WELCOME / TRAVERSE CITY REGION
The economic, educational, cultural, and retail center of northwestern Michigan is Traverse City, located in Grand Traverse County but also a major influence for the rural counties that surround it. Nestled in the Great Lakes Basin, this picturesque region seems to radiate from the Traverse City development along the East and West Great Traverse Bay. This highly balanced and active community harmonizes manufacturing businesses and industry with vibrant shopping facilities, healthcare services, and opportunities for higher education that include four-year and graduate degree programs. Among the premier attractions in this region is the panoramic Grand Traverse Bay, separated by a 20-mile peninsula in its east and west arms. Nestled on this scenic peninsula is the largest concentration of red tart cherry orchards in the world.
Farming and food production has always played a significant role in this five-county region, where a unique climate and exceptionally fertile soil create the ideal conditions for a variety of crops. In addition to the tart cherries grown on the Old Mission Peninsula, the area boasts some wonderful apple orchards and abundant asparagus crops. The vineyards that dot the peninsula produce fine wines that have garnered accolades from connoisseurs throughout the world. In recent international competitions in Corning, New York, and San Francisco, Old Mission wines received a number of top honors.
In contrast to the area’s agricultural heritage, this region is also known as the Tech Coast. In fact, the influx of new businesses and major expansions prompted Site Selection magazine to name Traverse City the “Number One Small Town in the Nation for Business Growth.” Traverse City had been continually climbing in the magazine’s small-town rankings for the past few years. The growth experienced throughout the Tech Coast has not been confined to Traverse City or even Grand Traverse County. The surrounding counties of Antrim, Benzie, Kalkaska, and Leelanau have all been positively affected by the region’s growing economy and the national attention it has attracted.
Those who have called this region their home for decades or even generations are not surprised at the boom of growth and development. Residents appreciate the balance of reverence for the past and attention to historic preservation with a progressive attitude toward contemporary amenities and conveniences. Historic downtowns harmonize with popular suburban malls, while mainstay restaurants blend with exciting new dining and entertainment centers. Traverse City reflects the contrasts that are found throughout the area, complementing its quaint and historic downtown district with vibrant outlying shopping malls that include Cherryland Center, Grand Traverse Mall, Horizon Outlet Center, and the Grand Traverse Resort. Adding convenience to small-town living, neighborhood shops, restaurants, and offices are scattered throughout the communities within walking distance of many residents.
In some cases, the “old and new” converge in a dynamic redevelopment project like The Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. Ideally situated just one mile from the downtown retail center, the village sprawls over land that once the site of a state hospital. Building restorations will combine with expert planning and landscaping efforts to create a mixed residential and commercial neighborhood graced by a town square. Long-established shopping malls in this area have continued to add new shops, restaurants, and amenities like multi-screen theaters. The Midwest’s largest resort, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, was recently purchased by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The new owners are expected to achieve a status of national leadership in Native American gaming operations based on the resort’s outstanding reputation and their own considerable upgrades to the hotel, golf course, and restaurant.
Serving a primarily rural area filled with spacious townships, the efficient transportation system in Northwest Michigan includes a network of state routes, highways, and interstate expressways. The Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City is the region’s largest commercial air-travel facility, providing passenger, freight forwarding, air cargo, and air courier service. The flights double each summer, providing more frequent connections to major hubs like Chicago O’Hare and Detroit Metropolitan Airport to accommodate vacationers and visitors. Accessible, quality transportation facilities are no doubt one of the magnets drawing new businesses to the region.
While Grand Traverse County and its leading municipality of Traverse City have traditionally served as the hub of the region’s economic activity, the acceleration of development is reaching into neighboring rural counties. Revitalization and suburban amenities are springing up in every corner of the region, from the renovated streetscape in Elk Rapids to Kalkaska’s new Village Station shopping plaza or the office and shopping center of Brewery Creek in Elmwood Township. This five-county area shares a diverse economy that blends manufacturing and light industry with agriculture, services, retail, recreation, and retail. The advent of e-commerce and the Internet has made this area a popular one for telecommuters from around the world who appreciate small-town charm surrounded by premier recreational opportunities.
Downhill and cross-country skiing, sledding and tubing, Lake Michigan water sports and boating, and some of the nation’s finest golf courses are just a few examples of the exceptional leisure activities. Hikers, bikers, campers, equestrians, bird-watchers, naturalists, hunters, and anglers will find an abundance of wooded trails and natural areas that are ideal for the sports enthusiast. The cultural community is well developed in Traverse City, home to a significant number of artists and gifted artisans. Wonderful galleries, fine museums, and venues for the performing arts harmonize with old-fashioned picnics, free summer concerts, seasonal celebrations, and annual events to offer a calendar filled with dates to remember.
The housing selection is as diverse as the region itself, providing remarkably affordable opportunities for lakefront views, expansive acreage, or woodland seclusion. Historic homes in the heart of town, suburban neighborhoods, upscale enclaves, and multi-family developments are just a few of the possibilities in this land-rich area. Those who enjoy four-season recreation, a warm and friendly small-town atmosphere, and the excitement of a growing and evolving economy will find a wonderland of surprises waiting in the Traverse City Region.
