Masters of Scale The bromance that rebuilt Detroit: Dan Gilbert and Mayor Mike Duggan
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Aug 16, 2025 Mike Duggan, the Mayor of Detroit, and Dan Gilbert, founder of Rocket Companies, share their powerful partnership in revitalizing Detroit. They discuss groundbreaking public-private collaborations that have transformed the city into a booming tech hub. The duo candidly addresses challenges like gentrification while advocating for inclusive growth that empowers long-time residents. They also highlight the cultural and economic significance of sports in uniting the community, showcasing how these efforts contribute to Detroit's vibrant renaissance.
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Anchor Tenants Rebuilt Downtown
- Dan Gilbert moved Rocket Companies downtown to occupy and renovate existing buildings rather than act as a landlord.
- Concentrating employees in downtown created an anchor that attracted other tech companies and startups.
Turning Renters Into Homeowners
- Dan Gilbert helped convert renters into homeowners by paying taxes and offering mortgages through Quicken/Rocket and the Detroit Land Bank.
- Mike Duggan credits 1,400 families becoming homeowners to that program and calls the moment transformational for those families.
Winning By Bridging Divides
- Mike Duggan ran for mayor promising to bridge divides and won in a majority-Black city by focusing on inclusive politics.
- He argues Detroiters embraced partnership across suburbs, business, and neighborhoods to drive recovery.