Innovation News

Pierrette Widmeyer, Merit Network director of communications.

“Michigan Moonshot” seeks to reduce rural academic disparity by expanding broadband access

Ann Arbor-based Merit Network is a partner in the new initiative, which seeks to study broadband internet access issues for Michigan K-12 students and then identify funding to address broadband gaps.

Latest in Innovation News
A crowd gathered outside the Michigan Theater on Awards Night for the Ann Arbor Film Festival, heralded by Bitch, Thunder, an all-female party drum line from Toledo, Ohio.
Ann Arbor Film Festival named North America’s No. 1 film fest in public poll

Festival director Leslie Raymond says it was inspiring and surprising to see the festival ranked so highly, given its relatively small size and experimental focus.

A still from "Fest," one of the Ottawa Animation Festival films that will screen in Ypsilanti.
Local filmmakers bring “best of” international animation festival to Ypsi

Highlights from the Ottawa Animation Festival will screen April 19 at Riverside Arts Center, and organizers say they're "testing the waters" for bringing other film events to Ypsi.

Cardboard to be recycled outside WWRA's office.
Recycling program recognized for unique efforts in western Washtenaw County

The Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority, a nonprofit public recycling program serving numerous communities on the county's west side, has received an environmental excellence award.

A screenshot of Microsoft's Wild Me software for endangered species identification.
Ann Arbor software companies and Microsoft team up to save the planet with AI

Two Ann Arbor companies are sponsoring an upcoming Earth Day event aimed at bringing environmentalists and AI professionals together to solve environmental issues. 

Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living logo.
Center for Independent Living launches free business incubator for women of color

The EmpowerYou program is designed to help asset-limited and income-constrained women of color who have entrepreneurial aspirations. 

A Food Gatherers staffer sets up for a mobile food distribution.
Food Gatherers hosts special event to celebrate 30th anniversary and raise food insecurity awareness

Legislators and many of Food Gatherers' 150 nonprofit partners will be present for the event, which aims to deepen understanding of hunger's ongoing impact in Washtenaw County.

Ypsilanti Community High School.
Ypsilanti Community Schools seek community input on new busing system

Responding to a variety of busing problems, the district has recently leased a number of new buses and is seeking a new contractor to provide bus drivers.

Participants at last year's Ann Arbor Discovery Trek.
New event offers college students “speed-dating” opportunity with local tech companies

Ann Arbor SPARK will provide 120 local college students an opportunity to network with local technology companies through the new A2 Student Trek.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell with A2Y Chamber business development and membership director Rosalind Vaughn at last year's Ypsi Proud cleanup day.
A2Y Chamber seeks community input on future of Ypsi Community Cleanup Day

The event, formerly known as Ypsilanti PRIDE or Ypsi Proud, is being scaled back this year while the chamber invites community input on all aspects of the event for a 2020 revamp.

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