Tough economy, layoffs increase interest in entrepreneurship in Ann Arbor

It appears that when people lose their jobs, many of them just go out and create their own.Excerpt:The perceived risk in joining a small company or starting your own business is rapidly shrinking in Michigan as many large corporations - where job security was long-assumed- are laying off workers in the thousands.The shift appears to be closing the gap between the uncertainty of starting a company and loss of stability in corporate positions.As a result, today's economic climate could boost Michigan's entrepreneurial ambitions even as the unemployment rate ticks up to 10.6 percent.Read the rest of the story here.

A new view of Ann Arbor: ‘Gown and Town’ Tour’ aimed at economic development

Economic growth in Ann Arbor requires a little bit of town and gown to take place.Excerpt:Even though the economy is in recession, some say Ann Arbor is perfectly positioned to grow and prosper once things turn around. Soon you can hop on a bus and see why.The three-hour tours cost $60 and include lunch at Zingerman's Delicatessen. Local business owners Sean Duval of Golden Limousine Inc. and Peter Allen of Peter Allen & Associates have teamed up with Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce President Jesse Bernstein to launch economic development bus tours, tentatively dubbed "The Gown and Town Tour of Ann Arbor."The tours are geared toward local business leaders and people who may be thinking about locating their company here. They're modeled after the bus tours that real estate developer Allen has given for nearly 20 years for the Ann Arbor chamber's Leadership Ann Arbor program."There are too many things happening in this town that people should know and don't," Allen said. "We are going to grow in the next economic cycle."Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor businessman poised to lead state Republicans

One of Ann Arbor’s own is set to take the reigns of Michigan’s Grand Old Party.Excerpt:Ann Arbor businessman and former ambassador Ron Weiser has a clear path to the Michigan Republican Party chairmanship, following Tuesday's withdrawal from the contest by his last challenger, former state Rep. Jack Hoogendyk.Hoogendyk, an unsuccessful challenger to U.S. Sen. Carl Levin last year, said in an e-mail to supporters: "I am writing today to announce my decision to withdraw from the race for party chairman. This comes after a great deal of careful consideration and discussion with close friends and family."I congratulate Ron Weiser for his strong and successful campaign. I wish him well in his new role as chairman and pledge to do what I can to help strengthen the party and deliver victory in 2010."Read the rest of the story here.

Stem cell expert: Proposal 2 will bring new opportunities to the University of Michigan

Stem cells are a hot topic of conversation in southeast Michigan, but this time its all about what kind of economic development opportunities they will create.Excerpt:One of the world's leading experts on human embryonic stem cell research says Michigan's newly relaxed climate for the cutting-edge work will lead to new scientific opportunities at the University of Michigan."I think it's a very important step," said Benjamin Reubinoff, a professor at Hadassah Hospital in Israel, in an interview after lecturing at U-M Wednesday. "I think it will really open new horizons for our collaboration with Michigan."Read the rest of the story here.

MASTERMIND: Britten Stringwell

Britten Stringwell sees a real hunger for artistic connection in Ann Arbor. The 25 year-old fashion designer and artist has immersed herself in the creative cultures of some of America's most progressive cities, and brought back ideas about how to build a creative community here. The result? The Yellow Barn. Never heard of it? Read on... 

Border2Border

Imagine commuting by bike between Ypsi and Ann Arbor, along an idyllic trail, no motor vehicles in sight. How about Dexter? Or beyond? The Border To Border Trail is nearly that route. Almost 60% complete, this ambitious multi-use thoroughfare could offer more than just a nice ride along the river, it could become an alternative mode of transportation.

Ann Arbor’s Cobblestone Farm gets new floor with renovation

Ann Arbor's Historic Cobblestone Farm is getting a new floor but staying the same height.The Ann Arbor Parks & Recreation Department is installing a new floor in Buhr Park's signature barn off Eisenhower Road. Gone is the old pine floor that had worn down to practically nothing, according to city officials."We're just tearing out the old floor and putting a new one in," says Jessica Black, Special Events Coordinator and Facility Supervisor for the farm. The project is expected to take the rest of the month to complete. In the mean time Park & Recreation Dept.'s Customer Service Center is holding up in a temporary space elsewhere in Buhr Park.Source: Jessica Black Special Events Coordinator and Facility Supervisor for Ann Arbor's Historic Cobblestone FarmWriter: Jon Zemke

Co-op units become condos at Ann Arbor’s The Village

One of Ann Arbor's few cooperative developments is going condo.The Village has been a co-op since it was built in the mid 20th Century. That changed after 314 of the 378 co-op owners on the city's east side voted to switch to a condo format.Co-ops generally act as one large union of residents in a development and operate under as a non-profit. Co-op dues pay for everything from taxes to improvements, which means monthly dues are typically higher than condo associations, which generally only handle upkeep of the property.Condos are far more common than co-ops in Michigan. Co-ops are normally found in larger cities, such as New York.Source: The VillageWriter: Jon Zemke

Developer wants to expand Wintermeyer office building in Ann Arbor