Let's face it. when the rest of the country and the world thinks of Michigan, they think of Detroit. So no matter all the great things going on in communities across our state, the Detroit story makes a difference. And, slowly but surely, the stories coming out of Detroit these days are encouraging and worthy of spreading.

Take for instance this Detroit news article on how young people are seeing Detroit as the place to be.  Esepcially if you're in the arts. And businesses and foundations are picking up on it.  As the article notes, "It celebrates the city's gritty appeal to youthful adults and the artistically inclined — think of Chrysler LLC's "Imported From Detroit" slogan that debuted in a Super Bowl commercial featuring Eminem — as the source of a raw creativity that makes Detroit unique."

Top that off with the recent announcement that the Woodward Avenue light rail project has taken a huge step forward, now that the city and federal governments have signed off on a final route for the service.

Embracing art and culture and transit  as place-based economic development drivers, are two critical assets of any vibrant, 21st century city, as noted by the League through our "Center for 21st Century Communities" program.

So no matter where you're from in Michigan, the next time someone says that there is nothing going on in Detroit, make sure to tell them the truth... Detroit is once again a city on the move.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.

Living Cities, a phlianthropic collaborative of 22 of the world's largest foundations, has awarded $17 million to support development along the Woodward Corridor in Detroit.  The funds were part of $82 million in awards made to five cities across the country for development of innovative solutions to creating opportunity and economic activity in cities.

In describing the award to Detroit, Living Cities stated that by focusing on the Woodward Corridor, which is home to Detroit's major universities and hospitals, the initiative will create a model for older industrial cities looking to reuse vacant land and expand opportunity.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail