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Ann Arbor Spark's 2010: 13 Companies, 1,400 Jobs, $151M Investment

Ann Arbor Spark Thursday released results of its economic development efforts in 2010.

In collaboration with state and regional partners, Spark says it helped 29 businesses expand in the region and attracted 13 new companies.

These efforts resulted in $151 million in new investment commitments and the creation of over 1,400 new jobs.

More than 250 companies in the region worked with Spark's business retention team, which helped them address risk factors and identify growth opportunities.

"A regional collaboration between the private, public and academic sectors, Ann Arbor Spark is achieving sustainable growth for Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County," said Paul Krutko, president and CEO. "Over the past five years, the region benefitted from Ann Arbor Spark's efforts to attract and grow business across all sectors, creating a diverse and growing economy. The economic progress and success of the region is directly, positively impacted by the efforts of Ann Arbor Spark working with our open source partners."

Among Spark's accomplishments last year:
* 1,425 new jobs committed through employers.
* 1,300 jobs posted on Spark's talent portal, by 400 companies.
* More than 4,000 job seekers assisted with employment searches.
* A new talent initiative called MichAgain, an effort to attract talent back to Michigan, and the continuation of popular programs, including Hot Shots and Mingle and Match.

Ann Arbor Spark's Business Accelerator, which provides qualifying start-ups with consulting and business development services, business and life science incubators, and entrepreneurial education and talent services offered the following:
* 62 companies received business acceleration services, including business planning, marketing, patent and intellectual property acquisition, business introductions and funding preparation services.
* 60 companies were assisted as incubator tenants at Ann Arbor Spark's Regional Incubator Network, including Spark Central and East locations as well as the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center.
* 42 companies received funding through the Michigan Pre-Seed Capital Fund and the Michigan Microloan Fund Program, both administered by Ann Arbor Spark.  The combined total invested through the funds administered by Ann Arbor Spark was $3,752,000.

In 2010, Ann Arbor Spark's business attraction, expansion and retention efforts resulted in the following companies choosing to locate or expand in the region:  Aeroflex Manufacturing, Amcor Rigid Plastics, Arbor Networks, Biotectix LLC,    BoroPharm Inc., Bosch, Crowley Co., Delphinus Medical Technologies Inc.,   Edwards Brothers Inc., Fastener Advance Product Co., Ford Rawsonville Plant,   Frame Hardwoods, Grand River Inc., Heron Wind Manufacturing LLC, HistoSonics Inc., Hygieia, Inc., i3D Technologies Inc., InTouch Health, Integrated Sensing Systems Inc. (ISSYS), JAC Products Inc., KnowledgeWatch, Masco Cabinetry LLC, NanoBio Corp., Quantum Signal LLC, RetroSense Therapeutics LLC, Saline Lectronics Inc., Scientific Consulting LLC, Sheridan Books Inc., Sim Pack, Sun Engineering, Velesco Pharmaceutical Services and Zingerman's Delicatessen.

More at www.AnnArborUSA.org.

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