Voices of Detroit #32 Mexicantown-El Rancho Restuarant and Southwest Detroit Business Association

Voices of Detroit with Larry Henry and David Benjamin visited Mexican Town in this edition to take in the culture and the food.  (ESPECIALLY THE FOOD!)

El Rancho Mexican Restaurant on Vernor has been a part of the Mexicantown culture for almost 30 years. Jeanette Avila's parents opened the restaurant during the economic downturn of the 80's and now is its Director. She talks to us about the history of the restaurant and how the authentic Mexican food comes from her Mother's recipes.

Kathy Wendler is the President of the Southwest Detroit Business Association.  Kathy gives Voices of Detroit insight into multi-cultural aspect of what is termed Mexicantown and how diverse the business community is.

This is definitely one Voices of Detroit you don't want to miss and you'll go away planning to make a trip to Mexicantown and southwest Detroit soon!

Direct download: Voices_of_Detroit_32-Mexican_Town-El_Rancho_Restaurant_and_Southwest_Detroit_Business_Association.mp3

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Jeanette Avila    www.elranchomexrest.net       (313) 843-2151

Since November of 2000, Jeanette Avila has served as the Director of El Rancho Mexican Restaurant where she is responsible for all business operations, including business development and retention, marketing and advertising, customer service, catering, employee training and management. Under her leadership, Avila managed the restaurant’s half a million dollar renovation and expansion that resulted in three times the floor space, safer working conditions and improved food production capabilities.

She is actively involved within the community serving as a member of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Southwest Detroit Business Association. Avila also maintains a seat on the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Board, the nation’s leading organization that supports higher education among Hispanics.

Kathleen Wendler  www.southwestdetroit.com  Kathyw@southwestdetroit.com

With the SDBA since 1981, Wendler has been a catalyst in bringing change and fostering development in the Southwest Detroit community, attracting city support and a diverse funding base.

Ms. Wendler’s comprehensive approach to community revitalization has resulted in several public-private initiatives. Under her leadership, SDBA’s public policy undertakings include: partnering with the East Michigan Environmental Action Council to help found the Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision. Inc.; partnering with business and community interests to create the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation; producing a Community Income and Expenditures Model study of Southwest Detroit with Michigan State University; and working with the University of Michigan to research issues of tax reverted commercial properties, which resulted in the creation of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization.

Wendler has also worked closely with the Southeast Michigan Greenways Initiative and the Community Foundation to create a southwest Detroit greenways plan. The SDBA has taken a leadership role in balancing commercial, residential and industrial development in southwest Detroit, actively participating in the design of the Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal, and the future development of a second border crossing. Currently, the SDBA is implementing the first Business Improvement District in the state of Michigan along a 3.1 mile length of West Vernor and Springwells.