Ann Arbor Spark

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

Regional Updates

• Michigan’s economic development groups avoid controversy, pursue jobs (requires MLive subscription)

• Navitas Systems is bringing new jobs to Scio Township

• A Big Gift and a New Name: Eastern Michigan University to rename its engineering and technology college to the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, thanks to a major gift from the GameAbove alumni group

• Ann Arbor Is Named the 2021 Best College Town in America

• SBA Prioritizes Smallest of Small Businesses in the Paycheck Protection Program

• Michigan Works! Southeast launches “Workforce@Work” podcast to explore future of employment

Startup Ecosystem

• How can Washtenaw County build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive tech sector?

• Biotech Boom: “As Ann Arbor begins to fulfill its potential as a dynamic biotech hub, the broader impact could be profound.”
  • Related: Ann Arbor drug company Asalyxa closes a $2 million seed funding round.

• The Duo Blueprint: How Ann Arbor’s Duo Security is Changing the Midwest Startup Scene

• A Michigan Company’s Technology is Making Workplaces Safer: Nice overview of SPARK client Kinetica Labs

Mobility News

• A $10 million investment by a Florida group in a Virginia robotics company will lead to an expansion of the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Ypsilanti Township.

Recent Reports

• Ann Arbor SPARK has recently released three reports:
  • 2020 Benchmarking the Ann Arbor Region
  • Technology: Ann Arbor SPARK Sector Report
  • Life Sciences: Ann Arbor SPARK Sector Report

• The Council on Future Mobility & Electrification released a study on the state of the auto industry in Michigan: “Revolutionary changes like electrification and automation are poised to transform the mobility sector, and there is a global competition to determine where advanced vehicle technologies will be built.”

• Detroit Chamber report: 2021 State Of The Region: Reasons For Optimism But K-Shaped Recovery Exacerbates Challenges Ahead

Around the State

• Mark Burton steps down as CEO of MEDC to join Honigman’s economic development practice. MEDC searches for a new CEO.