Most people may think of Ann Arbor when someone brings up Washtenaw County. But the county is far more than just Ann Arbor. That is a major reason why the county has signed up to become part of the Aerotropolis Development Corporation.

"This will really help us redevelop the eastern side of the county," says Anthony VanDerworp, director of strategic planning for Washtenaw County. "That's the older section of the county. There are a lot of vacant buildings and factories there."

The regional corporation will develop about 60,000 acres of land from Detroit Metro Airport to Willow Run Airport. The county paid $50,000 to be part of the initiative, joining Ypsilanti and Ypsilanti Township, which already signed on.

The Aerotropolis is expected to create 64,000 new jobs, $10 billion in economic impact and millions in tax revenue in the area around Metro and Willow Run airports. Major economic development incentives are planned to help develop the Aerotropolis area.

Metro Airport is expected to become one of Metro Detroit's main economic engines of the 21st Century because it has lots of room to grow in the vacant or unused land around it. Most other major metro airports have already been extensively developed and have little room to grow.

Source: Anthony VanDerworp, director of strategic planning for Washtenaw County
Writer: Jon Zemke