Creating a strong identity for Detroit on this global stage is a major focus of DEGC’s business attraction team. By sharing our city’s value proposition around the world, DEGC is positioning Detroit as a competitive business location. Detroit is an international city that offers unrivaled advantages to regional and national stakeholders, and to global companies looking to access the North American market.

This is the compelling message we shared last week at Select Detroit, DEGC’s international investment summit. For the second consecutive year, DEGC hosted the event for international companies that have committed to job-creating investments in the United States. DEGC used the one-day summit to showcase Detroit’s ability to enable business success. Participants were also able to directly engage with Detroit’s local business leaders and learn about Detroit’s empowered success for its workforce.

Guests of the event represented the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors, and consisted of markets in Bangladesh, Belgium, China, India, Malaysia and South Korea. Some companies already maintain a presence in the U.S., while Detroit would serve as the first overseas location for others. The Select Detroit Summit served as an opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of Detroit.

Highlights from this year’s Select Detroit summit include:

• A conversation with Jana Brownell, CEO of The Kirlin Company, a multigenerational family-owned lighting manufacturer celebrating 100 years in Detroit
• A tour of downtown Detroit and Ford’s Michigan Central Station showcasing the corporate and small-business investments transforming the city’s commercial, residential and industrial corridors
• A technical assistance training workshop with Ernst & Young
• A welcome reception sponsored by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, connecting summit guests with partners throughout the State of Michigan

Select Detroit is a partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s SelectUSA agency, which hosted America’s largest economic development conference, the national SelectUSA Summit, in Washington, D.C. last week. SelectUSA is a valuable platform, as it aligns DEGC with regional, state and federal partners on its collective commitment to welcoming international investments that kindle new economic growth in our local communities.

Recognizing it takes time to build trust and confidence to commit to an investment site, DEGC stands ready to support companies at every step in the site selection process. DEGC also salutes our local partners, especially institutions like The Kirlin Company, that are Detroit’s strongest advocates for business attraction on the global stage.