ROUNDTABLES CONTINUE TO GATHER COMMUNITY EXPERTISE

In continuation of our efforts to connect with and gather community expertise, Detroit Works Project Long Term Planning (DWPLTP) has continued the Roundtable discussions with local stakeholders. Week of  May 28^th, 2012 DWPLTP met with automotive companies and philanthropic groups.

Various stakeholders participated in the Automotive Roundtable, some of which were Benteler Automotive, Bridgewater Interiors, Dana Corporation, DEGC, DRC Automotive, Ford Motor Company, GM Ventures, James Group International, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Next Energy, Oakland Stamping, Steel Market Development Institute, Tompkins Products Inc., and VITEC.

The automotive roundtable met to discuss trends and opportunities for the city of Detroit.  Discussion focused on strategies for Detroit to recapture jobs and to foster long term partnerships with manufacturers and suppliers.  Topics also included using Detroit as an incubator for transit innovation and attracting young people to live and work in the city.

Some of the stakeholders who participated in the Philanthropic roundtable were the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan (CFSEM), Chase Bank, Erb Foundation, Hudson-Webber, Masco Corporation, and the WK Kellogg Foundation.

The purpose of this meeting was to inform philanthropic groups about the analysis being done to develop a Strategic Framework Plan and to hear feedback on the work as it relates to their own efforts in the city of Detroit. This information received will prove to be valuable as the project’s technical planning team creates a framework to guide Detroit’s planning in the future.

Talks will continue in the next few weeks, meeting with several different Detroit stakeholder groups.