Cascade Township Earns Five-Star Ranking for Economic Development

Cascade Township Earns Five-Star Ranking for Economic Development
 
Cascade Township, Michigan, Nov. 15, 2017 – Cascade Township has been recognized as a five-star community 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, the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research, 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.
 
“We are honored to have earned the highest possible ranking for the third year in a row for our economic development efforts,” said Ben Swayze, Township manager. “As a community, we are committed to providing the best economic environment for our businesses and residents, ensuring that Cascade is a wonderful place to live and work.
 
“This recognition demonstrates that our dedication to this effort has not only promoted positive growth and retention in our state, but has provided a significant and progressive impact on our community as well.”
 
Cascade Township ranked well on a number of criteria, including:

• The broad and diverse mix of business types, from retail, restaurants and hotels to industrial, auto dealers and office parks

• The accessibility of the community with convenient transportation by car, bus or plane

• High-quality and top-ranked schools in three districts

• No personal income tax, making Cascade an attractive option for both employers and residents

• A broad range of housing options, from apartments and condos to single-family homes in subdivisions or on 10-acre farms

• Great amenities and regional destinations

 “While accounting for only about 15 percent of the cities and townships in Michigan, the 277 communities analyzed are home to nearly 70 percent of the population and 85 percent of the state’s commercial property,” said Tim Davis, director at 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.”
 
Cascade Township was recognized for its economic efforts Nov. 14, during the eCities Panel Discussion held in Dearborn. This event examined how talent, business policy and access to capital have impacted community growth in Michigan.
 
 The annual eCities research project, which began in 2007, previously used data supplied by the participants. This year’s shift to reviewing publicly available data was implemented to simplify the process for communities.

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