Top 10 Ann Arbor companies Barack Obama should visit in May
When U.S. President Barack Obama visited southeast Michigan in summer 2009 at the nadir of the global auto crisis, economic development organization Ann Arbor SPARK invited Obama to tour promising companies in the Ann Arbor region.
Obama didn't take SPARK up on the offer. But SPARK is poised to make the offer again now that he's slated to deliver the commencement address May 1 at the University of Michigan, said Elizabeth Parkinson, vice president of marketing and public relations for SPARK.
"We absolutely will" extend the invitation, she said.
Here's my list of the Top 10 Ann Arbor companies Obama should visit -- and why they're relevant to his administration.
1. Accio Energy. The Ann Arbor-based firm is developing a potentially revolutionary wind energy device that would generate electricity without moving parts. Obama’s administration is emphasizing the importance of reducing carbon emissions and investing in alternative energy.
NanoBio researchers are developing new flu vaccine technology.
2. NanoBio Corp. The Ann Arbor-based U-M startup is developing nanotechnology-based flu vaccine technology that aims to improve vaccine manufacturing processes. During the height of the swine flu epidemic in late 2009, U.S. vaccine manufacturers were struggling to deliver enough vaccines due to antiquated manufacturing processes. Health care experts say improved vaccine manufacturing processes may be critical to avoid future pandemics.
3. A123Systems. The vehicle battery firm, which established an Ann Arbor research operation when it acquired U-M startup T/J Technologies in 2006, is adding more than 5,000 jobs in various expansion projects throughout Michigan. The Obama administration announced in August it would provide a $249.1 million grant for A123Systems - financing from the $787 billion economic stimulus package. Alternative powertrain technology based on lithium-ion batteries is important to helping automakers meet aggressive Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards implemented by Obama last year.
4. Arboretum Ventures. Getting capital to startup tech companies is critical to the nation’s economic revival. Ann Arbor-based Arboretum, which last year raised $73 million in fresh capital to invest in promising companies, is arguably the most influential venture capital firm in the Midwest. And the companies Arboretum has invested in -- firms like HandyLab (see No. 7) and Ann Arbor-based HealthMedia -- are adding jobs.
Adaptive Materials co-founder Michelle Crumm, who introduced then-candidate Barack Obama to a political rally in Lansing in 2008.
5. Toyota Technical Center. Obama today told Bloomberg he was unsure whether the Japanese automaker had responded appropriately to its recall crisis. The 1,100 American engineers at the technical center in York Township had nothing to do with the recall - but their engineering expertise is reflective of one of Michigan’s core assets - talented engineers.
6. Adaptive Materials. The Pittsfield Township-based fuel cell firm, which recently signed a $3 million contract to supply its devices to the U.S. Air Force, is developing innovative portable power technology based on commercially available propane fuel. It’s particularly useful technology for the military - which needs to become more energy-efficient.
7. HandyLab. The Pittsfield Township-based U-M startup firm, acquired by New Jersey-based global giant Becton, Dickinson and Co. for $275 million in November, has developed a medical device that promises to lower health care costs by making it easier and quicker for doctors to detect infections in patients. Investing in medical technology is one of the few remaining bipartisan issues in the health care debate.
8. Menlo Innovations. The Ann Arbor-based software firm, which has enjoyed revenue growth for several straight years, has earned national plaudits for cultivating an innovative workspace. Establishing innovative workplace environments is critical to maintaining America's role as the world's entrepreneurial leader.
Menlo Innovations CEO Rich Sheridan regularly gives tours of his innovative workspace in Ann Arbor. Perhaps Obama would like one.
9. Systems In Motion. The California-based information technology services startup in 2009 established an operation in Pittsfield Township, where it said it would hire more than 1,100 workers. Systems In Motion calls its plan “in-sourcing,” because it’s hiring workers in America to handle services that were often outsourced to India several years ago.
10. Zingerman’s. The staple of Ann Arbor’s fine-dining scene has morphed into a symbol of Ann Arbor’s entrepreneurial attitude. The firm now employs about 500 workers - and serves as an example that entrepreneurialism can flourish in Michigan’s downtrodden economy.
Contact AnnArbor.com’s Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Elle
Thu, Apr 29, 2010 : 9:30 p.m.
Menlo? Really? Yes, let's PLEASE encourage "employers" who only hire interns and contractors. You can't applaud Rich Sheridan for an innovative workspace when no one there actually works for him.
bunnyabbot
Sun, Feb 14, 2010 : 1:28 p.m.
@ryan, "where is annarbor.com on the list" yes, show him how A2 news like so many print newspapers around the country have gone under. A2 news let go how many employees? to then become a2.com? what percentage of a2.com is even NEWS that would have been fit to print? additionally, I NEVER look at any of the advertisers, so I can't imagine how much that is a waste for businesses.
David Briegel
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 10:44 p.m.
Isn't it amazing that during every Republican administration the bankers get to loot the treasury? And the Dems are the bad guys!? Go figure! Maybe Obama should go to visit a legitimate bank. The big ones are criminal enterprises. Right Top Cat?
David MGC
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 6:18 p.m.
A cup of Obama Blend Coffee at Mighty Good Cafe?
Ryan J. Stanton
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 6:11 p.m.
Where's AnnArbor.com on this list?
PittsfieldTwp
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 3:34 p.m.
I suggest The Darma initiative
David Briegel
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
Ed and Stephen, It sounds like this program would work for the VA. Currently it is a travesty what happens to our vets upon discharge. Having to "apply" for the benefits they've earned and then the horrendous backlog and denials. You might think the VA was a for profit insurance company! The military services already have their current medical records and history at discharge and yet these guys have to prove that they were injured or wounded a second time as though they were guilty of lying. It is almost criminal! Again, most of the civilized countries arrange for benefits at discharge.
PittsfieldTwp
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 3:09 p.m.
Some of these companies have great ideas, but they seem to have too small of a footprint for a presidential visit. I clicked on a few links, and a few seem not much bigger than a couple of people working out of a small rental office.
farris khan
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 2:17 p.m.
The logical choice would be ForeSee Results. A mid-sized growing company that is leveraging really smart people including many from the auto industry. They have products that every major industry uses. Not only that, they have become the De Facto standard for measuring Transparency, Satisfaction and Trust in the public sector as described in Obama's own "Open Goverment Initiative".
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 12:56 p.m.
How about having the President visit the Ann Arbor offices of the South East Michigan Health Information Exchange (SEMHIE)? SEMHIE just won a $3 million contract from the U.S. Social Security Administration to accelerate a process which now takes 457 days on average in the Detroit region down to six hours to submit a claim for disability and two days for a decision. The delays in receiving Social Security Disability are devastating for many families, since a bread winner is unable to work and SSA doesn't pay until a claim for disability is approved and even then pays not retroactively but only going forward. By accelerating this process more funds will come to Michigan, sooner and fewer funds that are entitled will be lost to those who need this assistance. Of the 6,344,814 Michiganders between 18 and 64 years old, 392,462, or 6.2% are on Social Security Disability, which when you think about it, is an amazingly high number and it is rising daily. The President has championed the Health Information Exchange effort started by President Bush by putting $42 billion behind this effort in the Economic Recovery Act passsed in 2009 (ARRA) so why not take a few bows for something he has done that did work and talk to the people who are working in SE Michigan to create a new industry and quality jobs that will help solve the health care problem that has slaughtered so much of our manufacturing work force?!
ehead
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 12:31 p.m.
What about ForeSee Results? We are growing and adding lots of jobs to the Michigan economy - plus we are the world's foremost experts in measuring government website satisfaction...a cause important to the Obama administration.
Julie Martin
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.
If he brings Michelle & the girls - they should get some henna from Arbor Henna!
jondhall
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 11:47 a.m.
How about a Visit to the Post Office on Liberty Street, that is not convenient to anyone!
EngineeringMom
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 11:09 a.m.
I agree with having him visit some of these inspired businesses. However, as a balance point I believe a visit to the nearly vacant Willow Run facility would make a giant impression to help him understand the gap these new small businness are trying to fill.
An
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 10:58 a.m.
@Lets Get Real, Adaptive Materials has 5 open positions (engineers, software, purchasing) listed on its Web site right now. And they are very picky about who they hire.
Frains
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 10:41 a.m.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger - if Obama can run out for Five Guys in D.C. he can experience the real deal right in the heart of Ann Arbor.
ypsilantimpr
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 10:25 a.m.
how about Food Gatherers? perhaps some national coverage generated by a presidential visit would do more good to showcase the many ways our community is fighting hunger AND bring attention to the major increase in need for food support. besides, it is another way to bring attention to the Food Environment Atlas compiled by the USDA which was just announced by Michelle Obama. check it out: http://ers.usda.gov/foodatlas/
Jenn Cornell
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 10:10 a.m.
@Lets Get Real, Adaptive Materials has 5 open positions (engineers, software, purchasing) listed on its Web site right now.
M.
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 9:37 a.m.
David K - What good would that do? Perhaps visiting successful businesses would generate some inspiration or ideas.
FreedomLover
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
Topcat - I love it!
krc
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 8:53 a.m.
I think Zingerman's would be a good choice too, but I really like the idea of a visit to Stone School and Roberto Clemente. What a once-in-a-lifetime experience for those kids. An inspiration to greatness.
Lets Get Real
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 8:47 a.m.
Let's Get Real and ask the 10% of Adaptive Materials workforce that was laid off last year. That's change you can believe in.
Top Cat
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 8:23 a.m.
He should visit any privately owned company that makes a profit since it's obviously something he knows nothing about.
David K
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 7:33 a.m.
I believe that rather than look at our regions success stories, Obama's priority should be a first hand look at the areas that are in acute need of jobs, better schools, and economic development. He should visit Flint, Detroit, and even Livonia. Also a helicopter ride to view the empty factories, offices, and laboratories dotting the region. There are over a million adults in Michigan who need work.
racerx
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 7:23 a.m.
How about Scarlett Middle School to restore the NASA funding so all grades can receive Apple laptops again.
AndMarie
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 7:12 a.m.
Why not just give him a list of all the business's that have closed in the last year. Show him all the empty store fronts downtown. Take him to the welfare office to show him the upswing in applications. Show him we're hurting.
nowayjose
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 1:29 a.m.
I know its not a company, but maybe he can visit the awesome fountain outside of the Municiple Center when/if its done.
DaRyan
Fri, Feb 12, 2010 : 1:08 a.m.
what is it with you guys and top 10 lists? Is this annarbor.com or the Letterman show?
G.W. Williams
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 11:13 p.m.
Something we can do to help encourage more growth is get the governor and legislative leaders to adopt the Michigan Turnaround Plan (www.michiganturnaroundplan.com). It will make our business climate more competitive by reducing the costs of doing business in Michigan: reduce the Michigan Business Tax, eliminate the personal property tax, and reduce the amount of regulations standing in the way of job growth. The plan is supported by an impressive coalition, and there's a lot in there for members of both parties to take a liking to.
Ryan Munson
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 10:16 p.m.
Gee Nathan. I agree with Barracuda Networks!
voiceofreason
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 9:37 p.m.
He should visit everyone's favorite AnnArbor.com advertiser, DejaVu Showgirls!
Nathan Bomey
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 9:30 p.m.
Great suggestions! Here are a few more that deserve to be here: No. 11 & No. 12: Barracuda Networks and Arbor Networks. The network and IT security firms are growing rapidly in the Ann Arbor region. The U.S. government is rapidly adapting to the growing global cybersecurity threat -- and firms like these two are poised to reap the benefits from future IT security investments. http://blog.mlive.com/businessinnovation/2009/06/national_focus_on_cybersecurit.html Where else should he visit?
Jim Mulchay
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 9:10 p.m.
It might be nice to arrange the students from Stone School and Roberto Clemente School to meet or be recognized by the President. Education is critical, and it sounds like these young people could use all the support they can get.
Adam Jaskiewicz
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 9:10 p.m.
Arbor Brewing Company?
MjC
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 8:47 p.m.
Don't forget Domino's Pizza (a lot of pizza was ordered during the last campaign) and Conway Freight (they deliver more than just pizza!) - two very deserving companies with headquarters in Ann Arbor.
TripleVSix
Thu, Feb 11, 2010 : 8:38 p.m.
Thank you for not listing my company. I would not like him to visit!