Romulus officials hope business development is jump-started in 2008 now that one of the main Chinese airlines is set to be offering direct, non-stop service from Beijing to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

Mayor Alan Lambert said he's disappointed that several developments - like the horse racing track and the casino - either fell apart or did not progress this year, but said he believes efforts to lure Chinese enterprise could help bring businesses to the vast amount of vacant land around the airport.

"After the first of the year, we're meeting with some Chinese business people from very large companies that are interested in building here," he said. "It makes sense that they would want to be close by the airport. So many businesses from China want to come over here. It's something (Wayne County Executive) Bob Ficano is working very hard on. We're very excited about it."

Ficano has conducted several trade missions to China in the hopes of bringing back business, and so far has lured one company to Canton Township.

Chinese businesses would need to know that services exist to support their operations before they agree on a location - and the airport is a piece of that puzzle, Lambert said.

Last week, airport officials hosted China Southern Chairman Liu Shaoyong, to discuss the new service, which is slated to begin in March 2009.

"I'm very pleased that Detroit will be added to China Southern's network beginning in 2009," he said. "Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a world-class facility that will serve as an excellent gateway to North America for our customers."

According to an economic impact study commissioned by the Wayne County Airport Authority, China Southern's service will generate over US$95 million in annual economic benefit to the region.

Locally, that influx could positively impact local businesses and increase the number of jobs available to area residents, Lambert said.

Airport officials are also excited about the new carrier.

"China Southern's new service will certainly have a tremendous positive impact on our economy," said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Lester Robinson. "The nonstop service between Detroit and Beijing will not only increase business activity but will create new opportunities for trade and exchange."

Beijing currently ranks as the second-largest market in China for Detroit passenger traffic, behind Shanghai.