November 20, 2003

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today heard from communities around the state about their efforts to create "cool cities" through economic development, arts and cultural investments, and housing diversity. The community presentations were part of the first meeting of the Michigan Cool Cities Statewide Advisory Group.

The advisory group, representing 31 communities across the state, met today to brainstorm with the Governor about how Michigan can revitalize cities and downtown areas to make them more attractive for new businesses, new jobs, and additional citizens. The group has also focused on strategies to attract and retain residents under the age of 40 who researchers believe will drive future economic development.

"Creating ‘cool cities’ is more than a catchphrase. It is an initiative that is imperative for us to undertake to grow our state’s economy and to keep our young, educated workers here," Granholm said. "The future economic success of our state is directly tied to our ability to attract and retain exciting new jobs and young workers who are hard wired into the knowledge-based economy."

The advisory group told the Governor that it wants ways to create communities that have a sense of place, are more walkable, and find new uses for historic buildings. The group also thinks cool cities must have business development that includes young people as a part of the economic community and recognizes their impact. They also want to link business development to the arts and culture and more affordable and diverse housing options.

Cool cities also have entertainment activities available at all hours, according to the advisory group members, and cities need to provide a welcoming place for performing arts and culture.

Granholm will use the impact from the group to develop tools to help communities grow their economic opportunities. The Governor sees community development as part of an overall economic strategy. Department of Labor and Economic Growth Director David Hollister is working with Granholm to develop and implement statewide actions to spur economic development. He will continue to draw on the group’s input on an ongoing basis.

In September, Governor Granholm sent a letter to the mayors of 254 communities around Michigan encouraging them to form local "cool cities" commissions. She asked that those commissions brainstorm for what makes their communities cool and what needs to be done to improve them. From those local commissions, mayors were asked to send a representative to serve on the statewide advisory group.

Granholm encouraged the participants to return to their communities and re-convene with the local cool cities commissions to further discuss ideas and bring them to the December 11 "Cool Cities" Summit with author Richard Florida. Florida wrote the book "The Rise of the Creative Class" and coined the concept of "cool cities."

"The ‘cool cities’ initiative must be driven at the local level if we are going to create the change we want in our cities and communities across the state," Granholm said. "In communities large and small, we must focus on economic development that makes our downtowns vibrant, our arts community thrive, and, most importantly, makes our young people want to make their homes in Michigan."