Detroit Green Stormwater Infrastructure Workforce Assessment

The Detroit Green Stormwater Infrastructure Workforce Assessment report, published by Detroit Future City in late 2019, provides a comprehensive, quantitative, and qualitative understanding of the green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) cluster and workforce in Detroit, with strategies to support its continued growth throughout the Detroit region. Mass Economics’ work on the project started by defining the GSI cluster and sub-clusters on both an industry and occupation basis, based on a national literature review and economic data analytics. Staff performed a cluster analysis – profiling the strengths, weaknesses and growth of GSI industries and occupations – and then modeled four distinct, 10-year projections of GSI FTEs in Wayne County, MI based on different infrastructure investment scenarios. Next, Mass Economics developed GSI program case studies for five peer cities and one peer county from across the U.S., representing communities at different stages of developing GSI ecosystems. The GSI programs, policies, workforce training programs, public spending, and range of specific infrastructure investments were profiled for each case study geography. Based on the economic data for the Detroit region and these case studies, Mass Economics worked with Detroit Future City to develop strategic recommendations to help nurture and grow the GSI workforce and cluster in Detroit and the region.

The final report can be found at this link: https://detroitfuturecity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/REPORT-DFC-Detroit-GSI-Workforce-Assessment-January-2020.pdf