Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. to Expand, Receives Support from Ann Arbor SPARK, MEDC
Ann Arbor SPARK, a public-private partnership whose mission is to advance innovation-based economic development in the greater Ann Arbor region, worked with Hyundai to help the company secure more than $2.5 million in new business development incentives from the State of Michigan and Superior Township. The funding, which is subject to approval by the Michigan Strategic Fund, will be used by Hyundai to expand an environmental chamber for extreme... [Read More...]
Density Vs. Transit
The argument against mass transit in Southeast Michigan has always included the claim that our region isn't dense enough. But that hasn't stopped sprawling metros like Phoenix and Salt Lake City from building highly successful light rail systems. Though we ran this story in Metromode three years ago, we think it's just as relevant today. News from Concentrate Read More →
Liebherr-Aerospace expands facility, adds 20 jobs
Liebherr-Aerospace, located in Saline, is adding 33,000 sq ft to its existing 100,000 sq ft facility. As part of the company’s expansion, it will also add 15-20 new jobs. This expansion will help the company accommodate increased demand for its services. “Liebherr-Aerospace is able to expand in the Ann Arbor region, in part, because of its access to highly skilled, technical talent,” said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president... [Read More...]
Finding a Good Crop of Employees: NPR Offers Up Close Look at Michigan’s Agriculture Economy
A recent “Changing Gears” series on Michigan Radio explored Michigan’s agriculture economy. In part five of the five part series, SPARK president and CEO Paul Krutko offers that “prospective workers want to take jobs in places where they know there are more jobs.” With his insight, Krutko explains that agriculture talent — and the needs of this population — are no different that the needs of high tech workers... [Read More...]
Ann Arbor SPARK scores $10.8M for investments and programs
Ann Arbor SPARK plans to spread $10.8 million it received from the state last week toward replenishing the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund, funding the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition and starting the Michigan Angel Fund. The Michigan Economic Development Corp awarded the money from the state’s 21st Century Jobs Fund. Most of it, $9.17 million, will go toward reloading the four-year-old Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund. The $14 million... [Read More...]
Paul Krutko Appointed New CEO and President, Ann Arbor SPARK
Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK's new CEO, President Paul Krutko has been selected as the new president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. Krutko will join the organization on April 18 and will oversee continued efforts to expand economic opportunities in the Ann Arbor region through collaboration with local, state, federal and university resources. Krutko brings over 31 years of economic and business development expertise to Ann Arbor SPARK. Recently,... [Read More...]
Kauffman Study Shows Impact of Business Accelerator Efforts on SE Michigan Start-Ups
A new Kauffman Foundation study shows the results of business accelerator efforts by Southeast Michigan’s economic development organizations. Combined, Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, Macomb-OU INCubator and TechTown , collectively known as the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, have: Created more than 1,000 jobs Invested approximately $18 million in hundreds of start-up companies Secured more than $101.2 million in... [Read More...]
Congratulations to e-CYREN for Winning the Tweet Award!
At the Michigan Emerging conference on Wednesday, CYJ Enterprises won the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition Tweet Award. The company’s Twitter submission focused on their business product, e-CYREN, a free online database of emergency information for schools and daycare programs. Their posting, “In case of emergency first responders can quickly alert loved ones and have access to your vital medical info 24×7 www.ecyren.com,”... [Read More...]
Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition Announced
The Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, a new region-wide network for building and retaining new business in southeast Michigan, today announces the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, an international business plan competition designed to highlight Michigan as a robust and vibrant venue for innovation and business opportunity. read more>> Read More →
TIME On Accelerating Detroit
There are exciting things happening in Southeast Michigan. TIME blogged about the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (NEI) and some of the advances that are taking place. Read more about the acceleration of Detroit on TIME’s recent post. Read More →
