Regional economic development organizations to leverage Michigan U's in economic recovery

Wednesday, June 10, 2009 | Source: Ann Arbor Business Review

Biz incubators like Ann Arbor SPARK teaming up with major colleges like the University of Michigan could prove to be the economic engine that drives Michigan in the 21st Century.

Excerpt:

Relationships between regional economic development organizations and Michigan's top universities are poised to play an increasingly influential role in helping the state's economy recover from its devastating economic crisis.

Central to Michigan's evolving economic development model is the tightening partnership between the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor SPARK.

U-M Vice President for Research Stephen Forrest, SPARK's new chairman, said in an interview at the Mackinac Policy Conference that one of his top priorities is spreading SPARK's model across the state. He was elected chairman of SPARK after founder and possible Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder opted not to seek reelection.
Forrest suggested that regional economic development organizations could drive economic activity throughout the state.

"We shouldn't be that concerned about it being in Ann Arbor," Forrest said. "It should be something that's good for the state and good for the region, because we're all in this together.

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