The high-tech business incubator Ann Arbor SPARK isn't just about bringing more businesses into Washtenaw County, it's also looking to attract more business people here, too.
Leaders from SPARK are working on a media campaign called MichAgain, which will try to help keep more talented people in the state and bring back those who've left. The idea is to help beef up Michigan's concentration of new economy talent and help make the state a competitive option for this much sought-after demographic of worker.
"It's really focused on two areas – the first is current in-state graduates or career-change talent that can hook up with Michigan companies to staunch the brain drain," says Elizabeth Parkinson, director of marketing and media relations for Ann Arbor SPARK. "The second is recruitment of people with family ties in Michigan or are from here but live out of state."
SPARK is looking to attract professional talent around Michigan's major research institutions and metro areas. It's focusing on graduates of the state's universities and showcasing communities like Ann Arbor, or Detroit's up-and-coming neighborhoods as well as others in the state's Research Corridor as options for people looking for jobs or to set up a business.
Right now SPARK is tweaking a soft launch of the effort, while figuring out how much a full-fledged, year-long media campaign would cost and what it would take to line up financing. The Ann Arbor-based incubator is partnering with major local corporations like Google and Quicken Loans, and hopes to roll out the campaign early next year.
Source: Elizabeth Parkinson, director of marketing and media relations for Ann Arbor SPARK
Writer: Jon Zemke
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