Michigan Mayors Encourage Candidates Statewide to Support Major Cities in Detroit News Op-Ed

The mayors of three of Michigan’s urban centers have jointly authored an Op-Ed in today’s Detroit News that calls on candidates running for state offices to talk about the importance of cities as economic drivers for Michigan. This message is very consistent with work being done through the SaveMICity initiative.

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss, Dearborn Mayor Jack O’Reilly and Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell explain in the Oct. 16., 2018, Detroit News opinion piece that it is vital for candidates for governor and the Legislature to realize the importance of our major cities and their value in attracting the talent, jobs, and prosperity that benefit our entire state.

The three mayors, who are part of the Urban Core Mayors group that represents 13 Michigan cities, encourage all candidates to discuss policies they would undertake to help our cities become stronger drivers of our state’s economy. Read the editorial here.

Here is an excerpt from today’s Op-Ed:

As we look around the nation, we see successful cities have states with policies that:

1. Recognize the value of creating the kinds of places that attract and retain college graduates. That means investing in cities to ensure they have the kind of talent that major companies need to grow and attract good-paying knowledge industry jobs.

2. Invest in public safety. Proper investment in public safety has a positive effect on quality of life, health, physical and economic well-being for residents and businesses across Michigan. It ensures we have the police and fire services needed to protect residents and neighborhoods, businesses and their employees, and visitors who come to experience all the great amenities our communities offer.

3. Support public transit. Robust public transit options enable people to get to work, the doctor, the local restaurant or shop, enhancing quality of life. Michigan must prioritize investment in public transit if we want to develop, attract and retain the talent necessary to thrive in a new economy.

4. Inclusive and welcoming communities. Michigan needs to be immigrant friendly. It needs to be LGBTQ friendly. We must act in a way that is reflective of the community we want to live in, one that respects and appreciates what each person has to offer and supports them in pursuing happy, healthy, fulfilling lives.

5. Work collectively with business leaders. We know business leaders see a future where talent is the economic driver, and that cities are a vital magnet for that talent.

We call on gubernatorial and legislative candidates to engage in a conversation with us about how we invest in cities. Voters need to hear from candidates about what they will do to make our cities competitive and how they will help them provide critical services businesses, workers, residents and families want.

Great job mayors!