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Detroit Regional Economic Partnership Announces Interim Senior Vice President, Blaire Miller

DETROIT, November 24, 2009 — Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber announced it has entered a contract agreement with Blaire Miller, of International CFO Advisory LLC located in Beverly Hills, Michigan, as interim senior vice president of economic development for its Detroit Regional Economic Partnership. The Partnership focuses on global business development in order to accomplish job creation and investment in southeast Michigan.

Miller has 25 years of international experience in Michigan, focused on investment of United States and Foreign owned companies. Prior to forming her independent consulting firm in 2009, her previous roles include: partner-international services practice, Virchow, Krause & Company; senior vice president & division manager, international corporate banking division, LaSalle Bank, ABN Amro Bank Group; and first vice president & manager of corporate credit products, treasury management department, Comerica Bank.

“Miller will play a critical role carrying out the momentum of the Partnership’s current international economic development activities as well as focusing on business retention support through supplier diversification in Southeast Michigan,” said Richard Blouse, president & CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

The chamber made the decision to contract with Miller for an interim period in order to allow the organization to focus on the current leadership transition already underway, while still being responsible to the investors of the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership after the loss of John Carroll Jr. in August.
About the Detroit Regional Economic Partnership

The Detroit Regional Economic Partnership, the economic development arm of the Detroit Regional Chamber, is a unique partnership of the public and private sector working together to improve the economy of Southeast Michigan. Over the past nine years the Partnership has helped 446 companies either locate or expand in the Detroit Region, and 11,385 new jobs have been created through a total investment of $3.7 billion.

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships and valuable benefits to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com

This morning a letter signed by more than 2,000 Michigan business owners
and organizations will be hand delivered to all House and Senate member
offices:

More than 2,000 Michigan Businesses and Organizations Sign Letter
Urging Lawmakers Implement Spending Reforms

November 9, 2009 Lansing, MI- A letter to Michigan lawmakers signed by
more than 2,000 Michigan business owners was hand delivered today by a
group of business organizations representing a vast cross section of
Michigan job providers. The letter praises lawmakers for passing a
state budget balanced without tax increases, but warned that spending
reforms must be the next step.

The letter echoed sentiments already expressed by the broad group of
business associations during the battle over balancing the state budget
this fall – no new taxes on Michigan business. This time, however, that
message and the need for reforms was reinforced by more than 2,000 main
street business owners lending their name to the cause.

In addition to thanking lawmakers for their efforts on the budget,
business owners made it clear that that the business community does not
support discussions of overall tax restructuring with the goal of
increasing revenue so the state can dodge needed spending reforms.

“Balancing the budget while looking out for our job providers was a
major accomplishment”, said James Holcomb, Vice President for Business
Advocacy at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. “But we must keep the
momentum going to change the way we conduct government in our state.”

“The next logical step for our lawmakers is movement on spending
reforms,” said Brad Williams, Director of Government Relations for the
Detroit Regional Chamber. “This must be done before we start talking
about “tax reform” or “tax restructuring”.

“This does not mean that every recommendation put forward by the
business community must be implemented, but a number of substantive
reforms must be acted upon to show good faith by the legislature that
serious reforms are underway,” said Bill Martin, President of the
Michigan Association of Realtors.

The coalition of business groups expressed gratitude to those lawmakers
that held the line on tax increases in the 2010 budget passed last week,
but remained cautious with talk of follow up revenue increases rumored
to be in discussion at the capitol.

Business groups that collected the signatures and put together the
letter and message for lawmakers include:

Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Detroit Regional Chamber
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Lansing Regional Chamber
Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan Kalamazoo Regional
Chamber
Michigan Association of Home Builders
Michigan Manufacturers Association
Michigan Association of Realtors
Michigan Restaurant Association
National Federation of Independent Businesses
Michigan Distributors & Vendors Association
Business Leaders for Michigan
Small Business Association of Michigan
Michigan Grocers Association
Michigan Retailers Association
Michigan Bankers Association
Michigan Business & Professional Association
Michigan Association of Insurance Agents

The Detroit Regional Chamber welcomes the significant change to Detroit City Council and Charter Commission brought about by yesterday’s election. The results represent a major step towards revitalizing Detroit, and it is clear the city’s residents and Detroit’s business community are aligned and ready for change.

The newly elected leaders will move the city of Detroit in a new direction in dealing with issues such as education, job creation, a balanced budget and public safety. The chamber also looks forward to working with the newly elected members of the Detroit Charter Commission, which will set the basis for how city government will operate and serve Detroiters and the business community for the next twenty years.

The following elected City Council members received the chamber PAC’s endorsement: Gary Brown; Saunteel Jenkins; incumbent Brenda Jones; Charles Pugh; Andre Spivey; James Tate and incumbent Ken Cockrel, Jr. The Chamber’s PAC endorsed 4 of the 9 newly elected Detroit Charter Commission members; they will serve until November 17, 2012 working to revise the charter, which will determine how city government operates.

The Detroit Regional Chamber participates in the election process by educating candidates about concerns of the business community and supports selected candidates whose leadership is critical in working with the region’s business community.

The chamber endorsed these individuals because we believe they will be able to work in collaboration with the Mayor’s office to create a balanced budget and bring integrity back to Detroit’s city council.

The newly elected city council brings a diverse array of experience; many of them have private sector professional experience that will be beneficial when engaging the region’s business community to make substantial changes for the city of Detroit. This new council, along with Mayor Bing, will be able to effectively execute the regional business agenda.

For more information, contact Sebastian Wade at (313) 596-0399.

Welcomes Change to Detroit City Council and Charter Commission

DETROIT, November 3, 2009 — Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber, pending the City of Detroit’s election results, congratulates our newly elected leaders to the Detroit City Council and Mayor’s office and extending an interest in working together to move Detroit forward.

“This election is important to the business community because change is needed and today we will begin to see the results of our electoral process to make change happen, said Richard E. Blouse, Jr., president and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber. “The newly elected leaders will move the city of Detroit in a new direction dealing with issues such as, education, job creation, a balanced budget and public safety. The chamber urges all our elected and community leaders from the labor and faith-based organizations to come together in the spirit of cooperation to address the city’s need and lead it out of crisis.”

The chamber looks forward to working with the newly elected members of the Detroit Charter Commission. The work of the city’s charter commission will set the basis for how city government will operate and serve Detroiters and the business community for the next twenty years.

“The Detroit Regional Chamber participates in the election process by educating candidates about concerns of the business community, and supports selected candidates whose leadership is critical in working with the region’s business community, said Sarah Hubbard, senior vice president government relations, Detroit Regional Chamber.”

About the Detroit Regional Chamber

With over 20,000 members, that employ over three quarters of a million workers, the Detroit Regional Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in the country. The chamber’s mission is carried out through business attraction efforts, advocacy, strategic partnerships and valuable benefits to members. For more information please visit, detroitchamber.com