The Detroit Region Aerotropolis (also referred to as the DRA, Detroit Aerotropolis or Michigan Aerotropolis) is a four-community, two-county public-private economic development partnership focused on driving corporate expansion and new investments around Wayne County Airport Authority's airports: Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Willow Run Airport. The Detroit Region Aerotropolis promotes greenfield expansion in Southeast Michigan, offering development-ready land centered in an expansive network of transportation infrastructure including two airports, three major interstates, five Class-A rail lines, and the American Center for Mobility. Located just apart and situated along Interstate 94 (I-94), this dual-airport system is unique in terms of other aerotropolis-oriented developments around the world. Its 6,000 acres of development-ready land between and surrounding the airports along with excess runway capacity at the airports are among primary drivers behind the partnership. Other factors such as the location of a major international border crossing with Canada (Windsor, Ontario) to the east, mature road and rail infrastructure, and the area's major academic institutions have all driven the idea of taking advantage of the airports for the region's overall economic benefit. Current partnerships As of 2022, the Detroit Region Aerotropolis is partnered with the following communities: Washtenaw County Wayne County City of Romulus City of Taylor Huron Charter Township Van Buren Charter Township The DRA's economic development partners include: Wayne County Airport Authority DTE Energy Ann Arbor SPARK Southeast Michigan Community Alliance Michigan Economic Development Corporation Wayne County Economic Development Corporation] Detroit Regional Partnership Detroit Regional Chamber AHK USA British American Business Council Michigan Defense Center Washtenaw County Michigan Works! French American Chamber of Commerce Private sector partners include: Ashley Capital NorthPoint Development Hillwood A Perot Company Sterling Group History The discussion of developing an aerotropolis around Detroit Metropolitan Airport and Willow Run Airport dates back to the 1980s when Northwest Airlines helped make Detroit Metropolitan Airport a major hub for passenger travel. The aerotropolis concept was then advanced under the administration of Wayne County Chief Executive Edward H. McNamara who played a critical role in the expansion and upgrade of Detroit Metro's infrastructure and terminals. At the same time, Willow Run Airport, once the primary location for the manufacturing of B-24 bombers during World War II, grew to be one of the busiest on-demand cargo airports in North America, serving the needs of the automotive industry. In 2002 both airports were spun off from Wayne County control and placed under the current Wayne