The aerotropolis concept was then advanced under the administration of Wayne County Chief Executive Edward H. McNamara who played a critical role in the expansion and upgrade of Detroit Metro's infrastructure and terminals.
Ten government entities along with the Wayne County Airport Authority signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to explore the aerotropolis concept in the middle of 2006.
In May 2009, the seven local governments and Washtenaw County signed an intergovernmental agreement to create a development corporation to advance the project on a regional level.
Troubled by the economic crisis of 2008 and its carryover effects and clouded by the bankruptcy of the City of Detroit, the hiring of Keyes and the rollout of VantagePort was hoped to signify a renewed energy and commitment to this regional development project.
On June 26, 2009, General Electric CEO Jeff Immelt announced plans for a new Advanced Manufacturing and Software Technology Center to be located in Van Buren Township in the heart of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis.
[8] Appearing before the Detroit Economic Club, Immelt was joined by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Sen. Carl Levin, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano saw the arrival of GE as integral in the development of the Detroit Region Aerotropolis, likening it to the impact of Hewlett-Packard on Silicon Valley.
[11] Evans, however, decided to keep Aerotropolis functional despite restructuring efforts by the county to address structural and budget deficits totaling more than $120 million.
An Amazon fulfillment center, Penske logistics operation, and Brose manufacturing facility were started in the district and expected to create 2,300 new jobs and about $350 million in investment.
[13] In September 2020, Kroger announced plans for a $95 million fulfillment center in Romulus, which was expected to create 250 jobs, and aimed to capitalize on the growing online grocery segment.
[15] The proliferation of drone technology and e-commerce, have accelerated Aerotropolis' effort to build highways in the sky, which are a system of low-altitude flight routes at between 40 and 400 feet where lightweight air vehicles would fly, carrying everything from Amazon purchases to automotive parts.
On August 19, 2021, it held one of several demonstration events, "Flying the Fairways for Drone Delivery" at Taylor Golf Club which included delivering lunch to the 10th hole.
Luce began his post March 6 to oversee the economic development agency's day-to-day operations reporting to the board of directors.
He previously served as the business development manager for Prince William County in Virginia, where he implemented strategies to grow a 1,500-acre Innovation Park by attracting and expanding life science and advanced manufacturing industries.