DETROIT – One of Michigan's best-known cities has been recognized as the "Strongest Town" in the world.
Strongest Towns, a non-profit that advocates for a model of development in American cities that allows for financial independence and stability, named Traverse City the "Strongest Town" in the world.
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The bracket style contest came down to Guelph, Ontario and Traverse City. Here's what they published about the winner:
Throughout the contest, we learned about Traverse City's fun-loving, active population that takes pride in its local businesses and collaboratively addresses challenges. Traverse City stood out as a town where multi-modal transportation is key, where small businesses thrive, and where natural beauty is beloved and prioritized.
While it's a popular tourist destination, this contest also made clear that Traverse City is alive with activity all year round. Traverse City is meeting challenges like providing affordable housing head-on, with new provisions for accessory dwelling units, decreasing building and parking regulations, and encouraging creative development styles. Here's what residents of this town had to say about why theirs is a strong town:
- "We're blessed with a really great geographical setting."
- "To say the residents of Traverse City are actively involved in decision making would be a gross understatement. Public participation appears to part of the DNA here."
- "You can live a life of convenience here without needing an automobile."
- "Our strong town is only getting stronger as more and more people are finding our piece of heaven in the not-so-obscure-anymore Northern Michigan."
Known for its cherries, Traverse City is a town of 14,600 in northern Michigan. US News put Traverse City on its 2012 list of best places to retire and its age-diverse population shows that it's a place that people at all phases of life call home. Traverse City is also a well-known producer of wine and beer in the midwest and place rich with outdoor activities.