Engler had expressed a desire for the center in his January 2001 State of the State address, as a home for "Internet2" and the development of the next generation of Internet technology. In the address, Engler called on the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) to ensure that Internet2 had a permanent location in the state.

The facility, scheduled to be completed and ready for occupants by the end of 2003, will also become home to Merit Network Inc. Merit is Michigan's leading provider of advanced Internet services for research and education.

"Through the LinkMichigan initiative, Michigan is well on its way toward extending the reach of high-speed Internet access throughout the state," Engler said.

Internet2 is a private-public sector partnership whose goal is to create a faster electronic network than that offered by the present Internet. The University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID), the nonprofit organization supporting Internet2, will be housed in the facility.

The MITC will have more than 100,000 sf of space, including 10,000 sf of high-tech incubator/flexible office and lab space to lease to companies seeking short-term facilities as they work on projects with UCAID, Merit or other public or nonprofit researchers. There will also be an Internet Hall of Fame and a high-speed Internet portal to the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. endowed the Michigan Information Technology Center with $10 million to assist in the initial and ongoing costs of the facility and its work.