Birgit Klohs, president of the Right Place Program and chairperson of the Grand Rapids Local Development Finance Authority, says the grant will help expand business in the city.
The Grand Rapids SmartZone is supported by the city, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Valley State University, the Right Place Program and the Van Andel Institute.
The zone seeks to stimulate growth of technology-based businesses and jobs in the Grand Rapids area. It will build upon the singular strength of the VAI, a sustained rebirth of Downtown Grand Rapids and the commitment of regional institutions of higher education. The zone will also support the growing needs of new life sciences enterprises developed through the establishment of a life sciences product development center, to include a full-service incubation center.
Eighty-eight core communities and those municipalities awarded a SmartZone designation are eligible to apply for the funds. The zones were established through a $50-million appropriation from the state legislature.
In April, the MEDC designated 11 SmartZones in communities throughout Michigan, including the Grand Rapids SmartZone. The zones are designed to bring business, research activities, and training and support services together in one location allowing for easy collaboration and to accelerate commercialization of new technologies.
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