From “Not” to “Hot”: Using Place-Based Economic Development to Transform Communities

DETROIT - The Jefferson East Business Association‘s annual luncheon in November will focus on place-based economic development which is the process of creating a unique and special sense of place tied to a high quality of life. The luncheon will feature a keynote address from Sue Mosey, President of Midtown Detroit Inc., who will share how Midtown was revitalized through the focused efforts of the community and its supporters. Josh Elling, Executive Director of the Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA) and the East Jefferson Corridor Collaborative (EJCC), believes there is value in taking a very close look at the Midtown transformation. "The results in Midtown are undeniable and we’re very happy to be able to borrow pages from Midtown’s playbook as we develop our strategy," said Elling. “This luncheon will reinforce the value of some tried-and-true economic development tactics and provide a few new ideas to run with.”

The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press journalist and author of Reimagining Detroit. Panelists will include Sue Mosey; James Van Dyke, Vice President of the Roxbury Group who specializes in financing urban redevelopment projects; Karla Henderson, City of Detroit Group Executive of Planning and Facilities who oversees the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department, the Building Authority, the Planning and Development Department, the Land Use plan, and the mayor’s Demolition Program; and Michael Curis, President of Curis Enterprises and Jefferson East Business Association founding board member, who developed Riverbend Plaza on East Jefferson at Coplin, Heritage Condominiums, Mack Alter Square and other Detroit projects. Mr. Curis’ family also owns the Big Boy restaurant at the foot of the Belle Isle bridge which is the oldest family style restaurant in the city of Detroit.

The Jefferson East Business Association believes that the panel discussion will provide a great opportunity for potential business owners, developers, and residents to discover the hidden assets of the community and to begin envisioning the role they could play in revitalizing a once celebrated waterfront community. Don Fitzsimmons, president of the Jefferson East Business Association board of directors and President of Royal Transportation is very optimistic about the future of the community. “The East Jefferson community has major manufacturing employers, a unique commercial corridor and a surprisingly low crime rate. Our community is a blend of historic neighborhoods, new million-dollar gated communities, extremely affordable homes with canals for backyards, the largest concentration of boat slips in metro Detroit, and the only public boat launch access in the city. We are working together as a community to develop an identity and a strategy to promote what we have to offer – and we have a lot more than most people may know.”

The luncheon will be held on Nov. 15, 2011 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at 42 Degrees North inside the Marriott at the Detroit Renaissance Center. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased by calling 313-331-7939. For more information, contact Lisa Hardwick at lhardwick@jeffersoneast.org.
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Founded in 1992, the Jefferson East Business Association (JEBA) mission is to be a collaborative leader in fostering economic development on Detroit's lower east side by creating an environment that is conducive to business and residential growth and development.

JEBA’s economic development activities include small business counseling and support services, real estate development facilitation, façade and tenant improvement grants, historic preservation and physical planning initiatives, and commercial tenant attraction/retention programs. Our business district services create a safe, clean and vibrant business district and neighborhood in order to attract more shoppers and investors to the area.