City of Auburn Hills, MI
11/15/2013 | Press release | Archived content
Auburn Hills recognized as Five Star Community by UM-Dearborn's iLabs
Auburn Hills recognized as Five Star Community by UM-Dearborn's iLabs
Media contacts: Barbara Fornasiero, EAFocus Communications, 248.651.7536/cell: 586.817.8414, [email protected]; Stephanie Carroll, City of Auburn Hills, 248.364.6802, [email protected]
Auburn Hills, Mich.-Nov. 15, 2013- Auburn Hills has once again been recognized as a five star community in the 2013 eCities study by researchers at iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn's Center for Innovation Research. Auburn Hills and other winning communities were honored at a ceremony at UM-Dearborn yesterday for the work they do to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development.
City Manager Pete Auger applauds the entire Auburn Hills team for continuing to develop the positive business environment that has earned the city eCities honors every year since 2007, when the award was first offered.
"The success of the city of Auburn Hills would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of our Building Department, City Council and Community and Economic Development teams," said Auger. "We have always strived for positioning the city as a great place to do business and are pleased that eCities research recognizes our commitment to being progressive, responsive and entrepreneur-friendly."
The eCities research surveyed 102 communities from 37 counties in Michigan that are home to 36 percent of Michigan residents and 40 percent of its college graduates. These communities count nearly one-third of the state's entrepreneurs, with more than $3.2 billion in self-employed income as residents. These communities also had more than $1.8 billion in 2012 commercial construction and account for more than 48 percent of Michigan's commercial property.
"This annual project makes the university part of the local leader's toolkit for economic development. We are tackling a statewide concern and analyzing the parts that local leaders can directly impact," said Tim Davis, director, iLabs. "Participating communities can identify best practices and methods they can implement to aid in job growth, economic diversification and development of entrepreneurs."
Support for eCities 2013 is provided in part by the DTE Energy Foundation, Point and Pay, Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs and UM-Dearborn's College of Business.
About eCities
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, 182 communities across Michigan have participated in the study.
About Auburn Hills
Celebrating 30 years as a city in 2013, Auburn Hills is home to 21,000 residents and also serves as Michigan's global business address, with 40 international corporations from 32 countries housed here, including Chrysler Group LLC and Borg Warner headquarters. Auburn Hills' residents enjoy the amenities of city and suburban living with parks, a revitalized downtown district and a welcoming city complex with a library and community center. Additionally, the city has five colleges and universities, the award winning Palace of Auburn Hills entertainment complex and Great Lakes Crossing Outlets, one of the state's largest destination shopping centers, providing a variety of cultural, social and educational opportunities to residents, workers and visitors. Learn more at www.auburnhills.org.