Favorable Locations
The Adrian-Tecumseh SmartZone is positioned at the intersection of four regional economies: the industrial base of Jackson, the high-tech corridor of Ann Arbor, the logistics infrastructure of Detroit, and the cross-border commerce of Toledo. Businesses that locate here access the full range of these markets while operating at Lenawee County's lower cost structure — land, labor, and overhead all come in below the surrounding metros.
Proximity of Major Cities
Lenawee County sits within reach of four anchor markets. The Tecumseh Business and Technology Park is 33 miles from Ann Arbor, 62 miles from Detroit, and 42 miles from Toledo. Each market is accessible via established trucking corridors, and trucks dispatched from this region can reach 40% of the U.S. population within one day.
Locating in Lenawee County means your business benefits from proximity to Ann Arbor's engineering and technology talent, Detroit's logistics infrastructure, Toledo's cross-border freight activity, and Jackson's established industrial base — without the land costs or overhead of operating inside any of those markets.
Commuter Workforce
As of 2021, approximately 22,500 Lenawee County residents commuted out of the county each day for work. That represents a sizable pool of trained workers who already live here and would likely prefer to work closer to home given the opportunity. Businesses that locate in Lenawee County are well-positioned to capture that returning workforce.
Cost of Doing Business
Lenawee County offers a meaningfully lower cost of living than the surrounding region, which benefits both businesses and the workers they are trying to retain. Workers priced out of Washtenaw County find Lenawee County far more accessible, reducing turnover pressure for employers who locate here.
| Lenawee County | Michigan | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Monthly Mortgage | $1,409 | $1,569 | $1,963 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $987 | $1,129 | $1,413 |
Source: 5-Year 2024 American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau
Beyond housing, businesses in Lenawee County benefit from lower land costs and reduced overhead compared to operating in Ann Arbor or Detroit, while still maintaining a 45-minute drive to each of those markets.
Local Universities
The Adrian-Tecumseh SmartZone is within reach of several colleges and universities, including the University of Michigan, Adrian College, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, and Jackson Community College. These institutions provide a pipeline of graduates across technical, engineering, and business disciplines for businesses in the region.
Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA)
The Adrian-Tecumseh SmartZone sits within a designated Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA). This designation gives the SmartZone access to development tools not available outside the LDFA boundary, including the ability to apply for and receive grants and to acquire, construct, and dispose of real property assets within the SmartZone footprint. These tools support the development of site-ready properties in Lenawee County for prospective businesses.