| The battle for the future of GM headquarters is now | | | | Technical Center, which opened in 1956 and is |
| kicking into high gear as Warren Mayor Jim Fouts is | | | | considered a nerve center for their operations. GM |
| actively courting GM to move from downtown Detroit | | | | could supposedly consolidate operations and save |
| to Warren. Before, he was just talking; now, he's | | | | money. Then again, they'll need to save a lot more |
| offering. He was just talking about safer streets and | | | | money. For instance, 100 million dollars a year might |
| lower taxes. Now, he is offering new tax incentives. I | | | | sound like a lot of money, but they were burning |
| can't blame the guy for trying to increase the visibility | | | | through at least 1 billion dollars a month for much of last |
| of his city. Businesses all over the state are struggling | | | | year, and some months quite a bit more. |
| and there are not that many opportunities to get a | | | | This is a sad, but interesting, ongoing saga in Metro |
| major corporation to move jobs to your city. Still, this | | | | Detroit. Ultimately, this is a business decision for GM to |
| seems like breaking an unspoken rule about not | | | | make for its long-term sustainability. It would be quite a |
| stealing a neighboring city's business, especially when | | | | shock to not see the big GM sign on the Renaissance |
| it's down. At some point down the road, he might need | | | | Center, which is the most recognizable building in the |
| help from Detroit and they might be less willing to give | | | | city. Then again, nothing is safe right now. GM is getting |
| it after this episode. | | | | rid, by necessity, of some of its oldest brands, like |
| There has not been that much of a response out of | | | | Pontiac. Moving out of a building they moved into just |
| Detroit, but the Wayne County Executive said it was | | | | 13 years old is small by comparison. If the war of |
| counterproductive to poach businesses and sends the | | | | words continues to heat up over this bold move by |
| wrong message. He also said this was a "vulture | | | | the Mayor of Warren, it could spark long-lasting |
| mentality" and "economic cannibalism". It is safe to say | | | | resentments. That is the last thing anyone needs right |
| that is a common feeling in Detroit right now. | | | | now in Metro Detroit. |
| The place where GM would be moving is the GM | | | | |