The City of Auburn Hills, a dynamic community committed to innovation and growth, announces its award as a five star entrepreneurial community.  Auburn Hills 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. Auburn Hills was honored as a five star community along with 32 other communities across the state.

Five-star communities spent a combined $2.6 million on economic development, had more than $140 million in additions to assets in the past year and had more than $19 billion in combined real and personal property values.

“Auburn Hills prides itself on having an intentional focus on our customers and thinking in an entrepreneurial way.  We call it radical hospitality,” boasts Auburn Hills Mayor, Kevin McDaniel.  “It is nice to be recognized for our efforts as a five Community by University of Michigan Dearborn.”

Auburn Hills acts proactively by streamlining the development processes.  The City places utmost importance on efficiency and clarity of the community and economic development processes.  We always strive to set examples for other communities and by improving, reviewing and self-assessing policies, procedures along with making sure they are we line with all best practice methods of economic and community development.

The City of Auburn Hills has so many great businesses, a variety of housing options that fits everyone's tastes, numerous colleges and universities, easy access to major highways and international airports, wonderful people and assets, along with a City Council and City Employees and citizens who really care about their City.  

The eCities research surveyed 83 communities from 30 counties in Michigan that are home to 26 percent of Michigan residents and 33 percent of its college graduates. These communities count nearly one quarter of the state’s entrepreneurs with over $2.6 billion in self-employed income as residents. These communities also had more than $12.3 billion in 2013 commercial construction and account for more than 31 percent of Michigan’s commercial property.

“We are seeing the nature of economic development evolving, and eCities is a tool to help local governments demonstrate their role in the changing economy. These governments are supporting unique and innovative efforts locally, while collaborating regionally to help Michigan business compete in an ever-changing business climate,” said Tim Davis, director, iLabs.

The communities will be honored today, Thursday, November 13, at UM-Dearborn. Support for eCities is provided in part by the DTE Energy Foundation, Miller Canfield, 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, 197 communities across Michigan have participated in the study.

For more information visit the City of Auburn Hill's website.