An information technology company focused on helping school districts manage student and operating data has established its main office in Western Michigan University's Business Technology and Research Park.
Level Data, a nearly three-year-old company that counts some 300 schools in 10 states among its growing list of clients, has moved into 1,500 square feet of office space in the BTR Park's Initech Building in Kalamazoo.
With eight full-time employees, the company designs solutions that eliminate data management problems for districts that range from 300 to 20,000-plus students. Area districts among Level Data clients include Sturgis, Three Rivers, Mattawan and KRESA--the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, which provides programs and services for 200 county schools.
The move to the BTR Park makes Level Data the third company this spring to commit to becoming a corporate partner in the WMU facility.
Level Data President Matt Betts characterizes his firm as a managed service company that can save the districts staff time and money and promote data quality. The company helps district officials consolidate and manage data related to enrollment, instruction, network management, food service, hiring, payroll and transportation--virtually any application that requires student and staff data. Level Data's service also allows districts to save the hours spent cleansing data for accuracy. Districts require quality student data to secure funding, meet state and federal reporting guidelines and produce effective parental communications.
"We provide a service tailored to each district that leverages the district's existing applications and technology and automates processes requiring critical data input," Betts explains.
Betts notes that data management success for schools means school officials have the data quality and time to take the next step and move into data-based decision making--actually using data to make critical decisions about any or all of the district's core functions.
"Schools are in the business of education, not information technology and database management," he says. "One area school district added up all the staff time it saved by hiring us and discovered its return on investment was 4,000 non-instructional hours annually."
Betts calls Level Data a service company that operates in a cloud-computing environment hosted by Secant Technologies. He says using the Secant cloud allows Level Data to focus on development and customer support rather than hardware and network management.
"We can have clients anywhere, and our business is infinitely scalable," he says. "When we need more space or a new server, we can have it in less than an hour."
Despite that flexibility and freedom, Betts says Level Data is committed to staying in the BTR Park.
"It's the perfect place for our company from a competitive perspective."
The company intends to work with the WMU departments of Computer Science and Computer Information Systems as well as faculty and students in education, business and engineering disciplines. Betts is particularly interested in recruiting young talent to his firm.
By year's end, Betts says, Level Data will be managing data for nearly 300,000 students and he'll be looking for student interns who can help shape the service delivery model moving forward. The opportunity for interns working with his company, will be like working in "a high-tech toy store for data people," Betts says.
"For the right students, these will be not just internships, but a chance to have real input--a say in what we do,” he says. "They'll have the time of their lives," Betts says.
Bob Miller, WMU's associate vice president for community outreach and the park's point person, calls Level Data's commitment to working with students and academic departments the kind of relationship envisioned when the park was established.
"This is exactly what we continue to look for," Miller says. "We want innovative firms that recognize our faculty and students as resources that will help not only their company, but also our state move forward."
WMU's Business Technology and Research Park focuses on the life sciences, advanced engineering and information technology. The park shares the University's 265-acre Parkview Campus with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Launched in late 1999, the BTR Park is home to some 30 companies directly employing nearly 700 people.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Strategy for jobless benefits recast
The U.S. Senate’s rejection last week of extended emergency benefits for the unemployed is forcing a new round of maneuvers that Michigan officials yet hope will provide relief to jobless workers and state coffers.
The emergency benefits were triggered in 2008 and expanded in last year's economic stimulus package. The benefits provide an average of $309 a week for up to 99 weeks to people who have exhausted their state unemployment assistance. The benefits expired June 2, and an estimated 1.2 million workers have since had their checks cut off, according to the Labor Department. Unless Congress acts, the program will expire by the end of October.
Here at home, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency estimates that 87,000 people will exhaust their jobless benefits by July 3, a number that could double by the end of July. The agency said that by year’s end the number of people who will be affected by the expiration of federal UI benefit extensions will exceed the 408,000 that are currently collecting state or federally funded unemployment benefits.
In addition to extending emergency unemployment benefits through November, the package rejected by the Senate last Thursday would have provided state governments with $16 billion in additional Medicaid funds, money that some 30 states are counting on to balance their 2011 budgets. It also would have extended expired tax breaks for businesses and individuals, including a tax credit for research and development that is prized by some of the nation's largest companies.
On a press conference call Friday, Gov. Granholm (D) outlined what she says is at stake in the decisions from Washington. Unless the measure is revived, she said, Michigan will have to slice $500 million out of next year's budget, a sum that she said would force thousands of state layoffs and the potential elimination of state services such as long-term care or mental-health coverage. Programs that potentially could be affected include Medicaid prescription drug coverage, payments to Medicaid providers, mental health services, revenue sharing and university funding.
"Millions of people across the country are hoping for some relief," Granholm said, adding that governors are discussing a bipartisan lobbying campaign. "The line in the sand that's been drawn by Republicans on the floor of the U.S. Senate is nothing short of devastating for Michigan and people across the country."
Republicans have steadfastly opposed the bill, arguing that it would worsen an already record budget deficit, and insisted that the cost of the package be covered with cuts in existing programs. Some conservative Democrats have also expressed concerns about the impact of the package on the deficit, which has reached record levels amid the recession. Senate Democratic leaders announced Thursday that they were shelving effort for approval after all 40 GOP senators and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) voted to block the latest version of their aid package.
However, a day after voting to block the Democratic legislation, a key Republican senator urged Democrats to try again, saying she would support a stripped-down bill aimed solely at guaranteeing unemployment checks to millions of people who have been out of work more than six months. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), a moderate whose vote had been ardently courted by Democratics, sent a letter Friday to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), arguing that the plight of the long-term unemployed must be swiftly addressed.
"The hundreds of thousands of unemployed Americans who are losing jobless benefits every week deserve our immediate attention," Snowe wrote, calling for "a free-standing extension of unemployment insurance benefits" to be brought to the Senate floor for a vote early next week. "Separating the unemployment insurance provisions [from numerous other provisions in the bill] and passing it as emergency legislation acknowledges the urgency of helping those who continue to look for work."
A spokesman for Reid chided Snowe’s suggestion based on her voting record and said she provides no evidence that any other Republicans support her proposal. In the House, however, Democrats appeared more receptive to a standalone bill. Senior aides said the idea was under discussion, and that a bill could be unveiled as soon as next week.
"It really has to happen," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) said of reauthorizing extended benefits in an interview Friday with Huffington Post. Even if the House were to act, however, it is unclear whether the Senate could push through an emergency bill before the July 4 recess.
The emergency benefits were triggered in 2008 and expanded in last year's economic stimulus package. The benefits provide an average of $309 a week for up to 99 weeks to people who have exhausted their state unemployment assistance. The benefits expired June 2, and an estimated 1.2 million workers have since had their checks cut off, according to the Labor Department. Unless Congress acts, the program will expire by the end of October.
Here at home, the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency estimates that 87,000 people will exhaust their jobless benefits by July 3, a number that could double by the end of July. The agency said that by year’s end the number of people who will be affected by the expiration of federal UI benefit extensions will exceed the 408,000 that are currently collecting state or federally funded unemployment benefits.
In addition to extending emergency unemployment benefits through November, the package rejected by the Senate last Thursday would have provided state governments with $16 billion in additional Medicaid funds, money that some 30 states are counting on to balance their 2011 budgets. It also would have extended expired tax breaks for businesses and individuals, including a tax credit for research and development that is prized by some of the nation's largest companies.
On a press conference call Friday, Gov. Granholm (D) outlined what she says is at stake in the decisions from Washington. Unless the measure is revived, she said, Michigan will have to slice $500 million out of next year's budget, a sum that she said would force thousands of state layoffs and the potential elimination of state services such as long-term care or mental-health coverage. Programs that potentially could be affected include Medicaid prescription drug coverage, payments to Medicaid providers, mental health services, revenue sharing and university funding.
"Millions of people across the country are hoping for some relief," Granholm said, adding that governors are discussing a bipartisan lobbying campaign. "The line in the sand that's been drawn by Republicans on the floor of the U.S. Senate is nothing short of devastating for Michigan and people across the country."
Republicans have steadfastly opposed the bill, arguing that it would worsen an already record budget deficit, and insisted that the cost of the package be covered with cuts in existing programs. Some conservative Democrats have also expressed concerns about the impact of the package on the deficit, which has reached record levels amid the recession. Senate Democratic leaders announced Thursday that they were shelving effort for approval after all 40 GOP senators and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) voted to block the latest version of their aid package.
However, a day after voting to block the Democratic legislation, a key Republican senator urged Democrats to try again, saying she would support a stripped-down bill aimed solely at guaranteeing unemployment checks to millions of people who have been out of work more than six months. Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), a moderate whose vote had been ardently courted by Democratics, sent a letter Friday to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), arguing that the plight of the long-term unemployed must be swiftly addressed.
"The hundreds of thousands of unemployed Americans who are losing jobless benefits every week deserve our immediate attention," Snowe wrote, calling for "a free-standing extension of unemployment insurance benefits" to be brought to the Senate floor for a vote early next week. "Separating the unemployment insurance provisions [from numerous other provisions in the bill] and passing it as emergency legislation acknowledges the urgency of helping those who continue to look for work."
A spokesman for Reid chided Snowe’s suggestion based on her voting record and said she provides no evidence that any other Republicans support her proposal. In the House, however, Democrats appeared more receptive to a standalone bill. Senior aides said the idea was under discussion, and that a bill could be unveiled as soon as next week.
"It really has to happen," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) said of reauthorizing extended benefits in an interview Friday with Huffington Post. Even if the House were to act, however, it is unclear whether the Senate could push through an emergency bill before the July 4 recess.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Daimler putting $194 million in diesel plant
Daimler Trucks North America says it will invest $194 million in the Detroit Diesel engine production facility in Redford, Michigan, owing to increased demand for fuel-efficient diesel engines.
The investment will be supported by a variety of state and local incentives. These incentives include a Michigan Economic Growth Authority Award of $56.8 million, granted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, as well as other state and local tax credits and abatements.
Following a call for bids and a series of public hearings, DTNA was authorized to receive a subsidy for its investment project in Redford. “We’re very happy with the framework agreement we recently negotiated with the UAW,” says Martin Daum, President and CEO of DTNA. “We would also like to thank the State of Michigan, Redford Township, and Wayne County for jointly reaching the decision to provide us with the funding package. Our total investment of approximately $200 million underscores the importance of the Redford plant and our confidence in the workforce of Detroit Diesel. Strong partners are needed if a commitment on this scale is to be successful.”
DTNA’s investment will substantially expand the engine production capacity in Redford. Detroit Diesel’s diesel engines with BlueTec technology are extremely fuel-efficient, and they are taking on a pioneering role within the North American industry when it comes to complying with the U.S. emissions standard EPA 2010. DTNA is the leading supplier of EPA 2010-compliant Class 8 heavy-duty trucks.
A big part of the investment will be spent on cylinder head production. The funds will also be used to redesign the manufacturing facilities, improve plant infrastructure, and purchase machines and equipment. The measures for increasing production capacity at the 28-hectare Redford production plant are scheduled to commence in July 2010 and continue until September 2011.
Detroit Diesel Corporation, which has its headquarters in Redford, Michigan, is a company of Daimler Trucks North America and a leading manufacturer of on-highway diesel engines for the commercial truck market.
The investment will be supported by a variety of state and local incentives. These incentives include a Michigan Economic Growth Authority Award of $56.8 million, granted by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, as well as other state and local tax credits and abatements.
Following a call for bids and a series of public hearings, DTNA was authorized to receive a subsidy for its investment project in Redford. “We’re very happy with the framework agreement we recently negotiated with the UAW,” says Martin Daum, President and CEO of DTNA. “We would also like to thank the State of Michigan, Redford Township, and Wayne County for jointly reaching the decision to provide us with the funding package. Our total investment of approximately $200 million underscores the importance of the Redford plant and our confidence in the workforce of Detroit Diesel. Strong partners are needed if a commitment on this scale is to be successful.”
DTNA’s investment will substantially expand the engine production capacity in Redford. Detroit Diesel’s diesel engines with BlueTec technology are extremely fuel-efficient, and they are taking on a pioneering role within the North American industry when it comes to complying with the U.S. emissions standard EPA 2010. DTNA is the leading supplier of EPA 2010-compliant Class 8 heavy-duty trucks.
A big part of the investment will be spent on cylinder head production. The funds will also be used to redesign the manufacturing facilities, improve plant infrastructure, and purchase machines and equipment. The measures for increasing production capacity at the 28-hectare Redford production plant are scheduled to commence in July 2010 and continue until September 2011.
Detroit Diesel Corporation, which has its headquarters in Redford, Michigan, is a company of Daimler Trucks North America and a leading manufacturer of on-highway diesel engines for the commercial truck market.
Monday, June 21, 2010
SE getting additional business seed money
The New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan (http://www.neweconomyinitiative.org/ ), an innovative philanthropic effort to accelerate the transition of metro Detroit to an innovation-based economy, today announced a $3 million grant over three years to support the newly formed Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan, a region-wide collaborative effort dedicated to attracting and retaining business in southeast Michigan.
Comprised of the region's four key business accelerators– Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, Macomb-OU INCubator, and TechTown, the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan will work collaboratively to share best practices, host events focused on addressing issues and goals that impact southeast Michigan, support business plan development, and leverage funding to grow business in the region.
Collectively, these four business accelerators have invested in 339 start-up companies, invested more than $18 million, created more than 1,000 jobs and secured more than $101.2 million in additional capital for the companies.
"This award supports NEI's focus on building strong networks that support the development of a more diverse, knowledge driven economy," says David Egner, executive director of the New Economy Initiative. "An intensified level of collaboration among these outstanding business organizations will create a multiplier effect, reenergizing their existing initiatives and bringing about new and unparalleled cooperative ventures. It sends a powerful message to business leaders across the nation that southeast Michigan is working in a smart, integrated fashion to grow its business community."
The Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan will support business development in the region through a variety of innovative projects and programs, which will be announced over the coming months. They will also be identifying opportunities to attract new dollars to support important regional efforts.
"Ann Arbor SPARK actively and successfully practices Open Source Economic Development™ throughout the state," said Mike Finney executive director of Ann Arbor SPARK. "This exciting funding collaboration between Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan partners is an excellent example of regionalism and will enable us to assist additional start-up companies during the critical commercial acceleration phase of their business growth."
"Creating the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan allows for the expansion of current interactions among the partners, while opening the door for new business opportunities that will continue to brand Southeast Michigan as a center for technology excellence," said Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley.
Adds David Spencer, executive director of the Macomb-OU INCubator: "Through this cohesive effort, we hope to significantly improve new business innovation and job growth for the entire southeast Michigan region."
"The 10 foundations of the New Economy Initiative are living up to their collective name and showing extraordinary initiative in using its resources to encourage region-wide collaboration. Each business accelerator has developed particular strengths, and by sharing them we will all be stronger. Among the areas where we can help each other is in helping small- to medium-sized companies drive their export business. At the same time, we will work collaboratively to attract mature businesses from overseas that will bring jobs to the region," according to Randal Charlton, executive director of TechTown. "At TechTown, we are developing close collaboration with our NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, and we also have developing business relations with Israel and other countries in the Middle East and Europe. It's important to share these relationships for the benefit of the entire region."
"We applaud the New Economy Initiative's collaborative efforts to identify, incubate and accelerate Michigan businesses, ideas and entrepreneurs," said Greg Main Michigan Economic Development Corporation president and CEO. "Their hard work on behalf of southeast Michigan's most promising businesses will serve them well."
Comprised of the region's four key business accelerators– Ann Arbor SPARK, Automation Alley, Macomb-OU INCubator, and TechTown, the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan will work collaboratively to share best practices, host events focused on addressing issues and goals that impact southeast Michigan, support business plan development, and leverage funding to grow business in the region.
Collectively, these four business accelerators have invested in 339 start-up companies, invested more than $18 million, created more than 1,000 jobs and secured more than $101.2 million in additional capital for the companies.
"This award supports NEI's focus on building strong networks that support the development of a more diverse, knowledge driven economy," says David Egner, executive director of the New Economy Initiative. "An intensified level of collaboration among these outstanding business organizations will create a multiplier effect, reenergizing their existing initiatives and bringing about new and unparalleled cooperative ventures. It sends a powerful message to business leaders across the nation that southeast Michigan is working in a smart, integrated fashion to grow its business community."
The Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan will support business development in the region through a variety of innovative projects and programs, which will be announced over the coming months. They will also be identifying opportunities to attract new dollars to support important regional efforts.
"Ann Arbor SPARK actively and successfully practices Open Source Economic Development™ throughout the state," said Mike Finney executive director of Ann Arbor SPARK. "This exciting funding collaboration between Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan partners is an excellent example of regionalism and will enable us to assist additional start-up companies during the critical commercial acceleration phase of their business growth."
"Creating the Business Accelerator Network for Southeast Michigan allows for the expansion of current interactions among the partners, while opening the door for new business opportunities that will continue to brand Southeast Michigan as a center for technology excellence," said Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley.
Adds David Spencer, executive director of the Macomb-OU INCubator: "Through this cohesive effort, we hope to significantly improve new business innovation and job growth for the entire southeast Michigan region."
"The 10 foundations of the New Economy Initiative are living up to their collective name and showing extraordinary initiative in using its resources to encourage region-wide collaboration. Each business accelerator has developed particular strengths, and by sharing them we will all be stronger. Among the areas where we can help each other is in helping small- to medium-sized companies drive their export business. At the same time, we will work collaboratively to attract mature businesses from overseas that will bring jobs to the region," according to Randal Charlton, executive director of TechTown. "At TechTown, we are developing close collaboration with our NAFTA partners, Canada and Mexico, and we also have developing business relations with Israel and other countries in the Middle East and Europe. It's important to share these relationships for the benefit of the entire region."
"We applaud the New Economy Initiative's collaborative efforts to identify, incubate and accelerate Michigan businesses, ideas and entrepreneurs," said Greg Main Michigan Economic Development Corporation president and CEO. "Their hard work on behalf of southeast Michigan's most promising businesses will serve them well."
MI economy softened in April
Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index fell two points in April, to a level of 82. However, April's reading is up 11 points from the same period a year ago, marking the third consecutive double-digit increase in the Index on a 12-month basis. April marks the first monthly dip in the Index since March of 2009. Year-to-date, the Index is up nine points, or 12%, from the average for all of 2009
"Following an impressive increase over the first quarter of 2010, our Index softened a bit in April," explains Dana Johnson, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. "April's Index was driven lower by weak energy sales, steel production and housing activity. The upward trend in motor vehicle production remained strong in April, as did car sales, reflecting the consumer demand and production dynamics that have thus far driven the recovery both nationally and in Michigan. Looking ahead, persistent and broad-based gains in the national economy are highly likely to result in sustained moderate job growth in Michigan and an increasingly widespread recovery."
The Michigan Economic Activity Index equally weights nine, seasonally-adjusted coincident indicators of real economic activity. These indicators reflect activity in the construction, manufacturing and service sectors as well as job growth and consumer outlays.
"Following an impressive increase over the first quarter of 2010, our Index softened a bit in April," explains Dana Johnson, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. "April's Index was driven lower by weak energy sales, steel production and housing activity. The upward trend in motor vehicle production remained strong in April, as did car sales, reflecting the consumer demand and production dynamics that have thus far driven the recovery both nationally and in Michigan. Looking ahead, persistent and broad-based gains in the national economy are highly likely to result in sustained moderate job growth in Michigan and an increasingly widespread recovery."
The Michigan Economic Activity Index equally weights nine, seasonally-adjusted coincident indicators of real economic activity. These indicators reflect activity in the construction, manufacturing and service sectors as well as job growth and consumer outlays.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
SE economy picking up steam
Improvement in the Southeast Michigan economy is accelerating and showing greater signs of recovery, according to a monthly survey of purchasing managers by Wayne State University's School of Business Administration and the Southeast Michigan chapter of the Institute for Supply Management.
The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index -a composite index of local economic activity calculated from the survey data-improved in May to 62.1. Up from 57.3 in April, the increase is a result of growth in production and new orders, and improvement in employment activity.
"According to the Purchasing Managers Index, employment was flat or going down for a long time and now we've seen a big improvement over the last four months," said Nitin Paranjpe, an economist and faculty member in WSU's business school. "That tells us that we should see the unemployment rate coming down over time, and in fact it has started to decline. It reached a high of about 14.9% in January and it's come down to about 14% now," he said.
Nationally, the employment index grew to its highest level in six years, suggesting that a sustained recovery in jobs is taking place. The U.S. jobless rate for May was 9.9%.
As factors such as production, new orders and employment have improved over the last quarter, so has purchasing managers' confidence that the local economy will continue to trend in a positive direction. More than 95% of purchasing managers surveyed in May expect that the economy will remain the same or become more stable over the next six months. Less than four percent expected conditions to get worse.
Paranjpe pointed out that the debt crisis in Europe, and how it might affect the Michigan economy, appeared to be the greatest concern for purchasing managers in May. "There is some concern that the turmoil in Europe might spill over into economic activity in Michigan, but we don't know yet," he said.
The complete Purchasing Managers Index report for May is available online at
http://www.ism-sem.org/uploaded_pics/pdf-20100603082111.pdf.
The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index -a composite index of local economic activity calculated from the survey data-improved in May to 62.1. Up from 57.3 in April, the increase is a result of growth in production and new orders, and improvement in employment activity.
"According to the Purchasing Managers Index, employment was flat or going down for a long time and now we've seen a big improvement over the last four months," said Nitin Paranjpe, an economist and faculty member in WSU's business school. "That tells us that we should see the unemployment rate coming down over time, and in fact it has started to decline. It reached a high of about 14.9% in January and it's come down to about 14% now," he said.
Nationally, the employment index grew to its highest level in six years, suggesting that a sustained recovery in jobs is taking place. The U.S. jobless rate for May was 9.9%.
As factors such as production, new orders and employment have improved over the last quarter, so has purchasing managers' confidence that the local economy will continue to trend in a positive direction. More than 95% of purchasing managers surveyed in May expect that the economy will remain the same or become more stable over the next six months. Less than four percent expected conditions to get worse.
Paranjpe pointed out that the debt crisis in Europe, and how it might affect the Michigan economy, appeared to be the greatest concern for purchasing managers in May. "There is some concern that the turmoil in Europe might spill over into economic activity in Michigan, but we don't know yet," he said.
The complete Purchasing Managers Index report for May is available online at
http://www.ism-sem.org/uploaded_pics/pdf-20100603082111.pdf.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
MI economic security linked to homeland defense
U.S. homeland security will be a pillar of Michigan’s New Economy, provided that business leaders, entrepreneurs, academic researchers and others quickly step forward to fill recently identified technology gaps in the nation’s domestic defense.
That’s the message authorities are seeking to get out as it becomes increasingly clear the health of the Michigan economy and that of U.S. security are closely intertwined. This business sector – along with clean energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and film/tourism – has long been touted as a key to economic diversification. More recently, however, federal officials have outlined concrete areas that might allow Michigan to become a market leader and win a significant share of the projected $60 billion in potential state-distributed spending on homeland security.
Specifically, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate fired off a 23-page report outlining technology gaps that need to be plugged fast. Those “High Priority Technology Needs” include support for these areas:
1. First Responder
2. Border Security
3. Cargo Security
4. Maritime Security
5. Cyber Security
6. Information Sharing
7. Interoperability
8. Transportation Security
9. Counter-IED
10. Chemical/Biological Defense
11. People Screening
12. Infrastructure Protection
13. Incident Management
In essence, that’s a shopping list DHS officials are this summer bringing to Michigan, appealing to businesses and individuals in the automotive, defense and technology industries for help. And they appear ready to dole out jobs in exchange for rapid-implementation products and solutions to their problems.
The edge for Michigan in supplying those solutions lies partly with the state’s proven engineering and scientific talent, globally respected research universities, and the nation’s largest commercial border crossing. Perhaps the most compelling advantage for Michigan, however, might actually be its rich automotive heritage and knowledge base. Experts believe that retooling auto manufacturing plants and utilizing existing facilities – in many cases with relatively minor adjustments – would allow Michigan to supply many items on the DHS wish list. That, however, assumes the right people step up and step forward to meet with federal officials.
“Meeting with industry leaders and technology providers to share information and ideas is an important step in providing the best solutions to border security challenges,” says Mark Borkowski, executive director of DHS Customs and Border Protection Secure Border Initiative.
Borkowski will be one of the speakers and participants at the Northern Border Security Conference scheduled for July 27-28 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. Other featured participants include Brad Buswell, deputy under secretary of the DHS S&T Directorate; David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, Neal Belitsky, CEO of Detroit Windsor Tunnel LLC, and; Thomas Jeffers, vice president, OnStar.
“This conference is a major opportunity for many Michigan companies to put their best foot forward and shine – and help meet our nation's critical national security needs in the process," according to Leslie Touma, Founder and CEO of Michigan Security Network, the event organizer. “For individuals and companies who primarily service the defense and automotive industries, it provides a tremendous opportunity to highlight dual use, multi-functional technology that can provide important solutions for the homeland security market.”
Companies and individuals wishing to review and respond to technology gaps in the DHS High Priority Technology Needs document can do so at the web site http://www.michigansecuritynetwork.com/, where there is also information about the July conference in Dearborn.
That’s the message authorities are seeking to get out as it becomes increasingly clear the health of the Michigan economy and that of U.S. security are closely intertwined. This business sector – along with clean energy, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and film/tourism – has long been touted as a key to economic diversification. More recently, however, federal officials have outlined concrete areas that might allow Michigan to become a market leader and win a significant share of the projected $60 billion in potential state-distributed spending on homeland security.
Specifically, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate fired off a 23-page report outlining technology gaps that need to be plugged fast. Those “High Priority Technology Needs” include support for these areas:
1. First Responder
2. Border Security
3. Cargo Security
4. Maritime Security
5. Cyber Security
6. Information Sharing
7. Interoperability
8. Transportation Security
9. Counter-IED
10. Chemical/Biological Defense
11. People Screening
12. Infrastructure Protection
13. Incident Management
In essence, that’s a shopping list DHS officials are this summer bringing to Michigan, appealing to businesses and individuals in the automotive, defense and technology industries for help. And they appear ready to dole out jobs in exchange for rapid-implementation products and solutions to their problems.
The edge for Michigan in supplying those solutions lies partly with the state’s proven engineering and scientific talent, globally respected research universities, and the nation’s largest commercial border crossing. Perhaps the most compelling advantage for Michigan, however, might actually be its rich automotive heritage and knowledge base. Experts believe that retooling auto manufacturing plants and utilizing existing facilities – in many cases with relatively minor adjustments – would allow Michigan to supply many items on the DHS wish list. That, however, assumes the right people step up and step forward to meet with federal officials.
“Meeting with industry leaders and technology providers to share information and ideas is an important step in providing the best solutions to border security challenges,” says Mark Borkowski, executive director of DHS Customs and Border Protection Secure Border Initiative.
Borkowski will be one of the speakers and participants at the Northern Border Security Conference scheduled for July 27-28 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. Other featured participants include Brad Buswell, deputy under secretary of the DHS S&T Directorate; David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, Neal Belitsky, CEO of Detroit Windsor Tunnel LLC, and; Thomas Jeffers, vice president, OnStar.
“This conference is a major opportunity for many Michigan companies to put their best foot forward and shine – and help meet our nation's critical national security needs in the process," according to Leslie Touma, Founder and CEO of Michigan Security Network, the event organizer. “For individuals and companies who primarily service the defense and automotive industries, it provides a tremendous opportunity to highlight dual use, multi-functional technology that can provide important solutions for the homeland security market.”
Companies and individuals wishing to review and respond to technology gaps in the DHS High Priority Technology Needs document can do so at the web site http://www.michigansecuritynetwork.com/, where there is also information about the July conference in Dearborn.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
MEDC forming two new investment funds
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (http://www.michiganadvantage.org/) is forming two $6 million funds that plan to invest in 12 to 24 Michigan companies in four industries as part of the group's overall 21st Century Jobs Fund
True to the MEDC's mission of promoting economic diversification for Michigan, the investments will flow to businesses in the high growth potential sectors of life sciences, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing and homeland security and defense.
Each fund will be run by experienced professional investors on the verge of creating their own venture capital firms. These investors will partner with established venture capital firms in the state, who will be able to provide additional capital to the new companies as they mature, Ned Staebler, an MEDC vice president, explained to the Detroit Free Press. A panel of investment experts will select the managers for the two funds from among the 13 applications received by the MEDC.
Not everyone agrees that the new funds are the best way to spur economic growth. Ken Rogers, executive director of Troy-based Automation Alley, Michigan's largest technology business association, advocates putting the money to use at existing funds that have already produced good results, such as the one his group runs. "Why not fund what works?" he told the Free Press.
But Staebler argues that existing funds lack professional portfolio managers and strong links with venture capital firms. "It's a different piece of the puzzle," he said.
True to the MEDC's mission of promoting economic diversification for Michigan, the investments will flow to businesses in the high growth potential sectors of life sciences, alternative energy, advanced manufacturing and homeland security and defense.
Each fund will be run by experienced professional investors on the verge of creating their own venture capital firms. These investors will partner with established venture capital firms in the state, who will be able to provide additional capital to the new companies as they mature, Ned Staebler, an MEDC vice president, explained to the Detroit Free Press. A panel of investment experts will select the managers for the two funds from among the 13 applications received by the MEDC.
Not everyone agrees that the new funds are the best way to spur economic growth. Ken Rogers, executive director of Troy-based Automation Alley, Michigan's largest technology business association, advocates putting the money to use at existing funds that have already produced good results, such as the one his group runs. "Why not fund what works?" he told the Free Press.
But Staebler argues that existing funds lack professional portfolio managers and strong links with venture capital firms. "It's a different piece of the puzzle," he said.
Friday, June 4, 2010
GR lauded in Fortune magazine
Eyes continue to open across the country: Fortune magazine editors, for example, were surprised to find a "model for other cities looking to engineer new growth after the decline of old-economy industries" smack in the middle of "the Rustbelt of Michigan."
An article in the magazine highlights Grand Rapids as an example of a successful city and points to locally developed and supported institutions: Van Andel Institute, Medical Mile healthcare and research complex, DeVos Place convention center, JW Marriott Hotel, renovation of Civic Theatre into the Meijer Majestic Theater, the new Grand Rapids Art Museum and Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The newest project under development is an urban market designed to attract visitors and businesses downtown.
MI Perspective: As the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity. Still, we look forward to the day when business thought-leaders are no longer shocked -- shocked, do you hear! -- to find shining examples of new economic growth in Michigan. Follow this link to view the Fortune article:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/11/autos/michigan_success_story.fortune/index.htm
An article in the magazine highlights Grand Rapids as an example of a successful city and points to locally developed and supported institutions: Van Andel Institute, Medical Mile healthcare and research complex, DeVos Place convention center, JW Marriott Hotel, renovation of Civic Theatre into the Meijer Majestic Theater, the new Grand Rapids Art Museum and Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. The newest project under development is an urban market designed to attract visitors and businesses downtown.
MI Perspective: As the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity. Still, we look forward to the day when business thought-leaders are no longer shocked -- shocked, do you hear! -- to find shining examples of new economic growth in Michigan. Follow this link to view the Fortune article:
http://money.cnn.com/2010/05/11/autos/michigan_success_story.fortune/index.htm
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Spotlight on security coming to Dearborn
Details are emerging on what could be a breakout event for the homeland security industry in Michigan.
Organizers with Michigan Security Network are still fleshing out the program and speakers for the Norther Border Security Conference, slated for July 27-28 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. However, they offer this additional information on efforts to boost economic development via this business sector.
What differentiates the Northern Border Security conference from other events?
First, it features high-level officials and decisionmakers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. industry, including OnStar, General Dynamics and possibly Google. Second, DHS has already released – intentionally prior to the conference start - very detailed technology "gaps" or challenges in order to find companies who can offer products and solutions. It is a tremendous business opportunity for companies and individuals to showcase their products and creativity.
Who should attend this conference?
While individuals and companies who primarily service the automotive and defense industries should absolutely attend, so too should manufacturers, high-tech providers, entrepreneurs, law enforcement & border security, first responders, the National Guard and those in academia, science, research and government. The key growth areas of the Homeland Security market are vast and, thus, present multiple business opportunities for the private sector.
What makes Michigan unique in terms of border security?
The Homeland Security market is one of the fastest growing markets in the U.S. economy, with $60 billion in potential spending among the states. We believe Michigan is uniquely qualified to be a national leader in key growth areas of the Homeland Security market based on our accomplished engineering and scientific communities and workforce, our globally respected universities, our committed business leaders and our indisputable geographic advantage, including the largest commercial border crossing in the country. We absolutely see the Homeland Security market as a major job growth area and being a major part of the new Michigan economy.
Where can people register to attend?
Visit: events.esd.org; or: the Michigan Security Network at: michigansecuritynetwork.com and click on the conference link. Or attendees may call Leslie Smith at: 248/353-0735 ext. 152.
Organizers with Michigan Security Network are still fleshing out the program and speakers for the Norther Border Security Conference, slated for July 27-28 at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn. However, they offer this additional information on efforts to boost economic development via this business sector.
What differentiates the Northern Border Security conference from other events?
First, it features high-level officials and decisionmakers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. industry, including OnStar, General Dynamics and possibly Google. Second, DHS has already released – intentionally prior to the conference start - very detailed technology "gaps" or challenges in order to find companies who can offer products and solutions. It is a tremendous business opportunity for companies and individuals to showcase their products and creativity.
Who should attend this conference?
While individuals and companies who primarily service the automotive and defense industries should absolutely attend, so too should manufacturers, high-tech providers, entrepreneurs, law enforcement & border security, first responders, the National Guard and those in academia, science, research and government. The key growth areas of the Homeland Security market are vast and, thus, present multiple business opportunities for the private sector.
What makes Michigan unique in terms of border security?
The Homeland Security market is one of the fastest growing markets in the U.S. economy, with $60 billion in potential spending among the states. We believe Michigan is uniquely qualified to be a national leader in key growth areas of the Homeland Security market based on our accomplished engineering and scientific communities and workforce, our globally respected universities, our committed business leaders and our indisputable geographic advantage, including the largest commercial border crossing in the country. We absolutely see the Homeland Security market as a major job growth area and being a major part of the new Michigan economy.
Where can people register to attend?
Visit: events.esd.org; or: the Michigan Security Network at: michigansecuritynetwork.com and click on the conference link. Or attendees may call Leslie Smith at: 248/353-0735 ext. 152.
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