2010 – Page 34 of 78

Barracuda Networks seeks 10 new staffers for Ann Arbor office

By Newsroom

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June 23, 2010

Barracuda Networks' goal is to employ 185 people at its Ann Arbor office by 2013. A year ahead of schedule, the California-based firm is just about halfway there.As the result of a deal the company made with the state in 2008 to create nearly 200 Internet-based jobs for a $1.4 million tax credit, today it employs about 90 people in Ann Arbor. With 10 job openings to fill, the company is hosting a career fair on Thursday at its offices on the near north side of Ann Arbor."We're hiring at least a person a week right now," says Sean Heiney, director of new product initiatives at Barracuda Networks. "We've had very aggressive growth year after year. We have to find the best talent, and Ann Arbor has turned into a major R&D center for us."Barracuda Networks creates e-mail and Internet security applications. The research and development of those products is done in its Ann Arbor office, which is nearly full. The company is looking for fresh graduates with computer science degrees or web software developers, quality assurance engineers, IT staff, and tech support and sales staff. For information on the job openings, click here.Source: Sean Heiney, director of new product initiatives at Barracuda NetworksWriter: Jon Zemke

Accent Reduction Institute plans to hire 4 instructors

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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June 23, 2010

Judy Ravin wants to break down the language barrier between people who actually speak the same language. Sounds funny, but it's meant success for her five-year-old business - Accent Reduction Institute.The Ann Arbor-based company focuses on accent reduction, enabling people who speak the same language to more easily understand each other. The firm has four full-time employees, 10 instructors, and two interns, who help bridge the language barrier of people who come here, play by the rules, learn the language, and still can't understand bumpkin or a Brooklyn accent."There is almost nothing available to our workforce," says Ravin, president and founder of Accent Reduction Institute. "I thought, 'Wow. We have a lot of people who are trying to contribute, who work in the global economy and there is nothing to help them."And this service is increasingly in demand. Ravin has added three instructors since 2007 and plans to add four more by the end of the third quarter. They are trained to help people listen through accents and minimize their own for easier communication."It's not to eliminate an accent," Ravin says. "It's to eliminate a language barrier but maintain people's identity."Source: Judy Ravin, president and founder of Accent Reduction InstituteWriter: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor SPARK joins regional economic development initiative

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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June 23, 2010

Ann Arbor SPARK has become one of the Big Four business accelerators in Metro Detroit, now that it is a founding member of the new Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, a regional collaborative to foster local entrepreneurs and start-ups.Ann Arbor SPARK will partner with Automation Alley, Macomb OU INCubator and TechTown. The four organizations will share best practices, host events, foster business plan development, and leverage funding with the help of a $3 million grant over three years from the New Economy Initiative."I think this will be one of the most catalytic events in southeast Michigan," says David Egner, executive director for the New Economy Initiative. He adds that for the region to be great, "We need to embrace the notion that we need to grow our own."Growing its own and working regionally is nothing new to Ann Arbor SPARK. The business accelerator has made a name for itself nationally as a successful incubator for start-ups rooted in the new economy. It also operates a small business incubator in Wayne County. However, its leadership has the state of the region on its mind and doesn't want to rest on its laurels in its own little fiefdom. It wants to help that rising tide raise its boat and its neighbor's boat."We understand the need to be a regional resource," says Mike Finney, executive director of Ann Arbor SPARK.The business accelerators have invested $18 million in 339 start-up companies that have created more than 1,000 jobs. They have also helped secure more than $101.2 million in additional capital for local companies. Source: Mike Finney, executive director of Ann Arbor SPARK and David Egner, executive director for the New Economy InitiativeWriter: Jon Zemke

Chicago Tribune samples Domino’s Pizza’s success

By Newsroom

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Healthy Communities

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June 23, 2010

Bucking conventional wisdom, Domino's Pizza has learned that a little self-deprecation goes a long way. Poking fun (and correcting) of their poor-tasting core product has paid them some big dividends .Excerpt:ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In the test kitchen at the corporate headquarters for Domino's Pizza Inc., a chef dressed in a starched white coat was going through the familiar motions: Sauce on crust, cheese on sauce, pepperoni on cheese, then bake.But this pizza's different, as it has been in Domino's stores across the U.S. since late December. The 9,000-unit chain took a big chance, not only reformulating its signature product for the American market but also disparaging its long-standing recipe in a straight-talk marketing campaign.The old crust? "Cardboard," the company admitted in its ads. The old sauce? "Ketchup." The staff? Weary of customers trashing the food.Read the rest of the story here.

Xconomy takes a close look at U-M’s Wolverine Venture Fund

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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June 23, 2010

Business students at the University of Michigan aren't making venture capital investments with monopoly money. They have millions of dollars at their disposal and they're making some smart investments in local start-ups.Excerpt:Tom Kinnear says he is a great "theoretical golfer." It is the implementation that is lacking.In the same way, business students who learn how venture capital works without ever investing real money in real companies may be at a disadvantage, Kinnear says. That's why, 11 years ago, Kinnear and colleagues at the University of Michigan's business school launched the Wolverine Venture Fund, what he calls the country's first student-led venture capital initiative."The way I look at it is you can theoretically teach how to do this, which is interesting, but it's like an athlete being theoretically taught how to play a sport. You've really got to play the sport. So, this is the playing of the sport," says Kinnear, who is executive director of the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and managing director of the Wolverine Venture Fund.Read the rest of the story here.

U-M moves forward with $56M Alice Lloyd dorm renovation

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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June 23, 2010

Alice Lloyd Hall, home to about 560 University of Michigan students, is about to undergo a "deep renovation" to the tune of $56 million. The 176,000-square-foot building, built in 1949, will get an update of plumbing, heating, cooking, ventilation, fire detection and suppression systems, bath facilities, and accessibility. Among the improvements will be high-speed wired and wireless Internet access. Helping to free up space in the residence hall for academic studies, dance and music practice rooms, and common areas was the reuse of what had been a dining area, now obsolete with the construction of the Hill Dining Center. "New and reorganized spaces within the facility will revitalize the old residence hall and create much needed spaces," says a university document. Funding for the project will be provided from housing resources. Architectural firm Integrated Design Solutions will design the project. Design is scheduled to begin immediately. Source: University of Michigan Writer: Kristin Lukowski

Ypsilanti Freighthouse digs deep during first phase of renovations

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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June 23, 2010

Construction on the Ypsilanti Freighthouse is in full swing, new roofs and deeper foundation included. Ed Penet, chair of the building committee for Friends of Ypsilanti Freighthouse, says the first phase of construction has involved building a steel I-beam and cement ribcage to strengthen the inside of the building, some unexpected repairs to the roof structure, and digging a deeper foundation, restoring foundation stone, and removing all the dirt that came with it. Yet, "Everyone has been working together very well," he adds. "We're going to need some time to finish, but progress is being made." Phase two will include outside work, such as building a deck; he hopes to see that finished by fall. That doesn't mean the Freighthouse cafe will be open for business right away, though. Winter or spring is a more realistic target date."Hopefully, we'll tie that in to when the commuter rail starts," he says, referring to the proposed Detroit-Ann Arbor commuter train line. And, just like from 1850-1880, "It's going to open up Ypsilanti as a regional center."Penet attributes a lot of the Freighthouse's support to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, which has been raising money for contingency funds to cover the unexpected costs that have been popping up during the restoration of the 6,500-square-foot structure. "It's a historical building," he says. "Everything has to be run through Lansing to be sure it's up to historical standards."The total budget is more than a million dollars, but grants from the foundation have covered about half the costs. "We're more than halfway there," Penet says. "We're forging ahead."Source: Ed Penet, chair of the building committee for Friends of Ypsilanti FreighthouseWriter: Kristin Lukowski

Ann Arbor adds more solar panels to Vets Park, Fire Station 6

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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June 23, 2010

The sun will be shining in the city of Ann Arbor over the next few months. Andrew Brix, energy programs manager for the city of Ann Arbor, says two more projects are lined up for this summer, in addition to the city's three outdoor pools being heated with solar energy. As a part of the Solar America Cities grant, Veteran's Pool's solar shade structure will have installed photovoltaic panels, the power from which will be fed into the building to contribute to electricity use. The other project is two in one: Fire Station 6, near Briarwood Mall, will have a new solar hot water system and a photovoltaic system for providing solar electric. "We don't have that many opportunities to use hot water in city facilities," he says. "At the fire station, with the crew living there, there's plenty of hot water use for showers and washing equipment and things like that."Among the things to be considered when installing solar panels, Brix says, is whether the site has a good view of the sun, and if there is any opportunity for educating others, which is the case at both the fire station and the pool. "It is very exciting to have these opportunities to demonstrate any viable, renewable energy technology," he adds. Source Andrew Brix, energy programs manager for the city of Ann Arbor Writer: Kristin Lukowski

The Young & Entrepreneurial: David Merritt

By Jon Zemke

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General

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June 23, 2010

Optimism, entrepreneurship, and community service. If someone could bottle David Merritt's drive they'd make a whole lotta money. From co-captain of U-M's basketball team to a budding captain of industry, Merritt has made Ann Arbor his home and inspiration his business. Jon Zemke chats with the can-do founder of IMU clothing company to find out what makes him tick.

Video Lunch You Can Dance To

By Keith Jefferies

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Arts and Culture

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June 16, 2010

What would summer be without street fairs and music in the park? But with so much oriented toward bringing people into Ann Arbor, sometimes it's nice to have something specifically for the locals. Not only does Sonic Lunch deliver 12 weeks of free noon-time concerts to downtown, the president of Bank of Ann Arbor actually helps pick the bands.