Business people from around the region gathered at the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority for the “Great Lakes Roundtable — America’s Fresh Water Coast and Michigan’s Economic Future”.
WWJ’s Matt Roush facilitated a roundtable discussion about the resources the port offers, the role it plays in the region’s economic development, and the interest we have in seeing the port’s role expand, not just with economic development, but in elevating the Great Lakes as a fresh water superhighway.
Presenters, John Jamian, Director of the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority, Glen LeRoy, Dean, College of Architecture and Design, Lawrence Technological University and Michael Finney, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation all unveiled important projects and initiatives that can have a positive impact on the entire region.
The Detroit Wayne County Port Authority is a “major player in financing Brownfield developments and is the fiduciary agent of this region’s Homeland Security Grant Program”, said John Jamian. Suggesting these funds could be used to explore a Detroit Windsor passenger ferry service, in addition to lobbying for change in ballast water laws in order to put Michigan on par with the other seven great lakes constituent stake holders.
Key is “economic repositioning by following the water” says Dean LeRoy. The Great Lakes from its very beginnings, scoured out by glaciers, provided this region with fresh water and linkages as a transportation system. The vision of a water superhighway is within our grasp. We have the capacity to export our agricultural as well as other products from our port to international waters bypassing the Port of Toledo.
Daryl Pierson, Sustainability Coordinator at Wayne State University said “The maritime industry must be shown that green activities provide economic opportunities for this region.” Like other roundtable attendees he believes that the maritime industry would reap tremendous benefits if it begins to highlight water quality restoration initiatives within the Great Lakes region. “It would have the potential to bring people from the around the world to look at how we are serving as stewards for the highest concentration of water on the planet.”
The Governor’s economic agenda supports economic growth in the region by offering several programs to assist businesses and entrepreneurs to take advantage of maritime opportunities. Michael Finney shared several programs that may be found on the MEDC’s website. Most exciting is the States’ Business to Business program that asks majors suppliers to commit to buy from Michigan businesses. Another is a program aimed at giving local businesses free and low cost access to legal, marketing and other professional services they would otherwise not be able to afford. During the pilot phase Finney is looking to assist 100 companies.
It’s clear that Detroit’s Port will be a major contributor in Michigan’s economic revival. The question is how will we ensure that green technologies and sustainable practices will be utilized in our turn around? Can we manage evasive species, control pollution, and conserve our water ways while at the same time increasing activity on the Great Lakes?
Author: Tina Riley-Humphrey, representing GreeningDetroit.com