Region races to grow air commerce

The 60,000 acres between Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run airports are mainly empty grassland, surrounded by suburbia.

But most state and local leaders contend the area known as the Detroit Region Aerotropolis, or airport city, will become the 21st-century economic engine for Michigan, and they are willing to throw in millions of dollars in tax incentives and federal money to make it a reality.

It's based on the economic theory that a region must build faster, more reliable transport of goods and services delivered from long distances, often by airplane, to be a winner in the 21st century. It's sparked a global race to streamline the local networks that stem from airports and link freeways, railroads and water -- or "intermodal transportation."

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