2009 – Page 47 of 98

Michigan Universities boost commercialization, create entrepreneurs

By Newsroom

●

July 1, 2009

Further proof that Michigan’s universities --especially, ahem, U-M-- will play a key role in reinventing the state’s economy.Excerpt:?A program to help Michigan’s public universities create new entrepreneurs and speed commercialization of research is finding success just one year after making its first grants to universities around the state, officials from the Michigan Initiative for Innovation and Entrepreneurship consortium, and researchers said Wednesday at a news conference at the State Capitol."MIIE is having a tremendous impact at universities who have research projects that require additional funding to move them toward commercialization,” said Marvin Parnes, Associate Vice President for Research and Executive Director of Research Administration, University of Michigan. “Our efforts have allowed important research projects continue that could one day create much-needed jobs and companies in Michigan.”Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor Greenbelt brings Webster Township acreage into its fold

By Newsroom

●

Development News

●

July 1, 2009

Webster Township and Ann Arbor are working together to bring two large farms under the umbrella of Ann Arbor’s Greenbelt.The two municipalities are purchasing the development rights to the Smyth and Merkel farms in Webster Township. They are taking advantage of Webster Township millage funds, Ann Arbor Greenbelt monies and grants from the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service Farm and Ranchland Protection Program.When its all said and done another 247 acres adjacent to each other on Zeeb Road will be added to the Ann Arbor Greenbelt. The Smyth Farm accounts for 100 acres while the Merkel farm brings another 147 acres to the table. These farms join more than 1,000 acres protected by the Greenbelt and hundreds of acres of farmland protected in Webster Township thanks to land preservation millages. Source: City of Ann ArborWriter: Jon Zemke

Downtown Ann Arbor goes artistic with new bike racks

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

July 1, 2009

Scratching your head over the "Art" hoops appearing throughout downtown Ann Arbor. No idea what they are, where they’re coming from or who’s paying for them.Here's the short of it. They're bike racks coming from the Ann Arbor Art Center and paid for by the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. They are commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Ann Arbor Art Center and the 50th birthday of the Ann Arbor Art Fair this year.The "Art" in the middle of them is taken from the Ann Arbor Art Center's logo. They are also sponsored by local businesses and people who have a plaque placed at the base of the art hoops. "One couple bought one to celebrate where they first met," says Marsha Chamberlin, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art CenterThe art hoops cost $350 a piece. Regular bike-rack hoops cost $300 a piece.Source: Marsha Chamberlin, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art CenterWriter: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor Art Center nearly done with renovations, expansion

By Newsroom

●

Arts & Culture

●

July 1, 2009

The Ann Arbor Art Center is getting ready to paint the last brush strokes on its newly expanded home in downtown Ann Arbor.The Art Center recently sold its space on Felch Street just outside downtown. That moved allowed it to revamp and expand its space on Liberty Street near downtown. The center reclaimed some space it was leasing out and is putting its ceramic and jewelry studios in the building's 8,000 square feet. Work is expected to wrap up by the end of this month."One of the efforts was to redo the interior space to use it more efficiently," says Marsha Chamberlin, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art Center. "We also wanted to make it more open to the public."The 3-store building opened in 1886 as the Walker Carriage Works, making buggies. It later became a furniture store and funeral home where it made both wood furniture and coffins. It then served as part of Sears storefronts in downtown for years before it became the Ann Arbor Art Center's home.Source: Marsha Chamberlin, president and CEO of the Ann Arbor Art CenterWriter: Jon Zemke

Pioneer HS undergoes major construction this summer

By Newsroom

●

Community Development

●

July 1, 2009

Ann Arbor Public Schools is remaking the city's oldest high school this summer. Pioneer High School is in the midst of a $12.5 million renovation that promises to remake the school district's biggest high school.Among the work that is being done is the turning the East Wing of the school into the Recreation and Education space. Gone will be eight portable classrooms on the Seventh Street side of the school and what was one the old East Wing classrooms.The school district is also expanding the cafeteria, decentralizing administration and department offices and renovating or building new Math Department office, ceramic room, pool, banquent home and choir room Ann Arbor Pioneer opened in the early 1950s on a huge parcel of land bordered by Seventh Street, Stadium Boulevard, Main Street and Scio Church Street. It has been renovated and added on a number of times since then. It has been 20 years since the last major renovation. The opening of Skyline High School allowed the school district to redevelop Pioneer High School.Source: Liz Margolis, director of communications for Ann Arbor Public SchoolsWriter: Jon Zemke

Summer festivals keep downtown Ann Arbor vibrant sans students

By Newsroom

●

Development News

●

July 1, 2009

Students and staff from the University of Michigan keep the night life bumping and shopping vibrant in downtown for nine months. Once the summer rolls around and most of that population leaves town, downtown Ann Arbor does what it does best to maintain its vibrancy - throw a party.A combination of the famous Ann Arbor Art Fair and a number of other festivals and events keep people walking through downtown’s streets and in its stores throughout the summer. So much so that Art Fair is seen as almost a week of Black Fridays for downtown businesses."Those four days in July carry us through to the fall," says Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. "It's vitally important to supporting our downtown."The numbers on Art Fair’s economic impact aren't readily available, but it could be huge considering what the Ann Arbor Summer Festival does each summer. The festivities formerly known as Top of the Park bring in seven figures of economic impact to downtown. Just as importantly, the event reminds area visitors of why A2's downtown is worth the trip in, filling its restaurants, bars and cafes on weekends. The Summer Festival attracted 60,000 people over 3.5 weeks, bringing about $1 million in business to downtown in 2007. The festival’s $1.5 million budget employs 200-300 people and pays about 50 bands each year. About 65 percent of that budget comes from ticket sales and concessions. The rest is from a combination of donations, corporate sponsorships and grants from the city and University of Michigan.Source: Susan Pollay, executive director of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority and Robb Woulfe, executive director of the Ann Arbor Summer FestivalWriter: Jon Zemke

Workantile Exchange opens up in downtown Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

●

Community Development

●

July 1, 2009

If the Workantile Exchange had a slogan it would be that "New ideas happen in old spaces."The new co-working space in downtown Ann Arbor is bringing an old storefront back to its late 19th Century splendor as a place for new economy start-ups and entrepreneurs to focus on reinventing business."It's a place for free agents or independent contractors," says Mike Kessler, co-owner of Workantile Exchange. "For $100 a month they get access to facilities that are conducive to getting work done."Those work facilities include two conference rooms, a kitchenette, a phone room, a loft area for training and even a cafe space. The coffee shop part is in the front of the space on 118 S Main St., the old Arcadian Antiques space.Kessler and his partners returned the 3,000 square feet of space to is late 1800s feel. They brought back the original ceiling and exposed the brick walls.It's working so far. The Workantile Exchange has attracted 40 members, averaging 2-3 a day since opening in May. It hopes to reach 150 members within its first year. Source: Mike Kessler, co-owner of Workantile ExchangeWriter: Jon Zemke

A Place Geeks Can Call Home

By Constance Crump

●

Economic Development

●

July 1, 2009

Sometimes you need more than just a SPARK. If Ann Arbor wants to compete on the national tech stage it needs to do a better job of developing its geek culture. Enter Tech Brewery and the Workantile Exchange, a pair of private, entrepreneurial hothouses. These two co-working spaces are at the center of a growing geek movement that believes that united, techies stand, divided, they fall.

MASTERMIND: Aubrey Martinson

By Amy Whitesall

●

Economic Development

●

July 1, 2009

When political leaders talk about getting Millennials to invest in Michigan's future, they're talking about people like Aubrey Martinson. The 30-year-old executive director of the Chelsea Center for the Arts not only brings fresh ideas and perspective to her job, she's proof positive that keeping our young creative talent is not only good for the community, it's good for the bottom line.

Concentrate Takes A Holiday

By Jeff Meyers

●

General

●

July 1, 2009

In celebration of the Fourth, the Concentrate staff will be indulging in some hard-earned R and R. But fear not, we'll be back July 15th with more tales of growth, innovation, sustainability & entrepreneurship from the front lines of Ann Arbor's new economy.