Economic Development and Job Growth
Harvey Santana understands that one of the many priorities for our state is Economic Development and Job Growth. Many of the discussions at dinner tables across our state and in political circles revolve around creating jobs. How do we do it? What needs to be done? Citizens want to go back to work and earn competitive wages and benefits. The problem? Lack of Leadership!
Harvey Santana believes Michigan’s location on an international border positions our state to become a Global Logistics Hub. Logistics is the movement of products and materials from point to point in the supply chain to efficiently serve business and industry.
Harvey Santana believes that the jobs of tomorrow are in the movement of products “Faster, Cheaper and Safer.” Detroit and Wayne County are home to an enormous amount of developable land that lays vacant. If coordinated correctly, Michigan can be positioned as the “GO TO” state for large commercial businesses to relocate without popular “tax incentives and free land” deals. The importance of a modern transportation network is a critical component in the decision making process for any business seeking to relocate. Michigan must have the highway capacity, access to rail, access to airport, water ports and accessibility to Canada.
In the past, many transportation and economic development plans recognized free-flowing commercial and freight traffic as an economic imperative for protecting and growing a region’s basic industries. But, they did not specifically identify logistics as an economic sector to be cultivated. The sophistication of supply chain management has elevated the importance of reinvesting in our transportation infrastructure. Detroit and Wayne County working together with the State of Michigan must coordinate all infrastructure projects to build an environment for this emerging industry to grow in Michigan.
Michigan’s future as a logistical hub
Harvey Santana recognizes that logistics in Michigan represents a $10 billion-plus industry employing more than 140,000 people. Michigan needs to concentrate on the two following items in order to not only diversify our economy but establish our state and our region as a competitive market place for business:
- Improving access to regional distribution centers through various means of transportation modes.
- Improving U.S./Canada connectivity.
Harvey Santana understands the needs of the business community and the leadership that is required to create sustainable jobs. Michigan must become a state where jobs are accessible to those that have limited educational attainment as well as those who have stronger academic credentials.
Harvey Santana’s vision is to make Michigan the most efficient and cost-effective first-tier multi-modal transportation and logistics hub in the country. To do so, he will work with other legislators and units of government to develop consensus on these investments. Leadership is needed to push the discussion of re-designing Michigan’s economy from a manufacturing state to a logistics state. We have an opportunity to capitalize on our geographic location as a Great Lake state bordering with Canada. Our biggest asset is our geography, Michigan can be developed as a center for job development, while strengthening existing businesses and attracting new business to our state, but this requires steadfast leadership that is unafraid of breaking through traditional partisan bickering and is committed to making the correct decisions for Michigan’s future.
In order to create a strong economic Michigan we must address the basic needs of those seeking to do business in our state. Developers require three basic to create jobs in Michigan. The basic requirements are:
- Infrastructure: Business needs to know they have access to a transportation network that can move products “faster, safer and cheaper.” Southeast Michigan has access to an international border, extensive freeway system, rail lines, a Port Authority and a World class airport. Businesses also have access to both Brownfield sites and developable parcels of land.
- Commitments on time: There’s an old saying “Time is money.” In the business world Investors need to know how much time it will take to get from the moment an announcement is made of their relocation…to the moment their business is opened. There are several steps required to opening a business. Starting at the site plan review process to possible zoning changes to acquiring permits, businesses need to understand the amount of time that is required so that the proper financial decisions can be made.
- Political Risk: The political health of government is a major factor in the decision making process for economic developers. Is the government corrupt? Is it dysfunctional? Is it combative? Or is the government fluid and transparent. Are elected officials prepared to lead and make sophisticated judgments? Are the elected officials able to successfully manage the assets of government?
As your State Representative, Harvey Santana will encourage the City of Detroit, Wayne County and the State of Michigan to strengthen our partnerships and work towards rebuilding our infrastructure. By positioning ourselves with President Obama’s Transportation plan, Michigan stands to benefit by not only creating jobs in construction, however long standing jobs in transportation and the logistics/warehousing industry.
Tags: economic development, jobs