What's sad but true is that good ideas seldom become reality just because they're good. Most of the time, they take concrete form only after they have won the support of enough powerful people and powerful interest groups to overcome the strong inertia that so often drags down even the best projects.

But now for some good news: That turning point may just have been reached in the case of one of the most promising projects in decades.

Though it drew little attention, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano has appointed a high-powered committee to support efforts to build an "Airport City" linking Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run Airports.

The panel is headed by John Rakolta, head of the enormous construction firm Walbridge Aldinger and a leading Republican mover and shaker. He isn't a man with time to waste - and his committee joins a coterie of private and public movers and shakers to argue on behalf of what could be Michigan's single largest economic development project in decades.

There is reason to believe that this could be very big indeed. A similar project at Amsterdam's Schipohl Airport has generated more than 60,000 jobs in the immediate vicinity. Experts like the University of North Carolina's Jack Kasarda, a leading expert on how airports stimulate economic growth, say that our two airports and the 27,000 acres of developable land between them represent some of the greatest potential on the globe.

That could be exactly what the doctor ordered for this economically challenged state. But beyond that, this the story is interesting because it suggests that after many years of pawing the ground, the effort to develop Airport City is actually gaining some serious traction.

The developments also illuminate an important back story that helps explain how and why big projects happen -- and why they don't. In order to understand why Airport City is now looking a lot more likely, start by considering who stands to benefit from the project:

Lots of politicians, certainly. Governor Jennifer Granholm, now in her last term and still slogging through unprecedented budget trouble, has so far failed to latch on to a signature project that can be identified with her administration, and create a legacy. Airport City, with its potential of tens of thousands of jobs, could fill that bill perfectly -- even though one of her close advisors blew off the idea a few years ago as having "too many moving parts."

Likewise, the legislature has hardly earned much praise for foresight and prompt action in dealing with the state's financial crisis. Firm, prompt bi- partisan support for the airport development would provide welcome evidence to voters that our lawmakers can look further ahead than their next fund-raiser.

Wayne County, often a cesspit of inaction and alleged corruption, would be a big beneficiary from a big Airport City. Ficano, who comes from Livonia, has been trying for years to figure out what to do about helping the western side of the county. Being known as a visionary who brings home the bacon is not exactly a bad way to be remembered. And even the Wayne County Commission, seldom a shining example of good government, could astonish a lot of folks and widen some eyes by actually trying, for once, to be helpful.

Many local government units in the area, including the cities of Romulus, Taylor and Ypsilanti as well as Huron, Van Buren and Ypsilanti Townships, all stand to profit from development and the tax revenue that comes with it. Every one of them already has signed a memorandum of understanding pledging to work for a coherent development plan and zoning structure.

The business community has a lot to gain from the airport. Whether the primary contractor is Rakolta's Walbridge Aldinger or any other firm, Airport City would be a terrific shot in the arm for the construction industry. And area manufacturing companies in need of just-in-time delivery of high value, low volume parts and components would be among the prime beneficiaries of an upgraded freight-handling facility at Willow Run.

Northwest Airlines, having now emerged from bankruptcy, could add considerable heft to its present domination of Detroit Metro passenger traffic by helping develop Willow Run as a major freight terminus. Chicago, the nearest air freight complex, is way over capacity, clogged and landlocked. Months ago, Northwest CEO Douglas Steenland pledged support for Airport City.

That was music to Doug Rothwell, president of Detroit Renaissance and a prime mover in Southeastern Michigan's regional economic development planning. He has made Airport City one of his six top priorities.

And organized labor, a factor never to be underestimated in Michigan, has a lot to gain from an Airport City. The building trades would thrive at the spurt of construction business. The Teamsters Union, which now represents employees at UPS and DHL, would dearly love to see their partner companies hiring lots more members to delivery the freight coming through Airport City.

All these forces are coming together and nearing critical mass. In their own separate ways, each of them has a parochial interest in supporting the project. But what's most important is that they're coming onto common ground in a way that helps each of them, but also could help our state enormously.

When it was first mentioned nearly a decade ago, Airport City seemed one of those hopelessly naive ideas: Great public policy, but not a chance. But we are now seeing a recipe in which lots of folks can potentially do well for themselves by doing good for all of us. And that's the most enlightened form of public policy of all.

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Phil Power is a longtime observer of politics, economics and education issues in Michigan. He would be pleased to hear from readers at ppower@hcnnet.com. Phil Power is president of the Center for Michigan. However, these opinions and others expressed in Phil Power's columns are individual opinions and do not in any way represent official policy positions of the Center for Michigan.