Community Corner

UM-Dearborn's iLabs' eCities research recognizes the City of Troy for developing a positive entrepreneurial climate

The City of Troy has been recognized for its work to foster entrepreneurial growth and economic development in the annual eCities study conducted by researchers at iLabs, University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research.  Troy was honored as a five star community along with 51 other communities across the state.

“The City of Troy is very pleased to be recognized by the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research eCities project for the seventh straight year,” City Manager Brian Kischnick said.  “This recognition reaffirms the City of Troy’s commitment to providing fast, fair and predictable services to our growing business community.  We look forward to continuing to provide outstanding services to our business community.  Troy is truly Michigan’s premier address for business, retail and commerce.” 

Businesses greatly appreciate the fast, fair and predictable services provided by Troy’s Building Department.  Troy’s building services provider, SAFEbuilt, provides building services that are unsurpassed, approving building permits in an average of ten days or less for commercial projects and five days or less for residential projects.  SAFEbuilt has been given a 98% customer satisfaction rating. 

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Troy’s state-of-the-art zoning ordinance is a progressive, business-friendly tool that offers market-responsive flexibility.  The new zoning ordinance, with our recent master plan and Big Beaver Corridor Guidelines, set forth key strategies that encourage the re-use of underutilized industrial properties, promote effective placemaking.  An innovative planning tool such as the Sustainable Development Project is used to encourage environmental sustainable design and regulatory flexibility.  

In collaboration with our public and private sector partners, Troy is focused on helping local businesses grow.  Through an economic gardening approach, Troy’s Economic Development staff assists our local companies by identifying business needs and providing the information, infrastructure and connectivity necessary to address those needs.  Troy’s economic gardening initiative provides assistance to all growing Troy companies, particularly those considered second stage.  Assistance is available in areas such as business development, market analysis, GIS, human resources development, talent recruitment, site selection, and other areas. 

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By leveraging Troy’s unique community assets, partnerships and available tools to promote business growth, the City is creating an environment for investment.

Five-star communities spend a combined $2.2 million on economic development, have 15 percent of Michigan’s population with a professional degree and 92 percent share services related to economic development with another municipality.

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 over $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.”  

The communities will be honored on Thursday, November 14 at UM-Dearborn. 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.

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.


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