Business columnist Tom Walsh appreciates Goldman Sachs' commitment to boost Metro Detroit small businesses with $20 million in loans, and he's grateful for Warren Buffett's "kind words and vote of confidence in Detroit’s future."
But . . .
But the Free Press writer thinks "too many people talk about Detroit as if it’s dead, comatose or so severely crippled that only divine intervention can save it."
The slogan Walsh derides is the title of a 2012 posthumous album by local hip-hop producer J Dilla.
His reflections follow hoopla surrounding Goldman Sach's local launch Tuesday of its "10,000 Small Businesses" support program, which included comments by bank CEO Lloyd Blankfein, Gov. Rick Snyder, Mayor Dave Bing, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow and three congressmen.
As if in unison, they proclaimed that Detroit is still alive and kicking. How often do you hear that said about other cities? Why do we need to say it, or hear it, about Detroit?
Each predicted Detroit can rise again to greatness. As if we’re all napping or sitting on our backsides now. . . .
It really is time to move beyond talking about Detroit as dead or crippled.
Walsh, a local business columnist since 2001, singles out Quicken Loans chairman Dan Gilbert as "one speaker who interrupted the maudlin chorus to suggest that Detroiters are too critical of themselves."
The city hit bottom several years ago, he said. It’s on the rebound now, it’s got some positive buzz and momentum and, yes, there are huge challenges ahead, but it’s action we need — knock down every blighted building in the city, all of them — and not navel-gazing.
