Some time ago, there was an organization that was dedicated to promoting Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

For some unknown reason, it decided to become more interested in the whole state of Michigan and simply became irrelevant. Although it has continued to exist, it doesn't seem to have a focused agenda anymore.

Meanwhile, Gerry Anderson of DTE Energy Co. realized that there was a substantial void in Detroit and Southeast Michigan and had recreated an informal organization to keep doing the work once done by Detroit Renaissance, the prior organization.

Now, that group of CEOs has even gone so far as to hire an executive who will be busy promoting the area for business development.

Although they haven't yet picked up the old name of Detroit Renaissance, it would appear obvious that this informal organization is going to gain a higher and higher profile and will be functioning exactly as the old Detroit Renaissance did several years ago. I would simply refer to it as Detroit Renaissance 2.0.

It makes great sense. And even though some organizations have been trying to fill this void for some time, having a group of CEOs behind it is going to give this new organization the clout and horsepower it will need to be effective. Hiring a full-time executive and other staff will help kick it into even higher gear.

Detroit's powerful recovery after its bankruptcy has become one of the country's great success stories. That gives this new organization a stronger platform to build on.

We wish Detroit Renaissance 2.0 a healthy and prosperous life. We wish Barry Matherly, its new economic development executive, great success.

This is a rebirth that was long overdue.