DEARBORN, Michigan - East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Jonesville, Livonia, Meridian Township, Tecumseh and Wixom have been identified as the top-performing communities at fostering entrepreneurial growth and economic development in a study by researchers at the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research (iLabs).
This is a great honor for these communities and League staff members Heather VanPoucker and Luke Forrest were there as the communities were recognized during a ceremony at University of Michigan-Dearborn Oct. 19. The recognition is part of the eCities 2010 program and honoring communities for entrepreneurship is consistent with the MML's Center for 21st Century Communities initiative. The initiative has identified eight assets that make for vibrant communities and entrepreneurship is one of those assets. Read more about the 21c3 effort here and here.
The annual eCities research project, which started in 2007, uses data supplied by the participants as well as other public records to assemble information on how they encourage entrepreneurial activity. The study looks at clustering, incentives, growth, policies, community, education and other factors. In total, 55 Michigan communities were recognized as developing a positive entrepreneurial climate.
The five star communities recognized were: City of Ann Arbor, City of Auburn Hills, City of Chelsea, City of Coldwater, City of East Lansing, City of Farmington Hills, City of Frankenmuth, Village of Jonesville, City of Litchfield, City of Marquette, City of Marshall, Meridian Township, City of Midland, City of Northville, Northville Township, City of Novi, Village of Oxford, Pittsfield Township, City of Rochester, City of Rochester Hills, City of Royal Oak, Scio Township, City of Southfield, City of Sterling Heights, City of Tecumseh, City of Troy, City of Wixom. and Ypsilanti Township.
The four-star communities honored were Ada Township, Alpine Township, Cascade Township, City of Dearborn, City of Farmington, Flint Township, City of Grand Rapids, City of Hillsdale, Holland Township, City of Howell, Independence Township, City of Lansing, City of Livonia, City of Madison Heights, Milford Township, City of Monroe, Plymouth Township, City of Romulus, City of Saline, City of Sturgis, Superior Township, City of Taylor, Thomas Township, Traverse City, City of Westland, Waterford Township and West Bloomfield Township.
View a press release about these awards here.
Matt Bach is director of communications for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at (734) 669-6317 or mbach@mml.org.
