Ann Arbor

A Toyota goes from concept to production in Ann Arbor Twp.

By Newsroom

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December 3, 2008

Ann Arbor’s Toyota engineering facility is starting to design cars from start to finish. Excerpt: The Toyota Venza, which will arrive in dealer showrooms in December, represents a milestone for its design team and more than 300 engineers in Ann Arbor Township who worked on the vehicle and is likely to lead to more high-profile work for Toyota's Michigan employees. The Venza -- a car that Toyota says is not a crossover or a station wagon, but resembles both -- is the first vehicle designed and engineered from the concept to the final production stage at Toyota's Calty Design Research studios in Ann Arbor Township and Newport Beach, Calif. It was engineered at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor Township. Read the rest of the story here.

Entrepreneur’s Boot Camp

By Jon Zemke

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Economic Development

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December 3, 2008

You've got a world-changing idea. And gobs of passion. Great! So, how do you attract investment? From concept to company Ann Arbor SPARK's boot camp is school for start-ups. Concentrate's Jon Zemke follows a pair of entrepreneurs as they learn to hone their pitch, strategize their growth and listen to those who have been there and done that.

TiVo adds Domino’s to the menu

By Newsroom

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General

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December 3, 2008

Welcome to TV Dinner 2.0! Ann Arbor’s Domino’s Pizza has found a way for people to order food through their TiVo.Excerpt:Alviso, Calif.-based TiVo Inc. and Ann Arbor's Domino's Pizza Inc. announced a partnership to give broadband connected TiVo subscribers the ability to order pizza for delivery or pick-up, and track delivery timing, right from their TV sets using the TiVo service.TiVo subscribers can order pizza through several advertising entry points on the TiVo user interface including Gold Star Sponsorship, Program Placement, Interactive Tags in live TV spots, and through Music, Photos, Products, & More by clicking on "Order Your Dominos Pizza Now."Read the rest of the story here.

MASTERMIND: Ken Fischer

By Constance Crump

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Economic Development

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December 3, 2008

From self-proclaimed dilettante to transformational director, over the last 20 years Ken Fischer has cemented the University Musical Society's reputation as a world class arts organization. Collaborating with everyone from Martha Graham to the Royal Shakespeare Company, UMS has introduced Ann Arbor to performing artists from every corner of the globe.

Kinesiology gets a promotion at the University of Michigan

By Newsroom

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Education

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December 3, 2008

The University of Michigan’s long-time Division of Kinesiology just became the School of Kinesiology. Excerpt: Kinesiology recently received a new home on the University of Michigan campus. Now it's getting a more prestigious name. The academic unit's name is changing from the Division of Kinesiology to the School of Kinesiology, effective Dec. 1. The U-M Board of Regents approved the change at its regular monthly meeting Thursday. Kinesiology involves the study of movement and was established in 1990 from its precursor, the department of physical education. With an undergraduate enrollment of 800 students, it now has the fourth highest number of undergraduates among the 12 schools and colleges with undergraduate programs on campus. Read the rest of the story here.

Video Aernnova Lands In Ann Arbor

By Keith Jefferies

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Economic Development

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December 3, 2008

When you've got 20,000 engineering students within 100 miles of your community, it's easy to make the case that Ann Arbor is the place for engineering firms to set up shop. And that just what U-M's Business Engagement Center did when it attracted Aernnova to The Deuce.

U-M saves energy, cash with green computing

By Newsroom

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Education

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December 3, 2008

The University of Michigan is trying to make its computers as green as their motherboards with an environmental mission that is expected to save the university hundreds of thousands of dollars.Excerpt:Spurred into action by a phone call from Google cofounder Larry Page, the University of Michigan is on its way to becoming a leader in green computing, hoping to save money and the environment.The campus-wide volunteer effort, which officially kicked off in March, involves a number of initiatives designed to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy used to power the school's 80,000 desktop computers, half a dozen data centers and more than 100 server rooms.Teams of more than 90 U-M students, faculty and staff members are working to purchase more energy-efficient computers and other technological devices, reduce the number of server rooms on campus and get everyone to turn off computers and printers when they are not using them and print only necessary documents.One group set up a program that allows people to use computer equipment that others no longer want. Another is looking at switching to systems that allow one computer to do the job of multiple ones. And one plan involves certifying university departments that meet energy efficiency standards."There is such a groundswell of support," said Bill Wrobleski, the director of U-M's technical infrastructure operations who is leading the effort. "A lot of little things make a big thing."Read the rest of the story here and how U-M is highlighting its green efforts here.

Student’s leadership at U-M, abroad garners Rhodes honor

By Newsroom

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Education

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December 3, 2008

The University of Michigan is pulling in accolades again. This time one of its students has been named a Rhodes Scholar.Excerpt:Abdul El-Sayed has traveled to various parts of the world turning educational opportunities into chances to help people. The 24-year-old University of Michigan student has led a medical mission to Peru and conducted health studies in Guatemala.His efforts in the classroom and in the field have El-Sayed lining up for yet another trip abroad. Next year, he will study at England's Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Read the rest of the story here.

Bgreen looks to make greenbacks selling green products in Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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December 3, 2008

Tucked away in a small retail space next door to the Colonial Lanes bowling alley is the newest environmental feather in Ann Arbor's cap – Bgreen.Daniel Stephens, of Ethnic Creations fame, started putting the business together about six months ago before opening in November. Now his new store sells environmentally-friendly home building and cleaning products, such as Low-VOC paint.Stephens has been a retailer for about 20 years (his Ethnic Creations store is still open in Petoskey). The Ann Arbor resident has worked in the environmental movement for year and was looking for a new product mix. He put two and two together and came up with Bgreen."We try to be very comprehensive and we're growing everyday," Stephens says.Low-VOC paint is one of the firm's main products, but it also offers sustainable flooring such as bamboo wood and countertops made of recycled materials. He also sells 100 percent biodegradable products, such as plates, eating utensils and cleaning products."There are very few cleaning products that you can let go down the drain," Stephen says.The store employs five people right now, but Stephens expects that number to rise as the mainstream America works more and more sustainable options into its life.Source: Daniel Stephens, owner and CEO of BgreenWriter: Jon Zemke

Above the Tree Line hires 5 in 2 years, plans to do it again

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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December 3, 2008

John Rubin is a good son. Seven years ago he was a management consultant working out of Ann Arbor while his mother ran an independent bookstore in Chicago. Rubin regularly advised her on how to modernize her 30-year-old business. It wasn't long, however, before Rubin realized that a number of other small bookstores needed similar advice on how to take advantage of new technologies, such as online sales. The CFL went off over his head and he started Above the Tree Line."They were all out there all alone and you can use technology to link them together," Rubin says.The idea is to give the broad range of independent booksellers and other retailers the same economies of scale as major chains. Above the Tree Line's software helps these little firms streamline their inventory and create other efficiencies.People didn’t beat down Rubin's door at first. He spent his first four years as the company's sole employee. But recently business at the Ann Arbor-based firm is really starting to take off. Revenue has doubled in the last year and the company added Borders as a client 18 months ago. This lead Above the Tree Line to hire five people in the last two years, so it now employs eight people and one intern."It's been an incremental spreading of the word, expanding the customer base and the services we offer," Rubin says.Above the Tree Line expects to grow its revenue 100 percent annually for the next two years. If it hits those goals, they anticipate adding another 5-6 people. Can't wait to join them? Right now, they're looking for 1-2 new program developers.Source: John Rubin, president and CEO of Above the Tree LineWriter: Jon Zemke