Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 06/09/2011

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Quality of Life Quality of Life ■ Minneapolis is one of America's best long-term real estates bets, ranking fourth nationwide, according to Forbes. The magazine evaluated the 40 largest metropolitan areas, using 25 years of data from the National Association of Home Builders. ■ Minneapolis was called "Design City" by Newsweek due to stunning buildings such as the Guthrie Theater, the Minneapolis Central Library, the Walker Arts Center and the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. ■ Minneapolis is the Safest City In America according to Forbes magazine. ■ Minneapolis was rated among the top 10 Fun Cities by Portfolio.com. ■ No other state in the nation has five cities among the top 20 in Money Magazine's annual list of America's Top 100 Best Places to Live. All five are located in the Twin Cities. Eden Prairie is ranked first in the nation, Plymouth 11th , Woodbury 13th, Eagan 15th and Apple Valley at 20th. ■ Minnesota is the healthiest state in the country, according to 2008 annual rankings by CQ Press. The state has been among the top five states since 1996 and among the top three since 2006. ■ According to the 2009 Forbes' Most Wired Cities report, Minneapolis ranks seventh among the 30 most wired cities in the country. Across Minnesota, more than 76 percent of individuals use the Internet, ranking fourth in the nation. Attractions ■ Minneapolis -St. Paul ranks among the top seven cities nationwide for recreational opportunities, according to Places Rated Almanac. The Twin Cities have more than 150 golf courses, about 63,130 acres of recreation areas, 192,000 acres of lakes and rivers, nearly 150 professional sporting events annually, more than 530 movie theater screens, two zoos and three amusement parks. ■ The Mall of America features over 400 stores and more than 2.5 million square feet of shopping. It draws more visitors than any other tourist attraction in the country. ■ The Twin Cities area offers a wide variety of family entertainment, including the Minnesota Zoological Gardens, Como Zoo and Conservatory, the Children's Museum, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. ■ More than 8 million people visit Minnesota's state parks annually. Minnesota's state park system includes 72 state parks and recreation areas, eight waysides, one state trail and 54 state forest campgrounds and day -use areas totaling 267,000 acres. ■ Minneapolis was named the top vacation spot in the nation by National Geographic, putting the city at the top of their "10 Best Trips of Summer 2011 " list. The area has endless summer celebrations, farmers' markets, miles of bike trails, the Twins and their new stadium and many museums that create a "welcoming Midwest vibe". lnternationand U.S. magazines are saying what Minnesotans already ow: The state is one of the best places to work and live. 19