Marquette, Midland, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights and Wixom were identified as communities that are “2009 top performers at attracting and retaining entrepreneurial firms” in a study by researchers at the UM-Dearborn College of Business.
Additionally, the Village of Dundee and the cities of Auburn Hills, Southfield and Troy — communities that also were recognized in a 2008 study — were noted for their continuing efforts at supporting entrepreneurship.
The communities were honored Oct. 20 during a ceremony at UM-Dearborn.
The eCities study, conducted by iLabs, UM-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research, 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.
This third annual study found that the municipalities leverage their existing assets to provide opportunities for small business growth and entrepreneurial development. “The communities we are recognizing this year have identified existing strengths to use as a starting point to help new and growing businesses,” says Tim Davis, director of iLabs.
In the future it is expected that eCities’ research will continue to add communities from across Michigan.
