Why Midland?
About Midland - "The City of Modern Explorers"
The City of Midland is located in the beautiful Great Lakes Bay Region in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, about 80 miles north of Lansing and 125 miles northwest of Detroit . The City covers 36.06 square miles, making it the fifth-largest city in the state by land size, and has a population of approximately 42,000 residents. Midland provides the amenities of life in a major metropolitan area - numerous shopping and dining options, a vibrant downtown district, a thriving local business community, scores of outdoor recreation and entertainment options, post-secondary education, and more - with the charm and safety of a mid-sized community.
Light traffic, a healthy economy, affordable cost of living, impressive housing options, excellent schools, and convenient access to area attractions have made Midland a community of choice for many in the Great Lakes Bay region. The City has a median household income of $66,303 and a median home value of $149,000, with the average homeowner paying just $94 per month in property taxes for the many amenities and services that the City provides. Midland is also a highly-educated community, with approximately 45% of its residents having earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Services
The City provides a full array of services, including police and fire protection; planning and community development; building inspection and code enforcement; street maintenance; sanitation (refuse and recycling); forestry; horticulture; parks and recreation; fiscal services (assessing, treasury, finance, and purchasing); information services; engineering; clerk (local elections); community affairs, including the oversight of two tax increment financing (TIF) districts; and utilities (water, wastewater, storm water management, and a renewable gas-to-energy plant). It also operates Currie Municipal Golf Course; the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library; Midland Community Television; the Midland Civic Arena, with an indoor ice rink and turf field; Dial-A-Ride, a curb-to-curb on-demand transportation system; Jack Barstow Airport; the Sanitary Landfill; and two senior apartment complexes: Riverside Place and Washington Woods.
The City has an annual consolidated budget of $97.4 million and employs 327 full-time and 111 part-time employees.
Governance
The City of Midland operates under the Council-Manager system and is governed by an elected 5-member, non-partisan City Council whom are elected by residents from the ward in which they reside. The mayor is chosen from the elected Council by a vote of its members and the City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney. Responsibilities of day-to-day operations and management of resources are delegated to the City Manager. The City Council determines the policies that affect the City’s present and future well-being and provides leadership for planning and community development.
To learn more about the many opportunities available to Midland residents, click on the tabs below.
A Leader in Industry
As “The City of Modern Explorers,” Midland has long been recognized as a leader in the science and chemical industry. Dow, a Fortune 55 company, was founded in Midland in 1897 and continues to operate its global headquarters in the community. With its recent spin-off into three separate companies, Midland now hosts sites for DuPont and Corteva Agriscience as well.
Another major community employer, MidMichigan Health, is a statewide and nationwide leader in medical care and advancements in the health sciences. Other large employers include Midland Public Schools, Chemical Bank, the City of Midland, Northwood University.
The City oversees two tax increment financing (TIF) districts: the Downtown Development Authority and the Center City Authority. These districts play host to a variety of businesses and organizations ranging from one-employee entrepreneurs to generations-old local businesses to franchises. Residents can always find a fun event - such as Downtown's Larkin Beer Garden or Holly Jolly Days or Center City's Circle City Wire Garden or Second Saturday Food Truck Festival - or a unique place to eat and shop.