UM-Dearborn’s iLabs’ eCities research recognizes the City of Dexter for supporting business in their community.
(Dexter, MI), November 26, 2018 – The City of Dexter has been recognized for its successes and efforts in contributing to Michigan’s entrepreneurial growth and economic development in the annual eCities study conducted by researchers at iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research. The City of Dexter was honored as a four star community, along with 180 other communities across the state.
Upon hearing the news, Mayor Shawn Keough said, “It is truly an honor for the City of Dexter to be recognized again by eCities. We work together each day to foster an entrepreneurial spirit and to promote economic growth in a manner that is transparent, consistent and good for the long term interest of the City of Dexter, as well as our neighboring communities around us. On behalf of all our staff, consultants, volunteer citizens and council, I want to express my gratitude and thanks to eCities and the University of Michigan for this recognition. This recognition is the result of a lot of people working together over a long period of time. We look forward to seeing you around our town.”
The eCities study analyzed publicly available data from 277 communities from 54 counties in Michigan. Researchers focused on the five-year changes in property values, community assets, and tax rates, which can demonstrate the growth, investments and cost of doing business within the community. For example, over the five-year period of 2013-2017, these communities increased their capital assets by an average of 2 percent per year by investments such as street and building improvements, technology, and emergency vehicles and equipment.
“While accounting for only about 15 percent of the cities and townships in Michigan, the 277 communities analyzed are home to 70 percent of the population and 85 percent of the state’s commercial property,” said Tim Davis, director, iLabs. “By analyzing these high-performing communities, our goal is to showcase what cities and townships are doing to spur growth and how we can continue to support their efforts in developing business and encouraging entrepreneurs.”
The City of Dexter will be acknowledged Thursday, Nov. 29, during the Executive Speaker Series panel discussion, which will discuss Michigan’s economic growth, including key areas such as capital, infrastructure, industry, and the ecosystem. The panel, moderated by Dr. Brian Patrick Green, Czarnecki Collegiate Professor, UM-Dearborn College of Business, will feature William Adams, Senior International Economist, PNC Financial Services Group; Maureen Miller Brosnan, Executive Director, Michigan Venture Capital Association; Kristina Kolbas, SVP Enterprise Services, Quicken Loans; and Jeff Marston, V.P. of Business Services, Comcast Business, Heartland Region. The event will be hosted by WWJ Newsradio 950’s Murray Feldman of the Feldman Report.
About the City of Dexter
The City of Dexter is located in Southeast Michigan, along the banks of the Huron River and Mill Creek. A walk through the unique, historic downtown offers visitors the opportunity to experience nostalgic small town America only minutes from Ann Arbor and Detroit.
The City of Dexter has emerged as a regional entertainment, cultural and recreational destination; a dynamic place to live, work and enjoy. The downtown features an assortment of restaurants, retails shops and galleries that, together with a beautiful streetscape and award winning Mill Creek Park, contribute to a pedestrian friendly and enhanced shopping experience.
The City of Dexter takes a proactive approach to economic development; first by developing a long term economic enhancement strategy, and then through its commitment to work with businesses wanting to expand or locate in the City. Since 2009, businesses have invested over $50M in real and personal property, retained 797 jobs, and created 218 new jobs in the City.
For more information about the City of Dexter, please contact Michelle Aniol, Community Development Manager at 734-429-8303 or maniol@dextermi.gov.
About University of Michigan-Dearborn
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 9,100 students pursuing more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degrees in liberal arts and sciences, engineering, business, education and health programs. A top-ranked university with faculty devoted to teaching and students committed to achievement, UM-Dearborn is shaped by its history of partnering with local leaders and communities, and is committed to finding solutions for the challenges that face the region.
