Wayne County's Path Forward: A Look at Recent Wins and Future Plans

Wayne County is making big moves. The county executive, Warren Evans, recently shared his vision for the future. He highlighted some impressive achievements and laid out plans for even more progress. The focus is on making life better for everyone in the county. The county has been on a roll. For the past ten years, they've managed to balance their budgets. This is a big deal because it shows they're handling money responsibly. Plus, the population is growing again after a few tough years. And get this, their credit rating is looking good. This means they're seen as a safe bet for investors. Evans talked about some cool initiatives. One of them is wiping out medical debt. They've already helped 70, 000 people by getting rid of $40 million in debt. And they're not stopping there. More relief is on the way. Transportation is another big focus. There's a plan to improve transit across the county. This could mean better buses, trains, or even bike lanes. The goal is to make it easier for people to get around. Evans wants to hear from all 43 communities to make sure the plan works for everyone. The county is also doing some great work with young people. The Moving Forward series is helping kids stay out of trouble. And get this, they're getting national recognition for it. Plus, they're bringing fresh food to seniors and families in need with a countywide Fresh Food Truck program. They're also supporting new and expecting mothers through the Rx Kids program. And more than 3, 500 kids have gotten free eyeglasses through a school-based vision program. Evans keeps talking about working together. He believes that by collaborating, they can make even bigger strides. On the topic of public safety, he credited teamwork for reducing crime. Detroit saw its lowest homicide rate in over 50 years. And the county as a whole is seeing reductions in crime. The county is also investing in infrastructure. Last year, they put over $63 million into road and bridge repairs, drainage upgrades, and green energy projects. And get this, their PACE program has surpassed $100 million in lifetime investments. This is all part of their plan to build a better future for Wayne County.