37% Of Ann Arbor Jobs Tied To University Of Michigan

Morning, Ann Arbor! We’re going to start today’s newsletter off with a round of two truths and a lie, but Ann Arbor celebrity edition:

• Last week, ARod went grocery shopping at the Trader Joe’s off Stadium

• Last week, Miles Teller was serving drinks at Blue Leprechaun and Brown Jug

• Last week, Neil deGrasse Tyson was spotted parking in a bike lane

Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for the answer.

Read Time: 3 minutes

Reader Count: 1,747 townies

Percent of Ann Arbor Reading: 1.46%

ANN ARBORITES SHOULD KNOW

🎓 Institutional Economy: Buckle up townies, we’re going to do a quick deep dive on the local economy.

Last month, during a city planning commission meeting, the city shared that of the 94,000 full-time jobs in Ann Arbor, 37% are tied to the University of Michigan.

Universities and university hospitals are known as anchor institutions. Economies tied to these institutions are traditionally more stable and less prone to recessions.

In the U.S., the Federal Reserve keeps track of what local economies depend most on these anchor institutions and gives them an anchor reliance index. While the average U.S. city has a score of 1, Ann Arbor has a score of 3.23. High enough that it breaks into the top 5:

1. Ithaca, NY (Cornell) (3.71)

2. Morgantown, WV (West Virginia University) (3.57)

3. State College, PA (Penn State) (3.39)

4. Ann Arbor, MI (U of M) (3.23)

5. Iowa City, IA (University of Iowa) (3.19)

🍕 The Original Cottage Inn: After 75 years in business, the Original Cottage Inn (512 E William Street) is closing and Coratti’s Pizzeria Bar and Bocce will be opening in its place. Alongside indoor bocce courts, Coratti’s will serve a mix of pizza, sandwiches, salads, and pasta. Coratti’s will be working to open before U of M’s graduation weekend.

🦠 Hepatitis A: Two new, but unrelated, cases of hepatitis A have been identified in Washtenaw County. While both cases are believed to be tied to international travel, health officials are urging all residents (especially high-risk residents) to get vaccinated. Washtenaw County has had 8 reported cases of hepatitis A since 2020.

📅 Early Voting: From this Saturday (the 17th) to next Sunday (the 25th), Ann Arbor will have six locations open for early voting in the Presidential Primary Election. Residents can vote early, request absentee ballots, or vote on Election Day (February 27th).

MICHIGANDERS SHOULD KNOW

💸 $10K Tip: Last week, a Michigan man left his friend’s funeral, grabbed a $32 meal at a Benton Harbor cafe, and left a $10,000 tip to honor his friend’s memory. The generous giver requested the tip be divided evenly among the staff and that his identity not be made public.

🗳️ Rep. Schriver: Michigan House Rep. Josh Schriver (who we wrote about a few weeks ago for his “Conservative C.O.D.E.” music video), is being criticized for a social media post that promoted the "great replacement" theory, a racist theory claiming there is an intentional plot to replace white populations with non-white ones. Progressive groups have called for Schriver’s resignation.

🚽 Outhouse Classic: On February 24 in Trenary, Michigan (a town in the Upper Peninsula), locals will gather for the Trenary Outhouse Classic - a community event where teams race homemade outhouses on skis down a snowy track. Known for its creativity and humor, the event is now in its 31st year (also known as its “turdy first” year). Never change, U.P., never change.

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ADOPTABLE HUMANE SOCIETY PETS

Bailey | 1 year | Terrier, Pit Bull Mix

Olivia | 4 years | Domestic Longhair

That's all for now! Have a great week in Tree Town!

- Andrew

P. P. S. - Neil deGrasse Tyson wasn’t in Ann Arbor last week, but Miles Teller and ARod were.

P. P. P. S. - A Michigan man was chased by a moose while skiing in Jackson Hole.

P. P. P. P. S. - Gregory Alan Isakov will perform at Hill Auditorium on June 17.