Weekly Rewind: Ann Arbor’s Business News Recap

A look back on this week’s economic development headlines, announcements, and other share-worthy news from the Ann Arbor region.

Ecosystem Headlines

• Ypsilanti Networking Event (Ypsi 9th Hour) Part of Entrepreneurial Series Led by Ann Arbor SPARK
  “Creating opportunities for connection within the communities Ann Arbor SPARK serves is an important way we support what businesses and job seekers need to further their success,” said Jenn Cornell Queen.
  
• American Center for Mobility and AT&T are extending their collaboration to speed development of connected and automated vehicle technologies for another three years.
  
• The Top Ann Arbor Startups To Watch In 2020, from Detroit-based re:purpose.
• Fares Lowered for Anticipated Daily Detroit to Ann Arbor Express Buses
  Announced in January, the buses will connect the two cities with inexpensive daily routes; however, concerns over the $12 one-way base fares were voiced during public meetings. The lowered proposed one-way fares for this service are:
  • $8 base fare
  • $6 advanced booking discount
  • $6 eligible senior/disability fare.
• Engineering, Information Getting New Space on North Campus
  The University of Michigan approves a $145 million, 163,000-square-foot addition on North Campus for a new facility that will become the School of Information’s home and provide expansion space for College of Engineering’s Computer Science and Engineering division.
• SPARK-investor Consumers Energy makes the first-in-nation goal of “net-zero carbon emissions” by 2040.
• FDA approves Ann Arbor-based Esperion’s cholesterol drug.

Upcoming Events

• Lean And Green Michigan Sets Southeast Michigan PACE Summit April 15 at Ann Arbor SPARK

State Headlines

• Business Leaders for Michigan releases Michigan’s Road to the Top Ten and includes:
  • Support a competitive and well-functioning MEDC.
  • Grow Michigan’s population and increase the labor force participation rate by increasing hires of people with barriers to long term employment, increasing immigration.
  • Improve infrastructure (of all kinds) including bridges, broadband, and housing.
• Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Directive and Order to Extend Michigan’s Global Leadership in Mobility
  The Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification will be charged with leading the strategic coordination of all mobility-related initiatives across state government, including economic development, workforce development, and infrastructure efforts, to secure Michigan’s status as a global leader in autonomous, connected, electric, and shared future mobility. 
• Glenn Stevens of MichAuto makes case for Going Pro Training Funds

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