State Rankings and Awards | Michigan Business

How Michigan Compares...

The state of Michigan continues to be a prime state for entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and families young and old. See how the great lakes state competes with neighboring states and beyond.

#1 State

for fastest FDI jobs growth – Global Business Alliance

#1 Economy

in a state with a population over 2 million - Bloomberg

#3 State

for Sustainable Development - 2021 Site Selection's Sustainability Rankings

Top 3 State

to dominate EV battery manufacturing in 2030 - CNBC

State Acclaimed Recognitions

In addition to 2021’s Golden Shovel Award for manufacturing, Michigan has received Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award (8-12 million population) for the last five years running.

Additional Rankings:

Manufacturing

#1 ranking in Automotive Manufacturing (Business Facilities)
#4 in Manufacturing Output percentage of GNP (Business Facilities)
#4 in Manufacturing Employment (Business Facilities)

Business

#3 ranking in the East North Central Region for Site Selection's 2022 Prosperity Cup (Site Selection)
#7 ranking in Site-Readiness Programs (Area Development Top Business States)
#12 ranking in 2023 State Business Tax Climate Index (Tax Foundation)
#14 ranking in 2022 Top States for Doing Business (Area Development)

Workforce Development

#4 State in East North Central Region for 2022 Workforce Development Rankings (Site Selection)
#8 Best state to start a career (BestColleges)
#8 State in America's Best Employers for New Grads 2022 (Forbes)
#8 State for health care jobs (Business Facilities)

Sustainability

Recognized for General Motors historic $7 Billion investment in electric and autonomous vehicles (Business Facilities 2022 Impact Award)
#1 State for energy-sector job growth (U.S. Energy and Employment Jobs Report)
#1 Best State for Climate Change (Policygenius)

Regional/Metro Acclaimed Recognitions

Ann Arbor - #1 Best Place to Live in America

Kalamazoo - #1 Most Affordable Cities (Population less than 175,000)

Detroit - #2 for Best Business Climate (large metro area)

Grand Rapids - #2 for Manufacturing Hub (Mid Size MSA)

Grand Rapids - #3 for Business Climate (mid-sized)

Detroit - TIME's World's Greatest Places of 2022

Traverse City - #9 for Small Business Employment in Small Metro Areas

Detroit - #1 Emerging Startup Ecosystem

Kalamazoo - #1 in the US with highest concentration of Medical Devices and Equipment, and Pharmaceuticals employment with a medium MSA (75,000 – 250,000 total private employment)

Niles - #5th in the US in concentration of employment in Medical Devices and Equipment with a small MSA (fewer than 75,000 total private employment)

Quality of Life

Michigan Ranks as Top State for Business and Travel

Michigan recieves national accolades for both Detroit and Mackinac Island. Whether it’s a strong business climate or having some of the best places to experience across the globe, Michigan is the total package.

Six Michigan Cities Recognized in Top 100 Best Places to Live

Six Michigan cities have been featured in Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live 2022. From Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids Michigan has become a top place to live when it comes to affordability, amenities, and opportunities.

Petoskey ranked as one of “Best Small Towns in the Midwest”

Ranked as one of “Best Small Towns in the Midwest” by Travel + Leisure, this cute waterfront town sits near the "tip of the Mitt'' in the northern reaches of the Lower Peninsula.

Ann Arbor #6 for Best Places to live in the U.S.

Culling data from the U.S. Department of Education, the Census Bureau, and the FBI, Ann Arbor ranks as one of the best cities to raise a family in America accoridng to Niche.com. The city has some of the best public schools in the country, plus affordable home prices and a high employment rate.

Traverse City Ranked in Top Places to Visit in 2022

From blissful beaches, summer sunbathing and water sports to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat-tire biking - no matter the season, Matador Network names Traverse City a top place to visit in 2022.

Grand Rapids #1 Best Place to Raise a Family

Rocket Homes teamed up with BestPlaces.net to find some of the best locations to raise a family. With its abundance of opportunities for kids to engage in culture, history, art and nature, Grand Rapids ranked in the #1 spot.

Kalamazoo #1 Coolest City in the U.S. with the Lowest Cost of Living

Purewow.com ranked the Top 10 Coolest Most Affordable Cities in the U.S. for 2022. When comparing entertainment, food and drinks, arts and culture, as well as affordability, Kalamazoo came in at the #1 spot with having it all.

Grand Rapids #2 in Top 10 Remote Ready Cities in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for a downtown loft or a sprawling backyard, see why Livability ranked Grand Rapids #2 for perfect place to put down roots while also enjoying your remote work freedom.

Michigan Awards and Rankings

State Acclaimed Recognitions