Government

Shifting Code graduates first class at Ann Arbor SPARK

By Newsroom

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May 16, 2012

The first class of Ann Arbor SPARK's Shifting Code class is graduating today, bringing 26 new software developers to a job market scrambling for coders and other tech professionals Shifting Code was designed to help meet the growing demand in Metro Detroit for software developers. The program's curriculum is based on the input of a core group of employers, and consists of learning modules of specific, in-demand coding languages. The 12-week course is taught through a hybrid approach of online education and face-to-face instruction. "In areas where you're looking for entry-level programmers this is a great program," says Bill Wagner, co-founder & CEO of SRT Solutions. SRT Solutions is one of the local tech firms that has hired 65 percent of Shifting Code's first class. Wagner points out that Shifting Code provides the foundation for people with skills outside of traditional software skill set to become more involved in computer programing development. "The industry is about a lot more than code," Wagner says. "This is about user-interface experts and graphic designers." Source: Bill Wagner, co-founder & CEO of SRT Solutions Writer: Jon Zemke

Latest in Government

The Conversation: Should We Make Civic Participation More Fun?

By Jeff Meyers

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General

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May 9, 2012

Let's face it, most people show up at city council and town hall meetings to complain. But what if there was a game that encouraged civic creativity and participation by awarding points? Would involvement increase? Would it attract new ideas and new voices?

Complete Streets: Designing Roadways For The Benefit Of All

By K.G. Wassus

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General

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April 11, 2012

Recently, the Michigan Environmental Council conducted a study that showed that state residents are interested in seeing more sidewalks and bike lanes--not just more roads. Amen to that, we say. From business to safety to retaining young talent, the case for complete streets is a strong one.

Venture Michigan Fund invests in Venture Investors Ann Arbor office

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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March 21, 2012

The Venture Michigan Fund II is investing $15 million into the Ann Arbor office of Venture Investors Early Stage Fund V. Venture Investors Early Stage Fund V is an early stage venture capital firm that is headquartered in Madison. It specializes in investing in life science and tech start-ups. It's Ann Arbor office has invested in four Michigan-based companies, totaling $13 million. Jim Adox, who heads up the Ann Arbor office, is very active in building the local venture capital community, participating in things like the Michigan Venture Capital Association. "We almost think of this as a homegrown Michigan venture capital firm," says Sean O'Donnell, vice president of Credit Suisse's Michigan Office. "They are very active in Michigan." The Venture Michigan Fund II is a fund of funds, which means it invests in other venture capital firms. The Venture Michigan Fund II is worth $120 million and is managed by Credit Suisse. It launched in January as a sequel to the original $96 million Venture Michigan Fund that came out in 2006. It has invested in a number of other local venture capital firms, including Plymouth Venture Partners and the MK Capital's Ann Arbor office. Venture Michigan Fund II's $15 million investment in Venture Investors Early Stage Fund V will be directed at investing in start-ups in the life science, clean-tech and other high-tech companies in Michigan. Source: Sean O'Donnell, vice president of Credit Suisse's Michigan Office Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Ann Arbor SPARK scores $100K grant for MichAGAIN program

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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March 14, 2012

Ann Arbor SPARK has received a $100,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corp to help further MichAGAIN, the state's program to help lure talented people back to the Great Lakes State. "The effort is intended to make Michigan alumni aware of the opportunities here, in the Ann Arbor market in particular," says Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. The $100,00 will fund trips for MichAGAIN program workers to Boston, Chicago, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. Those workers will attend events like alumni receptions, CEO breakfasts and site selector meetings, making the case for why there is opportunity in Michigan tailored to each specific audiences interest and needs. So far, the program has assisted 60 people looking to come back, including 46 from events and 14 from its social media campaign. The MichAGAIN program works with local companies to pair people with ties to Michigan who are interested in returning to the Great Lake State with jobs and other business opportunities. Many of the jobs and business opportunities are centered on Michigan's emerging new economy, specifically the tech industry. "These companies have jobs," Krutko says. "We are working these to acquaint these people with these Michigan companies." Source: Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Ann Arbor SPARK expands into Livingston County with new partnership

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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March 7, 2012

Ann Arbor SPARK's sphere of influence is growing. The economic development accelerator agency has reached an agreement with Livingston County to provide business attraction and retention services for their community. Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, describes Livingston County as a "talent shed for the region" that is centrally located between Ann Arbor, Lansing, Flint and Detroit. He points out that such a partnership makes a lot of sense when it comes to growing a new economy that knows fewer and fewer boundaries everyday. "We recognize the old parochial boundaries that are from the 18th Century ... are not how the 21st Century works," Krutko says. He adds that agencies similar to Ann Arbor SPARK in other states often stretch into multiple surrounding counties, sometimes into municipalities in other states. Ann Arbor SPARK will have two employees working in Howell and Brighton that focus on advancing innovation-based economic development. Leading this effort on the ground is recently hired economic development professional Jay Bahr, who will serve as a business development manager for Livingston County. The Ann Arbor SPARK employees will work in satellite offices in the chambers of commerce for Brighton and Howell, respectively. Krutko says there may be expansion of Ann Arbor SPARK's small business incubator chain (it has incubators in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Plymouth) in the future but whether that happens is yet to be determined. "This is the first step," Krutko says. Source: Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Ann Arbor Advises the White House

By Nicole Rupersburg

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General

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February 29, 2012

It's hardly a surprise that the University of Michigan is considered a world-class institution with deep political connections. But with the urgent concerns of today's economic policies, the Obama Administration, in particular, has reached out to Ann Arbor for guidance, expertise, and advice.

Ypsilanti’s ISSYS lands $1.5M NIH grant for pre-clinical studies

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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February 8, 2012

Integrated Sensing Systems has scored a $1.5 million grant from the National Institute of Health to help the company finish the pre-clinical work on its new technology, which wirelessly monitors the heart. "It's the last stage of a very long process before you get to human trials," says Nader Najafi, president & CEO of Integrated Sensing Systems. The Ypsilanti-based firm, commonly known as ISSYS, designs and develops microelectromechanical systems for medical and scientific sensing applications. Its latest piece of technology is an implant for the heart that allows medical professionals to wirelessly monitor the heart. "So you can monitor the heart on demand even with home monitoring," Najafi says. ISSYS, founded in 1995, has been working on this technology for 12 years. It has a staff of 30 and plans to add another 2-3 jobs this year. It will continue clinical trials of the technology for the next two years. After that, Najafi hopes to begin work on human trials, while also receiving FDA approval so it can begin sales. Source: Nader Najafi, president & CEO of Integrated Sensing Systems Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.

Grant helps Green Oak Township glow with eco-lighting

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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January 18, 2012

By this summer in Green Oak Township, 99 percent of bulbs that light public buildings will be money-saving, time-saving LED models. The lighting, which Green Oak Township accountant Linda Vance says can last an average of 25 years and cut energy costs 70 percent, will go inside and outside the three fire stations, police station and the municipal offices. The project, which will receive bid proposals at the township board meeting Feb. 1, was kickstarted by a $79,349 Advanced Lighting Technology Demonstration Grant that helps cover the cost of lighting technologies such as LED, induction and plasma. The grant comes from the Michigan Energy Office through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. According to the state, many of the projects result in work or production or other services from Michigan companies. For Green Oak Township, Vance says, it's a savings of tax dollars and a way to save township employees' time on light-bulb changing so that other work can be done. "We want have to change light bulbs for a long time," she says. The lighting must be installed by June 30. Source: Linda Vance, accountant, Green Oak Township Writer: Kim North Shine

Clean Energy Coalition continues hiring in downtown Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

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Community Development

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December 7, 2011

The Clean Energy Coalition is hiring, again. The downtown Ann Arbor-based non-profit dedicated to sustainability practices has hired two people in November and has two job openings in communications and marketing, and one for an intern. The non-profit currently employs 20 people full-time, four independent contractors, and two interns. The six-year-old non-profit has moved from smaller offices in Ypsilanti's Depot Town to a bigger office just north of downtown Ann Arbor to accommodate its growth. "It would be nice to see us grow and add another 10 employees," says Sean Reed, executive director of the Clean Energy Coalition. The Clean Energy Coalition has landed several million dollars in grant funding in recent years, including $15 million from the federal stimulus package. That money is part of Michigan's $31 million Green Fleets project, which will integrate more alternative fuels and advanced fuel-efficient technology (i.e. bio-diesel) into municipal vehicle fleets. The non-profit is also working to help make local government buildings more energy efficient. The non-profit has doubled in size in each of its six years. Its 2010 revenue reached $1.5 million and it expects to go above $6 million in 2011. "We have a real diversity of grant-funded projects and services that we are managing," Reed says. "The volume of those have continued to grow." Source: Sean Reed, executive director of the Clean Energy Coalition Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.