Ann Arbor is 'most desirable address in the region' - and maybe state?
How powerful is the Ann Arbor region for business leaders?
Tom Walsh, business columnist for the Detroit Free Press, outlined the influence found here for his statewide readers in a column published Sunday.
Walsh lists many of the state's business leaders who make Ann Arbor their home. And he notes the job creation that's taken place here, too, thanks in part to proximity to the University of Michigan and our talent base.
Many of the points in the column are what led to AnnArbor.com coverage this fall that explored how successful Ann Arbor economic development strategies could end up setting a new statewide vision for job creation after the November election.
Some in Michigan even are speculating that AnnArbor SPARK CEO Michael Finney could end up leading the Michigan Economic Development Corp. if Republican candidate Rick Snyder is elected governor.
And here's a column from AnnArbor.com Business News Director Paula Gardner exploring how 'new business' in Ann Arbor is taking over from 'old business' that has driven Michigan's economy.
Read Tom Walsh's column here.
Comments
Killroy
Tue, Oct 12, 2010 : 7:36 a.m.
Taxes are high because they pay for our excellent K-12 schools, gorgeous parks, infrastructure, e.g. roads, cultural and social events, our beautiful and clean river (Dam removal pending), commerce incentives, and collaborations with the University. Enough with the whining about taxes. Don't like it? Leave.
Olan Owen Barnes
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 10:40 p.m.
Scio Township - A2 schools and contiguous to the city and without the drama of the political circus - that is why we moved back to the area in 2001.
treetowncartel
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 9:56 p.m.
This conjures up memories of the "I'm from Ann Arbor Michigan" scene of Cheech and Chong's movie "Still smoking"
David
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 6:15 p.m.
It's funny how one of the businesses that garners support from almost everyone is ABC. Seems that beer is a magical business to be in, and Ann Arbor is full of the stuff.
treetowncartel
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 5:24 p.m.
Even the best schnitzel and spatzen in the area is now located outside of the city limits.
treetowncartel
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 5:08 p.m.
Wow, there are plenty of other nice places to live in the state. I was born and raised in Ann Arbor, and while yes it is a very nice place to live, there are other areas in Michigan that have great things going for them too.Like Top Cat, I reside just far enough away to watch the village idiots from afar.
peterplywood
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 5:02 p.m.
I agree w/Top Cat, I'm 20 minutes from that pub.......we must be neighbors, decided many years ago that was the proper distance from downtown/high prices and silly politics.
David Briegel
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 4:23 p.m.
TopCat, that's still way too close! hehe Dagny, finney money? David, I am only upset with the phony appraisers and the NOW LOW property values! Even more than the taxes. At least we get something for our tax dollars. Ask JSA what he gets for his tax dollars!
CynicA2
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.
... Nothing like tooting your own horn, even if it is kind of small.
CynicA2
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 3:26 p.m.
They say that pride comes before a fall... if that is true, Ann Arbor should be scrambling to buy 100,000, or so, parachutes. With all this hot air and hubris having pumped-up the entire city for so long, it's going to be a long fall, perhaps sooner than some think.
David
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 3:23 p.m.
Having recently moved into the city limits as a renter, I find Ann Arbor to be a wonderful place to live, relax, and enjoy yourself. If I owned a home here, I'd be quite upset with the taxation and polices coming out of the city government, though.
Top Cat
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 2:47 p.m.
I like living 21 minutes from Arbor Brewing and just far enough away from the political circus.
michiganexpats.com
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 2:11 p.m.
For people who aren't from Michigan, most have a positive view of Ann Arbor, because of the University of Michigan. I'm not sure if any other city in MI has quite that reputation.
JSA
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 1:33 p.m.
Sorry Jeffery, you want to live in the Ann Arbor area but definitely not in the city limits. Whacked out city council and ridiculous taxes.
Killroy
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 11:42 a.m.
If you have to live in Michigan, A2 is the only place to do so. If A2 didn't exist, Michigan would be another Iowa or Arkansas.
DagnyJ
Mon, Oct 11, 2010 : 10:54 a.m.
Finney at MEDC? If that's true then I won't vote for Snyder. Too much funny money and voodoo accounting at SPARK> Otherwise, yeah. AA is the center of the universe.