Ann Arbor SPARK helps create 628 jobs, retain 1,135 more

Ann Arbor SPARK is parading around some impressive job-creation numbers after its annual meeting last week. Among the statistics it is reporting are that the 63 companies is has worked with over the last year have: – Created 628 new jobs. – Retained 1,135 jobs. – Invested $148 million in the region's economy. Those jobs and investment are not from Ann Arbor SPARK's work with start-ups. Those numbers come from its work with established companies making multi-million-dollar investments in the region, such as Hyundia's $50 million investment to create 50 engineering jobs in Superior Township or Barracuda Networks move into the former Borders store in downtown Ann Arbor. "They (Barracuda Networks) are hiring at a pretty rapid rate," says Paul Krutko, president & CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. "This is a project that will create as many as 200 jobs." The annual meeting also gave out three awards to local entrepreneurs and businesses. Those include: Bhushan Kulkarni, chairman of GDI Infotech and CEO InfoReady Corp, won the Volunteer Leader of the Year award, which recognizes his passion for economic development and efforts to grow the local economy. Faurecia, an automotive supplier, received the Project of the Year for its new Saline facility. Compendia Bioscience, acquired last year by Life Technologies, won entrepreneurial company of the year for its use of Ann Arbor SPARK’s services to grow from start-up to successful exit. Source: Paul Krutko, president & CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.