"Bridging the Divide" - Part 1 and part 2 of a Toledo Blade series about Michigan and Ohio possibly creating a joint economic development zone "that could encompass northern portions of Toledo and southeastern Michigan and supported by Toledo utilities." Interestingly, neither article mentions the phrase Lake Erie West Region.
Cold reality
"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Toledo has shed a net 14,000 jobs since 2000, including 12,000 manufacturing jobs. Michigan has sustained a 335,000 net job loss during the same time span, with more losses on the way."
"In addition to the automotive industry’s well-documented struggles, Michigan faces the departure of more diversified economic components. For example, just last week, Comerica Inc. announced it was moving 200 headquarters jobs from Detroit to Dallas."
"Thus the motivation (the possibility of attracting companies and more jobs) and the necessities (undeveloped land just across the line in Michigan with Toledo utilities) exist to consider establishing a joint economic development zone."
Political support
"Congressman Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) told The Blade she supported the idea of a joint economic development zone, adding that the issue merits further study to decide how the zone could be structured among state, federal, and private entities. "Anything that builds cooperation around Lake Erie is a good thing," she said. "If we look at the combined bonding authority along the lake, it's a very powerful instrument." "
"Congressman John Dingell (D., Dearborn) said he would work with Miss Kaptur, and he urged Ms. Granholm and Mr. Strickland to work together to meet their states' economic needs. "I have complete faith in them to do what these important industrial states need and to do it well," Mr. Dingell said.
"Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s spokesman Liz Boyd said her boss was specifically looking forward to working closely with Mr. Strickland to combat the two states’ economic downturn. But Ms. Boyd said Ms. Granholm, like her Ohio counterpart, believes the concept of a joint economic development zone involving Toledo and southeastern Michigan needs more research."
"Mark Barbash, the economic development director for the Ohio Department of Development, which is not an elected position, echoed Mr. Strickland's comments about the need for regional cooperation. But Mr. Barbash also said for a joint economic development zone between Toledo and the Michigan townships near its border to really work, the most cooperation would need to come from the communities that would be directly involved."
Does that mean private land owners must surrender to private developers' use of imminent domain?
More Dillin
"Mr. Dillin, whose development company is responsible for Perrysburg’s Levis Commons, as well as the planned development of the Marina District and redevelopment of Southwyck Shopping Center, both in Toledo, said both sides of the state line could benefit from a joint effort to boost the region’s economy."
"Mr. Dillin said he has envisioned developing another business park like Levis Commons — with retail shops, restaurants, and residential units — in the undeveloped land between Telegraph Road and I-75, north of the Ohio-Michigan line."
"He said while retail and restaurant businesses do not usually generate high-salary jobs, the presence of such a business park might invite big corporations to locate to that area, as Levis was able to do for Owens-Illinois Inc. in Perrysburg."
Tax revenue disputes
"Competition for taxes is why Maumee Administrator John Jezak felt a joint economic zone involving Ohio and Michigan wouldn’t work. Mr. Jezak, who was one of the architects of the development zone involving Toledo, Maumee, and Monclova Township that was approved by township voters in 2003, said if a Michigan community was going to attract a business that would generate income tax revenue, the state likely would want to keep all of that money north of the border."
"Mr. Jezak said a joint economic development zone involving Toledo and a community in southeast Michigan could take advantage of the resources each side has to offer but could encounter opposition from groups. “At the very least, some residents with a lot of money could fight it and tie it up in court for a long time,” he said."
posted by jr to business at 10:29 A.M. EST
(4 Comments)
Comments ...
Interesting - a portion of this area is in Washington Township...wonder if anyone bothered to include the township trustees in these discussions...
The concept is interesting, despite the obstacles detailed. But I note in the article that Gov. Strickland has been paired with Gov. Granholm as a mentor...hope he doesn't take economic lessons from her.
posted by MaggieThurber at 03:21 P.M. EST on Mon Mar 12, 2007 #
Maybe Carty would want to annex Erie and Bedford Townships [LOL]. After all, he's a big Michigan Wolverine fan.
posted by toledojim at 07:55 P.M. EST on Mon Mar 12, 2007 #
Lake Erie West was not mentioned because it is a private sector initiative, as were the successful regional efforts: Silicon Valley and The Research Triangle. If the Lake Erie West concept is to succeed in our area, we must insist on leadership from the private sector with support from the public sector.
The first step would be to stop living in NW Ohio and SE MIchigan, and start living in the Lake Erie West Region.
posted by lew at 09:34 P.M. EST on Mon Mar 12, 2007 #
For more information on Lake Erie West, check out the Blade Reader's Forum for the next several days.
posted by lew at 06:20 A.M. EST on Wed Mar 14, 2007 #
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