Ann Arbor SPARK invites Brighton area communities to join economic development effort
Washtenaw County's economic development group is inviting Brighton and four surrounding townships in the Livingston County community to join its effort, LivingstonDaily.com is reporting.
According to the report, Ann Arbor SPARK initiated the potential collaboration over the past year, but no decision has been made. The goal would be to pursue business attraction and job growth in the larger region.
SPARK already operates a business incubator in Plymouth Township in Wayne County.
Meanwhile, Ann Arbor SPARK released its annual report as part of a presentation on Monday to Ann Arbor City Council.
In that presentation, SPARK said that in 2010 it helped 42 companies that aspire to hire 1,425 people as a result of potential growth.
SPARK's annual operating budget is $3.07 million. About one-third of the budget is funded by a tax-capture authority in downtown Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti tax districts. About $395,000 comes from Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
(Editor's note: AnnArbor.com executive vice president Laurel Champion serves on Ann Arbor SPARK's Board of Directors and Executive Committee.)
Comments
Cash
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 2:42 p.m.
Dear Livingston County, Run, do not walk, away from this money drain.
Cash
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 6:40 p.m.
Bwahhaa....Did SPARK teach you how to build it? Did they charge you for the training? LOL
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.
Cash, I have a money capturing trap set up in my back yard. I expect to capture several thousand dollars in the near future. Would you like to buy one? call me at 555-1234
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, May 11, 2011 : 2:40 p.m.
Are they going to "capture" (gosh I love/hate that word) money from Livingston county? Is that what is meant by "join its effort"? Do they currently "capture" money from Wayne county?