Press Releases
Dingell, Wayne County, Trenton Mayor Discuss Economic Development & Environmental Issues
Trenton, MI,
October 27, 2020
TRENTON, MI – During a virtual town hall meeting, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Assistant Wayne County Executive Khalil Rahal, and Trenton Mayor Steve Rzeppa discussed economic development and environmental issues facing the city of Trenton, MI. Also joining as panelists were Susan White, Refuge Manager at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge; Brian Kelly, EPA On-Site Contact for McLouth Steel site; Ben Felton, Senior Vice President at DTE Energy; and Michael Samhat, President Crown Enterprises. Video of the virtual town hall is archived here on Facebook. “Trenton is going to face some challenges in the coming years, but by working together and involving the entire community we can turn those into big opportunities for growth,” said Dingell. “The closure of Solutia and DTE power plant leaves holes in the city’s tax base, but redeveloping the McLouth Steel site will offer new opportunities and the opening of the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge is going to be a crown jewel of Downriver for generations.” “Thanks to the leadership of Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans and the County Commission we have just approved our sixth straight balanced budgets with a surplus in hand. So while anticipated revenue losses created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Wayne County is able to invest in proactive projects like the $3.2M West Road Bridge project to ensure Downriver communities have the infrastructure to attract and retain job-creation opportunities. We've also awarded grants to assist 31 Trenton small businesses to help them reopen safely during the pandemic,” said Khalil Rahal, Assistant Wayne County Executive. “These industrial properties have been key components of the Trenton community and our tax base for generations. We have to work together to bring about new development at these sites that is both economically and environmentally sustainable. We can't afford to go backwards from a public health or a financial perspective. With Elizabeth Park, the Trailtown Initiative, the International Wildlife Refuge, and so much more, we have a real opportunity to bring development that can help kickstart our downtown, guarantee vital services for residents, and keep Trenton the wonderful place to live, work, and play that we know it truly is,” said Trenton Mayor Steven Rzeppa. Video of the virtual town hall is archived here on Facebook. ### |