Aug 27, 2018
If you haven’t visited Taylor recently, you might want to check it out. The city has been undergoing a transformation over the past few years as a result of solid leadership and economic investment. Located within a 24 square-mile geographic area just a few miles east of Detroit Metro Airport, the city of Taylor lies at the eastern edge of the Detroit Aerotropolis region. It is home to over 60,000 residents.
One of Taylor’s most advantageous features is its geographic location. “Most people don’t realize how logistically well-placed the city of Taylor is,” explains George Sutherland, economic development manager for the city of Taylor. “We are just minutes from the airport, and we have access to three major roadways: I-94, I-75 and Telegraph Road.” Due to its prime location, the city has recently experienced an economic boom of new commercial and industrial development.
Driving through the Eureka Road corridor, it is clear Taylor is a growing community. As Sutherland explains, Taylor’s economic development has occurred in phases. First, there was a major investment in Southland Mall, which is the only major mall located in the Downriver area. Rouse Properties invested over $70 million in improvements to the mall. Then the Cinemark Theaters moved in, and restaurants and other retail stores soon followed.
“The development strategy for the Eureka Road Corridor is all about place-making,” says Sutherland. “We want to make it a place where people gather. They are going to shop here, they are going to eat here, and they are going to enjoy the community.”
The next phase of economic development kicked off at Trader’s Point, a new shopping complex at the end of the Eureka corridor near I-75. The first store in Trader’s Point was Menards which opened in a 250,000 square-foot space over the summer. In the future, Trader’s Point will expand to include a few more “big box” retailers, along with many other smaller businesses and restaurants.
In addition to the strong commercial and retail expansion, the city has also seen an increase in industrial development with expansions from companies like Preferred Packaging Solutions, the Oakwood Group and Hearn Industrial Services. “A few years ago, our industrial buildings were only 50% occupied and now they are closer to 85% occupied,” says Sutherland. “These companies are bringing more jobs to the community and that attracts people to live and work here in Taylor.”
Taylor is a family-oriented community that is becoming a highly desirable place to live in the downriver area. The city offers a wide range of housing options. Residents can grow from an apartment or condo into a starter home and up to a larger home without leaving the community. The city has two golf courses, a sports complex, and even a petting zoo that is home to over 70 animals. “It is a community that is set up for families,” explains Sutherland.
The city of Taylor also owns hundreds of acres of land and the economic development team is actively working with developers to try and build more properties. That is where the collaboration with the Detroit Region Aerotropolis Development Corporation becomes so important. “We can’t do it alone,” says Sutherland. “Municipalities have limited resources. We rely on our partners like the Development Corporation to help us bring these projects across the finish line.”
As a member of the Aerotropolis region, Sutherland collaborates with his colleagues in other municipalities. He also appreciates the strategic vision of the Development Corporation’s leadership team which includes partnering with the MEDC to gain exposure for the region at the state level and create access to more economic incentives for businesses. “They brought the team together and created a plan. Now we are starting to reap the rewards,” explains Sutherland.
The economic outlook is extremely positive for the city of Taylor. With development in the Eureka Road Corridor in full swing and a variety of other projects in the pipeline, Sutherland is certain that development is not going to let up any time soon. There is a rush of new businesses that want to locate or expand in Taylor. Having relationships with the Aerotropolis, as well as neighboring communities, allows the city to respond quickly and get the businesses up and running as soon as possible.
“Development breeds development,” explains Sutherland. “Everybody wants to get into Taylor. We need to keep working together to make that happen.”
