For Immediate Release | Official Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

36601 Ford Road | Westland, Michigan | 48185

Office 734.467.3200 | Fax 724.721.2310

WWW.CITYOFWESTLAND.COM

Westland Among Best Places for Job Seekers in Michigan

Westland, MI (December 2013) - NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website, recently conducted a study to find the best places for job seekers in Michigan and Westland is in the top ten.

As many people continue searching for employment in this recovering economy, NerdWallet wanted to help residents of the Michigan find the best places for jobs.

To do so, NerdWallet evaluated the state's largest cities using criteria such as median household income, monthly homeowner costs, population growth of those ages 16 and older and unemployment rates.

NerdWallet ranked Westland as the seventh best place for job seekers in Michigan. The city experienced a 3.2 percent increase in the working-age population between 2009-2011, and it has an unemployment rate of 6.1 percent, which is nearly three percentage points lower than the state average.

"Key employers include Plastipak and the Wayne-Westland Community School District," said NerdWallet analyst Annie Wang. "The city government also runs the Westland Works program, which helps connect local employers with residents who are looking for jobs," Wang continued.

Mayor Wild implemented the Westland Works program in 2010 to promote job postings in the city. "Westland employers can post job openings, which ultimately exposes job seekers to more opportunity" said Mayor Wild. "We wanted to give our residents every advantage possible to find suitable employment."

When Mayor Wild took office nearly seven years ago, the city was facing a projected deficit of nearly $37 million by 2013 and today the city is soundly positioned with a two-year balanced budget and a $5 million surplus. The strategic plan Mayor Wild put in place has enabled him to bring in more than $100 million in economic investment to Westland.

NerdWallet is a consumer-friendly financial literacy website that helps consumers make better decision about their personal finance and more.

For more information, contact Aubrey Berman, Administrative Secretary, at (734) 467-3200.

The City of Westland is the 10th largest city in Michigan with a population of over 84,000. The city's residential development is an excellent blend of single family homes, apartments and condominiums. The broad selection of housing opportunities is complimented by over 1500 acres of well-maintained parks and nature trails as well as a highly rated municipal golf course. Also available is a skate park, ice arena, a state-of-the-art Library and novel city park themes that are fun and family-friendly.

Westland has the location, land, infrastructure, and leadership, under Mayor William R. Wild to attract new industry and help existing businesses redevelop properties and to maintain competitiveness in today's global economy. Six modern platted industrial parks on 320 acres are served by class "A" internal roads, with up to date utilities and rail access available within two of the parks. Westland is conveniently located within the center of southeastern Michigan's expressway system, minutes north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and ideally located between downtown Detroit and Ann Arbor.

Westland is the area's premier "Shopping and Dining Destination". Westland Shopping center, one of the country's original four regional malls, boasts 80 retail stores and has anchored Westland's commercial district for more than 30 years. Westland's diversity and progressive planning offers residents a wide variety of life experiences, and make Westland truly the "All American City".