Ann Arbor SPARK and EDCLC Report Recent Economic Successes in Livingston, Including New Projects and Investments

ANN ARBOR, Mich.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–With its partner, the Economic Development Council of Livingston County
(EDCLC), Ann Arbor SPARK recently released a report recapping economic
development activities in the last quarter of 2017. The highlights
include work on ensuring the labor pool’s skills match employer needs as
well as projects that will add jobs and investment to the regional
economy.

“We’re seeing unemployment continuing to trend downward, generally a
good sign, although we know a low unemployment environment can make it
difficult to find people to hire, so we’re focusing on partnering to
find new ways to hire or train existing staff,” said Phil Santer, Ann
Arbor SPARK’s vice president for business development. “In 2017, Ann
Arbor SPARK and the EDCLC’s work has worked to support more than $19
million in new private investment. Given the successes we worked to
achieve last quarter, we are confident 2018 will be another year of
impactful economic growth in Livingston County.”

In the past year, a collaborative effort between EDCLC, Ann Arbor SPARK,
and Michigan Works! Southeast provided access to more than $350,000 to
support employee training efforts. The Skilled Trades Training Fund
helped 9 companies and supported more than 331 jobs.

The report also includes an update on a proposed construction of a
natural gas-fired power generation facility in Handy Township. The
Competitive Power Ventures facility will be located on 145 acres in the
southeast corner of the township, near the Fowlerville Proving Grounds.
Competitive Power Ventures recently began a two-year due diligence
period that will inform the company whether the site is a suitable
location for one of its facilities. Ann Arbor SPARK started to work with
the company last August as it began the process of learning about the
business climate in Michigan and Livingston County. In the proceeding
months, Ann Arbor SPARK has coordinated small group discussions with
township officials, local community leaders, and Competitive Power
Ventures, and participated in meetings with state officials as the area
continued to be evaluated for the project.

In the last quarter, Ann Arbor SPARK also worked closely with the team
developing a $3.5 million industrial facility for lease in Fowlerville,
which has the potential to attract jobs and investment in Livingston
County. Currently, Ann Arbor SPARK is working with the development team
on a request for a property tax abatement for the building.

A 2016 success story, coordinating with the Flint Mass Transit Authority
and Michigan’s Community Ventures program to bus workers from that
region to Livingston County continues to deliver in-demand skilled
talent to businesses. The program has grown to include six leading
employers – GKI Granola Kitchens, Inc., Thai Summit America Corporation,
Toyoda Gosei Fluid Systems, Tribar Manufacturing, Ventra Fowlerville,
LLC, and Work Skills Corporation – resulting in the creation of 287 new
jobs.

ABOUT ANN ARBOR SPARK

Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by
encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and
retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business
at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK
collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor
partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan
University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston
County, the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone (LDFA), Washtenaw County
etcs/Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the
Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please
call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

Contacts

Ann Arbor SPARK
Jenn Cornell, 734-765-0174
[email protected]