The Cool Cities Initiative was started by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm in 2003 to encourage growth and investment in Midwestern cities. It was created to address the issue of students from Michigan attending college and then finding jobs in other states.

The initiative was influenced by Dr. Richard Florida’s 2002 book, The Rise of the Creative Class.

The Cool Cities Initiative provided $1.9 million in starter grants to support projects in Michigan.

The Stadium District, located just south of Oldsmobile Park in Lansing, was redeveloped using a grant from the Cool Cities project.