Community Connection
Letter from the president
It feels good to be driving to
work with the sun coming up
again. We had a mild winter but
still I can’t wait for it to be over.
Only a few more days. Spring
has always been a season of op-
timism for me. This spring we
could use a larger dose of opti-
mism than usual. There are
so many positive plans on the
drawing board or in the early
David Girodat
stages that we need forward in-
March 2010
ertia now to gain traction for the
recovery.
Our city and region cannot miss this point in time
to take the depth of our fi scal crisis and turn it into
the springboard for a new era of growth and prosper-
ity. If we don’t act now, swiftly, boldly and with each
of us doing our part, then we run the risk of creating
a culture of mediocrity that will color us for a genera-
tion. We have to move from saying the right things to
doing the right things if we intend to make Detroit a
world class city with a high quality of life in the near
term future.
We will all have to play a role because we all played
a role in getting us here. Whether it is the banks, con-
sumers who overextended themselves, quick buck art-
Detroit LISC revitalizing Detroit
ists or corrupt or lax government, everybody contrib-
uted to the point we are at now. As a banker, I know
we have to be accountable for our role and work hard
– one neighborhood at a time
to get us back on track and even better. At Fifth Third
we are lending money responsibly to ensure that busi-
By Lori Ella Miller management assistance,
nesses, both large and small, have the resources they
investment through grants, Detroit LISC has built a successful and working model
need to get into a growth mode again. We are help-
Detroit LISC might not
loans, equity, training oppor-
ing consumers as well so that they can do the home
be a familiar name to many for neighborhood transformation and revitalization
tunities, public policy support
improvements they need and buy the cars that will
Detroiters but most local
and collaboration. Investment
through investment strategies and goals designed
restore jobs.
residents are familiar with the
organization’s neighborhood
in residential and commercial
to create true “sustainable communities.”
Yes, we are lending. Yes, we are doing it respon-
investments and community
development is the central
sibly: by beefi ng up our small business banking team
success stories. Area resi-
component of LISC’s efforts,
nity and social and economic hensive, sustainable change
to work closer with our customers and help them
dents only need to look as
along with the development
vitality combine with a contin- in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
achieve success; by using common sense rules and
far as their own backyards,
of recreational outlets, ac-
uous process of growth, ad- The combination of these in-
making it harder rather than easier for consumers to
community parks and area
cess to jobs and fi nancial
aptation and improvement. vestments and strategic part-
overextend themselves; and by becoming even more
businesses, to see LISC’s in-
services, and quality educa-
Detroit LISC investment
nerships is creating positive
involved in the communities where we do business.
vestment at work through our
tional options.
implements initiatives that
change and revitalization in
Local government is working again, trying to ex-
local partners. Serving as the leader in
advance its Sustainable
local neighborhoods.
pose the problems and apply solutions in a transpar-
Detroit Local Initiatives
comprehensive community
Communities agenda. The So what does all this
ent environment and with a new level of cooperation.
Support Corp. (LISC) has
development in metro Detroit
agenda focuses on fi ve core mean for the average citizen?
Consumers are saving money and volunteering at re-
been a cornerstone in local
since 1990, Detroit LISC has
goals including: developing, It means quality housing op-
cord levels. Businesses are embracing innovation as
community development for
invested $140 million and
preserving, investing in the portunities, job creation,
a space to plant their future.
two decades. Working tire-
leveraged an additional $910
community’s physical envi- healthy living environments,
We have the rare opportunity of self-determina-
lessly across the city to cre-
million to implement initia-
ronment; increasing family in- safe communities and a
tion in S.E. Michigan as we set out to transform the ate positive change, Detroit
tives that help its commu-
come and wealth; stimulating brighter future for the people
region and our city. To kind of reboot ourselves. We LISC has one mission and
nity-based partners revitalize
economic activity, both locally who live, work and play in the
must do it now before an entire generation loses faith that is to help community res-
neighborhoods.
and regionally; improving ac- City of Detroit.
and takes off and leaves for more progressive cities idents transform distressed Detroit LISC has built a
cess to quality education for
To learn more about De-
and states. This is a crucial point in our history. Will neighborhoods into healthy, successful and working mod-
area youth and fostering the
troit LISC and its neighbor-
we let it pass us by? thriving and sustainable com- el for neighborhood trans-
creation of livable, safe and
hood programs, residents
I hope we can all join together, consumers, busi-
munities that offer choice, re- formation and revitalization
healthy environments.
can join the online com-
nesses, public sector leaders and community activ-
sources and opportunity. through investment strate-
When there is a need, munity at: http://detroitlisc.
ists, to make this precipice of opportunity the point in Detroit LISC works side
gies and goals designed to
Detroit LISC brings non-tra- peoplemovers.com.
time we look back on as the beginning the real Detroit by side with community part-
create true “sustainable com-
ditional partners together, le-
renaissance. ners, providing technical and
munities.” These are commu-
verages resources and builds
nities where human opportu-
relationships to drive compre-
6 www.frontpageconnect.com • March 12, 2010
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