In the heart of Michigan’s central freeways, five Class A rail lines, and the Detroit Metro Airport, you’ll find the town of Romulus, often referred to by residents and city officials as the “House of Opportunity.” The city’s access to transportation and 3,146 acres of undeveloped land has positioned Romulus as an ideal location for developers in Michigan and across the country.

In a community of just under 23,000, the city of Romulus has had a significant impact on the greater Detroit area. The developments continue to generate millions in tax and wage revenues, as well as thousands of new jobs for residents of surrounding communities. Looking back on the past eight years of serving Romulus as mayor and reflecting on my last days in public service, there is much to celebrate.

One development that immediately comes to mind when I reflect on the success of our city and region is the Ford Ion Park project. Announced in July, Ford Motor Co. has chosen Romulus as the future site for the $ 100 million global battery research and development center. Approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund and the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Ford has announced that it will renovate a 270,000 square foot facility that will house more than 200 engineers, researchers and other workers.

For years, Romulus and Metro Detroit have hosted proud and hardworking blue collar workers who have, literally, helped put our nation on wheels – from the first Ford plant built in Detroit in 1904 to produce the Model T, to the Ford Ion. Long-awaited park designed to usher in the next generation of electric vehicles. The country’s rich automotive history began in Detroit and its innovative future continues in Romulus with a new generation of workers with doctorates.

Major developments such as the Ford Ion Park require a team of partners with a vision and passion to make the Metro Detroit area a thriving place for everyone to live, work and play. Since becoming Mayor of Romulus in 2013, our city has forged meaningful relationships with key partners in the region.

Two of those partners are Wayne County and the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Corp., a four-community, two-county public-private development partnership that is spurring the company’s expansion in new investments around Detroit Metro airports. and Willow Run. Aerotropolis is considered a prime location for new land expansion in Southeast Michigan, offering 6,000 acres of land ready for development. As Next Michigan Development Corp., Aerotropolis is empowered to endorse a series of economic development tools to attract and keep track jobs.

Romulus has partnered with Wayne County and Aerotropolis on the Ecorse Commons Industrial Park, two buildings totaling 654,887 square feet of industrial space located on 68 acres of land adjacent to the General Motors powertrain plant. Ecorse Commons is currently occupied by several leading logistics companies including LaserShip, Pitney Bowes, Hearn Industrial Services, Lowes and DHL. Not only does this development have an estimated economic impact of over $ 440,000 in annual tax revenues and $ 15 million in salary revenues, but the new businesses hosted at Ecorse Commons have created a total of 1,973 new jobs – from construction to post-construction staffing – with more jobs planned for the future.

The Ford Ion Park Project and Ecorse Commons Industrial Park are just two recent examples of how the City of Romulus has partnered with surrounding communities and economic development organizations to bring substantial development and revenue to the Detroit Metro. . Other projects include the 850,000 square foot Amazon Fulfillment Center and the 135,000 square foot Kroger Fulfillment Center, both of which bring products and groceries to residents of the Detroit area and beyond. .

While Romulus is often known primarily for the Detroit Metro Airport, our community has an impact greater than the size of our population. In the past decade alone, we’ve worked hard to attract developers and form partnerships with the goal of not only improving our city, but the Detroit metro community as well. Additionally, the state’s focus on growing the mobility industry aligns perfectly with Romulus’ transportation assets – the hub of central freeways, five Class A rail lines, and the Detroit Metro Airport. .

As my graduation days at Romulus Town Hall dwindle, I am delighted to see our momentum and the region continue to grow.

LeRoy Burcroff is the mayor of Romulus.