Detroit City Wire

On August 26, Detroit Regional Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah filled in for Paul W. Smith as a guest host of WJR 760 AM’s Focus, interviewing several prominent business, community, and government leaders in the Detroit Region.

Edsel B. Ford II, Board Chair, and Bob Bury, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fair Lane: The Home of Clara and Henry Ford, discussed the extensive restoration of the historic estate established in 1915. They emphasized that restoring Fair Lane requires “a lot of time, a lot of money, a lot of skills, and expertise.” Their goal is to make it look authentic while being experiential and interactive for visitors.

Carla Walker-Miller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Walker-Miller Energy Services and a board member of the Detroit Regional Chamber, spoke about the slow adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). She remains optimistic despite market challenges. “People don’t know much about EVs,” she said. “They also believe that EVs are expensive and there are no charging stations.” Efforts are underway to reduce costs and increase charging stations.

The Honorable Mike Rogers discussed his Senate race campaign and issues resonating with voters. He addressed how the U.S. can navigate the transition to EVs by promoting hybrid vehicles, working on the electric grid, and allowing car companies to market their products without government mandates.

WDIV’s Devin Scillian shared insights from covering the 2024 Olympics in France. He noted that these games were significant as they were “the first Olympics that we had really past COVID-19,” making them memorable for many.

Jade Scott from the Detroit Promise scholarship program highlighted its role in providing tuition-free education to students from Detroit high schools attending partnering colleges in Michigan. Scott stressed that the program supports students not just getting into college but also completing their education by assisting with housing, class registration, and transportation.

Rep. Elissa Slotkin discussed her Senate race campaign post-Democratic National Convention. She emphasized working across party lines during divisive times by getting to know each other as human beings.

University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono talked about his vision for driving innovation through collaboration between the university and regional organizations like Innovate Detroit announced at the 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference. Ono stated his desire for the university to be known as an institution serving Michigan's needs.

Jenny Boettcher, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Grosse Pointe Chamber of Commerce, spoke about initiatives supporting local businesses and community projects such as Legacy on the Lake and street art installations.