Ann Arbor Named Among 'Most Innovative' Cities In U.S.

ANN ARBOR, MI — The city of Ann Arbor has been recognized in a new national study as one of the "most innovative" metro areas in the United States.

Verizon conducted a study to map out areas of the country that are "breaking new ground and leading the charge in reshaping industry as the world knows it." Ann Arbor made the Top 10 list, coming in at No. 9.

Here's what the tech company had to say about Ann Arbor:

Ann Arbor channels some of the energy of the massive automobile manufacturing hub less than an hour away and makes its own mark in the field. So it stands to reason that a good portion of patents around this area would have something to do with “Vehicles, Navigation, and Relative Location.” And it’s only natural that the runner-up class, “Drug, Bio-Affecting and Body Treating Compositions,” is in direct correlation with the city’s well-established and lucrative biotechnology and health industries. So what’s next for Ann Arbor? A continuing focus on entrepreneurship, bolstered by the University of Michigan, and growth in website development and online media and tech companies. Not too shabby.

Ann Arbor ranked right behind Santa Cruz-Watsonville, Calif., another college town with data transferring and communications businesses booming.

Read the full report for the Top 10 here.