For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36300 Warren Rd. | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

City of Westland's 1st Annual Business Connect a Resounding Success

Westland, MI - Mayor William R. Wild opened the doors to city hall to over 100 local business owners for the 1st Annual Westland Business Connect today. The event showcased the city's portfolio of programs geared toward improving local businesses' bottom lines.

"We are extremely proud with the strong turn out of local businesses across all sectors for this event," Stated Mayor Wild. "Westland prides itself on being a progresive business friendly community and it's important for the City to maintain a strong working relationship and open line of communication with the local business community."

Topics of discussion included Westland's Youth Works Program, Westland Works, the Fast Track Program, City Wide Marketing opportunities, Downtown Development Authority grants and the city's local preference ordinance which gives local businesses a competitve advantage in the bidding process.

This is the first of a series of events that will be hosted by the Mayor that will aim to educate the business community about the vast number of programs and incentives the city offers as well as establish long-lasting partnerships and increase local economic development.

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".