State legislators tour economic development sites in Detroit, Dearborn

A bipartisan group of state representatives took a two-day tour of sites supporting economic development in both Detroit and Dearborn this week.

The trip was organized and hosted by Rep. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) and Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn).

It consisted of trips to residential and commercial sites that have been economically redeveloped with the goal of demonstrating the results of those developments and promoting understanding of the cultural roots therein.

“We are hosting Speaker Leonard and my colleagues in an effort to break down the political and ideological walls that prevent effective dialogue,” Santana said. “This tour is about people over politics. We found it imperative to showcase to the leadership of our state the contributions of immigrants, the hardships of poverty, and the hopes of economic development.”

Sites still in need of economic investment were also toured, and a meeting arranged with Mayor Mike Duggan to bring state and local concerns together.

“On the first day, we saw progress,” Speaker of the House Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) said. “We saw potential. And we saw roadblocks. Our challenge now is to turn that knowledge into action that can help the City of Detroit move forward with the rest of Michigan and take full advantage of our state’s incredible comeback. The second day, legislators were able to experience all the ways the people of Dearborn contribute to our state and create a unique cultural space.”

In Dearborn, the cultural and economic impact of a large immigrant community on the state was emphasized for the representatives.

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