Kalamazoo, whose name has inspired songs and poems by Carl Sandburg, Glenn Miller, and others, is a small Midwestern town whose several colleges, symphony orchestra, and arts institute lend it a sophistication not usually found in a town its size. The seat of Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo is an industrial and commercial center in a fertile farm area that produces fruit, celery, and peppermint. The addition of a substantial research and development park along with community leaders willing to collaborate to overcome economic challenges has created a positive business climate; the area's 83 lakes offer fantastic tourist appeal especially for water sports enthusiasts.