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About 180,500 people work in downtown Detroit, comprising one-fifth of the city's employment base.<ref>Henion, Andy (03-22-2007). City puts transit idea in motion. ''The Detroit News''. (About 80,500 people work in downtown which is 21% of the city's employment base). Retrieved on May 14, 2007.</ref><ref name="Marketprofile">The Urban Markets Initiative, Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program The Social Compact, Inc. University of Michigan Graduate Real Estate Program (October 2006).[http://www.downtowndetroit.org/ddp/market_data.htm Downtown Detroit In Focus: A Profile of Market Opportunity] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918050029/http://www.downtowndetroit.org/ddp/market_data.htm |date=September 18, 2011}}. ''Downtown Detroit Partnership''. Retrieved on September 18, 2010.</ref> [[Metro Detroit]] has propelled Michigan's national ranking in [[emerging technologies|emerging technology]] fields such as life sciences, information technology, and advanced manufacturing; Michigan ranks fourth in the U.S. in high tech employment with 568,000 high tech workers, which includes 70,000 in the automotive industry.<ref name=MEDCHiTech>MEDC (2009).[http://www.michigan.org/medc/hitechfocus/ Michigan: High Technology Focus] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070325220457/http://www.michigan.org/medc/hitechfocus/ |date=March 25, 2007}} State of Michigan. Retrieved on June 23, 2009.</ref> Michigan typically ranks third or fourth in overall [[research and development]] expenditures in the [[United States]].<ref name="MEDCR&D">MEDC,(2009).[http://michiganadvantage.org/MIAdvantage/Getting-the-UpperHand/Default.aspx Michigan Advantage] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321164030/http://www.michiganadvantage.org/MIAdvantage/Getting-the-UpperHand/Default.aspx |date=March 21, 2009}} ''State of Michigan''. Retrieved on June 23, 2009.</ref><ref name="R&D">NSF 01-320 (2001).[https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/databrf/nsf01320/sdb01320.htm R&D Spending is Highly Concentrated in a Small Number of States] National Science Foundation</ref> Metro Detroit is the second-largest source of architectural and [[engineering]] job opportunities in the U.S.<ref name="Anderson"/> Detroit is known as the automobile capital of the world,<ref name=autocapital>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://student.britannica.com/comptons/article-204598/Michigan|title=Michigan Cities|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|access-date=June 17, 2009|quote=[Detroit] is the automobile capital of the world|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919051802/http://citywindsor.ca/000600.asp|archive-date=September 19, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the domestic auto industry primarily headquartered in Metro Detroit.<ref name=CAR>Sean P. McAllinden, Ph.D. (2003).[http://www.cargroup.org/pdfs/Alliance-Final.pdf Economic Contribution of the Auto Industry to the U.S. Economy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407063215/http://www.cargroup.org/pdfs/Alliance-Final.pdf |date=April 7, 2009}}. ''Center for Automotive Research''. Retrieved on January 11, 2009. "The U.S. automotive industry is still the largest automotive industry in the world."</ref> As of 2003, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers claimed that new vehicle production, sales, and jobs related to automobile use account for one of every ten jobs in the United States.<ref>Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (2006). [http://www.autoalliance.org/index.cfm?objectid=957DC2D9-1D09-317F-BB2DE9DFD1EE8C7B From the 2003 Study "Contributions of the Automotive Industry to the U.S. Economy" University of Michigan and the Center for Automotive Research]{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}''Autoalliance.com''. Retrieved on April 12, 2007.</ref>
 
In April 2008, metropolitan Detroit's unemployment rate was 6.9 percent; in November 2012, it was 7.9 percent.<ref name=MILMI/><ref name=BLS>Bureau of Labor Statistics (December 2012). [http://www.bls.gov/news.release/metro.t01.htm Unemployment rates for metropolitan areas]. ''U.S. Department of Labor''. Retrieved December 27, 2012.</ref> Economic issues include the city of Detroit's unemployment rate at 15.8 percent in April 2012.<ref name=MILMI/> The suburbs typically have low unemployment. The metropolitan economy began an economic recovery in 2010.<ref name="Brookings">Oosting, Jonathan (December 1, 2010).[http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2010/12/brookings_metro_detroit_econom.html Brookings: Metro Detroit economy on 'road to full recovery']. ''Mlive''. Retrieved July 17, 2011.</ref>
 
==Real estate and corporate location==
{{See also|Architecture of metropolitan Detroit}}
 
From the metro area economy, Michigan was second in the U.S. in 2004 for in new corporate facilities and expansions.<ref name=MEDC>MEDC (March 3, 2005) [http://www.globeinvestor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/print/PRNEWS/20050303/2005_03_03_12_0813_1322091 Michigan #2 in the Nation for New Corporate Facilities and Expansions in 2004] Globeinvestor.com ''PR NEWS WIRE''. Retrieved on May 2, 2007.</ref> From 1997 to 2004, Michigan was the only state to top the 10,000 mark for the number of major new developments.<ref name=MEDC/> Among metro areas with more than one million people, Metro Detroit was fourth in the U.S. from 2007 to 2009 for new corporate facilities and expansions.<ref>Lane, Amy (March 5, 2010). [http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100305/BRIGHTSIDE/303059985 Michigan retains 3rd-place ranking by Site Selection magazine]. ''Crains Detroit Business''. Retrieved on April 17, 2010.</ref><ref name=Medernach>Medernach, Karen and Mike O'Conner (March 2010).[http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2010/mar/cover/0709_NewCorpFacilities.pdf 2007-2009 New Corporate Facilities and Expansions] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716075455/http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2010/mar/cover/0709_NewCorpFacilities.pdf |date=July 16, 2011}}. ''[[Site Selection magazine]]''. Retrieved on April 17, 2010.</ref> [[Metro Detroit]] has one of the nation's largest office markets with {{convert|147880000|sqft|m2|sp=us}}.<ref name=Colliers>[https://archive.today/20130119145315/http://www.colliersmn.com/prod/cclod.nsf/city/CCA7552CDCD47A70852571AB006E5FFD?OpenDocument Metro Detroit Office Market report]. ''Colliers International''. Retrieved on August 16, 2008.</ref> Major inter-connected office complexes include the {{convert|5500000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} [[Renaissance Center]], the {{convert|2200000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} [[Southfield Town Center]], and the {{convert|1395000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} [[Cadillac Place]] joined with the {{convert|487000|sqft|m2|-1|abbr=on}} [[Fisher Building]] in the historic [[New Center Detroit|New Center]] area.
 
[[File:RowHouses on John R.jpg|thumb|left|[[Row houses]] on John R. Street, renovated as condominiums in 2003]]
 
The metro area's resilience has kept the state's economy growing in spite of difficulties.
From the third quarter of 2006 to the fourth quarter of 2009, Metro Detroit's residential resale housing market struggled, along with the residential real estate trend across the United States creating opportunities for buyers.<ref>''Mortgage Foundation'' (website). [http://www.mtgfoundation.com/2007/03/michigan-housing-market-report-detroit-home-prices-plummet.html Michigan Housing Market Report: Detroit Home Prices Plummet]. Retrieved on April 7, 2007.</ref><ref>Bourdet, Dorothy (November 22, 2006).[http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061122/BIZ03/611220342/1012 The incredible deflating housing market]. ''Detroit Free Press''.</ref> The [[Case–Shiller index]] projects Metro Detroit as the nation's third strongest housing market by 2014, attracting interest from international investors.<ref name=FCS>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/businessweek|title=Businessweek - Bloomberg|website=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> Among the top fifty metropolitan areas, Detroit ranked as the third most affordable in the United States in a Forbes 2011 report.<ref>[http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=13823284 Forbes ranks Cincinnati #5 for affordable cities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119193845/http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=13823284 |date=January 19, 2016}}.'' Fox 19.com'', (January 11, 2011). Retrieved January 12, 2011.</ref> Detroit was among the top five cities in the U.S. for job growth from 2010 to 2012.<ref>[http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/detroit-among-top-five-cities-across-country-for-job-growth Detroit among top five cities across country for job growth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030140628/http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/detroit-among-top-five-cities-across-country-for-job-growth |date=October 30, 2012}}. ''ABC News 7 WXYZ.com'', October 28, 2012.</ref><ref>Giang, Vivian (October 26, 2012).[https://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-10-us-cities-with-the-best-job-growth-right-now-24430599.html The 10 US Cities with the Best Job Growth]. ''Business Insider'' Yahoo.com.</ref><ref>Headapohl, Jackie (March 30, 2011).[http://www.mlive.com/jobs/index.ssf/2011/03/detroit_in_top_5_markets_for_engineering.html Detroit in top 5 markets for engineering services sector]. ''MLive''</ref> A 2011 economic study showed Metro Detroit with the highest share of employment (13.7%) in the technology sectors in the U.S.<ref>[http://www.andersoneconomicgroup.com/Portals/0/upload/Tech%20Report%20Book_printerres.pdf Technology industry report 2011]. ''Anderson Group'', 2011.</ref> The state repealed its business tax in 2011 and replaced it with a 6% corporate income tax which substantially reduced taxes on business.<ref>{{cite news |last=Luke |first=Peter |date= May 25, 2011 |url= http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_rick_snyder_signs_michigan.html |title= Gov. Rick Snyder signs Michigan business/income tax overhaul into law |work= Bridge Magazine |access-date= December 3, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Bell |first=Dawson |date=November 18, 2011 |url=http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20111118/NEWS04/311180025/Michigan-Supreme-Court-hands-Gov-Rick-Snyder-victory-plan-tax-pensions |title=Michigan Supreme Court hands Gov. Rick Snyder a victory on plan to tax pensions |work=Lansing State Journal |access-date=December 3, 2011}}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Michigan became the 24th [[Right-to-work law|Right to Work]] state in the U.S. in 2012.
 
Metro Detroit is home to highly successful real estate developers. Area suburbs are among the more affluent in the U.S.<ref name=Suburbsprofile>{{cite web|url=http://www.oakgov.com/peds/assets/docs/community_profiles/OakCounty.pdf#search=%22Oakland%20County%20richest%22 |title=2004–05 Community profile Oakland County |access-date=June 17, 2009 |quote=Oakland County also ranks as the fourth wealthiest county in the nation among counties with populations of more than one million people. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326083635/http://www.oakgov.com/peds/assets/docs/community_profiles/OakCounty.pdf |archive-date=March 26, 2009}}</ref> Some of the newer multimillion-dollar estates in the metro area include those of the Turtle Lake development in [[Bloomfield Hills, MI|Bloomfield Hills]] by Victor International.<ref>[http://www.turtlelakeliving.com/ Turtle Lake in Bloomfield Hills] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527101144/http://www.turtlelakeliving.com/ |date=May 27, 2007}}. Retrieved on March 31, 2007.</ref> The region is the headquarters for [[Pulte Homes]], one of the USA's largest home builders, and [[Taubman Centers]], one of the USA's largest [[shopping mall]] developers. There are a full range of retail shopping centers from [[Department store#Upscale Department Store|upscale stores]] to [[Discount store|discount]] chains. In 2007, Bank of America with regional offices in [[Troy, Michigan|Troy]] announced that it would commit $25 billion to community development in Michigan.<ref name=Bank>Crain's Detroit Business (October 4, 2007).[http://www.metromodemedia.com/innovationnews/bankofamerica3807.aspx Bank of America commits $25 B for community development in Michigan]. ''Metro Mode Media''. Retrieved on September 6, 2008.</ref>
 
The ''Cool Cities Initiative'' is an innovative reinvestment strategy for America's northern cities begun by Michigan leaders to rebuild inner cities and downtowns.<ref>[http://www.coolcities.com/ ''Cool Cities Initiative''] Retrieved on April 7, 2007.</ref> Immigration continues to play a role in the region's projected growth with the population of Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint (CMSA) estimated to be 6,191,000 by 2025.<ref>[http://www.fairus.org/site/PageNavigator/facts/local_data_mi_detroit_ann Metro Area Factsheet: Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, Michigan CMSA]. ''Federation for Immigration Reform.''. Retrieved on April 4, 2009.</ref> Cities with existing infrastructure like Detroit are equipped to accommodate future increases in projected U.S. population growth.<ref name=Nassar>Haya El Nasser (May 27, 2006).[https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-10-26-100-million_x.htm]. ''USA Today''. Retrieved on May 5, 2009.</ref> A 2007 report showed the city of Detroit's average household income at $47,962.<ref name="Marketprofile"/> [[Urban development in Detroit|Redevelopment]] of historic buildings is priority for the city.<ref>Kaffer, Nancy (March 31, 2010).[http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100331/FREE/100339963 Detroit to begin demolition of dangerous buildings]. ''Crain's Detroit Business''. Retrieved on July 1, 2010.</ref>
 
[[File:1001WoodwardfromCampusMartuis.jpg|thumb|upright|[[1001 Woodward]] in Downtown Detroit, redeveloped into high-rise condominiums]]
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[[OnStar]], [[Ally Financial]], [[Compuware]], [[Quicken Loans]], and [[Blue Cross Blue Shield Association]] have brought an increased employment base to downtown Detroit. In the decade leading up to 2006, downtown Detroit gained more than $15 billion in new investment from private and public sectors.<ref name=Marketprofile/> The Detroit Riverfront conservancy has been able to acquire the $500 M investment for Detroit International Riverfront development through a series of public and private grants to complete the first phase of the five and a half-mile (8.8&nbsp;km) parkway along the riverfront east from the [[Hart Plaza]] and the Renaissance Center to the [[Belle Isle (Michigan)|Belle Isle]] Bridge with phase II west of Hart Plaza to the [[Ambassador Bridge]].<ref>[http://www.detroitriverfront.org/ Detroit Riverfront Conservancy] Retrieved on April 2, 2007.</ref> In 2010, [[Henry Ford Health System]] and [[Vanguard Health Systems]] announced substantial renovations and expansions in New Center and [[Midtown Detroit]].<ref name=Greene>Greene, Jay (April 5, 2010).[http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100405/FREE/100409959 Henry Ford Health System plans $500 million expansion]. ''Crains Detroit Business''. Retrieved on June 12, 2010.</ref><ref name=Anstett/>
 
Lifestyles for rising professionals in Detroit reflect those of other major cities. A 2007 study found that Detroit's new downtown residents are predominantly young professionals (57 percent are ages 25–34, 45 percent have bachelor's degrees, 34 percent have a master's or professional degree).<ref name=Marketprofile/><ref name=Detroitstudy>Reppert, Joe (October 2007).[http://downtowndetroit.org/ddp/newsroom/Detroit_Drill_Down_Report.pdf Detroit Neighborhood Market Drill Down] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926205010/http://downtowndetroit.org/ddp/newsroom/Detroit_Drill_Down_Report.pdf |date=September 26, 2011}}. ''Social Compact''. Retrieved on July 10, 2010.</ref><ref name=Detroitres>Harrison, Sheena (June 25, 2007). [http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070625/SUB/70623003/-1/newsletter02 DEGA enlists help to spur Detroit retail]. ''Crain's Detroit Business.''. Retrieved on November 28, 2007. "New downtown residents are largely young professionals according to Social Compact."</ref> This dynamic is luring many younger residents to the downtown area.<ref name=Marketprofile/><ref name=Detroitres/><ref name=InsideDet>Halaas, Jaime (December 20, 2005).[http://www.modeldmedia.com/features/loftdesign.aspx Inside Detroit Lofts] Model D Media.</ref> Some are choosing to live in the grandiose mansions of [[Grosse Pointe]] in order to be closer to the urban scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20070702/SUB/707010309# |title=Waterfront Living: River rebirth draws residents downtown - Detroit News and Information - Crain's Detroit Business |publisher=Crainsdetroit.com |date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=July 1, 2010}}</ref> The {{convert|365|acre|km2|adj=on}} river east development is a plan investing billions of dollars in a new mixed use residential, commercial, and retail space for downtown Detroit to serve the people where they work and live. To spearhead the development, Michigan created the [[William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor]] downtown along the [[Detroit International Riverfront]]. In 2007, downtown Detroit was named among the best big city neighborhoods in which to retire by [[CNN Money Magazine]] editors.<ref>Bigda, Carolyn, Erin Chambers, Lawrence Lanahan, Joe Light, Sarah Max, and Jennifer Merritt.[https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0710/gallery.bpretire.moneymag/18.html Detroit Best place to retire: Downtown] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214174832/https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0710/gallery.bpretire.moneymag/18.html |date=December 14, 2012}}.'' [[CNN Money Magazine'']]. Retrieved on October 22, 2007.</ref> In 2008, Troy, Michigan, ranked as the fourth-most affordable U.S. city with a median household income of 78,800.<ref name=affordable>Gopal, Prashant. (August 29, 2008). [http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/08/0829_affordable_metros/5.htm America's Most and Least Affordable Housing Markets]. ''Business Week''</ref> Oakland County is the fourth wealthiest county in the United States among counties with more than one million people.<ref name=Suburbsprofile/>
 
Redevelopment of the [[Fort Shelby Hotel]] and the [[Westin Book-Cadillac Hotel]] has spurred economic growth downtown. [[Cobo Hall]] convention and exhibit facility, which hosts the [[North American International Auto Show]], has begun a nearly $300 million renovation to be completed in 2014. Development of Detroit's west river area and its [[Michigan Central Station]] are the next important challenges for the city.
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Metro Detroit is among the top five financial centers in the U.S. having all of the [[Big Four accounting firms]].<ref>[http://www.detroitchamber.com Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce] Retrieved on April 4, 2007.</ref> The area's major financial service employers include Quicken Loans, Ally Financial, [[Ford Motor Credit Company]], [[Bank of America]], [[Comerica]], [[PNC Financial Services]], [[Fifth Third Bank]], [[JP Morgan Chase]], [[GE Capital]], [[TD Auto Finance]], [[Deloitte Touche]], [[KPMG]], [[Ernst & Young]], [[PricewaterhouseCoopers]], [[Baker Tilly Virchow Krause, LLP|Baker Tilly]], [[Plante Moran]], [[Robert Half International]], and [[Raymond James]].
 
Financial and investment executives have diverse employment opportunities in metropolitan Detroit. Ally Financial, headquartered at Tower 200 of the Renaissance Center, is among the largest holders of mortgages in the [[United States]]. Detroit-based Quicken Loans is the fifth-largest retail home mortgage lender in the U.S. and the largest online. The metropolitan area has a range of venture capital firms which finance business start-ups and acquisitions.<ref>Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).[http://www.michigan.org/medc/GreatLocation/Firm/ Venture Capital Firms] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208171912/http://www.michigan.org/medc/GreatLocation/Firm/ |date=February 8, 2007}} ''State of Michigan'' Retrieved on April 12, 2007.</ref> The area's [[real estate investment trust]]s (REITs) which include Taubman Centers, are an important part of the investment community which owns and operates many major shopping malls across the U.S. Pulte Homes, one of the largest home builders in the U.S. has its own mortgage company. As another example, [[General Motors]] invests its $85 billion pension trust.<ref name=Burr>Burr, Barry S. (February 23, 2009).[http://www.pionline.com/article/20090223/PRINTSUB/302239949 GM's pension fund]. ''Crain communications, Pensions & Investments.''. Retrieved on July 15, 2009.</ref><ref>Bruno, Mark (March 19, 2007).[http://www.pionline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070319/PRINTSUB/70316041/1039/TOC GM could become a bond trail blazer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008170244/http://www.pionline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20070319%2FPRINTSUB%2F70316041%2F1039%2FTOC |date=October 8, 2007}} ''Pensions & Investments online''</ref> [[Detroit]]'s historic [[Penobscot Building]] in the downtown [[Detroit Financial District|financial district]] is in the heart of the city's [[Wireless LAN|wireless]] [[Internet]] zone and [[fiber-optic communication|fiber-optic]] network.
 
Fifth Third Bank, which maintains its regional headquarters at tower 1000 of the Southfield Town Center, announced a $100 million expansion in the Metro Detroit area in order to take market share from Dallas-based rival Comerica, which also maintains a large presence in [[Michigan]]. Fifth Third announced it would create 350 new jobs in the area and open 30 to 40 new branches.<ref>Smith, Joel (March 13, 2007).[http://detnews.com/article/20070313/BIZ/703130367/Fifth-Third-escalates-banking-turf-war Fifth Third escalates banking turf war].{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}. ''The Detroit News''. Retrieved on July 5, 2010.</ref>
 
In 2009, Quicken Loans more than doubled its mortgage volume from the previous year to $25 billion, experiencing significant growth in market share.<ref>Golobay, Diana (March 4, 2010).[http://www.housingwire.com/2010/03/04/quicken-loans-doubles-mortgage-volume-in-2009 Quicken Loans Doubles Mortgage Volume in 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308061303/http://www.housingwire.com/2010/03/04/quicken-loans-doubles-mortgage-volume-in-2009/ |date=March 8, 2010}}. ''Housing Wire''. Retrieved on July 5, 2010.</ref> In 2010, Quicken began a new division within the company to provide mortgage services to community banks nationwide.<ref>Prior, John (May 17, 2010).[http://www.housingwire.com/2010/05/17/quicken-loans-to-provide-origination-outsourcing-for-smaller-banks Quicken Loans to Provide Origination Outsourcing for Smaller Banks] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524195107/http://www.housingwire.com/2010/05/17/quicken-loans-to-provide-origination-outsourcing-for-smaller-banks/ |date=May 24, 2010}}. ''Housing Wire''. Retrieved on July 5, 2010.</ref>
In 2011, Quicken Loans relocated its headquarters to downtown Detroit, consolidating about 4,000 of its suburban employees in a move considered to be a high importance to city planners to reestablish the historic downtown.<ref>Howes, Daniel (November 12, 2007).[http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071112/UPDATE/711120450/1361 Quicken moving to downtown Detroit]. ''The Detroit News''. Retrieved on November 12, 2007.</ref><ref>Duggan, Daniel and Tom Henderson (November 13, 2007).[http://www.crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071113/REG/71113001/1017/FREE/-/-/gilbert-moving-to-detroit-the-right-thing-and-the-smart-thing Gilbert: Moving to Detroit the right thing' - 'and the smart thing']. ''Crains Detroit Business''. Retrieved on June 17, 2009.</ref><ref>Howes, loc. cit.</ref> In 2011, [[Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan]] consolidated 6,000 of its employees in downtown Detroit, relocating 3,000 to Tower 500 and 600 of the Renaissance Center from Southfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2010/07/blue_cross_blue_shield_employe.html|title=Blue Cross Blue Shield employees gear up to move to Detroit's Renaissance Center |website=mlive.com|date=July 29, 2010 }}</ref>
 
==Information technology==
 
Metro Detroit accounts for the State's national ranking in [[emerging technologies|emerging technology]] fields such as life sciences, information technology, and advanced manufacturing; Metro Detroit's technology sector is fifth in the U.S. for total employment and fourth in the percent of employment concentrated within the sector.<ref name="Anderson">[http://www.andersoneconomicgroup.com/Publications/Detail/tabid/125/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7994/Automation-Alleys-Technology-Industry-Report-2011-Edition.aspx Automation Alley Technology Industry Report (2011 Edition)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705103106/http://www.andersoneconomicgroup.com/Publications/Detail/tabid/125/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/7994/Automation-Alleys-Technology-Industry-Report-2011-Edition.aspx |date=July 5, 2015}}. ''Anderson Economic Group''. Retrieved July 17, 2011.</ref> In 2010, the Detroit area became the fastest growing region in the U.S. for high technology jobs.<ref name="Silicon">Flinn, Roy and Jeff Green (March 24, 2011).[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/03/24/BU3U1II32D.DTL&type=business Detroit auto, tech firms woo Silicon Valley talent]. ''San Francisco Chronicle'' with Bloomberg News. Retrieved March 24, 2011.</ref> Downtown Detroit maintains a wireless Internet zone and has seen an influx of information technology jobs.<ref name=Arend>Arend, Mark (January 2012).[http://www.siteselection.com/issues/2012/jan/Michigan.cfm Where the Tech Jobs Are]. ''Site Selection''.</ref> A report by the [[Silicon Valley]] based TechNet group found Michigan to be the leading state for stimulating demand for broadband, positioning it during the early 2000s.<ref>Bowman, Lisa, M. (July 17, 2003). [https://archive.today/20120711155725/http://news.com.com/Michigan+winning+the+broadband+race/2100-1034_3-1026945.html Michigan winning the broadband race] ''CNET News''. Retrieved on April 12, 2007.</ref> The Michigan Information Technology Center provides education, support services, and conferencing facilities for the region's information technology companies.<ref>[http://www.michitc.org/index.html Michigan Information Technology Center] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070815165302/http://www.michitc.org/index.html |date=August 15, 2007}}. Retrieved on June 17, 2009.</ref> The metro area is home to high tech [[business incubator]]s such as the Michigan Security Network, a consortium which coordinates business growth of cybersecurity, biodefense, and border security sectors.<ref name=Zemke1>Zemke, Jon (September 10, 2009).[http://www.metromodemedia.com/innovationnews/michigansecuritynetwork0132.aspx Defense firms coordinate attack with Michigan Security Network]. ''Metromode''. Retrieved on January 2, 2010.</ref><ref name=Zemke2>(June 11, 2009).[http://www.metromodemedia.com/innovationnews/northwoodwardtechincubator0120.aspx Troy law firm opens North Woodward Tech Incubator]. ''Metromode''. Retrieved on January 2, 2010.</ref>
 
Some of the metro area's information technology and software companies with a major presence or headquarters include [[Compuware]], [[HP Enterprise Services]], [[IBM]], [[Google]], [[General Electric]], [[Unisys]], [[Fiserv]], [[Covansys]], and [[ProQuest]]. [[HP Enterprise Services]] makes Metro Detroit its regional headquarters and one of its largest global employment locations. On June 26, 2009, General Electric announced that it will create software at a new advanced manufacturing and technology center in [[Van Buren Township, Michigan|Van Buren Township]].<ref name=GE/><ref name=Immelt/> [[Comcast]] and [[Verizon]] maintain a large presence in the area. OnStar, based in the Renaissance Center is also a source of growth. [[Chrysler]]'s largest corporate facility is its U.S. [[Chrysler Headquarters and Technology Center|headquarters and technology center]] in the Detroit suburb of [[Auburn Hills, Michigan|Auburn Hills]]. VisionIT and [[Kelly Services|Kelly IT Resources]] are other large employers headquartered in the metro area filling a wide range of needs. Five of the world's twenty largest employers began in Metro Detroit.<ref>The Detroit Almanac (2001). ''Detroit Free Press''.</ref>
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The area is home to many post-secondary institutions of higher learning and research, including: [[Baker College]], Carnegie Institute, [[Cleary University]], [[Cranbrook Educational Community]], [[Eastern Michigan University]], [[Lawrence Technological University]], [[Oakland University]], [[Cooley Law School|Thomas M Cooley Law School-Rochester]], [[Walsh College]], [[Rochester College]], [[Madonna University]], [[Marygrove College]], [[University of Detroit Mercy]], the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.
 
On the Canadian side of the border, Windsor's two post-secondary institutions have partnered with auto makers to open high tech research and training facilities. The [[University of Windsor]] is home to the ''University of Windsor/DaimlerChrysler Canada Automotive Research and Development Centre''. [[St. Clair College]] has the ''Ford Centre for Excellence in Manufacturing''.<ref>University of Windsor. [http://athena.uwindsor.ca/units/eng/news.nsf/0/474F9FFD7E425CCA85256CD00049CC0D?openDocument ''University of Windsor/DaimlerChrysler Canada Automotive Research and Development Centre''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013171806/http://athena.uwindsor.ca/units/eng/news.nsf/0/474F9FFD7E425CCA85256CD00049CC0D?openDocument |date=October 13, 2008}}. Retrieved on April 11, 2007.</ref><ref>St Clair College. [http://www.stclaircollege.ca/fcem/ ''Ford Centre for Excellence in Manufacturing'']. Retrieved on April 11, 2007.</ref>
 
==Health care and biomedical==
{{See also|Michigan Life Sciences Corridor}}
 
Metro Detroit area is one of the leading health care economies in the U.S. according to a 2003 study measuring health care industry components, with the region's hospital sector ranking fourth in the nation.<ref name=healthstudy>Devol, Ross C. and Rob Koepp (August 2003).[http://www.maricopa.edu/bwd/pdfs/healthpole003.pdf America's Health Care Economy] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207160922/http://www.maricopa.edu/bwd/pdfs/healthpole003.pdf |date=February 7, 2012}}. ''Miliken Institute''. Retrieved on November 6, 2011.</ref> A 2006 economic impact report showed that the metropolitan region supported 245,379 direct health care jobs with an additional 120,408 indirect and induced jobs.<ref name=healthjobs>Michigan Health & Hospital Association (June 2006).[http://www.mha.org/mha_app/resources/economicimpact/index.jsp The Economic Impact of Health Care in Michigan (Third Edition)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071127044002/http://www.mha.org/mha_app/resources/economicimpact/index.jsp |date=November 27, 2007}}. Retrieved on October 23, 2007.</ref> Major health system networks in the region include the [[University of Michigan Health System|University of Michigan]], Henry Ford, [[William Beaumont Hospital|Beaumont]], [[Detroit Medical Center]], [[St. John Health System|St. John]], [[Oakwood Health System|Oakwood]], St. Joseph, Karmanos Cancer Center, and the John D. Dingell and Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.
 
Beginning in 2010, [[Oakland University]] in [[Rochester, Michigan|Rochester]] opened Michigan's fourth medical school in a partnership with Beaumont Hospitals. The school will boost the region's economy with jobs in the life sciences, research, clinical trials, and doctors<ref>Schultz, Marisa and Mike Wilkinson (April 6, 2007).[http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070406/SCHOOLS/704060383 Auto Oakland U. to open medical school]. ''Detroit Free Press''</ref> Wayne State University in Detroit has the largest single-campus medical school in the United States, and the nation's fourth largest medical school overall.<ref name = "pro">[http://www.dmc.org/?id=14&sid=1 Careers at the DMC], retrieved 6/24/09</ref> Detroit Medical Center formally became a part of Vanguard Health Systems on December 30, 2010, as a for-profit corporation. Vanguard has agreed to invest nearly $1.5 billion in the Detroit Medical Center complex which will include $417 million to retire debts, at least $350 million in capital expenditures and an additional $500 M for new capital investment.<ref name=Anstett>Anstett, Patricia (March 20, 2010).[http://www.dmc.org/upload/docs/News/FREEP3202010.pdf $1.5 Billion for new DMC] {{webarchive|url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20120905091819/http://www.dmc.org/upload/docs/News/FREEP3202010.pdf |date=September 5, 2012}}. ''Detroit Free Press''. DMC.org. Retrieved on June 12, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100611/FREE/100619971|title=For-profit Vanguard signs deal to buy nonprofit Detroit Medical Center|date=June 11, 2010|website=crainsdetroit.com}}</ref>
 
In January 2009, the University of Michigan established the North Campus Research Complex through its purchase of the former Pfizer research facility with 30 buildings on {{convert|174|acre|km2}} in Ann Arbor in order to create about 2,000 jobs through establishing commercial partnerships.<ref>Rigg, Sarah A. (January 1, 2009).[http://www.mlive.com/businessreview/annarbor/index.ssf/2009/01/university_of_michigan_buys_fo.html University of Michigan buys former Pfizer site in surprise deal]. ''MLive''. Retrieved on December 23, 2009.</ref> The Community Foundation of [[Southeast Michigan]] administers $100 M of private foundation grants for the regions ''New Economy Initiative'' to spur investment in a variety of metro area projects.<ref name=Zemke3>Zemke, Jon (March 5, 2009).[http://www.metromodemedia.com/innovationnews/neweconomyinitiative0106.aspx New Economy Initiative makes big investment in Metro Detroit]. ''Metromode''. Retrieved on January 2, 2009.</ref> A BioEnterprise Midwest Healthcare Venture report found that the Detroit - Ann Arbor region attracted $312 M in new biotechnology venture capital investments from 2006 to 2009.<ref name=bioenterprise>[http://www.metromodemedia.com/innovationnews/biotechvcrankingmetrodetroit0139.aspx Metro Detroit, Michigan score high in biotech VC rankings]. ''Metromode'' Dec 17, 2009. Retrieved on July 14, 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.bioenterprise.com/images/company_assets/512F1C7F-0D64-4A5E-9D91-785DC064755F/q42009vcactivityrelease_23d7.PDF Midwest Health Care Startups Raise $780 M in 2009] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110910155607/http://www.bioenterprise.com/images/company_assets/512F1C7F-0D64-4A5E-9D91-785DC064755F/q42009vcactivityrelease_23d7.PDF |date=September 10, 2011}}. '' BioEnterprise''. Retrieved on July 14, 2010.</ref>
 
In 2012, two major construction projects were begun in New Center, the Henry Ford Health System started the first phase of its South Campus site, a $500 million, 300-acre revitalization project, with the construction of a new $30 million, 275,000-square-foot, ''Medical Distribution Center'' for [[Cardinal Health, Inc.]]<ref>{{cite news|url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/30/henry-ford-health-system-300-acre-detroit-development-cardinal-health-_n_1556870.html |title= Henry Ford Health System Plans $500 Million, 300-Acre Detroit Development | work=Huffington Post | date=May 30, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.dbusiness.com/September-October-2014/Block-By-Block/#.VPtOQ8J0yM8 |title= Blight removal in Detroit isn't impossible, but it is difficult|date= October 2, 2014}}</ref> and Wayne State University started construction on a new $93 million, 207,000-square-foot, Integrative Biosciences Center (IBio).<ref name=Henderson>Henderson, Tom (April 15, 2012).[http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120415/FREE/304159964/wsu-to-build-93m-biotech-hub WSU to build $93M biotech hub]. ''Crains Detroit Business''. Retrieved on March 15, 2015.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archinect.com/dehronek_leedap/project/wayne-state-university-ibio-the-integrative-biosciences-center |title=Wayne State University IBio - The Integrative Biosciences Center |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925081546/http://archinect.com/dehronek_leedap/project/wayne-state-university-ibio-the-integrative-biosciences-center |archive-date=September 25, 2015}}</ref> As many as 500 researchers, and staff will work out of the IBio Center.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://media.wayne.edu/2012/10/15/wayne-state-breaks-ground-on-multidisciplinary- |title= Wayne State breaks ground on Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research Building}}</ref>
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Virtually every major global automaker has a presence in the area including technology and design centers. Oakland County's ''"Automation Alley"'' has over 1,800 of world's advanced technology companies with Metro Detroit ranking fifth in the U.S. in technology sector employment.<ref name="Anderson"/><ref name=michtrade/><ref name=wtcdw>[http://www.wtcdw.com/regionaladvantages.pdf Regional Advantages for International Business] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070925184453/http://www.wtcdw.com/regionaladvantages.pdf |date=September 25, 2007}}. ''World Trade Center Detroit Windsor''. Retrieved on September 3, 2007.</ref> There are about 4,000 factories in the area.<ref>World Book Inc., Volume 5. 2008.</ref> The automotive headquarters for the [[Society of Automotive Engineers]] (SAE) is in the suburb of Troy. OnStar and Ally Financial are a source for growth.
 
In spite of foreign competition for market share, Detroit's automakers have continued to gain volume from previous decades with the expansion of the American and global automotive markets. Manufacturing in the state grew 6.6% from 2001 to 2006,<ref name=autogenerated1>National Association of Manufacturers (February 2008).[https://web.archive.org/web/20081023020928/http://www.nam.org/~/media/Files/State_Data/Michigan.ashx Facts about Michigan Manufacturing]. Retrieved on June 17, 2009.</ref> In 2008, an [[Late 2000s recession|economic and financial crisis]] impacted global auto industry sales. For 2010, the domestic automakers reported significant profits indicating the beginning of rebound.<ref>Shoenberger, Robert (May 25, 2010).[http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/05/rebounding_auto_industry_boost.html Rebounding auto industry boosts Shiloh Industries' second-quarter sales, profit]. ''Cleveland.com''. Retrieved on September 18, 2010.</ref><ref name=Schroeder>Schroeder, Robert (July 30, 2010).[http://www.marketwatch.com/story/obama-says-us-auto-industry-on-rebound-2010-07-30 Obama says U.S. auto industry on rebound]. ''The Wall Street Journal.''. Retrieved on September 9, 2010.</ref><ref>[https://money.cnn.com/2010/08/12/news/companies/gm_results/index.htm GM posts profit, CEO Whitacre to retire].'' CNN Money''. Retrieved on September 18, 2010.</ref><ref name=Cwiek>Cwiek, Sarah (November 30, 2010).[http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/michigan/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1731658/Michigan.Morning.Edition/New.study.shows.strong.economic.recovery.in.Metro.Detroit New study shows strong economic recovery in Metro Detroit]. ''NPR Michigan''. Retrieved December 4, 2010.</ref><ref name=Buss>Buss, Dale (April 1, 2012).[https://www.forbes.com/sites/dalebuss/2012/04/01/7-things-chrysler-could-use-for-a-good-second-half/ 7 Things Chrysler Could Use To Mount a Good 'Second Half']. ''Forbes''.</ref><ref name=Arend/> The sales revenue from just one of Detroit's automakers exceeds the combined total for the all of the top companies in many major U.S. cities. A Center for Automotive Research (CAR) study estimated that tax revenue generated by the [[automotive industry in the United States]] for a single year, 2010, amounted to $91.5 billion in state and local tax revenue and additional $43 billion in federal tax revenue.<ref name="Auto tax revenue">{{Cite web | first = Paul A. | last = Eisenstein | title = Assessment of tax revenue generated by the auto industry | work = Center for Automotive research | date = April 2012 | url = http://www.cargroup.org/assets/files/final_tax_revenues_apr_2012_v3.pdf | access-date = December 2, 2012 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108182509/http://www.cargroup.org/assets/files/final_tax_revenues_apr_2012_v3.pdf | archive-date = November 8, 2012}}</ref>
 
[[File:Headquarters of GM in Detroit.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Renaissance Center]] is the headquarters of [[General Motors]].]]
 
The area includes a variety of manufacturers and is an important component of U.S. national security.<ref name=Clark>Clark, Wesley K. (November 17, 2008).[https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/opinion/16clark.html What's Good for G.M. Is Good for the Army]. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved on February 1, 2009.</ref> [[United States Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command]] (TACOM) is headquartered in Metro Detroit together with [[Selfridge Air National Guard Base]]. The region has important defense contractors such as [[General Dynamics]]. The area is home to [[Rofin-Sinar]], a leading maker of lasers which are used for industrial processes. Advanced robotics is another important segment in the metro area. On June 27, 2009, General Electric announced plans to build a new $100 M center for advanced manufacturing technology and software, in Van Buren Township in [[Wayne County, Michigan|Wayne County]], expected to employ 1,200 people providing a pay range of $100,000 per year.<ref name=GE>Gallagher, John (June 27, 2009).[http://www.freep.com/article/20090627/BUSINESS06/906270326/GE+to+create+1+200+jobs GE to create 1,200 jobs in Michigan: New facility to hire tech-savvy workers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119193845/http://www.freep.com/article/20090627/BUSINESS06/906270326/GE+to+create+1+200+jobs |date=January 19, 2016}}. ''Detroit Free Press''. Retrieved on June 28, 2009.</ref><ref name=Immelt>Bailey, David and Soyoung Kim (June 26, 2009).[https://www.theguardian.com/business/feedarticle/8578904 GE's Immelt says U.S. economy needs industrial renewal]. ''UKThe Guardian.''. Retrieved on June 28, 2009.</ref> [[Dow Chemical]] is a significant company in the metro region. The metro region's large energy producers include [[DTE Energy|DTE]] and [[CMS Energy|CMS]].
 
With its major port status, the city's infrastructure accommodates heavy industry. [[Marathon Oil Company]] maintains a large refinery in Detroit, expanded to refine [[oil sands]] from Canada.<ref name=MROrefinery>Reuters (June 20, 2008).[https://archive.today/20130201063300/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS134230+20-Jun-2008+PRN20080620 Construction Begins on Marathon's Detroit Refinery Upgrade Project]. Retrieved on September 20, 2008.</ref> [[Lafarge (company)|Lafarge]]'s cement distribution facility constructed at the city's Springwells Industrial Park in 2005 includes North America's largest cement silo.<ref name=Lafarge>Concrete Monthly (October 2005).[http://www.concretemonthly.com/monthly/art.php?1732 Lafarge's new $30 million cement terminal is important part of Detroit revitalization] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628112025/http://www.concretemonthly.com/monthly/art.php?1732 |date=June 28, 2009}}. Retrieved on September 16, 2008.</ref>
 
Detroit's automakers are building vehicles like the [[Chevrolet Volt]] flex fuel hybrid and [[Buick LaCrosse]] e-assist hybrid. In 2006, Ford announced a dramatic increase in production of its [[Hybrid vehicle|hybrid]] [[petrol|gas]]-[[electric]] models,<ref>Dorinda Elliott (January 30, 2006). [http://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1151787,00.html "Can This Man Save The American Auto Industry?"] ''[[Time Magazine(magazine)|Time]]''.</ref> Ford and GM have also promoted [[E-85]] [[ethanol]] capable [[flexible-fuel vehicle]]s as a viable alternative to gasoline. General Motors has invested heavily in all fuel cell-equipped vehicles,<ref>Kiley, David (June 13, 2001). [https://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2001-06-13-gm-hydrogen.htm GM buys stake in firm tapping hydrogen power]. ''USA Today''.</ref> while [[Chrysler Corporation|Chrysler]] is focusing much of its research and development into [[biodiesel]].<ref>PRNewswire (March 22, 2006). [http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060322/dew025.html?.v=41 Diesel Jeep Liberty Sales Double Expectations] ''Yahoo News''.</ref> Two days after the [[September 11 attacks|September 11, 2001, attacks]], GM announced it had developed the world's most powerful fuel cell stack capable of powering large commercial vehicles.<ref>[http://www.gm.com/company/news_events/press_releases/ GM announces world's most powerful fuel cell stack (13 September 2001)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314023031/http://www.gm.com/company/news_events/press_releases/ |date=March 14, 2007}}. ''GM Press Release''.</ref> In 2002, the state of Michigan established NextEnergy, a non-profit corporation whose purpose is to enable commercialization of various energy technologies, especially hydrogen fuel cells. Its main complex is located north of Wayne State University. In August 2009, Michigan and Detroit's auto industry received $1.36 B in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy for the manufacture of [[lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion batteries]] which are expected to generate 6,800 immediate jobs and employ 40,000 in the state by 2020.<ref name=priddle>Priddle, Alisa and David Shepardson (August 6, 2009).[http://www.detnews.com/article/20090806/AUTO01/908060429/1148/auto01/Mich.+gets+$1.3B+battery+jolt Mich. gets $1.3B battery jolt]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}. ''The Detroit News''. Retrieved August 6, 2009.</ref>
 
On quality, Cadillac outscored all other luxury automakers in two of three quality surveys by AutoPacific, Strategic Vision, and [[J.D. Power and Associates|J.D. Power]] in 2003.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/money/2003-06-04-autoquality.htm Auto Quality (June 4, 2003)]. ''USA Today''</ref> Ford led all other automakers in the 2007 J.D. Initial Quality survey.<ref>[http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4020143 Initial Quality Winners from J.D Power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026125404/http://autos.msn.com/advice/article.aspx?contentid=4020143 |date=October 26, 2007}}. ''MSN Autos''. Retrieved on June 17, 2009.</ref>
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==Trade==
 
The Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone (GDFTZ) was created in 1981 through the U.S. [[Department of Commerce]] to allow for the reduction of taxes across borders and to attract, retain and facilitate international trade<ref>[http://www.gdftz.com/ Welcome to GDFTZ.com!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504050721/http://www.gdftz.com/ |date=May 4, 2007}}. ''Greater Detroit Foreign Trade Zone, Inc.'' Retrieved on September 5, 2007.</ref> In 2011, Metro Detroit ranked as the fourth largest export market in the United States.<ref name="exp">[http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120913/BIZ/209130473/Metro-Detroit-exports-grow-12-now-fourth-largest-export-market-U-S-?odyssey=tab |topnews|text|FRONTPAGE Metro Detroit exports grow 12%, is now fourth largest export market in U.S.]{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}. ''Detroit News'', September 13, 2012.</ref> [[Public works|Infrastructure]] is an important component in the metro area economy. Detroit has an extensive toll-free [[Freeways in metropolitan Detroit|expressway system]] which, together with its status as a major port city, provide advantages to its location as a global business center.<ref name=wtcdw/> There are no toll roads in Michigan.<ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9631_12965_14013-28071--,00.html Why doesn't Michigan have toll roads]. ''Michigan Department of Transportation''. Retrieved on September 5, 2007. "A system of toll free highways has been viewed as important to commerce, industry, tourism, and general economic development."</ref>
 
Metro Detroit is the country's number-one exporting region and busiest commercial port.<ref name=michtrade>[http://www.michigantrade.org/ Why MITA will be a success]. ''Michigan International Trade Association''. Retrieved on September 3, 2007. "Detroit is the most active commercial port of entry in the USA." "Greater Detroit is the number one exporting region among 310 defined metropolitan areas (CMSA) in the U.S."</ref> Detroit is at the center of the [[Great Lakes Megalopolis]]. The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest commercial border crossing in North America, carrying 27 percent of the total trade between the U.S. and Canada.<ref>[http://www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/ambass_brdg/ambass_brdge_ovrvw.htm Ambassador Bridge Crossing Summary (May 11, 2005)]. ''U.S. Department of Transportation''. Retrieved on September 5, 2007.</ref> More than fifteen million people and ten million vehicles cross the Ambassador Bridge and the [[Detroit-Windsor Tunnel]] annually.<ref name=TradePoint>[http://www.tradepointdetroit.org/ Trade Point Detroit Windsor]. Retrieved on May 24, 2009.</ref> A 2004 Border Transportation Partnership study showed that 150,000 jobs in the [[Detroit-Windsor]] region and $13 billion in annual production depend on Detroit's international [[border]] crossing.<ref>Detroit Regional Chamber (2006) [http://www.detroitchamber.com/detroiter/articles.asp?cid=7&detcid=531 Detroit/Windsor Border Update: Part I-Detroit River International Crossing Study] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060321130504/http://www.detroitchamber.com/detroiter/articles.asp?cid=7&detcid=531 |date=March 21, 2006}}. Retrieved on September 5, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ambassadorbridge.com/IntlCrossing/BridgeFacts.aspx|title=Ambassador Bridge|website=www.ambassadorbridge.com|access-date=May 26, 2010|archive-date=June 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615035043/http://www.ambassadorbridge.com/IntlCrossing/BridgeFacts.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Detroit River International Crossing]] project calls for a second bridge to be built across the [[Detroit River]] to facilitate increased trade and ease of travel.
 
Many people commute across the Detroit-Windsor international border daily. Professions identified in the [[Canada - United States Free Trade Agreement]] which began in 1988 are permitted [[TN Visa]]s for legal work in the United States and Canada, creating freedom of labor movement. TN status is recognized in the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA) which began in 1994. As an example, a large number of nurses in Detroit hospitals also live in Windsor. The {{convert|710|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Quebec City–Windsor Corridor]] contains over 18 million people, with 51 percent of the Canadian population and three out of the four [[List of census metropolitan areas and agglomerations in Canada|largest metropolitan areas]] in Canada, according to the [[Canada 2001 Census|2001 Census]]. Headquartered in Detroit, the international law firm of [[Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone]] P.L.C., is one of the largest in the United States. Metro area business leaders belong to the [[Detroit Economic Club]], headquartered at [[211 West Fort Street]]. The U.S. dollar is readily accepted as currency in Windsor.
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[[File:DTW McNamara Terminal from the air.jpg|thumb|left|Aerial of [[Detroit Metropolitan Airport|Detroit Metro Airport]] (DTW), one of the largest [[Airline hub|air traffic hubs]] in the US]]
 
As a major U.S. port, Detroit is an important center for transportation & logistics employment including its aviation, [[List of Michigan railroads|rail]], truck, and ship docking facilities. Detroit maintains a [[cruise ship]] dock and passenger terminal on Hart Plaza adjacent to the Renaissance Center. [[Lake freighter|Commercial vessels]] dock at Michigan's 38 deep water ports which provide access to the [[Great Lakes Waterway]] and the [[Saint Lawrence Seaway]].<ref name=businessrefs>[http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Reference/Maps/Default.aspx "Michigan Business References"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624004820/http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Reference/Maps/Default.aspx |date=June 24, 2010}}. Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Retrieved on July 11, 2010.</ref> Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is one of America's largest and most recently modernized facilities, with six major runways, [[Boeing 747]] maintenance facilities, and an attached [[Westin Hotel]] and Conference Center. Located in nearby [[Romulus, Michigan|Romulus]], DTW is metro Detroit's principal airport and is a hub for [[Delta Air Lines]] and [[Spirit Airlines]]. [[Bishop International Airport]] in [[Flint, MI|Flint]] and [[Toledo Express Airport]] in [[Toledo, Ohio]], are other commercial passenger airports. [[Coleman A. Young International Airport]] (DET), commonly called Detroit City Airport, is on Detroit's northeast side, and offers charter service.<ref>Sapte, Benjamin (2003). [http://www.erau.edu/research/BA590/chapters/ch2.htm Southwest Airlines: Route Network Development since 1971] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060411080441/http://www.erau.edu/research/BA590/chapters/ch2.htm |date=April 11, 2006}}. ''Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University''. Retrieved on April 2, 2007.</ref> [[Willow Run Airport]] in Ypsilanti is for commercial aviation. One economic development strategy proposed is an [[Aerotropolis]], a concept utilizing Detroit Metropolitan Airport as a central business district.<ref>Greg Lindsay (July/August 2006). [http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/107/aerotropolis.html The rise of the Aerotropolis] ''[[Fast Company]]''Fastcompany.com</ref> Detroit Renaissance, now known as [[Business Leaders for Michigan]], announced an eleven-point strategy to transform the region's economy which includes development of the Aerotropolis.<ref>Detroit Renaissance, (May 3, 2007). [http://info.detnews.com/2007/renaissance.pdf Road to Renaissance] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/5rmDiPnx3?url=http://info.detnews.com/2007/renaissance.pdf |date=August 6, 2010}} Press Release.</ref>
 
The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $244 M in grants for [[high-speed rail]] upgrades between Chicago and Detroit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.annarbor.com/business-review/high-speed-rail-grants-include-244-million-for-detroit-to-chicago-amtrak-improvements|title=High-speed rail grants include $244 million for Detroit-to-Chicago Amtrak improvements|website=annarbor.com}}</ref> A consortium of investors including the [[Canadian Pacific Railway]] has proposed a new larger rail tunnel to accommodate large [[Double-stack rail transport|double stacked freight cars]] under the Detroit River which could open in 2015.<ref>Shea, Bill (June 17, 2010).[http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20100617/FREE/100619884 Windsor Port Authority joins group seeking to build $400 million rail tunnel]. ''Crain's Detroit''. Retrieved on July 7, 2010.</ref> With the new tunnel potentially emerging near the Michigan Central Station, a redeveloped station could play a role as a trade inspection facility.<ref>[http://www.modeldmedia.com/inthenews/mcs030910.aspx New York Times asks: What's to be done with Michigan Central Station?]</ref>
 
==Tourism==
[[Tourism in metropolitan Detroit]] is an important economic factor, comprising nine percent of the area's two million jobs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Midwest/Detroit-Economy.html|publisher=Advameg, Inc.|title=Detroit: Economy Major Industries and Commercial Activity|access-date=June 12, 2008}}</ref> About 15.9 million people visit the area annually spending an estimated $4.8 B.<ref>Michigan's Future - (July 10, 2007).[http://www.michiganfuture.com/2007/07/metro-detroit-v.html Metro Detroit visitors, spending at the highest level since 9/11] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209071701/http://www.michiganfuture.com/2007/07/metro-detroit-v.html |date=December 9, 2007}}. ''Michigan's Future'' citing CIC Research Inc. study for 2006. Retrieved on November 6, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.visitdetroit.com/visitorcenter/aboutdetroit/statistics/ Metro Detroit Convention and Visitors Bureau statistics] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061228113712/http://www.visitdetroit.com/visitorcenter/aboutdetroit/statistics/ |date=December 28, 2006}} Retrieved on April 4, 2007.</ref> Besides casino gaming, the region's leading attraction is The Henry Ford, America's largest indoor-outdoor museum complex.<ref>America's Story, Explore the States: Michigan (2006). [http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/es/mi/ford_1 Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014115229/http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/es/mi/ford_1 |date=October 14, 2009}} ''Library of Congress''. Retrieved on May 2, 2007.</ref><ref>State of Michigan: MI Kids (2006).[http://www.michigan.gov/mikids/0,1607,7-163-15858_20583---,00.html Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207070058/http://www.michigan.gov/mikids/0,1607,7-163-15858_20583---,00.html |date=December 7, 2010}} Retrieved on May 2, 2007.</ref> The Detroit International Riverfront links the Renaissance Center to a series of venues, parks, restaurants, and hotels by a riverfront walkway.
 
The region hosts large multi-day events with crowds of hundreds of thousands to over three million people for annual events such as the [[Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival]], the North American International Auto Show, and the Motown Winter Blast on [[Campus Martius Park]]. The city's Midtown and New Center areas anchored by Wayne State University attract millions of visitors each year to its museums and cultural centers; for example, the Detroit Festival of the Arts in Midtown draws about 350,000 people.<ref>[http://www.modeldmedia.com/neighborhoods/Midtown.aspx Midtown] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405014021/http://www.modeldmedia.com/neighborhoods/Midtown.aspx |date=April 5, 2008}} ''Model D Media''. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.</ref> Mall developers consider the metro area's [[Somerset Collection]] to be among the nation's top privately held mall properties with 2004 gross annual sales of about $600 M and sales per square foot at $620 compared to the national average of $341.<ref>Groover, Joel (June 1, 2004). [http://retailtrafficmag.com/mag/retail_privacy_please/ Privacy Please] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927000601/http://retailtrafficmag.com/mag/retail_privacy_please/ |date=September 27, 2007}}. ''Retail Traffic'' Penton Media. Retrieved on September 3, 2007.</ref>
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The area has hosted several major sporting events such as [[Super Bowl XL]]; in fact, Detroit is the only northern city to have hosted two Super Bowls. [[Ford Field]] hosted the 2009 [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Final Four]]; in April 2007 it hosted [[WrestleMania 23]]. [[Major League Baseball]]'s 2005 [[All-Star Game]] was held at [[Comerica Park]], as were 2006 [[World Series]] games due to the [[Detroit Tigers]] success. Metro Detroit is one of thirteen [[U.S. cities with teams from four major sports]].
 
The area's {{convert|24000|acre|km2|adj=on}} network of ''[[Huron-Clinton Metroparks]]'' receives about nine million visitors annually.<ref>[http://www.metroparks.com/index.php Huron Clinton Metro Parks] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070309192939/http://www.metroparks.com/index.php |date=March 9, 2007}} Retrieved on April 2, 2007.</ref> About 5.9 million people live in the [[Detroit–Windsor]] region, making it one of the largest metropolitan areas in North America. An estimated 46 million people live within a 300-mile (480&nbsp;km) radius of Metro Detroit.<ref>[http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/distances.html?n=77 Cities located close to Detroit]. ''Time and Date world clock distances.''. Retrieved on September 2, 2007.</ref><ref name=tourimmarket>Audi, Tamara (September 26, 2007). What Happens In Detroit. ''The Wall Street Journal'', B6. "But the market at issue, as MGM Mirage sees it, includes a {{convert|300|mi|km|adj=on}} radius of potential overnight clients across the region,".</ref> Thus, the metro area has many opportunities for growth in tourism with great potential for development and expansion. The region's abundance of natural lakes and coastal landscape present investment potential for beachfront resorts and luxury high rise condominiums. In addition, there is the [[Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge]] which is the only international [[wildlife preserve]] in North America, uniquely located in the heart of a major metropolitan area. The refuge includes islands, coastal wetlands, marshes, shoals, and waterfront lands along {{convert|48|mi|km}} of the Detroit River and [[Western Lake Erie]] shoreline.
 
The city of Detroit functions as an entertainment hub for the entire region,<ref name=tourimmarket/> as casino resorts, major sports venues, and [[Detroit Theatre District|theatre district]] increase development prospects for new retail. Detroit is the largest American city and metropolitan region to offer casino resort hotels.<ref name=Mink>Mink, Randy, and Karen Mink (July 2001). Detroit Turns 300 - Detroit 300 Festival. ''Travel America'', World Publishing Co., Gale Group.</ref> The [[MGM Grand Detroit]] (2007), [[Motor City Casino]] (2008), [[Casino Windsor|Caesars Windsor]] (2007), and [[Greektown Casino]] (2008) comprise the regions four major casino resorts.
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[[File:Detroit December 2019 12 (Woodward Avenue).jpg|thumb|Merchant's row on lower [[Woodward Avenue]]]]
 
Metro Detroit has many chain retailers and [[Super-regional mall|super regional shopping malls]], in both upscale and outlet style venues, which, in addition to the "land" malls of [[Southland Center (Michigan)|Southland Center]] in [[Taylor, Michigan|Taylor]], [[Eastland Center (Detroit)|Eastland Center]] in [[Harper Woods, Michigan|Harper Woods]], and [[Westland Center]] in [[Westland, Michigan|Westland]] ([[Southfield, Michigan|Southfield]]'s [[Northland Center]] closed in 2015), are located throughout other suburban municipalities such as Troy, [[Novi, Michigan|Novi]], Auburn Hills, [[Sterling Heights, Michigan|Sterling Heights]], and Dearborn.<ref>Grossman, Andrew. "[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124510185111216455 Retailers Head for Exits in Detroit].". ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]''. June 16, 2009. Retrieved on June 17, 2009.</ref> In the 2000s, some older malls closed, while some inner-ring suburban malls have been remodeled. Others have a new role with "[[big box store|big box]]" establishments. During the same decade, upscale [[Lifestyle center (retail)|lifestyle centers]] appeared in Detroit suburbs, most nobably [[The Mall at Partridge Creek]] in [[Charter Township of Clinton, Michigan|Clinton Township]].<ref>"[http://www.detnews.com/article/20091231/BIZ/912310315/1001/BIZ Decade in review: Business].". ''[[The Detroit News]]''. December 31, 2009. Retrieved on January 8, 2010.</ref> Several suburban municipalities, including [[Birmingham, Michigan|Birmingham]], [[Royal Oak, Michigan|Royal Oak]], Rochester, and Grosse Pointe, contain their own street-side shopping districts.
 
[[File:Greektownnew2.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Merchant's row along Monroe Street, [[Greektown Historic District]]]]
 
Many local merchants and restaurants are located within the Detroit city-limits including [[Lower Woodward Avenue Historic District]], [[Greektown Historic District]], the Renaissance Center, and those in the [[Eastern Market Historic District]]; however, the city of Detroit has few big chain retailers.<ref name=Foley/><ref name=Guest/> A 2007 Selzer and Co. poll found that nearly two-thirds of suburban residents said they occasionally dine and attend cultural or professional sporting events in downtown Detroit.<ref name=Bailey>Bailey, Ruby L.(August 22, 2007). The D is a draw: Most suburbanites are repeat visitors. ''Detroit Free Press''. New Detroit Free Press-Local 4 poll conducted by Selzer and Co., finds, "nearly two-thirds of residents of suburban Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties say they at least occasionally dine, attend cultural events or take in professional games in Detroit."</ref> The [[Fairlane Town Center]], a super-regional shopping mall in Dearborn, is about 15 minutes from downtown Detroit.
 
A 2007 Social Compact report showed that city of Detroit residents spend about $1.7 B annually in the suburbs for retail goods and services.<ref name=Marketprofile/><ref name=Detroitstudy/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://downtowndetroit.org/ddp/newsroom/Detroit_DrillDown_Media_Release.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=July 10, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726003239/http://downtowndetroit.org/ddp/newsroom/Detroit_DrillDown_Media_Release.pdf |archive-date=July 26, 2011}}</ref> As of 2009, "[[Big-box store|big box]]" super-centers had yet to open stores within the city limits of Detroit.<ref name="Meijer0"/> In August 2009, the [[Meijer]] chain of super-centers announced it would open its first store within the city limits at the $90M [[Gateway Marketplace]].<ref name=Meijer>Guest, Gretta (August 15, 2009).[http://www.freep.com/article/20090815/BUSINESS06/908150341/1318/Meijer-will-build-store-in-Detroit Meijer will build store in Detroit]. ''Detroit Free Press''. Retrieved on August 15, 2009.</ref> In April 2009, developers announced they had leased 60 percent of the retail space for a planned $90 M open-air mall, the Gateway Marketplace, to be located within the city-limits of Detroit.<ref name=Meijer/><ref name=Trop>Trop, Jaclyn (April 1, 2009).[https://archive.today/20130102082953/http://www.detnews.com/article/20090401/BIZ/904010336/1001/$80M+open-air+Detroit+mall+moves+ahead open-air Detroit mall moves ahead]. ''The Detroit News''. Retrieved on July 8, 2009.</ref> Gateway Marketplace opened in June 2013. Meijer then opened another store in the [[Old Redford, Detroit|Old Redford]] section of the northwest side in 2015.
 
The city of Detroit has four [[Starbucks]] coffee shops, several [[Tim Hortons]] coffee shops and three [[Dunkin' Donuts]] shops (include one [[Baskin-Robbins]] combo outlet), all of which face Michigan based competitors [[Coffee Beanery]] and [[Biggby Coffee]].<ref name=Foley/> The city's major bookstore is Wayne State University Bookstore, leaving an opening for a major book store chain. New car dealerships have migrated to the suburbs.<ref name=Foley/> The decline of chain fast-food outlets within Detroit has closely paralleled that of the city itself, including a notable decline of locations of [[Yum! Brands]]-owned restaurants within the city limits to the point that [[Taco Bell]] is down to two locations on the city's west side, as well as an additional store in Wayne State University, as of 2019.
 
===Supermarkets and grocery stores===
As of 2009, German-based supermarket chain [[Aldi]], which opened Detroit locations in 2001 and 2005, and the Michigan-based [[Spartan Stores]] were the grocery chains operating within the city of Detroit.<ref name=Foley>Foley, Aaron (June 18, 2009).[http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/06/detroiters_complain_of_lack_of.html Detroiters complain of lack of shopping options]. ''MLive.com''. Retrieved on July 8, 2009.</ref><ref name="Meijer0">Foley, Aaron (June 28, 2009). "[http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/06/meijers_potential_detroit_loca.htmlConversation: "Meijer's potential Detroit location spurs city-suburb debate"]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004054521/http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2009/06/meijers_potential_detroit_loca.htmlConversation%3A |date=2012-10-04}}." ''MLive.com''. Sunday June 28, 2009. Retrieved on July 13, 2009.</ref> In 2011, [[Whole Foods Market]] announced a new Midtown location in the city of Detroit.<ref>[http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/midtown/ Whole Foods Midtown] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120717062857/http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/midtown/ |date=July 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>Dolan, Matthew (July 27, 2011).[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424053111904800304576472450182417710 Whole Foods to Open Store in Detroit in 2013]. ''Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved November 15, 2011.</ref> This location opened in June 2013 to much fanfare. Many independent grocery stores serve neighborhoods in Detroit; however, a 2009 University of Michigan report estimated that neighborhoods within the city limits of Detroit have sufficient income to sustain from $210 million to $377 million in additional grocery retail spending which has leaked to nearby suburbs and that the city could support up to {{convert|1000000|sqft|m2|-2|sp=us}} of additional retail grocery space.<ref name=Guest>Guest, Greta (June 30, 2009). "[http://www.freep.com/article/20090630/BUSINESS06/906300333/Grassroots+grocery+aims+to+fill+niche+in+city "Grassroots grocery aims to fill a niche in Detroit"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703114426/http://www.freep.com/article/20090630/BUSINESS06/906300333/Grassroots+grocery+aims+to+fill+niche+in+city |date=2009-07-03}}." ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''. June 30, 2009. Retrieved on July 12, 2009.</ref><ref name=Larson>Larson, Larissa (October 21, 2009).[http://www.closup.umich.edu/events/seminars/misc/urban-food-retail/ The Role of Urban Food Retail in Detroit's Economic Development and Revitalization] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100804004920/http://closup.umich.edu/events/seminars/misc/urban-food-retail/ |date=August 4, 2010}}. ''University of Michigan, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy''. Retrieved on July 6, 2010.</ref> The report noted that retail grocery traffic tends to stimulate growth of other types of retail and that large retail chains have been slow to realize the growth potential for the city.<ref name=Larson/>
 
As of 2011, according to Martin Manna, the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce's executive director, 75 of the 84 supermarkets in the Detroit city limits are owned by [[Chaldean Americans]].<ref>"[http://detroit2020.com/2011/08/11/chaldeans-in-metro-detroit/ "Chaldeans In Metro Detroit"]." ([https://archive.today/20130919045718/http://detroit2020.com/2011/08/11/chaldeans-in-metro-detroit/ Archive]) ''Detroit 20-20''. [[WXYZ-TV]] (ABC 7), [[Scripps TV Station Group]], [[The E.W. Scripps Co.]] August 11, 2011. Retrieved on September 19, 2013.</ref> Metro Foodland in the city is an African American owned business; it is the final remaining black-owned supermarket in Detroit, a majority black city. The owner, James Hooks, said that there always have been few black-owned grocery stores in Detroit. Former employees of Hooks had established two other black-owned stores, and both stores closed.<ref>DetroitBlogger John. "[http://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/the-black-market/Content?oid=2149121 "The black market"]." ''[[Metro Times]]''. June 20, 2012. <!--Old URLs: p. [http://metrotimes.com/culture/the-black-market-1.1331914 1] and p. [http://metrotimes.com/culture/the-black-market-1.1331914?pgno=1 2]--> Retrieved on July 25, 2012. "Though many small businesses in the city are struggling right now, hundreds of supporters came out for this one. Because this isn't just any grocery store. It's the last black-owned supermarket in Detroit. Local media stopped by. ''Jet'' magazine called. How is it possible, they all wanted to know, that in a city whose population is mostly black, there is just one black-owned supermarket? " and "There never were many black-owned grocery stores in the city, he notes. Until recently there were two others, started by former employees of his, actually, and both went out of business, leaving him with the title."</ref> [[Southwest Detroit]] has many independent grocery stores.<ref>Esparza, Santiago. "[http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2013/07/independent_grocery_stores_thr.html "Independent grocery stores thriving in Southwest Detroit; 'We have soul,' says one owner"]." ([https://archive.today/20130729073643/http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2013/07/independent_grocery_stores_thr.html Archive]) ''[[MLive]]''. July 24, 2013. Retrieved on July 29, 2013.</ref> In particular Southwest Detroit has several Hispanic supermarkets, or ''supermercados'', that stock meat, specialty produce, and tortillas.<ref>Selasky, Susan M. "[http://www.freep.com/article/20120503/FEATURES02/205030378/Southwest-Detroit-s-Hispanic-groceries-have-what-you-need-for-Cinco-de-Mayo "Southwest Detroit's Hispanic groceries have what you need for Cinco de Mayo"]." ''[[Detroit Free Press]]''. May 3, 2012. Retrieved on November 1, 2012.</ref>
 
==Media==
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===Movie theaters===
As of 2015 there was one movie theater within the Detroit city limits showing first-run films: Bel Air 10 in northeast Detroit. There are some independent theater options: the [[Detroit Institute of Arts]] Detroit Film Theatre, the Cinema Detroit in Midtown, and the Redford Theatre in northwest Detroit. The Renaissance Center previously had the first-run theater Ren Cen 4 but it closed in the summer of 2015.<ref>Felton, Ryan. "[http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2015/07/01/ren-cen-4-movie-theater-in-downtown-detroit-closes Ren Cen 4 movie theater in downtown Detroit closes]" ([https://www.webcitation.org/6ZsxL9uuG?url=http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2015/07/01/ren-cen-4-movie-theater-in-downtown-detroit-closes Archive]). Wednesday''[[Metro Times]]''. July 1, 2015. Retrieved on July 9, 2015.</ref>
 
In 2015, there were 49 movie theaters in the Metro Detroit area outside the city of Detroit totaling 522 screens, many of them also showing first-run films and offering [[stadium seating]] options, which range from the five-screen Ford [[Drive-in theater|Drive-In]] in Dearborn to decades-old single-screen theaters in communities such as [[Farmington, Michigan|Farmington]] and [[Plymouth, Michigan|Plymouth]] to the [[AMC Theatres]] Forum 30 [[multiplex (movie theater)|megaplex]] in Sterling Heights. Of these, ten are megaplexes with 20 or more screens. These are found in Sterling Heights, Auburn Hills, [[Clinton Charter Township, Michigan|Clinton]], Dearborn, Southfield, [[Southgate, Michigan|Southgate]], [[Brighton, Michigan|Brighton]] and Ypsilanti. Since then, [[Cinemark Theaters]] opened a 12-screen location at [[Southland Center (Michigan)|Southland Center]] in Taylor in April 2016, Cinemark also offers the [[Rave Motion Pictures]] Ann Arbor 20 in Ypsilanti.
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{{Further|History of Detroit}}
 
President [[Franklin Roosevelt]] referred to America as the "[[Arsenal of Democracy]]". Detroit and its automotive industries played a pivotal role in the Allied victory during [[World War II]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Lankton |first=Larry |date=November–December 1991 |url=http://www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/detroit/pdf/autos_to_arms.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030811002727/http://www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/detroit/pdf/autos_to_arms.pdf |title=Autos to Armaments: Detroit Becomes the Arsenal of Democracy |journal=[[Michigan History Magazine(magazine)|Michigan History]] |archive-date=August 11, 2003 |access-date=February 10, 2013}}</ref> With Europe, Asia, and the Pacific islands under siege by the Axis powers, Henry Ford's genius would be turned to mass production for the war effort. Specifically, the [[B-24 Liberator]] bomber, still the most produced allied heavy bomber in history, quickly shifted the balance of power. The aviation industry could produce, if everything went all right, one Consolidated Aircraft B-24 Bomber a day at an aircraft plant. Ford would show the world how to produce one B-24 an hour, and at peak production Ford produced 650 per month at Willow Run by 1944. Ford's Willow Run factory broke ground in the April 1941. At the time, it was the largest assembly plant in the world, with over {{convert|3500000|sqft|m2|-4|sp=us}}. Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's son, under stress, died in the Spring of 1943 of stomach cancer prompting Henry Ford to resume day-to-day control of the Ford Motor Company. Willow Run completed its first B-24 in October 1942, with production increasing substantially by August 1943. Pilots and crew slept on the 1,300 cots waiting to fly the B-24s as they rolled off the assembly line at Ford's Willow Run facility.<ref name=Willowrun>Nolan, Jenny (January 28, 1997).[https://archive.today/20121204140927/http://info.detnews.com/redesign/history/story/historytemplate.cfm?id=73&category=locations Willow Run and the Arsenal of Democracy] . Michigan History, ''The Detroit News''. Retrieved on August 7, 2010.</ref>
 
==Largest employers==
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_metropolitan_Detroit"