The automobile and federal highway system allowed suburban residents to live in the once rural areas but continue to work in the city. Over time, businesses and industries sprang up in the suburbs in response to growing population and available work force. Detroit has lost nearly half its population over the past four decades, and Oakland and Macomb counties, once rural, have grown by 174 percent and 288 percent, respectively. By 1995 the state's population had increased to about 9.6 million, but nearly every Michigan city had lost population. A good many city dwellers had moved to the growing suburbs and others even farther out, to rural areas.
Whole neighborhoods deteriorate, and more people and businesses flee.
Cities contain many old industrial properties that were built and operated prior to enactment of environment laws, and a substantial number are contaminated. Businesses and citizens are deterred from locating in central cities principally for two reasons. Many believe that urban revitalization will not occur without economic incentives to draw businesses back into the urban areas. Consequently, government at all levels is implementing programs to attract business into urban areas and brownfields. Businesses locating in the zone and employing zone residents receive tax benefits.