8/8/14 - After a presentation by Ann Arbor Spark officials and Cleary University President Tom Sullivan, the Brighton City Council Thursday night approved a resolution to apply with neighboring Howell to be a Satellite SmartZone. The city of Ann Arbor would be the âhostâ SmartZone if the application is approved by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The program is designed to be a catalyst for attracting new businesses into the communities in which SmartZones are located. Council was told that Brighton and Howell would benefit with the addition of manufacturing, high tech and energy-related businesses to their communities as a result of being in the program. Luke Bonner, Vice President for Business Development at Ann Arbor Spark, says Brighton and Howell will be competing with other areas for designation as a Satellite SmartZone. Bonner says SmartZones capture a portion of local taxes through the communitiesâ Local Development Finance Authority, or LDFA. A community approved as a satellite SmartZone is required to partner with a university, and Sullivan says if Brighton and Howell are approved, Cleary would be the service provider. Each community would be required to contribute a modest amount of funding to participate in the program. (TT)
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