By Sharon Hanks

Grand Valley State University has tapped Linda Chamberlain, a director of a Grand Rapids technology incubator, to be the leader of its newly created Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

Chamberlain, the executive director of the West Michigan Science & Technology Initiative for the past three years, began March 1 on focusing her energies on supporting the region's high-growth entrepreneurs.

"I'm very excited," Chamberlain says, adding that she welcomes "any sort of conversation" with the community regarding ideas to encourage new business and innovation in the region. "I think this is a wonderful opportunity for the community, Grand Valley, students, entrepreneurs and investors to continue our march for entrepreneurship."

In addition to work at WMSTI, for the past eight years Chamberlain has had her own consulting business, Inno Valuation, where she focuses on creating and validating business opportunities. Her career also includes leadership roles in research and product development at both blue-chip and start-up companies, including Shell Chemical in Texas, Allied Signal in New Jersey and Johnson Controls in Holland.

The new director grew up in Grand Rapids, graduated from the city's Creston High School and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Purdue University. She completed her post-doctorate work at the University of California-Irvine.

Among her first goals are to help with the selection of an advisory board, introduce new programs focused on synchronizing resources, and complete a plan aimed at identifying new sources of capital. She will also work with the university's faculty and staff to develop additional academic programming for student entrepreneurs-in-training.

In the announcement released this week, GVSU President Thomas J. Haas says the Center will be "part think tank and part resource clearinghouse," with a goal of boosting entrepreneurship and innovation.

The Center will operate within GVSU's Seidman College of Business on the Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids.

Rick Cook, director of WMSTI's Venture Center, has been named interim executive director for WMSTI, an initiative located in GVSU's Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences along Medical Mile in Grand Rapids.

Sources: Linda Chamberlain, executive director of GVSU's Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Grand Rapids; Brian J. Bowe, GVSU's News & Information Services

Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.

Source: Rapid Growth
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By Sharon Hanks

A Hope College professor is being lauded by two national organizations for his "ground-breaking work" in the promotion of hearing loops, a technology that allows users who visit buildings installed with a loop system to turn their hearing aids into mini-loudspeakers customized for their own hearing needs.

David Myers has worked since 2002 to expand the use of telecoils in hearing aids in places such as churches, theaters, schools and other public meeting sites after he discovered first-hand how the wireless system enhanced his own hearing.

A telecoil that's installed in more than two-thirds of all hearing aids functions as an antenna, relaying sounds directly into the ear without background noise, much like Wi-Fi connects people to the web.

Myers says he and his wife first learned about telecoil-assisted hearing when they were visiting an abbey in Scotland and noticed a hearing assisted sign. "I couldn't believe what I was hearing," Myers says when he turned on the telecoil in his hearing aid that day. "What I was hearing was a crystal clear voice speaking at the center of my head."

The Hearing Loss Association of America and the American Academy of Audiology both have commended Myers for his crucial role in getting both organizations to endorse a public education campaign called the "Get in the Hearing Loop."

Pat Cricks, president-elect of the Academy, is quoted in a news release as saying "there have been steady increases in accessibility for individuals with hearing loss" due to Myers efforts.

"This is very gratifying," Myers says about national spotlight. "I don't want to take too much credit, but I guess the press release speaks for itself. It was sort of my fantasy that West Michigan could be a model for the nation and I think it is. It's really exciting!"

When Myers first learned about telecoils in Scotland, there was virtually no places in America that had installed the technology. Working with local corporations, Myers obtained grant money and support to help install the loop system in public venues. Today, there are 300 public places in West Michigan that are equipped with a loop, with each site costing from $2,000 to $10,000, Myers says.

In addition to this, Myers has helped spread the magic of the loop through a series of his own personal writings, including a memoir of his own hearing loss. He also established an informational website called www.HearingLoop.org that contains helpful facts for the hard of hearing.

Sources: David Myers, Hope College psychology professor in Holland; HearingLoop.org website; joint press release issued by HLAA and AAA

Sharon Hanks is innovations and jobs news editor at Rapid Growth Media. Please send story ideas and comments for the column to Sharon at sharon@rapidgrowthmedia.com. She also is owner of The Write Words in Grand Rapids.

Source: Rapid Growth
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While many West Michigan residents have focused on the unsightly aesthetics of erecting a large scale wind farm on Lake Michigan, economic development officials say the potential for creating thousands of much-needed jobs gets nearly lost in the discussion.

Norwegian development company Scandia Wind LLC proposes a 1,000-megawatt Aegir Wind Farm for Lake Michigan off the Oceana-Mason county line.

According to excerpts from the story:

A study found that the West Michigan region could generate 4,000 jobs and an $800 million investment by producing alternative energy components.

Read the complete story here.

Source: Rapid Growth
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Michigan's top private-sector employer, the health care industry, generated nearly 10,000 jobs from 2006 to 2008 in Kent County alone, jumping to 69,473 people and bringing with it an annual $4.53 billion impact on the economy, according to a new report.

In a biannual economic-impact report from the Partnership for Michigan's Health, health care employed more than 900,000 in Michigan by 2008 and became an even bigger force on the state's economy.

According to excerpts from the story:

"This is a time when we can help provide some stability, even at a time when we've seen some huge declines in other employment sectors," said Peter Schonfeld, senior vice president for policy and data services at the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

Read the complete story here.

Source: Rapid Growth
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AirTran's recent announcement that it will soon serve the Gerald Ford International Airport has given the region another advantage to attract national business conferences.

According to excerpts from the story:

The only way for Grand Rapids to grow its meetings and conventions industry is for it to play at a national level. To do so requires the region to raise its brand awareness, but also make it easy for visitors and conventioneers to get to town.

In that sense, the Grand Rapids/Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau's job should be somewhat easier now that AirTran announced that it would begin serving Gerald Ford International Airport starting in May. AirTran's arrival will bring a much-needed low-cost networked carrier to the region, as well as place downward pressure on the price of all fares, according to airline and airport officials.

Read the complete story here.

Source: Rapid Growth
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If passed in the Michigan legislature, several proposed tax breaks for LEED-certified new construction and building rehabs could prompt developers to invest more of their green in green buildings.

According to excerpts from the story:

Even though redevelopment of a former Fifth Third bank site in Eastown is ready to break ground this spring, Bazzani Associates Inc. might hold off awhile. Proposed legislation, expected to hit the floor of the state Senate by spring break, would offer tax breaks for new construction and building rehabilitations that achieve certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED.

"I would probably delay (the building) a bit in waiting for this," said Guy Bazzani, who helped write a package of bills introduced this month by lawmakers, including Sens. Wayne Kuipers, R-Holland, and Patty Birkholz, R-Saugatuck Township.

Read the complete story here.

Source: Rapid Growth
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Entrepreneurs from around West Michigan met last week with Governor Granholm to voice their experience about the FastTrac program that puts displaced workers in charge of their own small businesses quickly, giving them the opportunity to get back on their feet.

According to excerpts from the story:

After a career in human resources, talent developer Scott Patchin found himself out of work.

"Last April, for the first time in 20 years, I was without a job," Patchin told a crowded room at an entrepreneurial roundtable Wednesday. "Two weeks within losing my job, a friend said, 'I heard about this program.' That's where it all started."

His business, The trU Group LLC, was one of five spotlighted at the roundtable, led by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Patchin said he enlisted in a veritable boot camp for entrepreneurs, the FastTrac program run by the Small Business and Technology Development Council, based at Grand Valley State University. Wednesday's session was in GVSU's DeVos Center downtown. After his experiences working for big auto suppliers, a bank, and a hospital system, Patchin figured he was primed to go out on his own.

Read the complete story here.

Source: Rapid Growth
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Recognizing the Right Place Inc. for its 2009 Automotive Diversification Conference held in February, the International Economic Development Council ( ... Read More IEDC) presented an award to the Grand Rapids, Michigan-based economic development organization during IEDC's Annual Conference, which took place in Reno, Nevada, October 4-7.

"Furthering economic development is rarely a simple task in the best of times, and advancing the cause in the midst of a global financial crisis is nothing less than arduous," said Ian Bromley, IEDC chair. "As the consequences of the widespread economic turmoil have taken hold, we have seen our members become even more ardent proponents of economic development, flying in the face of one of the most challenging economic environments we have experienced in our careers. We proudly present this award to The Right Place for its superior work during these difficult times."

Competing in the category of Special Event by organizations serving areas with populations exceeding 200,000, The Right Place was a clear standout with its Automotive Diversification Manufacturing event. Held in February 2009, the full-day conference focused on market diversification opportunities for West Michigan's automotive suppliers seeking to build a diversification strategy for long-term business success. Conducted in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corp., The Right Place gathered experts from four growing industry sectors--alternative energy, aerospace, government contracting and medical device--to provide a thorough overview of each industry including long-term market potential, opportunities for growth and barriers to entry. Industry experts later conducted in-depth sessions on each of these four growth markets on the strategies involved with diversifying into that market. The event gathered over 300 regional manufacturers and suppliers to the automotive industry.

“It is humbling and gratifying to receive an international award like this,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “But it’s not why we do it. We do it because we want West Michigan businesses to succeed, providing stable, long-term jobs for our future. This award reaffirms our commitment and will push us even harder to deliver world-class services and leadership in West Michigan.” View Less

Source: The Right Place, Inc.

Today, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board approved state tax incentives for two expanding West Michigan companies; GRW Technologies I ... Read More nc. and DornerWorks, Ltd. Utilizing High-Technology/High-Wage MEGA Tax credits, the companies plan to generate 116 new jobs and over $3.5 million in capital investment in West Michigan over the next five years.

The Right Place, Inc., in collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and the cities of Kentwood (GRW Technologies) and Grand Rapids (DornerWorks), worked with both companies on their expansion projects.

“These projects reaffirm the potential for a knowledge-based manufacturing and design industry in West Michigan. Whether you’re developing software for integrated components or building plastic injection molded parts, it’s all part of a manufacturing process,” stated Birgit Klohs, President and CEO, The Right Place, Inc. “These expansion projects provide new jobs and investment in West Michigan and further enhance our regional capacity and expertise in aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing; an asset that we intend to take full advantage of.”

GRW Technologies Expansion — 66 new jobs, $2,005,000 in capital investment
German-based GRW Technologies Inc., a provider of precision injection molding, is expanding their location in Kentwood to accommodate a new contract with Continental Inc. The company plans to purchase nearly $500,000 in injection molding equipment, invest an additional $1,505,000 in new equipment, and lease an additional 17,500 square feet of space at their Kentwood facility.

The company also considered expanding in San Louise Potosi, Mexico, as currently approximately 65% of their current customers are located in Mexico. Michigan’s incentive program will enable GRW Technologies to stay competitive, while remaining in West Michigan.

DornerWorks, Ltd. — 50 new jobs, $1,500,000 in capital investment
Founded in West Michigan in 2000, DornerWorks is an electronics engineering consulting firm with 46 current employees. Serving a highly diverse customer base including medical devices, automotive and aerospace, the company is expanding to accommodate capacity for new national aerospace customers. DornerWorks anticipates doubling in size over the next five years, creating an additional 50 jobs and $1.5 million in capital investment.

The company also considered various other sites around the country for their expansion including: Richmond, Virginia; Phoenix, Arizona; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Salt Lake City, Utah. All of which were closer to their national aerospace client base. The incentives provided by the State will enable DornerWorks to offer a high level of customer service and remain competitive while they expand their presence in West Michigan.

With these latest economic development projects, The Right Place, working with its local and state partners, has generated over $39,955,000 million in capital investment and assisted in the retention and creation of over 591 jobs in West Michigan in 2009.
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Source: The Right Place, Inc.

The Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) board, in collaboration with Grand Rapids Township and The Right Place, Inc., today is expected to appro ... Read More ve a High-Technology MEGA Tax Credit for Global Futures & Forex Ltd, an online foreign currency and futures trading company operating under the brand name GFT.

The tax credit, valued at more than $1.3 million over seven years, will support the company’s expansion project in Grand Rapids Township. The company will invest $13.8 million and create 105 new jobs over the next five years through the relocation and expansion.

GFT plans to move its world headquarters from 4760 East Fulton Avenue in Ada Township to an existing building site at 618 Kenmoor Avenue SE in Grand Rapids Township. Making use of the former Mazda Great Lakes location in lieu of developing a greenfield site will not only speed GFT’s expansion efforts, but will also decrease the company’s total environmental impact in West Michigan.

“We’re very pleased to announce this expansion project,” said Gary Tilkin, president & CEO, GFT. “We feel that West Michigan is the best place for our business. The region offers a high-tech, diverse workforce; the type of ‘creative class’ talent GFT needs to succeed.”

GFT is an innovative foreign exchange provider offering individuals and institutions access to global financial markets with its online trading services. It provides its customers with proprietary software, trading technologies and other leading financial tools. Since its 1997 founding, the company has expanding in more than 120 countries, employing 312 worldwide. The 105 additional jobs will add to its current Grand Rapids complement of 146.

“High-tech companies like GFT are a tremendous asset to West Michigan’s growing knowledge-based economy, and we are extremely pleased that they have decided to expand here,” said Birgit Klohs, President and CEO of The Right Place, Inc. “This project would not have happened without the full collaboration and teamwork of Grand Rapids Township and the MEDC. As an international, technology-based organization, GFT had the option to expand anywhere in the world. Our ability to respond quickly and comprehensively to their needs gave us a significant advantage in this project.”

“Our partnership with The Right Place was crucial to the success of this project,” said Tilkin. “Their assistance expediting processes through local municipalities and state project teams was invaluable. With their help, we were able to keep the project moving at the pace we needed.”

With this latest economic development project, The Right Place, working with its local and state partners, has generated over $36,450,000 million in capital investment and assisted in the retention and creation of over 475 jobs in West Michigan in 2009. View Less

Source: The Right Place