“Poverty elimination is a growth strategy” — the quote from Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield on stickers beneath the seats of each attendee for her keynote speech at the Mackinac Policy Conference on Thursday.
Throughout her speech, Sheffield returned to the centerpiece, that working to reduce poverty in Detroit and increase income levels in the city was not charity work or subsidies just for the sake of compassion — that it is also a sound economic plan, a broader investment in the city that will create further development to boost the city of Detroit.
“When residents become healthier, more educated, more financially secure, they become the engine for long-term growth,” Sheffield said, emphasizing the importance of a foundation for the people of Detroit — not just new developments downtown or along the city’s riverfront…