The 15th District, located in the southeast corner of Michigan, is a region blessed with natural beauty, cultural diversity, and strong-willed citizens devoted to ensuring Michigan is a leader in both the American and international economies. The 15th District features hundreds of exciting locations, but it is the people here – the generations that have grown up here, as well as the new residents still exploring the region – that makes the 15th District the ideal place to start a new family or create a new business.

The 15th District is leading the economic rebirth of Michigan and the Midwest. Companies focused on green technology and renewable energy are flocking here to utilize the 15th District's highly educated and skilled workforce. New firms such as A123 Systems, with factories that produce advanced batteries in Ann Arbor and Romulus, and Ventower Industries, which will construct essential elements of wind-energy turbines in Monroe, are perfect examples of the business innovation occurring throughout the 15th District. Ford, GM, and Chrysler also see the area as the ideal place to retool for the new century. The factory that builds the batteries used in General Motors’ plug-in hybrid vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt, and the Ford facilities that construct the battery packs for Ford’s growing line of hybrid vehicles are both in the 15th District. Chrysler Corporation’s GEMA (Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance) factory opened in 2005 and is building an advanced family of fuel-efficient, cost-competitive, 4-cylinder engines that could be used in vehicles sold across the world.

In addition to the growth of green technology and the reemergence of Michigan’s automakers, the 15th District also boasts incredible economic diversity, with many residents employed in the headquarters of such varied businesses as Borders, Domino’s Pizza, La-Z-Boy, and Masco, not to mention the hundreds of other employees working at Detroit Metro Airport, which serves as a vital hub for Delta Airlines.

The 15th District’s potential for economic growth is strengthened by its excellent educational institutions. In addition to the world-renowned University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Concordia University, Eastern Michigan University, Henry Ford Community College, Monroe County Community College, Washtenaw Community College and Wayne County Community College are all also located here. From harnessing stem cells and refining battery technology, to retraining workers and ensuring Michigan’s workforce is ready for the 21st Century, these colleges and universities make the region the best place for employers seeking the most qualified and diverse new graduates anywhere in America.

Families and tourists alike are drawn to the 15th District by its natural beauty. Lake Erie, and the many recreational activities it supports, creates much of the eastern border of the District. The local appreciation of this unique environment, however, does not simply end with the lake. Along the Detroit River, citizens – along with 29 species of waterfowl, 65 kinds of fish, and 300 species of migratory birds – enjoy the nearly 6000 acres of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. History lovers flock to the River Raisin National Battlefield Park to revisit the American sacrifice during the War of 1812. Whether kayaking on the Huron River, exploring the trails in the District’s many forested areas, or simply having a quiet picnic in a local park, residents here have every reason to be proud that their district is a nature lover’s paradise.

In addition to its natural wonders and economic strength, the 15th District is a culturally diverse which represents all aspects of American life. In Ann Arbor, residents and visitors enjoy shows by the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre, the Arbor Opera Theater, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, the Ann Arbor Ballet Theater and the Performance Network Theatre. History lovers from across the country travel to Monroe to visit the childhood home of Major General George Custer and the nation’s newest national park, the River Raisin National Battlefield. Food lovers with broad tastes can find delicious cuisines throughout the 15th District, ranging from gourmet sandwichs at the world-famous Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor to authentic Middle Eastern delights in restaurants in Dearborn.

Whether one is a businessperson or a student, a history buff or a food critic, a theater lover or a bird watcher, the 15th District has something for everyone.

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