ICYMI: Detroit Business Owner on McMorrow’s Legislation: “It means Detroit won’t be left behind”

MICHIGAN — Detroit businesswoman Jevona Fudge recently published an op-ed praising Senate Majority Whip Mallory McMorrow’s decade-long economic development legislation as “a real plan” and “essential” for Michigan business owners. Last week, the Senate cleared McMorrow’s bipartisan bills to create a holistic, region-by-region approach to Michigan’s economic growth that addresses infrastructure, housing, and community needs across the state. 

“Every day I see the effects of economic decisions made far from the neighborhoods they impact. When policies are reactive or temporary, entrepreneurs are left guessing about the future,” Fudge wrote. “But when the state commits to a thoughtful, 10-year roadmap — updated regularly and shaped by diverse stakeholders we would enjoy clarity. We get stability. And we get a chance to align our own business planning with Michigan’s broader goals.”

“SB 213 and SB 214 give Michigan a chance to stop assuming what communities need and start engaging with them.” Fudge continued.

“A long-term plan means we aren’t starting from scratch every time the economy shifts or leadership changes. It means that investments in workforce development, small-business growth and neighborhood revitalization can finally be coordinated instead of piecemeal. It means Detroit won’t be left behind.”

Read the full Detroit News op-ed here and below:

“Fudge: A stable economy starts with a long-term plan”

As a native Detroiter and the owner of a small business, I have lived the challenges and the promise of this city every single day. I know what it takes to build something here — the grit, the resilience, the creativity and the belief that Detroit’s best days are ahead of it.

But I also know firsthand how often small businesses and neighborhoods are left to navigate Michigan’s economic landscape with no clear roadmap, no long-term strategy and no consistent support. That’s why I support Senate Bills 213 and 214, which would create a statewide strategic advisory board and require Michigan to develop a long-term economic plan — a real plan, not just a patchwork of short-term programs.

For business owners like me, who invest in our communities and the people who walk through our doors, this kind of direction isn’t just helpful; it’s essential.

Every day I see the effects of economic decisions made far from the neighborhoods they impact. When policies are reactive or temporary, entrepreneurs are left guessing about the future. But when the state commits to a thoughtful, 10-year roadmap — updated regularly and shaped by diverse stakeholders we would enjoy clarity. We get stability. And we get a chance to align our own business planning with Michigan’s broader goals.

A long-term plan means we aren’t starting from scratch every time the economy shifts or leadership changes. It means that investments in workforce development, small-business growth and neighborhood revitalization can finally be coordinated instead of piecemeal. It means Detroit won’t be left behind.

What I appreciate most about SB 213 and SB 214 is that they recognize the value of community voices, including small businesses, not just large corporations or political insiders. Any strategic board that brings together people from different sectors, geographies and professional backgrounds is a step toward a more inclusive economy.

As someone who has spent years serving my neighborhood, I know that real solutions start with listening. When policy is shaped by people who understand the daily realities of families, workers, and entrepreneurs, everyone benefits.

For business owners trying to plan ahead, trust in the system matters.

Detroiters are problem-solvers. We’ve rebuilt block by block, business by business, with our own hands and our own hope. But no city, no matter how resilient, can thrive without strong state partnership.

SB 213 and SB 214 give Michigan a chance to stop assuming what communities need and start engaging with them. These bills won’t solve everything. But they can give us a foundation.

Jevona Fudge is owner of Detroit Sip, a coffee shop in Northwest Detroit.