Region must become 'mobility' capital
Date: June 20, 2007
By: Rod Gillum/Opinion
Source: The Detroit News
We are reminded each day by the global automotive business how essential it is for each region and each country to seize every opportunity this new century offers. For Metro Detroit, this must include taking full advantage of our existing infrastructure, the natural resources of the Great Lakes, our technically trained work force and the entrepreneurial spirit that has produced Motown, Compuware and Quicken Loans, among many other business successes.
Detroit Renaissance has addressed our region's need for new economic development with its "Road to Renaissance" plan. One of the plan's key strategies calls for Southeastern Michigan to become the world's dominant mobility center -- that is, the leader in next-generation transportation systems for moving people and goods.
For that to happen, we must accelerate our leadership in key automotive-related technologies, such as tooling and advanced energy systems. We also must look for ways to apply these technologies beyond the automotive sector.
A great example of the determination and flexibility needed to adjust to a changing economy can be found just 80 miles west of us -- in Lansing. Many pundits predicted Lansing would be economically devastated by the discontinuation of the Oldsmobile brand earlier in this decade.
But the region pulled together government, business, labor and civic leaders, and developed a proactive strategy for making Lansing one of the best communities for transportation/mobility investment. They fast-tracked permitting, retooled their education system, tailored business incentives and otherwise created a positive community environment for the auto industry.
As a result, GM committed to building two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the area. The Lansing Grand River plant has been instrumental in the revival of the Cadillac brand. The Lansing Delta Township plant is making GM's hot new crossovers, the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave.
Lansing's civic leaders remained focused in the face of adversity and made changes that improved the city's ability to attract investment. Today, we're pleased to be part of Lansing's history and its revival.
General Motors also is proud to be fully engaged in efforts to help Detroit achieve its full potential as the anchor of a region vitally important to our state -- and our nation. GM's commitment to Detroit and Southeastern Michigan is reflected in our investment in manufacturing, engineering and design facilities throughout the region, and the renovation of our Renaissance Center global headquarters complex -- including a portion of the new Detroit RiverWalk.
The Road to Renaissance plan for global mobility leadership calls for the creation of several nonprofit institutes that will facilitate the sharing of technology and other resources among companies engaged in mobility research and development. This plan can be the catalyst for innovative, creative strategies that make it easier to bring to market high-tech, environmentally friendly cars, trucks, crossover vehicles and other mobility products.
The Road to Renaissance can also help make Detroit a hub for development of the most sustainable forms of shipping, public transportation and other modes of mobility. It can give our region greater control of our own economic destiny.
Rod Gillum is vice president of corporate responsibility and diversity at General Motors Corp. and a board member of Detroit Renaissance. E-mail comments to letters@detnews.com.
By: Rod Gillum/Opinion
Source: The Detroit News
We are reminded each day by the global automotive business how essential it is for each region and each country to seize every opportunity this new century offers. For Metro Detroit, this must include taking full advantage of our existing infrastructure, the natural resources of the Great Lakes, our technically trained work force and the entrepreneurial spirit that has produced Motown, Compuware and Quicken Loans, among many other business successes.
Detroit Renaissance has addressed our region's need for new economic development with its "Road to Renaissance" plan. One of the plan's key strategies calls for Southeastern Michigan to become the world's dominant mobility center -- that is, the leader in next-generation transportation systems for moving people and goods.
For that to happen, we must accelerate our leadership in key automotive-related technologies, such as tooling and advanced energy systems. We also must look for ways to apply these technologies beyond the automotive sector.
A great example of the determination and flexibility needed to adjust to a changing economy can be found just 80 miles west of us -- in Lansing. Many pundits predicted Lansing would be economically devastated by the discontinuation of the Oldsmobile brand earlier in this decade.
But the region pulled together government, business, labor and civic leaders, and developed a proactive strategy for making Lansing one of the best communities for transportation/mobility investment. They fast-tracked permitting, retooled their education system, tailored business incentives and otherwise created a positive community environment for the auto industry.
As a result, GM committed to building two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in the area. The Lansing Grand River plant has been instrumental in the revival of the Cadillac brand. The Lansing Delta Township plant is making GM's hot new crossovers, the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave.
Lansing's civic leaders remained focused in the face of adversity and made changes that improved the city's ability to attract investment. Today, we're pleased to be part of Lansing's history and its revival.
General Motors also is proud to be fully engaged in efforts to help Detroit achieve its full potential as the anchor of a region vitally important to our state -- and our nation. GM's commitment to Detroit and Southeastern Michigan is reflected in our investment in manufacturing, engineering and design facilities throughout the region, and the renovation of our Renaissance Center global headquarters complex -- including a portion of the new Detroit RiverWalk.
The Road to Renaissance plan for global mobility leadership calls for the creation of several nonprofit institutes that will facilitate the sharing of technology and other resources among companies engaged in mobility research and development. This plan can be the catalyst for innovative, creative strategies that make it easier to bring to market high-tech, environmentally friendly cars, trucks, crossover vehicles and other mobility products.
The Road to Renaissance can also help make Detroit a hub for development of the most sustainable forms of shipping, public transportation and other modes of mobility. It can give our region greater control of our own economic destiny.
Rod Gillum is vice president of corporate responsibility and diversity at General Motors Corp. and a board member of Detroit Renaissance. E-mail comments to letters@detnews.com.
Labels: Regionalism
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