U-M Dearborn study spotlights best cities for entrepreneurs

metromode, 10/22/2009

How entrepreneurial-minded is your city? The University of Michigan-Dearborn has a pretty good idea.

The university's iLabs recently released its 3rd annual eCities study, which assesses a municipality's ability to attract and retain entrepreneurial firms. The top performers in Metro Detroit this year are Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights, and Wixom. Dundee, Auburn Hills, Southfield, and Troy (which were named last year) were recognized for their continuing efforts to support entrepreneurship.

"The underlying theme is how they are leveraging existing assets and resources for their macro economic climate," says Tim Davis, director of U-M Dearborn's iLabs. "They're taking what they already have and repositioning it for an entrepreneurial effort."

The study looked at 31 different factors, including tax rate, the size of the commercial tax base, and educational level, among others. The researchers followed up the examination with interviews with local stakeholders.

Source: Tim Davis, director of University of Michigan-Dearborn's iLabs
Writer: Jon Zemke

Entrepreneurship , Government , Higher Education , Oakland County , Research , University Of Michigan - Dearborn

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