Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor’s fertilizer ban shown to improve health of Huron River

The reality-based world once again shows that a change in human behavior can improve the environment. Case in point: Ann Arbor's ban of lawn fertilizers and the a healthier Huron River.Excerpt: But do the ordinances really help reduce phosphorus pollution? That's been an open question until now, says John Lehman, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Michigan. "It's one of those things where political organizations take the action because they believe it's the environmentally conscious thing to do, but there's been no evidence offered in peer-reviewed literature that these ordinances actually have a salutary effect," Lehman said. Now, such evidence exists in a study published by Lehman and students Douglas Bell and Kahli McDonald in the journal Lake and Reservoir Management. The paper, published online Aug. 14, shows that phosphorus levels in the Huron River dropped an average of 28 percent after Ann Arbor adopted an ordinance in 2006 that curtailed the use of phosphorus on lawns. Phosphorus is naturally plentiful in southeast Michigan soils, so fertilizing established lawns with the nutrient is generally unnecessary.Read the rest of the story here.

Work wraps up at U-M’s East Quad in time for new school year

University of Michigan students will not only be able to live in East Quad this fall, but perform there, too.The university recently finished a $2.1 million renovation project on a smallish auditorium in the historic dorm at the intersection of East University and Hill streets. The 11,300-square-foot auditorium was originally built in 1970. The intent was for students to use it for musical, poetry and theatrical performances. The project improved the facility's technology, lighting, stage, seats and architectural finishes. A vertical lift and second fire exit were also added to make the auditorium compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and safety codes. The renovation of Stockwell began last year as part of U-M's Residential Life Initiatives, which is revitalizing and expanding student-living options on campus. Source: Peter Logan, director of communications for university housing at the University of Michigan  Writer: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor reaps windfall of investment for battery technologies

Advanced batteries for cars might scream Detroit but they mean big investment (and jobs) for Ann Arbor.Excerpt:The auto industry’s rapid embrace of lithium-ion batteries for future electric vehicles is fueling an oasis of investment for Ann Arbor in the midst of the economic desert that’s drying opportunity in Michigan.Ann Arbor’s scientific contributions to the battery development race are evident in the success of researchers and business executives in landing enormous amounts of government funding and private capital to accelerate the technology.A123Systems, a startup with strong ties to Ann Arbor, received $249.1 million in grant funding through the federal stimulus package in an announcement Aug. 5 in Detroit. The announcement was coupled with additional grants totaling some $2.4 billion, including more than $1 billion for Michigan operations.Read the rest of the story here.

Redesign brings new life to the old Ann Arbor Art Center

The Ann Arbor Art Center ain't what it used to be, and that's a good thing.Excerpt:If you’ve strolled by the Ann Arbor Art Center lately, you've seen major changes to the building’s design. A peek in the windows on Liberty or the Ashley Street side allows passersby to watch students taking art classes or artists working away on pottery in the center’s ceramic studio spaces. Perhaps you’ve wandered into the gallery shop through the newly opened back door or noticed kids filing in and out of summer camp.You may have even popped in to ask — when did the Art Center start doing all this stuff? Read the rest of the story here.

Ann Arbor’s ProQuest doubles in size

The company that is ProQuest today hasn't changed its business philosophy since it was started in Ann Arbor 71 years ago.Back then the company focused on commercializing microfilm. Today it focuses on offering specialized information --journal articles, dissertations and newspaper stories (it has agreements with The Detroit News and Free Press)-- electronically. They sell it to researchers at every level, from grade school to commercial."The last two years we have grown substantially," says Elliot Forsyth, senior vice president of human resources for ProQuest. "We have literally doubled in size. A lot of that has been through acquisitions and strategic investments back in the business."Today the company employs 1,700 around the world, including 550 in Ann Arbor. It has been sold a couple of times over, including to the likes of Xerox, before becoming a subsidiary of the Cambridge Information Group two years ago.The company plans to streamline its business so it can offer one-stop shopping options to its customers. It is also looking at some strategic acquisitions or partnerships in the near future."We will still continue to grow," Forsyth says.Source: Elliot Forsyth, senior vice president of human resources for ProQuestWriter: Jon Zemke

Far From Standard plans to grow staff, offerings in Ann Arbor

Lots of people and businesses offer tutoring tailored to certain subjects. Far From Standard tailors it to the specific class.The 2-year-old start-up from Ann Arbor provides highly trained and specialized academic tutors for university science and business students. These are focused on the University of Michigan and Michigan State University classes."There is really no one else who caters to the actual classes," says Neel Chheda, president of Far From Standard. "We really want to get into the university community."Chheda, a University of Michigan graduate, already knows what that means. He was inspired to start the company when he went to college and realized there were some classes he was naturally better at than others. Today he has two full-time employees, 18 part-time tutors and is looking for some interns.Most of his services are based around college courses in math and science, along with preparation for AP tests and the ACT. He plans to expand to offering tutoring in things like foreign languages and music. He also wants to start tutoring classes of 8-10 students who are in the same class and looking to excel."That learning environment really becomes amazing," Chheda says.Source: Neel Chheda, president of Far From StandardWriter: Jon Zemke

MediQlogix plans for big expansion in Ann Arbor

MediQlogix is a small firm with big plans to achieve big growth. And most of that will be centered on its home base in Ann Arbor.The year-old start-up is in its final phase of development, which means it has 15 people working to spread its gospel of improving healthcare quality. Some of those people are based in Ann Arbor and the rest are based around the world, in places as close as Philadelphia and as far away as India.The University of Michigan spin-off, and tenant of Ann Arbor SPARK's downtown business incubator, is putting the finishing touches on developing its software and plans to aggressively market it soon. The software helps manage healthcare quality in hospitals."We want to be the platform for quality in hospitals," says Deepak Adoni, founder and CEO of MediQlogix.If and when that happens, that will signal a big expansion for the firm. Adoni expects MediQlogix to grow across the U.S. (with Ann Arbor as its headquarters) and employ as many as 150 people. That's the future, but right now he is still looking for funding to get the company off the ground.Source: Deepak Adoni, founder and CEO of MediQlogixWriter: Jon Zemke

Ann Arbor’s uRefer plans to hire 12 over next year

White Pine Systems secures financing, plans to hire

The story behind White Pine Systems is very personal for its founder, Doug Dormer. Dormer grew up in a house where both of his parents were blind and his dad suffered from diabetes. One day his dad fell sick, was taken to the wrong hospital --one that didn't know his medical history-- and died waiting on a gurney because doctors didn't realize the seriousness of his situation.That led to the creation of White Pine Systems, a provider of online personal health records. The company helps make sure doctors get the most information about a patient's medical history so they can maximize the effectiveness of treatment and avoid misdiagnosis."He obviously has some passion behind this," says Jonathan Smolowe, vice president of sales and marketing for White Pine Systems.The downtown Ann Arbor-based firm employs about a dozen people on a full- or part-time basis, along with some independent contractors. 3-year-old White Pine just went live with its product and is watching customers start to line up. Helping make that happen is $450,000 in financing from angel investors, including $225,000 from the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund. The company hopes to hire a few more people soon."It's really starting to get off the ground now," Smolowe says.Source: Jonathan Smolowe, vice president of sales and marketing for White Pine SystemsWriter: Jon Zemke