Politics & Government

Troy Chamber, Magna, Meritor Criticize Vote to End Transit Center Project

Businesses talked Tuesday of steering away from Troy in aftermath of City Council's 4-3 vote Monday to not move forward on the long-planned Troy Transit Center. The vote effectively ended the 12-year project.

Troy residents, organizations and members of the Troy business community strongly criticized the Troy City Council Tuesday for an that would have been constructed with funds from a federal grant, some even suggesting it will deter them from investing more in the city.

After the project was voted down by a 4-3 margin, Troy Chamber of Commerce President Michele Hodges and others expressed disappointment and determination.

"This organization will be a pit bull in its quest for what will maintain an investment-worthy environment in Troy," Hodges said. "We will go to the stake in protecting our assets, and we will aggressively work with Magna International to preserve its stake here."

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The and several large local businesses – including , , and – all supported the project and Hodges as she made public comment in support of the project Monday night.

Like Hodges, automotive suppliers Meritor and Magna International, both located in Troy, expressed disappointment in the council's vote.

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"We at Meritor are extremely disappointed with Troy City Council's decision last evening to vote down the creation of the transit center," said Jerry Rush, senior director of government and community relations for Meritor. "From our position, the Troy city staff had done an appropriate job of due diligence and building the business case for the transit center, and in our view, City Council should've listened to its staff and should have listened to the recommendations of the business community, whom they asked for information from and who supported the transit center."

Rush added: "For the community as a whole, we feel that if we wish to attract and retain young talent to our businesses, programs or resources such as a transit center are an asset that add to the quality of life in a community."

Frank Ervin, manager of government affairs for Magna International, wrote in an email that executives from Magna International – which employs more than 100,000 people worldwide, including 1,000 in Troy – are "strongly recommending that Magna International no longer consider the City of Troy for future site considerations, expansions or new job creation" as a result of the transit center being voted down.

The email, sent to Hodges and others, thanks the Troy Chamber of Commerce and admonishes not only the council's vote, but also the behavior of Councilman Wade Fleming and Troy Mayor Janice Daniels, who both opposed the project.

Ervin's email reads:

Michele,

First of all we at Magna would like to thank you and your team for all of your efforts and enthusiasm on behalf of this issue. We are quite disappointed that the City of Troy seems to have governing legislators who are ill advised and certainly narrow minded when it comes to the future of Troy and the future of Southeastern Michigan. It is also sad to see that the City of Troy has a Mayor who is not there to advocate for the future growth  of the city and the betterment of the resident but who's narrow view only speaks to her personal agenda and discriminatory practices. The only positive thing to come from all of this is the recognition that Troy has a strong Chamber of Commerce and a strong and principled person leading the organization. Thank you for that!

After watching the disappointing behavior of City Council and being exposed to some of the individual actions such as those of the Mayor and Councilman Fleming this morning I am drafting a memo to all Magna group presidents and our Magna corporate executives strongly recommending that Magna International no longer consider the City of Troy for  future site considerations, expansions or new job creation. I have also recommended that where ever and when ever possible we reduce our footprint and employment level in Troy in favor of communities who act in the best interest of both the residents and business and not simply use their public position to advance their own private agenda.

Michele, once again on behalf of Magna and the over 1000 employees we have based in Troy I would like to truly express my appreciation for all of your efforts, your professionalism and your commitment to the business community of the City of Troy. I hope that you and yours have a great Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Sincerely,
Frank W. Ervin III
Manager, Government Affairs
Magna International, Inc.

A spokesperson for Beaumont Health System issued the following statement regarding the transit center: “We support improved transportation because it would help our employees who rely on it to get to work as well as patients who rely on it to our hospitals.”

Gabe Downey, a small business owner who was considering relocating his business to Troy, has since decided not to move his business to the city.

"In an era where the global image of Troy has been tarnished and the people embarrassed by the actions of the Mayor, the City Council had a chance to make a really positive step forward," . "And just like the transit center, they decided against it."

Downey added: "I hope the members of the City Council really think about how their actions reflect not only the people of Troy, but also they city's image next time they have to make an important decision."

Complete coverage of the Troy transit center developments


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