UM-Dearborn’s
iLabs eCities research recognizes 54 Michigan communities developing a positive
entrepreneurial climate
An additional 46
communities across the state are also recognized as five and four star
performers.
About University
of Michigan-Dearborn
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DETROIT,
October 30, 2012 – 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.
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Alpine Township Supervisor Alex Arends flanked by U of M Dearborn College of Business Interim Dean Lee Redding on your left and Tim Davis, Director of iLabs on your right.
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“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.”
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
were honored at a ceremony at UM-Dearborn on Tuesday, Oct. 30, which included 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.
Founded in 1959 with a gift of just
over 200 acres of land and $6.5 million from the Ford Motor Company, University
of Michigan-Dearborn is a metropolitan university serving southeastern
Michigan, committed to excellence rooted in strong academics, innovative
research and programming and civic engagement. The University
has nearly 9,100 students pursuing more than 100 bachelor's,
master’s, doctoral and professional degrees in liberal arts and sciences,
engineering, business and education. A top-ranked university with a faculty
devoted to teaching, and students committed to achievement, UM-Dearborn has
been shaped by its history of partnering with local leaders and communities,
and is committed to finding solutions for the challenges that face the region.
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