The University of Michigan and Ann Arbor SPARK have tightened their relationship with each other. The collaboration isn't meant to be exclusive to Ann Arbor but to be a model for other universities to hook up with economic development organizations. After all, "Economic development is a team sport."
Excerpt:
"We really are one Michigan," said Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest
Michigan First. "We can talk about regions, and regions are important -
they're part of who our culture is. But our problems are endemic to the
entire state."
Jeff Mason, a former MEDC official and new executive director of the
University Research Corridor, said Michigan's universities are the
lynchpin to the state's success. But he suggested that the URC - a
coalition among U-M, Michigan State University and Wayne State
University - would have to collaborate with other organizations to jolt
the economy.
"Economic development is a team sport. It's a collaboration amongst
universities, government and the private sector," Mason said.
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