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Eight communities across the state of Michigan are top performers at fostering entrepreneurial growth and economic development, according to the annual eCities study. The study, conducted by iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation and Research, identified Alpine Township, Grand Blanc, Grand Rapids, Imlay City, Meridian Township, Midland, Sterling Heights and Troy for their incentives, innovative programs and best practices geared toward business development.
“The top performing communities understand what small businesses need to be successful,” said Tim Davis, director, iLabs. “The communities communicate with their business owners and provide connections to broader resources and insight on trends.”
“It was such an honor to be asked to serve as one of the judges for the 2012 eCities,” said Merrill Guerra, principal, Guerra Consulting LLC. “This project gives participating communities the unique opportunity to get feedback on the business growth strategies and messaging they have developed directly from their target - business people.”
An additional 46 communities across the state are also recognized as five and four star performers.
Five-Star Communities
* denotes top performer
Ada Township
Ann Arbor Charter Township
Cascade Charter Township
City of Adrian
City of Ann Arbor
City of Auburn Hills
City of Dearborn
City of Howell
City of Kentwood
City of Lansing
City of Midland*
City of Monroe
City of Novi
City of Plymouth
City of Rochester
City of Rochester Hills
City of Romulus
City of Saline
City of Southfield
City of Sturgis
City of Tecumseh
City of Troy*
City of Wixom
Clinton Charter Township
Kochville Township
Marquette Charter Township
Meridian Charter Township*
Four-Star Communities
* denotes top performer
City of Coldwater
City of East Lansing
City of Frankenmuth
City of Grand Blanc*
City of Grand Haven
City of Grand Rapids*
City of Grandville
City of Imlay City*
City of Kalamazoo
City of Madison Heights
City of Marquette
City of Marshall
City of Northville
City of Portage
City of Sault Ste. Marie
City of Sterling Heights*
City of Utica
Delta Charter Township
Flint Charter Township
Grand Rapids Charter Township
Northville Charter Township
Pittsfield Township
Plymouth Township
Saginaw Charter Township
Scio Township
Thomas Township
The eCities research surveyed 114 communities from 40 counties in Michigan that are home to 34 percent of Michigan residents and nearly half of its college graduates. More than 125,000 entrepreneurs with over $3 billion in self-employed income call the participating communities home. These communities also had more than $1.5 billion in 2011 commercial construction and more than 70 percent share services with other communities.
“We are pleased to have had more communities than ever from throughout the state participate this year in the eCities research,” said Davis. “This project assists local communities by identifying best practices and methods that they can implement to aid in job growth, economic diversification and development of entrepreneurs.”
The communities will be honored at a ceremony at UM-Dearborn on Tuesday, October 30, which will include video profiles of each of the top performers. Support for eCities 2012 is provided in part by the DTE Energy Foundation, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and UM-Dearborn’s College of Business.
The annual eCities research project, which began in 2007, uses data supplied by the participants, as well as other public records to assemble a six-factor, 32-item index of entrepreneurial activity, looking at such factors as clustering, incentives, growth, policies, community and education. The study focuses on entrepreneurship because of its importance to expansion and diversification of Michigan’s regional economies and the impact small businesses have on job creation. To date, 165 communities across Michigan have participated in the study.
