City of Coldwater issued the following announcement on Mar. 2.
The City of Coldwater has been recognized for its efforts to contribute 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 Coldwater was honored as a four-star community along with 90 other communities across the state.
“Coldwater is extremely fortunate to be recognized as a four-star community,” said City Manager Keith Baker, “This award continues to prove the positive direction that the City is heading and recognizes our efforts to increase employment opportunities.” Lisa Miller, Economic Development Director of the Branch County Economic Growth Alliance, said, “Collaboration is the key to Coldwater’s success. Organizations in Coldwater strive to help grow the community by fostering economic development efforts through community enhancement projects, retention and attraction efforts, special events, and the overall improvement and preservation of our quality of life.”
The eCities study analyzed publicly available data from 277 communities across 54 counties in Michigan. Researchers focused on 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 2016-2020, these communities increased their capital assets by an average of 2.9 percent per year by investments such as park facilities, water and sewer infrastructure projects, and emergency vehicles, while property tax rates increased by less than 3 percent on average per year.
Although accounting for less than 20 percent of the state’s cities and townships, the 277 communities analyzed are home to 71 percent of Michigan’s population and 86 percent of the state’s commercial property. “Each year, the eCities project aims to highlight the successes and continued commitment of cities and townships to grow business and support entrepreneurship within their communities,” said Kari Kowalski, iLabs project manager.
Original source can be found here.
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