The article that got this discussion started is a "top-down" article. The next step is for someone to investigate the decision making processes of the Aerotropolis's prospective customers. Learn what that customer wants and what they're willing to pay for it and see if a fair trade is possible. We'll need to find that price point where exponentially distributed successful transactions can occur. In other words, let's suspend our view of this Aerotropolis concept from the government-down, and spend some time looking at it from the bottom-up; transaction-by-transaction.

The Center for Michigan could raise the level of discussion by making those Aerotropolis reports available to the Average Bear right here. Hopefully, all the money paid for those reports should contain in-depth informationa about the customer (not top-down government-hype) Those reports should be public information, shouldn't they? Maybe just a link to them.

The lack of honor for those industrial leaders is symbolic of our real problems. For decades Michigan's political and union leaders have acted like parasites living off those institutions for sustenance. Unfortunately those leaders never heard of the fable of the Goose that Laid the Golden Egg. They've overeaten and nearly killed the Goose.

Why would any visiting investor/entrepreneur look at that wall, shake his head and not think "These people have not learned a thing. If I invested here and was successful, why should I think they would treat me differently than Henry Ford?"

A few items for the Suggestion Box:

0. Stop calling all these economic stimulus initiatives "jobs" initiatives. Call them business stimulus initiatives. Admittedly, there is something a little Orwellian about this suggestion. Michigan generally, and southeastern Michigan, in particular, has more baggage in this regard because of its alignment with unions. You cannot love jobs and hate job creaters. Prepare the foundation for profitable businesses and the jobs will follow.

1. The price point for money coming in is going to have to be a near-perfect shot. We'll have to figure out a way to compete with other aerotropolis'. We'll need to offer a 25% percent price advantage at the same quality level as our competitors. Even AMS has had its competitive pressures lately. Somebody needs to look at the total cost of face-to-face meetings including the relative cost of flying into nearby airports. A tricky optimization calculation.

2. The westbound I-94 corridor between Ann Arbor and DTW ought to be developed with a real-time land transportation system. Many of our overseas friends have spoken of the convenience of UM's proximity to an international airport. Windsor would be a great eastbound destination were it not for the sadness of Detroit.

3. No serious attempt at branding can be understaken without dealing the very word "Detroit". Sorry to say. Not in our lifetimes will we see a restoration of its pre-1960's image. No serious money will flow into an aerotropolis carrying Detroit in its name. By serious money, I mean outstate financing (bonds, PIPEs, etc.) – not instate direct investment underwritten by Michigan financing authorities intending to prop up the name. Consider "Great Lakes International Airport".

Hope this helps.