A new incentive program, Challenge Detroit,  is giving 30 participants an amazing opportunity and ‘jump start’ to living and working in Downtown Detroit. Over 900 applicants from across the country have applied and now the voting public process has begun- the applicants have been narrowed down to the top 100. The chosen 30 ones will receive jobs with different companies that are involved which include: Team Detroit, Compuware, QuickenLoans, Beaumont Health Systems, Urban Science, and DTE Energy, to name a few, in addition to a $500 monthly housing stipend. Here is more information about the program from their website:

Challenge Detroit will invite 30 of tomorrow’s leaders to live, work, play, and give in and around the Detroit area for one year. In addition, Challenge Detroit will provide participants with furnished housing in a fun and lively area of Detroit where they will be able to interact with each other and the surrounding community.

By uniting a group of innovative, entrepreneurial thinkers, Challenge Detroit takes a significant step toward energizing our city’s creative and professional core. The goals of Challenge Detroit are simple but ambitious. By bringing tomorrow’s leaders together to experience Detroit for a year, we will jump start a very important initiative: to attract and retain a creative and professional class in the city.

During their year in Detroit, each participant will gain new insights about the city and the greater Detroit region. We expect, through their experiences with Challenge Detroit, these individuals will be intrigued to stay in Detroit, work in Detroit, even start their own business in Detroit. And by doing so, they will have a positive influence on many other people who are looking for a great city to plant their personal flag.” -via ChallengeDetroit.org

This is a fantastic venture led by important companies in the downtown area to attract young professionals ready to enter and thrive in today’s competative job market. As Twitter released its announcement to open their Detroit-based office recently, this seems to be an upward trend of businesses continuing to move downtown and utilize the vacant office buildings. This should increase foot traffic downtown, encourage more restaurants and businesses to accomodate these urban dwellers, and most importantly, inspire more young and positive-minded people to move back downtown!

VOTE for your favorite applicant now- you have one day left!

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