Economic Development

Coverage of projects, big and small, and the people who create them, which promote the economic health of a community, including manufacturing, retail, office, and hospitality developments.

Business booms nationwide for Kalamazoo’s iyeTek

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March 18, 2010

Demand keeps growing for software developed for law enforcement agencies by the Kalamazoo information technology company, iyeTek.When iyeTek moved into Western Michigan University's Business and Research Park two years ago it had six employees and three interns. Today, 10 employees are on staff, and at any one time six to eight interns work on the company's software solutions for law enforcement agencies. Those are now used in 28 states compared to eight states that used iyeTek two years ago.When it moved into the research park in March 2008, iyeTek occupied 1,300 square feet of space at 4664 Campus Drive. Business has been so good since then the company has nearly doubled the amount of space it uses.The company's various software, including electronic ticket writing and crash reporting systems and information sharing with local, state and federal agencies, is now used all across Michigan. The software is used in handheld and mobile devices.Company co-founder and Director of Operations Salman Anwar gives much credit for the company's success to the support it has gotten in the BTR Park and its partnership with WMU. Among iyeTek's successes is the crash reporting system that has proved to be the most popular of its products, Anwar says."We're making the roads safer for people who drive on a daily basis," Anwar says. The iyeTek crash reporting system is one way it does that. The system helps police officers document crash details that give law enforcement agencies and traffic engineers information to analyze. It can help them determined the causes of crashes and also lead them, if need be, to take actions to make roadways more safe. "It's all about saving lives of police officers and citizens," Anwar says. Another popular software package involves information sharing that alerts officers during traffic stops and calls to be notified of any NCIC — National Crime Information Center — and FBI warnings related to a vehicle or suspect.The company was founded in Kalamazoo by Anwar and Jeremy Vainavicz, both alumni of WMU's College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource Salman Anwar

Latest in Economic Development

Eaton Corp.’s hybrid system powers buses for the military

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Economic Development

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March 18, 2010

The federal government has purchased 35 fuel-sipping shuttle buses outfitted with hybrid electric power systems developed in Galesburg bythe Eaton Corp. The U.S. General Services Administration,using stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,bought the buses for use on U.S. Military bases. They will replace older, less efficient models, according to the GSA.Last year,the GSA announced it would spend $77 million in stimulus funds to buy3,100 fuel efficient hybrid vehicles. Altogether a hybrid fleetis expected to save an estimated 16.7 million gallons of fuel over thenext seven years. Using the vehicles could prevent the release of 334million pounds of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The hybrid system used in the shuttle buses was developed at Eaton Hybrid Power System headquarters in Galesburg with assistance from the company's division in Southfield. Bus manufacturer Capitol Coach Works, Inc. of Capitol Heights,Md., purchased the system to use in the shuttle buses. The hybrid business has proved to be a growth area for Eaton and the company has hired 10 engineers in the past year to support it. Buses powered by Eaton's hybrid power system have the pontential to have a big impact on environmental sustainability, says William Batten,Director of Government Accounts for Eaton's Vehicle Group."We've seen many positive results from commercial customers around the world,"Batten says, "and we hope that this announcement will lead to overall greater acceptance of hybrid technology within the U.S. federal fleet."Vehicles with Eaton hybrid systems typically see fuel savings up to 35 percent, with similar percentages in emission reductions. The vehicles also have extended brake life and idle time reductions of up to 87 percent. Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: William Batten, Eaton Vehicle Corp.

$350,000 supports WMU’s study of greenhouse gas storage

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Economic Development

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March 18, 2010

A total of $350,000 in grants to Western Michigan University will further studies into greenhouse gas storage as the push for clean coal energy heats up.WMU researchers are looking for ways to further develop clean coal technology by capturing the greenhouse gases it creates and storing them deep under the earth.Success could mean economic development opportunities for the state, including the creation of high-tech jobs, more affordable energy costs for consumers and reduction of pollution from the gases.The research, which has been ongoing in some form at WMU for six years, recently got a boost of $350,000 from federal stimulus funds.Most of the money comes from the U.S. Department of Energy and the University of Illinois, which is studying four states for their suitability to store the greenhouse gas or CO2. Together, they contributed $306,000. The remaining $44,000 comes from the Department of Energy and Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative Inc., a nonprofit member-owned utility in Cadillac and is being used for engineering design and cost estimates for the capture of 1,000 metric tons of CO2 per day from a proposed power plant in Rogers City, MI.In science-speak, what WMU is doing is carbon capture and geological carbon sequestration research. In layman's terms, they are looking at deep geological formations underground in Michigan to figure out if they could be used to store captured carbon gases.Dr.David A. Barnes, professor of geosciences at WMU, is the principal investigator on the two research projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009."Fossil energy has been fundamentally responsible for development in modern industrialized societies, but the associated greenhouse gas emissions are seriously threatening our environment," Barnes says. "The capture and deep geological storage of greenhouse gas emissions provide a critical bridging technology as we move, as aggressively as possible, to renewable energy technologies."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: David A. Barnes

Local company’s parts help build soccer-playing robots

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Economic Development

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March 18, 2010

High school students around the world are building competition robots with parts provided by Parker Hannifen in Otsego.Parker Hannifin donated brass fittings and valves — a contribution valued at between $10,000 and $50,000 — in the kit of 577 items given to teams of robot builders as part of the competition, which combines science, technology and a sporting event. A variety of companies provided part for the kits used in US FIRST — United States Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology - competitions worldwide.US FIRST was founded in 1989 to inspire young people's interest and participation in science and technology.As part of the FIRST Robotic Competition, teams of high school studentsreceive motors, batteries, a control system, a PC and a mix ofautomative components. No instructions on how to assemble a robot areincluded. Instead, teams work with mentors to build, design, programand test their robots over a six-week period. The goal of the competition is to put the latest technology in the hands of students, give them the opportunity to use the same tools as professional scientists and engineers and ultimately impart skills they could carry into the workplaceThe robot-building kits were distributed to more than 1,800 teams of high-school students in January. More than 45,000 students from 12 countries will design and build robots for regional competitions, which are now underway. The world championship is scheduled for April 15-17 in Atlanta. Participants are eligible to apply for nearly $12 million in scholarships offered by universities, colleges, and companies.This year's competition is called Breakaway and it calls for robots that can shoot soccer balls into a net, drive over a bump to round up soccer balls,and hang suspended from a tower. Robots that can hang from another robot earn extra points for their team.Paul R. Gudonis, of FIRST, praised Parker Hannifen for its contribution, saying the Fluid System Connectors Division has helped "to create a world where science and technology are celebrated… where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders."Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Paul R. Gudonis

Portage cheers $204,700 grant to improve city buildings

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Economic Development

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March 18, 2010

A number of projects meant to make Portage city facilities more energy-efficient are under way thanks to a $204,700 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.Thegrant comes from dollars set aside in the American Reinvestment andRecovery Act and will create additional jobs as work is done on fourseparate city buildings.City Hall will receive HVAC upgrades, window replacement, insulation and general weatherization. ThePortage Senior Center will also undergo similar work while the city'sPublic Services building will have its lighting upgraded.Fire Station No. 2 on Oakland Drive gets its boiler replaced and have a radiant heat system installed.The improvements could save the City of Portage $10,000 annually on energy bills.Writer: Kim North ShineSource: Devin Mackinder, CIO/IT Director City of Portage

More snowmobilers, more business

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Economic Development

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March 18, 2010

South Haven's downtown businesses are feeling warmed by a snowmobile-driven boost.

Portage residents say keep it up

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Economic Development

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March 18, 2010

Portage residents love their bikeway and trails system.They also think their parks are pretty great and they really dig the city's recycling program.So says 90-plus percent of residents responding to the annual city survey.Results of the the 24th Annual Citizen Survey let the city know what's important to residents each year.In 2010 it's quality of life, economic development, roads and neighborhoods, to name a few.Asked about the city services they receive, 85 percent gave a thumbs up. Economic development got a less enthusiastic 65 percent approval for the city's efforts to promote itself to business.The survey was conducted by mail by the Kercher Center at Western Michigan University.The City Council is listening and has made economic development, quality of life and infrastructure improvements, among other initiatives, priorities for 2010.Writer: Kim North ShineSource: City of Portage

Wind-turbine technician academy ready for second go round

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Economic Development

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March 11, 2010

If you can function in tight quarters and work at great heights Kalamazoo Valley Community College's unique wind-turbine technician academy is looking for you.Applications are being accepted for the second 26-week program slated to begin June 1.The academy has 16 openings for students this year and the program is growing with funding from the federal government and instruction opportunities from a private donor.The federal government, through the United States Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education, kicked in $550,000. KVCC is awaiting word on how it will be able to spend the money on the program.A new opportunity for hands-on-experience comes from Crystal Flash Renewable Energy, of Grand Rapids. Academy trainees will work under the supervision of professional wind-turbine technicians, climbing the tower with them to learn preventive and corrective maintenance."This represents a way for us to invest in the future of the industry," says Martin Hamilton, of Crystal Flash Renewable Energy.The academy can be completed in six months, making the program attractive to retraining workers. The program also provides graduates with the credentials that are highly sought after by the wind-power industry for the construction, operation and maintenance of utility-size wind turbines, according to Cindy Buckley, executive director of training.KVCC's wind-technician academy is certified by the leading trainer for wind-turbine technicians across Europe and Asia — Bildungszentrum fur Erneuerebare Energien (BZEE). (That's "Renewable Energy Education Center" in English.) The certification makes academy graduates that much more attractive to employers.Companies already are contacting KVCC to find out how they can meet the academies graduates, Buckley says."The projection is that between 1,500 and 2,400 new technicians are needed annually to support the growing wind-energy industry," Buckley says. "Starting wages range from $14 to $21 per hour."Applications to the wind-turbine technician academy are accepted throughout the year. Qualified applicants who do not get into the June 1 class will be placed on the waiting list for training that begins in December. A math test, results of a medical exam and documentation work experience in technical fields are part of the screening process. Writer: Kathy Jennings Source: Cindy Buckley, KVCC

Six donations bring $2.5 million to cancer center

By Kathy Jennings

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Economic Development

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March 11, 2010

Lakeland HealthCare in St. Joseph hopes to raise $4.5 million for a new outpatient clinic. It's already more than halfway there. Lakeland anticipates breaking ground April 11 on the two-story, 30,000-square-foot building that will connect to the existing Center for Outpatient Services. When complete, the capital campaign would cover a third of the cost of $13.5 million cancer care center.A $1 million donation made in the name of Marie Yeager, an oncology nurse who died in 2008, is the largest to the hospital system's capital campaign. The Frederick S. Upton Foundation has pledged $400,000.Marie Yeager cared for patients as an oncology nurse at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. Her husband, Tom, is a member of Lakeland HealthCare's Board of Directors. "We are immensely grateful for the Yeager family's generous support for this project," said Bill Johnson, President of the Lakeland Health Foundations. "Lakeland is honored to name the new cancer center after Marie. It is a fitting legacy for someone who exemplified Lakeland's mission of putting the patient first." The Marie Yeager Cancer Center Lakeland Health Park in Royalton Township will provide a full range of oncology services.The opening date for the regional cancer center is projected to be the fall of 2011.Writer: Kathy JenningsSource: Lakeland Health Center

$250K invested in RealBio Technology Inc. of Kalamazoo

By Kim North Shine

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Economic Development

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March 11, 2010

Research into cell and tissue culture technology got a boost when the Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center at Western Michigan University invested $250,000 in Kalamazoo-based RealBio Technology Inc.RealBio, founded in 2009, has three full-time employees and six part-time employees working at its headquarters at the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center at Western Michigan University.BRCC invests in growing early stage companies in Michigan and is located in the Western Michigan University Business Technology and Research Park. RealBio is commercializing cell and tissue growth systems and developing a new generation of three-dimensional cell culture technology, which is exclusively licensed by the company. It has a patent pending.The RealBio Culture System enables researchers to study the growth of human primary cells and tissues over a long period of time. It also will allow access to a steady supply of stem cells for research purposes and for the formation of human tissue for in-vitro toxicology.RealBio President and CEO Paul Neeb says this is the first phase of funding in building toward the release of RealBio's cell and tissue collection tools, and that another half-dozen or so employees will be hired within the next year as the product comes to market.RealBio is part of the Southwest Michigan First Life Sciences Fund portfolio and has received financial and logistical support from the fund as part of a regional effort to foster further medical research, generate jobs, stimulate economic development and create wealth in Southwest Michigan. Writer: Kim North Shine Source: Southwest Michigan First