Three cities in Michigan have some of the most confident main streets nationally, according to a December 2025 survey by the financial services company Advance Funds Network.
Ann Arbor was ranked No. 43 nationally and No. 1 in Michigan, survey results released Jan. 21 showed.
“Ann Arbor business owners emphasized knowledge and loyalty,” the email states. “Many serve a community that values expertise, craft, and local relationships. That reliance on trust and interaction helps explain why storefronts here feel buffered from the automation fears affecting office-heavy economies.”
The Advance Funds Networking rankings were based on survey data from 3,012 storefront business owners nationally. The survey asked owners how confident they felt going into 2026 and how exposed they felt their businesses were to “technological disruption.”
“The results reveal a striking divide between Main Street sentiment and the fears dominating corporate conversations,” the email states.
The results did not specify how many cities were ranked.
The email also states that many brick-and-mortar businesses were looking forward to the new year, whereas office jobs were “being re-evaluated.”
“From barbers and bakers to butchers and family-run retailers, storefront businesses tend to operate in a world that is physical, personal, and rooted in face-to-face service,” the email reads. “That grounding appears to be acting as a buffer against the broader wave of automation anxiety.”
St. Louis was ranked No. 63 nationally and No. 2 statewide, the survey found.
“Confidence in St. Louis reflects small-city familiarity,” the email states. “Storefronts serve tight-knit neighborhoods where repeat customers matter most. Owners emphasized reliability and personal connection, seeing those everyday relationships as a steady foundation regardless of broader technological change.”
Grand Rapids was ranked No. 82 nationally and No. 3 in Michigan, according to the results.
“Grand Rapids businesses drew confidence from craft and reputation,” the email reads. “Many storefronts succeed by doing things well and consistently, earning long-term loyalty. Owners see that trust as a stronger safeguard than chasing technological efficiency alone.”
The top four cities in Advance Fund Network’s rankings this year were West Palm Beach, Florida; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana and Oceanside, California.
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