DEGC’s Business Development Team recently hosted a forum aimed at educating and influencing national Site Selectors — the people companies turn to when they’re looking to expand or relocate.
Site Selectors are some of the most significant players in the economic development community. It is their job to match corporate investment needs with available properties and other resources in attractive communities. Over three days, DEGC’s BDT showcased Detroit’s thriving hub of commercial activity, including stops at Little Caesars Arena, Shinola and Sakthi Automotive. Site Selectors also learned about catalytic developments like the District Detroit and the Brush Park redevelopment.
The forum, aptly named “Detroit is on the Rise,” focused on Detroit’s economic progress, and was reinforced by some of Detroit’s biggest business leaders. Shinola’s Jacques Panis, and Deepak Bhalla of Sakthi Automotive, both testified to the great advantages operating in Detroit brings. Panis said, “It is a privilege to be a part of, what I would argue, is the most exciting city in America.” Panis went on to describe DEGC’s work as progressive, forging partnerships between the city and the business community to drive economic growth.
Also included in the forum was Dr. Seung-Hoon Shin, Director General of the Korean Investment and Trade Promotion Agency (KOTRA). Establishing relationships with organizations like KOTRA emphasizes the significance of Detroit’s comeback, raising the city’s profile with businesses across the globe.
Events such as these highlight the work the BDT is doing to attract new investments while retaining and expanding Detroit-based businesses. The Site Selectors forum is one of many initiatives the BDT has created to raise awareness of Detroit as a corporate destination.
Feedback on DEGC’s Site Selector outreach has been positive.
“I was extremely impressed with what the DEGC is doing to transform the great city of Detroit.”
- Dean Uminksi, Crowe Horwath LLP
“I want to thank you all for inviting me to ‘Detroit is on the Rise,’ and commend you, and all of your DEGC and partner colleagues, in hosting one of the best organized and most informative forums I’ve participated in. I am excited by the new Detroit and the potential of your great city. I learned a lot, and I look forward to working with you on future site-selection projects!”
- Lawrence “Larry” Moretti, LFM Corporate Location Services
DEGC’s dedicated BDT will continue to foster relationships with Site Selectors and businesses looking to prosper in Detroit, acting as ambassadors for the city and all it has to offer.