SSTI Digest

The Michigan Innovation Equipment Depot has distributed its first round of life science research equipment to start-ups around the state. The Depot program, developed by Pfizer, Ann Arbor SPARK, MichBio and Michigan's SmartZones, redistributes previously used life science laboratory equipment to new Michigan companies. More than $655,000 and 131 items were awarded in the inaugural round to 18 applicants. The value of this equipment ranged from $25 to $125,000 -- an average of $4,404 per item. The program is designed to accelerate life science commercialization by reducing the overhead equipment costs of new startups. In order to participate, companies must apply through their local SmartZone representatives and demonstrate a critical need for the equipment, as well as a positive economic impact for the state.

During his keynote address at this month's renewable energy conference in St. Louis, President Bush informed attendees that the number of U.S. ethanol plants is expected to increase 40 percent in 2007. As the market for biofuels like ethanol grows, many states are creating plans to support businesses and research that can fill the current need for renewable alternatives at the pump. Among the states having taken steps to build a profitable alternative fuels industry and cleaner and safer highways are Michigan and Tennessee.   Michigan Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has made the first round of appointments to the state's recently approved Renewable Fuels Commission. The appointees will oversee Michigan's efforts to promote the production and distribution of petroleum alternatives, as well as the manufacture of vehicles that capitalize on eco-friendly biodiesel and ethanol technologies. The Commission will identify new ways to spur fuel research and recommend alternative fuel strategies to the governor and legislature.  

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm has announced the first round of awards from the states new 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative. Totaling more than $100 million, these awards will support applied research and later-stage commercialization of promising new technologies developed at Michigan's public and private research centers. The inaugural round of 61 awards is expected to create more than 3,000 new in-state jobs and to fuel new business development in the life sciences, alternative energy, homeland security, and advanced automotive technologies. The Fund is managed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), which operates as a partnership between the state, private companies and local communities. Approximately $800 million of the $2 billion fund overseen by MEDC will directly support the commercialization of new technologies over the next 10 years. The current round of awards includes:

Automation Alley, which promotes economic growth in Southeast Michigan, has hired Noel Nevshehir to direct its international business center.

Tino Breithaupt, formerly vice president of Technology Tri-Corridor with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), is the new senior vice president of economic development for the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce. Vince Nystrom has been named Director, Technology Business Development of MEDC.

Janice Whitehouse was named president of CyberMichigan, an institute within the nonprofit Altarum.

Former Lansing Community College president Paula Cunningham is the new director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth.

David Hollister announced he will leave his position as director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth on Feb. 3, to head Prima Civitas, a newly formed nonprofit agency promoting economic development.

Following months of debate that ended in a veto last month by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, an agreement was made last week on a $600 million tax relief package for businesses, which now awaits the governor's anticipated signature. Gov. Granholm signed into law the $1 billion Job Creation Fund last month, but rejected a package of tax cuts over a disagreement on two of the bills (see the Dec.5 issue of the Digest).

After several months of debate regarding a number of economic development initiatives, Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law a major economic stimulus bill. However, unhappy with portions of a separate tax break package for businesses, the governor vetoed two of the 10 bills.

Gov. Granholm signed into law a bill creating the 21st Century Jobs Fund, first introduced in her State-of-the-State Speech earlier this year (see the Feb . 21 issue of the Digest). The new initiative appropriates $400 million over fiscal years 2006-07 from tobacco settlement money to provide immediate funds for job creation and to increase Michigan's high-technology economy, according to the governor's press office. Funding for the initiative will be focused in three areas:

Michael Finney, CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise, is leaving to become president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK.

Automation Alley has named Thomas Anderson as president of the Automation Alley Education & Research Institute. Mr. Anderson also is director of the consortium's Technology Center.