The MAIN idea
Canton supervisor continues to promote area-wide development plan
Canton Township Supervisor Anne Marie Graham-Hudak has spent recent weeks promoting the Michigan Avenue Innovation Network, or MAIN, a regional effort to turn the historic Michigan Avenue corridor into a hub for technology companies and jobs in southeastern Michigan.
The MAIN is a regional project where communities work together to improve infrastructure, create sustainable jobs, and strengthen both the economy and region. Last month, Graham Hudak introduced The MAIN concept to attendees of the Mayors Innovation Conference in Madison, Wisconsin and recently spoke on a panel about The MAIN at the Michigan Economic Developers Association meeting. Last week she met with staff and representatives from MichAuto on ways to move The MAIN project forward.
MAIN is envisioned as a technology corridor running along Michigan Avenue from Canton east through Detroit, with participation from Wayne, Westland, Inkster, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Van Buren Township. Canton led the planning process, and the effort brings together township supervisors and city mayors along the route between Detroit and Ann Arbor.
The network builds on a corridor study of Michigan Avenue that the Canton Board of Trustees members began pursuing in 2023, aimed at identifying funding opportunities for technology and mobility improvements along the road.
Graham-Hudak who has supported the effort since the onset said the goal is to give technology companies another place to cluster in the region, arguing that maintaining the status quo — even in a township with Canton's amenities — won't be enough to secure the area's economic future. In an early announcement of the project, she cited her own background as a longtime engineer and project manager at Ford Motor Co. and other Detroit Three suppliers as motivation for her push for the initiative.
MAIN is one of several projects Canton officials are advancing including: Town Square at Cherry Hill Village — A redevelopment of the Cherry Hill Village area featuring a reimagined village square, expanded trail connections, arts and culture partnerships, additional public parking and renovation of the Village Arts Factory building. The project is funded through a mix of township, Wayne County and federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars: Ford Road DDA retail corridor — A 3.25-mile stretch of Ford Road offering varied retail development, overseen by the Downtown Development Authority and Airspace Link partnership — An effort to integrate drone operations into Canton businesses and services through what officials describe as a "drone highway" into the township. A related integration study has already been completed.
Residents with questions about the projects can contact Canton Economic Development Manager Gavin Beckford, at municipalservices@cantonmi.gov
