By Scott Bolthouse | The Huron Hub
ScottBolthouse@HuronHub.com
Posted Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019

The City of Romulus received a five star rating recently from a study conducted by eCities iLabs researchers at the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Center for Innovation Research.

The study recognized Romulus for its dedication to entrepreneurial growth and economic development, according to a statement from the city.

It’s the second year in a row that Romulus has received the accolade.

“The city of Romulus is proud to receive a five-star rating in the eCities report for the second year in row, demonstrating our commitment to making Romulus a home of opportunity for businesses and entrepreneurs,” Mayor LeRoy Burcroff said. “We have doubled down on our efforts to fuel the success of local businesses, and I am thrilled to see continued growth in our community as a result.”

The annual eCities study analyzed publicly available data from 277 communities in 54 counties in Michigan. Researchers focused on the five-year changes in property values, community assets and tax rates, which demonstrates the growth, investments and cost of doing business within the community.

Romulus was one of only three communities in Wayne County to receive five stars.

According to the statement, the city’s Economic Development Department has numerous tools and incentives designed to attract incoming development, retain current businesses and prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs.

The city says they recently implemented a three-part “Buy Local” strategy in support of local businesses, which includes marketing businesses to new and existing residents, providing networking opportunities for developers and businesses owners, and implementing a local preference clause in the city’s purchasing ordinance.

In addition, to mitigate a shortage in talent, the city says it is developing a pilot program called Career Connect, that provides youth and young adults with summer work experience at local businesses.

Once admitted to the program, students receive assistance with resume building and job training, along with access to a financial literacy course.

Other business resources include a Tax Increment Finance Authority, a Downtown Development Authority, Next Michigan Development Corporation, a Foreign Trade Zone and two Federal Opportunity Zones.

To view the entire list of five star communities in Michigan, visit this link.