Detroit’s REAL Professional Meeting this month hosted guest speaker Ned Staebler, who serves as the Vice President for Economic Development of Wayne State University and is President and CEO of Tech Town, Detroit’s most established business incubator and accelerator.

Staebler explained that more people want to come to Detroit and attend school in the city – the opposite of the narrative that once dominated the city’s university. At one time, students did not want to attend Wayne State University simply because it was in Detroit but the opposite is true now as more people are drawn to the city. While attendance of college bound seniors from local high schools has decreased, more students are coming from further away. Since local commuter students make up a smaller percentage at the Detroit campus, out-of-town students now need housing. With the rental prices in Midtown going through the roof, students otherwise priced out of living in the city are finding the campus dorms affordable.

Public Safety is a big part of Ned Staebler’s team’s strategy. They have enjoyed a 60% decrease in serious crime since 2009 – this is the lowest in 20 years. WSU was recently named one of 50 safest campuses in U.S. and has lower crime rates than most suburban communities. Staebler asserts that this is a huge part of why over 200 businesses have recently opened in downtown.