June, 2021: Downriver is truly a remarkable place, and the challenges of the past year and four months have demonstrated our unique strength and ability to come together as one passionate community and thrive. With the rescinding of broad restrictions expected on July 1, we are coming out of a dark tunnel that has had devastating effects on us all. However, with that, a new crisis has lifted its ugly head, and we are once again being called to rise to the challenge. I believe that a new crisis brings new possibility, and there is no better region of heroes to discover the pathway to success than Downriver.

Downriver needs workers to fill job openings everywhere. This reality is apparent as you travel down any major roadway and see the endless “help wanted” signs in the windows of our region’s employers. Or, as you arrive at your favorite restaurant for a delicious meal, only to find that the eatery had no choice but to cut their hours of operation due to a lack of staffing. As Americans and Michiganders, we cannot and will not accept this as our new normal, but will seek positive and real solutions to ensure that our community, businesses, and workforce thrive. We are facing a significant challenge indeed, and we have the solution right here amongst us. Our region has amazing talent and it’s time for us to come back to work. Not only employers, but our communities need workers who are ready to truly make a difference, roll up their sleeves, and enhance the neighborhoods we call home. Our small businesses and non-profit organizations everywhere, and our entire community, are counting on us to join the cause and to serve our fellow citizens as we are, hardworking American patriots.

As I consider this challenge, I am reminded of the generations before us, who answered the call of their nation and community, and rose to the challenge to ensure that the greatest republic on earth will continue to stand strong for liberty and free enterprise. Your nation and your community are calling on you to lead in such a time as this. This is your moment. Rise up, seek meaningful employment in our region, and serve alongside our Downriver job providers and business community. I cannot say this any clearer; the destiny of our Downriver community is calling on you, and only with your talent and service can our community positively move forward.

Our elected officials at the state and federal level must provide the resources critically needed to empower workers and talent to overcome barriers preventing them from finding employment and making a difference. Federal relief funding must be used to invest in vital childcare programs, retraining programs for our workforce, and critically needed transportation infrastructure to enable talent to serve our communities. Proposals and legislation must not offer “band-aid” solutions, or seek only the personal ambitions of politicians that only leaves our community, employers and workforce to struggle with additional challenges as “relief” funding comes to an end. Legislative solutions must be bipartisan, and provide meaningful resources that will truly enable our workforce and job providers to work together in a powerful partnership that will drive our great state and nation forward. I encourage you to contact your state and federal representation, and encourage a discussion that will result in real and positive impact for Downriver. Contact your elected leaders at this link today: https://swcrc.com/michigan-government/

I am thrilled to congratulate tremendous Downriver entrepreneurs who celebrated grand openings over the past couple of months. Congratulations to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill in Taylor, The Vault on First in Downtown Wyandotte, Perfect Place Drop-In Center in Southgate, the new ownership of Big Boy Restaurant in Taylor, the grand reopening of Michigan Legacy Credit Union in Wyandotte, Julia Augustyniak Chiropractic in Trenton, the Services to Enhance Potential Cooking in the D center in Detroit, the new location of Big Lots in Southgate, the new branch of Public Service Credit Union in Trenton, Island Holistic Health on Grosse Ile, and Awesome RC Repairs in Riverview.

This past month, the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber announced the 2021 recipients of the Women of Achievement Awards presented by Beaumont! This exciting event honors and celebrates dynamic women in business leadership throughout our region, and we are looking forward to our elegant awards ceremony scheduled for Friday, October 15 at Crystal Gardens in Southgate. Congratulations to Kyle F. Stack Leadership Award recipient Mia Harnos of Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency; Entrepreneur Award recipient Ayana King of Maximum Communications; Unsung Heroine Award recipient Jessica Workman of Advantage One Credit Union; and a rising star in our region, Distinguished Young Woman Award recipient Deidre Crockett, who is a recent graduate of Taylor Preparatory High School and volunteers her time serving at Beaumont Health. Be sure to join us at this year’s celebration, and learn more about the event at www.SWCRC.com/WOA21.

As businesses and organizations continue to seek the tremendous talent needed to enhance our community, we are facing a real crisis and we must unite together. Downriver never gives up. Americans never quit. A generation is calling on our workers to come back and to build on our great nation as those before us strived to do. We’ve come this far, and as we face this giant, together we will overcome. Job openings are everywhere. As Americans, inaction is never an option. It’s time to get to work.

Your partner in free enterprise,

Ron Hinrichs, SWCRC President/CEO