Formerly headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Pace Industries is North America’s leading full-service aluminum, magnesium, and zinc die-casting manufacturer. The company has 17 manufacturing facilities and approximately 4,000 employees across the United States and Mexico. It supports customers across numerous markets including; automotive, commercial vehicle, powersports, lighting, lawn and garden, appliance, aerospace, defense, medical, and other industries.

“The Detroit Region is one of the best places in North America to locate a headquarters because we have one of the world’s most sophisticated supply chains and the highly skilled talent that manufacturers need to innovate and stay globally competitive,” said Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership.

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As the world slowly re-opens, our CEO and President Maureen Donahue Krauss discusses that business attraction is finding its footing and the Detroit Regional Partnership is notching up some wins. 

“Nothing beats bringing people to our region and having them experience it for themselves,” said Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership. “But a lot of times, the key decision-maker doesn’t come on that trip. … (Online), they can look at a building, be a part of the initial conversations and initial impressions. We can incorporate key decision-makers earlier — that’s a win.”

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Site Selection Magazine honors the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) as a Global Best to Invest Location, Awards Prosperity Cup and Mac Awards for Excellence in Economic Development.

Michigan was also ranked TOP 10 in the Prosperity Cup by Site Selection as one of the most competitive states, including project, capex and job creation data from the Tax Foundation, ACT and Beacon Hill Institute.

Site Selection’s Mac Conway Awards for Excellence in Economic Development recognize the top local and regional economic development agencies in the U.S. Learn more about the honorees today.

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Senior Business Development Manager, Will Butler,  at the Detroit Regional Partnership was featured in the DBusiness Magazine, ​Class of 2021 – 30 in Their Thirties.

“You have to have the technical knowledge,” says Will Butler. ”You have to know the community facts, know your tax rates, and as an economic developer you have to know about every industry.”

DBusiness 30 in their Thirties features metro Detroit business professionals in their 30s who have acheived notable success in their respective fields.

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The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) created seven unique interactive industry cluster story maps and business cases to engage site selectors and investors. These new resources armed its business development team with the tools to pursue investment virtually throughout the pandemic.

That work recently earned a 2021 Community, Economic, and Workforce Research Award from the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) during its virtual Annual Conference June 7 – 11. The C2ER awards recognize the contribution of research activities to the success of local, regional, or state community, economic, and workforce development initiatives.

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Headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, FCR is a premier provider of live agent call center and business process solutions. They provide a wide range of contact center, business process and social networking solutions to industries that include e-commerce services, telecom, healthcare, finance, travel, transportation, insurance and various other economic sectors.

Working with the Detroit Regional Partnership, FCR targeting Southeast Michigan also helped the firm meet its recently developed workforce diversity goals.

“Within a couple of weeks of posting initial job openings for the pilot, FCR experienced such tremendous response from candidates, they quickly realized the pilot was not necessary and they could achieve their growth plans much quicker than expected,” said Maureen Donohue Krauss, president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership. “As more companies maintain work from home strategies beyond the pandemic, this region’s diverse talent base is going to appeal to many of them that no longer find themselves requiring employees to work onsite or even in the same state.”

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“Ken Rogers was a giant in Oakland County, the Detroit Region and in Michigan. His passion for Oakland County and Automation Alley were only exceeded by his love for his wife Jane and his family. He will always be remembered.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS ANNOUNCEMENT 

‘Site Selection Magazine’ launched the Detroit Regional Partnership’s investment profile in their January 2021 issue. The article showcases the 11-county Detroit Region’s highly-talented and diverse workforce, quality of life, and the research, engineering & design industry cluster.

“The best regions have business leaders who are bullish on the region and want to be active in pulling in their peers who are thinking about relocating or expanding,” said Executive Chairman of DTE Energy, Gerry Anderson,  who also serves as the Chair of the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP). “The DRP board is made up of the top regional leaders who really care about this community and are willing to do their part to educate businesses and help them become part of the fabric here.” 

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President and CEO of the Detroit Regional Partnership, Maureen Donohue Krauss recently had a commentary featured in Crain’s Detroit Business. Krauss discussed how the 11-county Detroit Region attracted “34 projects involving new or expanded corporate real estate facilities in 2020.”

Projects awarded in the region are expected “to bring $3.7 billion in investment and 6,400 jobs resulting in about 6.2 million square feet of new construction or expansion across a multitude of industries.”

The Detroit Regional Partnership focuses on business attraction and serves as a single point of contact for companies looking to explore and invest in the Detroit Region.

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Lordstown Motors Corp. , a leader in electric light-duty trucks, is developing the world’s first all-electric pickup truck, the Lordstown Endurance.™ Founded over a year ago, Lordstown Motors officially debuted the Endurance at its Ohio headquarters over the summer and has received more than 50,000 pre-orders for the vehicle.

Lordstown Motors plans to establish an automotive R&D center in Farmington Hills that will consist of offices, space for vehicle inspection and benchmarking, and labs for testing, validation and prototyping. The company’s decision to locate its R&D headquarters in Michigan is part of its long-term vision of establishing an electric vehicle epicenter in the Midwest.

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The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) honored the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) with two gold awards during their 2020 Excellence in Economic Development awards ceremony at the IEDC Annual Conference.

DRP received a gold category award for its RED Talent Cluster Program, a project in the Innovation Programs and Initiatives category as well as a gold category award for its Pathway Jobs, a project in Economic Equity and Inclusion category.

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The priority of the EDLM is to drive long-term economic growth and keep Michigan competitive in terms of state and local incentives for business retention, expansion, attraction, startup creation, and support for early stage companies.

The 12-member coalition is led by CEOs with over 350 years of economic development experience. Representing 84% of Michigan’s population and 89% of the state gross domestic product (GDP), the CEOs and organizations include: Paul Krutko, President & CEO, Ann Arbor Spark; Rob Cleveland, President & CEO, Cornerstone Alliance; Kevin Johnson, President & CEO, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation; Maureen Donohue Krauss, President & CEO, Detroit Regional Partnership; Marty Fittante, CEO, InvestUP; Amy Clickner, CEO, Lake Superior Community Partnership; Jennifer Owens, President, Lakeshore Advantage; Bob Trezise, President & CEO, Lansing Economic Area Partnership; James McBryde, President & CEO, Middle Michigan Economic Corporation; JoAnn Crary, President, Saginaw Future; Ron Kitchens, Senior Partner & CEO, Southwest Michigan First; and Birgit Klohs, President & CEO The Right Place, Inc.

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Following today’s annoucement that Excel Engineering has opened their second U.S. engineering and testing facility in Van Buren Township, creating an estimated 28 jobs and investing $3 million in the 11-county Detroit Region over the next 12 months.

Excel Engineering was initially discovered through the research conducted by the Detroit Regional Partnership’s (DRP) Business Intelligence Team that identified the company as a potential target. DRP Business Development Manager Carlotta Gmachl lead the project.

“We’re very pleased to welcome Excel Engineering to the Detroit region – with our recent focus on recruiting Research Engineering and Design companies to our ecosystem, our team’s commitment to providing a best in class customer journey remains at the forefront of our services, “ said Maureen Donohue Kraus, President, Detroit Regional Partnership.

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Following today’s approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund, the rapidly growing insurance-tech company Clearcover announced their plans to hire up to 303 employees and establish a new customer operations hub in the city of Detroit, the company’s first large-scale expansion outside of its Chicago headquarters.

“The Detroit Regional Partnership is incredibly excited to welcome Clearcover to the Detroit Region. Clearcover joins a community of innovators in the region who have utilized new technology to improve the customer experience in traditional financial services industry,” said Maureen Donohue Krauss, President & CEO, Detroit Regional Partnership.

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The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) announced Maureen Krauss will become its new CEO. Krauss replaces Barry I. Matherly, who will be leaving the region due to family relocation requirements.

Matherly, who joined DRP in November 2018, was DRP’s first CEO and was hired to establish and staff the newly formed organization and develop an economic development strategy (now complete) to diversify Detroit’s regional economy.

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In July, the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) launched a survey focusing on finding post-grad job opportunities. Today, Josh Carter, the DRP Business Intelligence Strategy & Development Intern and Student at Michigan State University, shared the findings of the study focusing on the state’s current students & recent college graduates’ career plans (ages 20–30).

To learn more about the Brain Drain findings of the region’s loss of skilled, intellectual and technical talent click below.

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The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) has launched its fourth interactive story map (from a series of seven maps) aimed at diversifying the region’s economy while ensuring access to jobs for all in Southeast Michigan.

With more than 140,000 industry jobs in 2019, the 11-county Detroit Region is a top location for business talent. Corporate and professional services jobs growth in the region outpaced national growth from 2015 to 2019. Fastest growing occupations included a 28% growth in market research analysts and 19% growth in financial analysts.

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As our hearts and condolences are with the families and community, we must truthfully confront our history of racial injustice before we can take the necessary steps to repair its painful legacy. We in turn must address and deal with the uncomfortable truth of systemic racism.

Deep Prosperity has been part of our original Guiding Principles. As an economic development organization, we strive to ensure intentional engagement for those traditionally left out of economic growth.

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The Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) has identified seven targeted industry clusters, incorporating 22 sub clusters, that will diversify the region’s economy, while ensuring access to jobs for all in Southeast Michigan. The Detroit region is globally known for being the motor city and the birthplace of the automobile, making the automotive industry a pillar to the region.

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In May 2020, Angela M. Ladetto, Vice President of Business Intelligence and Research, Detroit Regional Partnership, asked Paul Traub, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Detroit Branch, a series of questions about how Covid-19 has affected the Detroit region, Michigan, and the U.S. and what may be in store in the coming months.

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In celebration of Economic Development Week 2020 (May 4–9) — the Detroit Regional Partnership teamed up with local and state partners to launch a digital marketing campaign highlighting the significant work and contributions of economic development leaders across the 11-county region.

Economic Development Week was created by International Economic Development Council to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life in communities everywhere.

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Site Selection Magazine honors the Detroit Regional Partnership (DRP) and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation (DEGC) with the Distinguished Mac Conway Award for “Excellence in Economic Development” and job creation.

“At the Detroit Regional Partnership, we consider this a ‘pivotal moment’ to be recognized as one of the top EDOs in the U.S. alongside the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation,” said Barry I. Matherly, President and CEO, Detroit Regional Partnership. “Site Selection Magazine has featured DEGC and DRP among organizations that are the most successful in facilitating job growth and investment for the region. As we continue our mission to market, grow and support the economy of Southeast Michigan; it is a pleasure to see Michigan ranked as the 4th best state for the growth of jobs and investment in their communities.”

READ THE SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE ARTICLE

The Detroit Regional Partnership has identified the strength of the Logistics industry cluster within the region with three targeted sub clusters: Transportation, Warehousing, and Wholesale. With an international border, a top ranked international airport, an extensive network of freeways, and a 500-mile market reach that encompasses almost half of the U.S. and Canadian populations; the 11-county Detroit Region is strategically positioned for logistics companies.

The region has always been a leader and innovator in moving people, products and goods around the world – allowing it to become the logistics powerhouse it is today. Traditionally strong in transportation, the region has experienced momentous growth in warehousing and wholesale in recent years, including 118% growth in general warehousing and storage jobs from 2015 to 2019.

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The Detroit Regional Partnership has created an online resource center that provides a comprehensive list of information about COVID-19 from public health experts, business preparedness leaders, government officials and more.

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Do you have the capability to produce critical health & human service supplies, but need assistance in scaling or purchasing equipment? Pure Michigan Business Connect is providing grant assistance to help companies or non-profits begin or ramp up production of critical supplies across a broad range of product categories.

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The Detroit Regional Partnership is working with NASA to help the space agency identify potential supplier partners for a new lunar rover vehicle for the Artemis Program whose goal is to return people to the moon by 2024.

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Barry Matherly talks to Paul W. Smith about the 2020 business activity in and around Detroit. 

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What are his plans? We’ll also go inside the upcoming 2020 Detroit Policy Conference with Detroit Regional Chamber President & CEO Sandy Baruah and Conference Chair Dennis Archer, Jr. Together, how are they moving our region forward?

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Jobs is the number one focus for Barry Matherly, president, and CEO at the Detroit Regional Partnership, an economic development nonprofit serving Southeast Michigan’s 11-county region. 

Matherly talked with WWJ’s Roberta Jasina, Tom Jordan, Charlie Langton, Vickie Thomas and Murray Feldman about a variety of issues including the focus on future jobs, design, and engineering. 

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