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Michigan Certified Business Park Newsletter |
July 2009 |
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Congratulations Recertifications!
The following parks were recently granted recertification through MEDA because they have maintained the high standards of the CBP Program. |
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New Features Added to CBP Website
The MEDA staff is always looking for ways to improve and promote the Michigan Certified Business Park Program. Two components have been added to the CBP website this quarter. The first will improve navigation of the website and the second will make it easier to go directly to any CBP webpage at any time.
Improved Navigation
Until now, visiting the webpage of more than one park in any region required clicking the back button to go back to the region page and then clicking into another page. New links at the top of each page will allow visitors to browse all CBP pages in a region without having to use toolbar navigation. Business owners and site selectors will be able to see more pages when looking for sites.
Easy URL's
A Simple URL has been created for each park's webpage. Simple URL's are easy to remember, easy to share and give access to pages without having to recall numbers and symbols, use a search engine, or follow more than one link. In addition, simple URL's are more attractive to print.
For example, instead of typing http://www.medaweb.org/290310.ihtml to view the Benefits of Certifying Your Business Park webpage, using a search engine, or clicking through more than one link, you can simply type www.medaweb.org/cbpbenefits.
Click Here for a complete list of Certified Business Parks and their new, Simple URL's. | |
New CBP Chair
Warren Cook to Chair CBP Committee
Warren J. Cook, Jr., Business Growth Specialist for the City of Kalamazoo, Community Planning and Development Department, is the new Certified Business Park Committee Chair. Warren has been a CBP Committee member for many years, providing valuable input at committee meetings and inspecting parks when needed. We are confident that he will do a great job leading and promoting the committee, taking part in the direction of the Michigan Certified Business Park Program and reporting the success of the Program to the Michigan Economic Developers Association Board of Directors.
We would like to thank the previous committee chair, Bill Valentine, for his dedication and service to MEDA as well as the Michigan Certified Business Park Program. Bill joined Saudi Media Systems in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, "doing what I know how to do best, which is managing large scale projects in far away places." We wish him the best of luck in his new position and with future endeavors! |
Alma Products Company Announces Growth In Alma
Expansion Project to Diversify Product Lineup, Create 76 local jobs 
Alma Products Company announced today an expansion of its existing manufacturing operations adjacent to the Alma Industrial Park in Alma, Gratiot County, Michigan with the addition of equipment and building modifications. Alma Products Co, a subsidiary of ETX, Inc., is a manufacturer and remanufacturer of air conditioning compressors, torque converters, clutch & disc assemblies, and transmissions. In addition to Alma Products Company, ETX, Inc. owns three additional automotive parts companies: ATCO Products, Inc. in Dallas, Texas, DACCO, Inc. in Cookeville, Tennessee, and ETX Transmissions, Inc in Mundelein, Illinois. ETX, Inc. will relocate the majority of its Mundelein, Illinois transmission remanufacturing operations to Alma, expanding and diversifying Alma's product portfolio to include additional domestic and import model automotive transmissions as well as heavy-duty commercial and industrial transmissions for the aftermarket. Alma Products expects to create approximately 76 direct local jobs by the end of this year through the $1.9 million expansion project, the majority of which will be filled by laid off Alma Products employees. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation estimates increased economic activity will create an additional 82 indirect jobs in the area.
Alan Gatlin, President and CEO of ETX, Inc., notes, "We are proud to be expanding on the 65 year history of automotive parts production at Alma Products. The skilled and dedicated employees at Alma Products, with the support of our local and state officials, give us the confidence necessary to make this investment. I would specifically like to recognize Don Schurr and the staff of Greater Gratiot Development, Inc., Mel Nyman and Phil Moore from the City of Alma, the staff of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, and the Michigan Economic Growth Authority Board for their support in this project."
Phillip Moore, Alma City Manager, comments, "We are very pleased and proud that Alma Products decided to grow in Alma- their home town. This investment will create jobs in our community. Over the years, Alma Products has proven to be a great corporate citizen. We look forward to working with the Alma Products management team."
Governor Jennifer Granholm announced the State of Michigan's support for the expansion in the form of a Michigan Economic Growth Authority (MEGA) Credit valued at $937,196 over 7 years. The City of Alma has proposed local tax incentives including an Industrial Tax Abatement on all new building modifications and equipment.
Don Schurr, President of Greater Gratiot Development, Inc, explains, "Over the past couple of years, Alma Products has been exploring market diversification, utilizing new manufacturing technology and employing lean manufacturing strategies. These efforts have allowed the company to move forward; this project is the result of hard work by many people." The company will begin renovations on its building and installation of equipment immediately.
Al Victoria, General Manager of Alma Products, states, "We have a lot of work ahead of us to ensure a smooth operational transition. However, our employees are up to the challenge and understand what this program means to the State of Michigan."
Alma Products Company (est. 1943) and ETX, Inc. (est. 2006) are headquartered in Alma, adjacent to the Alma Industrial Park, a Michigan Certified Business Park. Gratiot County hosts four Michigan Certified Business Parks with dozens of acres of available property.
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Brooks Industrial and Research Park Gets Gigabit Ethernet
© MMIX WWJ Radio
Broadstripe LLC announces ethernet service 
Broadstripe LLC, a high-speed Internet service provider with offices in Charlotte, and Tukwila, Wash., announced that it had deployed a gigabit Ethernet passive optical network to serve businesses within the Brooks Industrial Park in Marshall with super high capacity metro Ethernet service.
Broadstripe constructed a fiber-to-the-premises optical access network system capable of delivering extremely competitive Ethernet access performance up to one gigabit per second for support of super high-speed data applications, multichannel high resolution video and toll quality voice to customers on the network.
In a collaborative effort with the City of Marshall, the Marshall Local Development Finance Authority and the Brooks Industrial Park, Broadstripe constructed the GEPON network with engineering and optical transport equipment provided by Aurora Networks, a leading innovator in GEPON systems to the cable industry.
"With Aurora Networks GEPON solution, we are the only provider able to offer up to 100 Mbps of dedicated fiber services to each of Brooks Industrial Park's current customers, with the capacity to provide one gigabit," said Dave Harwood, senior vice president and general manager of Broadstripe. "With the Aurora solution, we can now take advantage of the huge growth opportunities available in business services by competitively delivering what leading edge businesses are demanding."
The Aurora Networks' GEPON implementation includes the installation of a Virtual Hub (VHub) equipped with Node PON technology on Broadstripe's existing fiber infrastructure from its main headend to the Brooks Industrial Park, a distance of approximately 40 miles. New fiber was installed to the street-side curb of each business with a SMART Media Converter installed in the customer's premises to connect business subscribers to Broadstripe's core network.
"Broadstripe's implementation of Aurora Networks' GEPON solution demonstrates the reach, flexibility and cost-effectiveness of our product offerings which enable cable operators to easily migrate their existing infrastructure to accommodate business services," said John Dahlquist, vice president of marketing, Aurora Networks. "With a sole focus on the cable industry, Aurora Networks devotes 100 percent of its resources to making better quality transport solutions for its customers. We value the services that Broadstripe delivers and are proud to be a part of this successful business services implementation."
This unique platform provides Brooks with a distinct infrastructure that delivers extremely competitive Ethernet service to existing and potential corporate occupants within the business park. Local officials understand that offering the most advanced competitive services to the industrial park would uniquely position the park to best retain existing businesses and attract corporations for future growth and expansion.
Added Marshall Economic Development Director Mike Hindenach: "It is essential that we offer technology that's a platform for the future as we market our industrial park. Now we can be a viable option to clients with very high bandwidth demands. Before this collaboration, we would not have been able to meet those top-end requirements. This is no longer a concern." More at www.broadstripe.com. Vist the Brooks Industrial and Research Park Webpage. |
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Dart Development Announces Ground Breaking Expansion in Oakwood Executive Park
Dart Development Group will break ground tomorrow on the first speculative building in mid-Michigan for 2009. The new building will offer real and personal property tax abatement opportunities to qualifying tenants through Delhi Township. Specifications of the new building include:
· 40,500 total square feet available
· Suites from 10,125 square feet and up
· Each suite will include: a truck dock, a grade level door, and an office area with two offices, a break room and a conference room.
"Over the last five years, we have expanded the business by adding 40 additional acres and well over 200,000 square feet of new space to Oakwood Executive Park. We also added a new road - Development Drive - which provides better access to the park from both Pine Tree and Dunckel Roads. We are looking forward to continuing the development of new space that meets the needs of today's businesses," said Marsha Zimmerman of Dart Development.
Dart Development Group led the way in industrial real estate in 2006, breaking ground for the only speculative industrial building in the area and achieving a 94% occupancy rate in Oakwood Executive Park. The new spec building reflects their continued confidence in the region's potential.
Check out dartdevelopment.com for future details on the expansion at Oakwood Executive Park or call 1.888.DART.001. Dart Development Group
Developed, owned and managed by Dart Development, Oakwood Executive Park is a 100 acre business park offering office, warehouse and build to suit options. The park's features include: Michigan Certified Business Park; Industrial Development District; BWL Utilities; and various Internet options including Fiber Optics. The Park is located on I-96, 1.5 miles from US 127, with a main post office, MSU and the state capitol nearby. Visit the Oakwood Executive Park Webpage or www.dartdevelopment.com. |
Ithaca Industrial Park Facility Expansion
APPI Expansion of 22,000 square feet 
Aircraft Precision Products, Inc. (APPI) recently completed a $4.5 million 22,000 square foot expansion at its existing facility in the Ithaca Industrial Park in Ithaca, Gratiot County, Michigan. The City of Ithaca is supporting the expansion project with Industrial Facilities Tax Abatements on new real and personal property investments.
APPI is an employee-owned small business specializing in complex turning parts for the aerospace industry. The company's precise machining capabilities have enabled them to serve high profile customers including General Electric, Rolls-Royce, and the U.S. Department of Defense. APPI components can be found in aircraft including the AH-64 Apache helicopter, Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules tactical transport, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Air Force One, and many others.
CEO Bill Henderson received the 2007 Michigan Manufacturer of the Year Finalist Award from the Michigan Manufacturers Association after leading the implementation of LEAN manufacturing procedures to cut costs and developing product innovations that diversified the company's customer base. The latest expansion will allow the company to build upon its past successes, establishing a new "LEAN Center of Excellence."
APPI was founded in 1946 by William Henderson Sr, and is now led by his grandson, William Henderson III. Henderson notes, "Gratiot County offers a sizeable pool of people who are instilled with an excellent work ethic and make loyal employees. As an added benefit, the area's governmental units work collaboratively with an active economic development agency to promote a business friendly atmosphere. A safe community with a relatively low cost of living makes Gratiot County an attractive place to do business." The company currently employs 66, and is Ithaca's 5th largest private employer.
For more information about APPI, visit www.aircraftprecision.net. Vist the Ithaca Industrial Park Webpage. |
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MEDA Region 5
Highlight on Southeast Michigan
Southeast Michigan is perhaps the most well-known region of Michigan. It houses Detroit, Ann Arbor, Pontiac, a very large population, many new industries, world-reowned universities like the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, one of the busiest airports in the world is the Detroit Metro Airport, and popular sports teams, including the Detroit Loins, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons. Besides the big cities, there are several growing cities and communities in this region such as Novi, Monroe, Dearborn, Adrian and Ypsilanti. The list of opportunities, growth, and amazing places in Southeast Michigan is extensive.
Top industries and employment areas include professional and business services, manufacturing, regional trade, government and education and health services.
Michigan's East Coast is full of activities, whether you are looking for shopping, recreation, sports venues, concerts, casinos, unique restaurants and history or educational museums and exhibits, there is always something available, accommodations around every corner to make your stay as comfortable as possible and transportation to take you from place to place.
In the summer, enjoy one of over 40 golf courses within the counties that make up Southeast Michigan. Take your friends and family to a football game at the University of Michigan if you are craving live sports. Music festivals are held often in the area, including the Stars and Stripes Festival in Detroit, the Michigan Elvisfest in Ypsilanti and many, many more.
In the winter, take the slopes at the Mt. Brighton Ski Lodge or go snowmobiling at the Island Lake Recreation Area. Winter festivals include the Blues Festival in Ferndale and the Trap Attack Ice Fishing Festival in Brooklyn. The possibilities are endless!
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