It has had much success since it started in April 1999,encouraging many companies to stay or build in the state with taxbreaks and other incentives. "We're growing, and we want more roomto do it," says Jennifer Kopp, a spokeswoman for the MEDC.

About $13 million is being spent by the corporation to purchase,renovate and expand a four-story, 90,000-sf building at IoniaStreet and Grand Ave. "One of the key reasons we will do it is toconsolidate operations into one facility instead of staffthroughout all the floors we are on now, that we share with otherfirms," Kopp tells GlobeSt.com. "This will put us in one facility,in close proximity to each other, and give us more room togrow."

About 280 employees work for the MEDC now, she says, and the newbuilding should hold up to 350. Employees should be working out ofthe building by next summer. The corporation is run by a 16-memberexecutive committee of business, government and education leaders,all appointed by Engler.