary jobs he was bringing to the screen didn’t need a celebrity; they needed help.

Southeast Michigan is rapidly becoming a hub for the research and development of intelligent transportation systems – a mobility advancement promising safer roadways, less traffic congestion and fewer carbon-dioxide emissions – and Washtenaw Community College (WCC) is entering the field in a big way.

The Detroit Regional Chamber today announced the participants in Leadership Detroit Class XXXVII, a 10-month transformational leadership program designed to challenge emerging and existing leaders from Southeast Michigan to bring about positive change.

Attendees at the 2015 MICHauto Summit will have a unique opportunity to experience innovative automotive next-generation technology firsthand while riding in a connected vehicle along Atwater Street in downtown Detroit.

Put simply, the global mobility race is on. While Michigan remains the undisputed automotive leader, the pace of disruption in the industry guarantees both unprecedented innovation and uncertainty alike. The questions remain, in a competition that could mean hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in investment, how can Michigan continue to lead? And what does Michigan’s automotive future look like?

This week, the National Commerce Group, a subsidiary of the Detroit Regional Chamber, and San Diego-based Benefits Corp. agreed to form one unified Office Depot purchasing program, the largest chamber affinity program of its kind for members nationwide.

For over 100 years, the Detroit Regional Chamber has been committed to serving its members and driving prosperity across Southeast Michigan. As a new petition drive to raise the state’s corporate income tax (CIT) emerges, the Chamber is once again standing behind that commitment and working to keep Michigan’s economy strong.

More than 200 Detroit students and their families celebrated the start of a new school year and their commitment to continuing higher education at the Detroit Scholarship Fund’s (DSF) Summer Ceremony on Aug. 11.

Sharing the story of opportunity and progress in Detroit with the rest of the nation and world has never been more important to attracting jobs, investment and talent to Southeast Michigan. The Detroit Regional Chamber’s efforts in promoting Detroit’s comeback grabbed top honors at the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ (ACCE) Annual Meeting in Montreal this week…

DETROIT, July 23, 2015: Today, Detroit Regional Chamber Vice President of Government Relations Brad Williams released the following statement in response to a ballot question committee signature petition drive that would increase Michigan’s Corporate Income Tax (CIT) from 6 to 11 percent in order to address the state’s crumbling infrastructure.

With the May 5 election rapidly approaching, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Vice President of Government Relations Brad Williams joined Gov. Rick Snyder and other Proposal 1 supporters in an effort to help spread the word about the importance of voting “yes” to fix Michigan’s roads.

For Ideal Group CEO and Chamber Board member Frank Venegas Jr., community involvement is more than public relations, it’s an integral facet of both his life and business.

More than 200 attendees filled the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2015 Health Care Leaders Forum on Tuesday at the Detroit branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

DETROIT, March 31, 2015: Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber and 11 economic development organizations representing Southeast Michigan signed a protocol agreement to continue to collaborate on business attraction efforts designed to bring increased national and foreign investment to the region.

I had no idea the level of commitment, discipline and endurance it takes to be a member of the armed forces and defend our country. I had no idea how indebted we truly are to our brave men and women in uniform.