Detroit is becoming more attractive to businesses. Over the past few years many businesses have moved downtown and more are considering moving here, investing in new businesses or renovating buildings to create new retail or residential spaces.
Major companies are also bringing their employees Downtown. Companies such as Blue Cross Blue of Michigan, Compuware, DTE Energy, GalaxE, General Motors, Quicken Loans and Strategic Staffing Solutions have either added jobs or moved employees from the suburbs to Detroit. More than 7,000 jobs and $120 million in investment have come into Detroit since 2010, according to Mayor Bing’s office.
Detroit is fast becoming a destination for jobs, especially in IT and healthcare. The healthcare industry is investing approximately $2 billion in new jobs, improved facilities and neighborhood improvements around Detroit’s hospitals.
There is also support for start-ups in the city. Detroit Venture Partners is offering start-up financing to early-stage technology companies. TechTown, a business incubator, research and technology park provides support to entrepreneurs and emerging companies through its “Thrive” program. Bizdom U, an “entrepreneurial boot camp” offers graduates of its four-month-long course financing opportunities of up to $100,000 if they base their start-up in Detroit.
Detroit is also a city that welcomes new blood to its leading institutions and appreciates the old blood. It is a place where people can make a difference in whatever their passion is – the arts, culture, philanthropy – beginning at an earlier age and continuing on in one’s career with more significant involvement than any large metro region in the U.S.
Twenty companies have hired more than 600 interns and are encouraging them to to participate in the After 5 Intern program. This program offers interns a summer lineup of outings that include loft and rooftop parties, a restaurant crawl, an Eastern Market tour and networking happy hours. The After 5 Intern Program is coordinated with the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP) as part of its efforts to keep young talent working, living and playing in Detroit.
