By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TAYLOR — For much of the past year the city's economic questions mostly wrestled with municipal stability. The state of Taylor in 2012 was a struggle against potential state financial takeover. Barring any unexpected issues, officials expect to end the fiscal year in June having erased 20 percent of its approximately $5 million deficit in accordance with a five-year debt elimination plan. Mayor Jeffrey Lamarand said that an audit presentation last week by Plante Moran indicated that … [Read more...] about Taylor looks for stable year, recovery and new businesses
Progress
Stack predicts ‘better times’ ahead for Trenton
By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers TRENTON — Preparing her remarks for next month's State of the City address, Mayor Kyle Stack looked forward to offering a bit of cautious optimism. “I think we're seeing a little upswing,” Stack said. “From what I hear from the assessor, I think there will be a steadiness this next year.” The annual address, at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 4 at the Westfield Activities Center, 2700 Westfield Road, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Trenton and Trenton Business Association, will review notable … [Read more...] about Stack predicts ‘better times’ ahead for Trenton
Kuspa says Southgate ‘on the right track’
By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers SOUTHGATE — The renaissance is ready to begin; planted seeds are set to bear fruit. A year ago, Southgate Mayor Joseph Kuspa spoke of the city's anticipated rebirth in his annual address, a speech that outlined what he called "the foundation for a municipal renaissance." In his 2013 State of the City address Wednesday at Holiday Inn, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Southgate, Kuspa said the foundation held firm. "I stand before you with a heightened sense of optimism," Kuspa … [Read more...] about Kuspa says Southgate ‘on the right track’
Lincoln Park poised to rebound with small businesses, loft project
By JAMES MITCHELL Sunday Times Newspapers LINCOLN PARK — If all goes well, the sounds along Fort Street will soon include long-awaited work on the Lincoln Park Lofts project, turning the old Park Theater into a dozen residential units atop 1,200 square feet of retail space. City officials hope that the $12 million investment by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency will spark more of the same for the struggling downtown district. Mayor Patricia Diaz Krause said last week that the project is set to begin. “There … [Read more...] about Lincoln Park poised to rebound with small businesses, loft project
Allen Park EFM formulates plan, looks back on year
By ANDREA POTEET Sunday Times Newspapers ALLEN PARK – Few Downriver cities have undergone as much change in the past year as Allen Park. Despite first asking for and then contesting a state financial review, the most drastic change was the that review’s end result – the appointment of an emergency financial manager to the city by Gov. Rick Snyder in October. Since taking the helm of the city’s troubled finances, Emergency Financial Manager Joyce Parker has sought resident and council input on her plan to close the city’s … [Read more...] about Allen Park EFM formulates plan, looks back on year
Dearborn continues economic development Initiatives in 2012, looks forward to 2013
DEARBORN – Dearborn continued to encourage economic development in 2012 and seeks even more successes in 2013. Led by Mayor John O’Reilly Jr., among the city’s key initiatives in 2012 was the ongoing commitment to create an environment for the ongoing advancement of 21st century manufacturing. Ford Motor Co. is investing $305 million in the Rouge Complex at its Dearborn Stamping Plant, a move that will preserve 400 jobs and add another 500 positions. Ford plans another $49 million at the Research and Engineering Complex, an … [Read more...] about Dearborn continues economic development Initiatives in 2012, looks forward to 2013
HFCC continues progress in helping to meet the needs of students, society and industry
By the Henry Ford Community College Office of Communications DEARBORN — Since it was founded in 1938 as Fordson Junior College, Henry Ford Community College has been the gateway to higher education for thousands of students seeking affordable, high-quality post-secondary education. HFCC is a comprehensive public community college serving about 18,000 students each fall and winter semester. HFCC is dedicated to preparing students for a rapidly changing world and workplace by offering more than 100 associate degree career and … [Read more...] about HFCC continues progress in helping to meet the needs of students, society and industry
City, state, federal VIPs in Dearborn for start of train station project
Photo courtesy of the Michigan Department of Transportation Construction for Dearborn’s $28.2 million Intermodal Passenger Rail Station kicked off on April 10 at the historic Smith’s Creek Depot in Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford. Mayor John O’Reilly Jr. welcomed 80 key regional, state and federal leaders for the event. Assisting with the sign unveiling were: Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle (left); Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford; O’Reilly; U.S. Sen. Carl Levin; U.S. Rep. John … [Read more...] about City, state, federal VIPs in Dearborn for start of train station project
O’Reilly, Paletko highlight cities’ accomplishments, progress
Photo by Robert Ankrapp Dearborn Mayor John O'Reilly Jr. (left) speaks to attendees during the Dearborn Area Chamber Business Builder Luncheon Jan. 15 at the Warren Valley Golf and Banquet Center, as Dearborn Heights Mayor Daniel Paletko prepares to answer audience questions. By SHERRI KOLADE Times-Herald Newspapers Dearborn and Dearborn Heights mayors said they are looking forward to a positive future for their cities in 2013. During a Dearborn Area Chamber Business Builder Luncheon Jan. 15 at the Warren Valley Golf … [Read more...] about O’Reilly, Paletko highlight cities’ accomplishments, progress
Recreation and Parks, plus partners, strengthened quality of life in Dearborn in 2012
DEARBORN – The array of local recreational and cultural arts programming was enriched in 2012 through partnerships with volunteers and funding agents. Severstal North America worked with the Dearborn Recreation and Parks Department and the non-profit Dearborn Community Fund to create a new playscape at Morningside Park. Severstal’s $15,000 donation for the playscape included $8,450 raised by employees through raffle ticket sales at the company’s 2011 fall open house. The company itself contributed an additional $6,550 to fund … [Read more...] about Recreation and Parks, plus partners, strengthened quality of life in Dearborn in 2012