Michigan Voters: Detroit Needs 10 Years to Rebound

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A small fraction of Michigan voters think Detroit is destined for eternal decline, while the majority believes it will take less than a decade for the city to recover, according to a new poll.

The statewide survey, released Monday by Lambert, Edwards & Associates, a public relations and investor relations group with offices in Detroit, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, showed that most voters (60 percent) believe Detroit’s economy will be strong and vibrant within the next 10 years. When respondents were asked how long it would take:

  • 4 percent said it would take one to two years
  • 25 percent said three to five years
  • 31 percent said six to 10 years
  • 22 percent said more than 10 years
  • 9 percent said never
  • 9 percent were undecided

“While Detroit still faces a number of challenges, it’s clear the city’s economy is experiencing resurgence,” says Jeff Lambert, president and managing partner of Lambert, Edwards. “Whether you’re talking about new start-up companies being launched in TechTown or Corktown, or more established companies moving into Detroit because of opportunities for growth, the sense that Detroit’s economy has turned a corner is growing stronger every day.”

The telephone poll of 600 likely voters also found that 56 percent said the state is headed in the right direction, compared to 47 percent in July.

Detroit is home to General Motors Co., Quicken Loans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, and is also attracting new businesses on a regular basis, says Dennis Denno, CEO of Denno Research.

“The economic base in Detroit continues to grow, so it’s understandable that many Michigan residents think a turnaround for the city will occur in the next decade,” Denno says. “The city is proving to be a magnet for young professionals, and we can expect new job opportunities and businesses in Detroit in the years ahead.”

The poll, conducted Nov. 12-14 by Denno Research, has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. All numbers are rounded and may exceed 100 percent.