The Downtown Detroit Partnership’s (DDP) mission is to cultivate economic and social impact in Downtown Detroit. That impact extends beyond Detroit’s borders, and most Metro Detroiters and even most Michiganians agree that a strong Detroit is good for the region and the state.
There is another border that impacts our overall success—our international border. Recognizing its importance is a key part of a thriving Detroit and a prosperous region. Detroit and Windsor/Essex enjoy a longstanding partnership centered on a shared border crossing and a commitment to uniting and celebrating the region as a deeply interconnected binational community. As sister cities, we share a heritage, mutual respect, and a desire for collaborative innovation and sustainable economic growth.
Detroit and Windsor/Essex are more than neighbors — we are a cross-border community and a model for economic and social collaboration. Together, we facilitate over $100 billion in annual trade, accounting for nearly 30% of all U.S.-Canada trade. The Detroit-Windsor corridor is North America’s busiest border crossing, with over 40,000 vehicles, including trucks carrying critical goods, passing through daily. In 2024, nearly 3.7 million personal vehicles and 1.4 million trucks entered Detroit from Windsor. The Gordie Howe International Bridge, set to open this year, is expected to handle an additional 9,000 trucks daily, reducing congestion, and further strengthening this essential trade artery.
Our social and historic ties run deep. Over 30% of Windsor residents have close ties to Metro Detroit, and for generations, this region has served as both a literal and symbolic extension of families, friendships, and commerce. This shared resilience is reflected in the revitalization of both cities’ downtowns. Detroit has seen over $9 billion invested in its downtown core since 2010, supporting nearly 300 restaurants and bars, new residential and commercial developments, and sports and entertainment venues enjoyed by both Detroiters and Windsor/Essex residents. Windsor/Essex, too, continues to invest in its waterfront, arts scene, and hospitality sectors, reinforcing its role as a vibrant cross-border destination.
We leverage our shared assets, including leadership in advanced manufacturing and technology, innovation in automotive, agribusiness, and clean energy, and a combined regional labor pool of over five million people. Nearly 2,000 healthcare professionals cross into Detroit for work daily, alongside thousands more employed in other industries, demonstrating how integral this connection is to our collective success.
Detroit and Windsor/Essex have established a competitive corridor that fosters mobility, diversity, and economic prosperity. Detroiters are global citizens engaged in an international economy and cultural exchange.
However, recent U.S. policy decisions, including tariffs, shifting trade dynamics, and tightening immigration regulations, have put unprecedented strain on this relationship, threatening commerce, tourism, business investment, and the overall economic vitality of both communities. Rising travel restrictions and increased border scrutiny have dampened the ease of cross-border movement, discouraging tourists, business travelers, and even those with family ties from making frequent trips.
According to Bridge Michigan: “Border crossings between Canada and Michigan are down more than 10% from this time last year. Michigan tourism officials say they’re bracing for a dip in business, while travel agents in Canada predict that the decline will worsen as their clients look elsewhere when planning summer vacations.”
Beyond the immediate impact is the long-term threat these policy decisions will place on our binational border and our relationships around the world for decades to come. Global relationships, economies, and strategies are required for the country’s stability and future prosperity.
These challenges were part of the impetus for creating meaningful dialogue and developing a binational coalition with shared goals and objectives. The Downtown Detroit Partnership and other Detroit and Windsor/Essex stakeholders are strengthening our collaborative efforts to reinforce our shared resilience. By aligning efforts in business, tourism, cultural exchange, education, and policy advocacy, we aim to mitigate these pressures and create a stronger, more unified binational corridor.
Our collaboration will build upon an already solid foundation and reinforce the region’s role as a key player in global trade, innovation, and community development. We will continue advocating for policies that support seamless cross-border movement and sustainable economic partnerships. In doing so, we define our success as a region that remains a global model for cross-border innovation, prosperity, and connection.
We will share more as this develops and welcome others to participate in this unprecedented partnership. For now, it’s important to remember just how vital our neighbors to the north are to our future—and that the strength of our region depends on policies that promote, not hinder, this essential relationship.
