The Economic Development Council of Livingston County (EDCLC) and Ann Arbor SPARK honored regional businesses during the 2022 annual meeting presenting three awards: the Resilience Award, Talent Innovator of the Year, and Project of the Year.
“For the past 12 years, Ann Arbor SPARK and the EDCLC’s partnership has generated significant results for the region — including the support for 60 projects which resulted in more than 1500 new jobs and $340 million in private-sector investment,” said Paul Krutko, Ann Arbor SPARK president and CEO. “This year’s awardees are representative of what we can accomplish through regional economic development collaboration.”
PROJECT OF THE YEAR: TOTAL SECURITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
Total Security Solutions is the leading custom bulletproof barrier manufacturer and installer. Since 2004, Total Security Solutions has designed, engineered, fabricated, and installed more than 25,000 ballistic systems in locations worldwide.
In 2021, Total Security Solutions acquired Bulldog Innovative Manufacturing, located next door to the Total Security Solutions facility in Fowlerville, MI. Acquiring Bulldog allowed for the continued growth of both companies and has expanded their combined manufacturing capabilities. With this award, the EDCLC and Ann Arbor SPARK recognize the company’s ongoing investments to ensure the continued growth of people, products, and innovation.
RESILIENCE AWARD: FLEXIBLE METAL, INC.
Flexible Metal is a global leader in engineering and manufacturing exhaust manifolds, bellows, EGR tubes, and other tubular assemblies — including the exciting new Chevrolet C8 Corvette Exhaust Manifold.
After more than 30 years in the automotive and diesel truck market, Flexible Metal’s Hamburg facility adapted to changes in the industry and shifted to alternative power solutions. With this award, the EDCLC and Ann Arbor SPARK recognize the company’s innovation, customer-centric engineering solutions, rapid project development, and significant capital investment.
TALENT INNOVATOR AWARD: LIVINGSTON EDUCATIONAL SERVICE AGENCY
Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA) specializes is one of Michigan’s 56 educational service agencies, also known as Intermediate School Districts. They employ more than 650 people that provide a wide variety of special education, early childhood, career development, and collaborative services to the public and private schools in Livingston County.
With this award, the EDCLC and Ann Arbor SPARK recognize LESA’s commitment to advancing student literacy, narrowing the socioeconomic achievement gap, supporting student social and emotional well-being, improving student opportunities to learn, and helping schools by streamlining transportation, broadening the availability of student services, and providing professional development opportunities to enhance the skills of teachers and staff.
To learn more about regional economic development initiatives, including relocation and growth opportunities within Livingston County, please contact businessdevelopment@annarborusa.org.
