Kalamazoo’s innovation ideas spread across country

Charlotte, N.C., is looking ahead and trying to sort out what’s next for the city that for so long has been built on banking.

It’s looking to Kalamazoo economic development successes, among others, for some ideas, reports the Charlotte Observer.

Excerpt:

Ron Kitchens, the economic development leader in Kalamazoo, said his agency’s top priority after the Pfizer layoffs was to keep the talent in town, not to pursue any new replacement company. His agency, Southwest Michigan First, quickly deployed after the layoffs were announced, urging scientists to launch their own companies, opening a business incubator within weeks, and helping with everything from writing business plans to buying office furniture.

Andy Levine, president of economic development marketing agency Development Counsellors International, said Kalamazoo took the right tack in filling an economic hole. “I have observed very few cities that were successful by replacing Company A with Company B,” Levine said. “Much better to have 20 companies with 100 jobs (each) than one company with 2,000 jobs.

For other cities providing inspiration for leaders in Charlotte, read the rest of the story.

Source: Charlotte Observer