8/29/14 - Through no fault of their own, two local communities will not be part of a program designed to accelerate hi-tech business efforts. The cities of Brighton and Howell have been working with Ann Arbor Spark and Cleary University to become a Satellite SmartZone. Ann Arbor Spark was also working with the cities of Adrian and Tecumseh in Lenawee County. The Howell City Council had given cautious support to moving forward with the initiative, but during a recent meeting City Manager Shea Charles informed Council that Adrian and Tecumseh will be the satellite community included in the application to the state. He tells WHMI the Ann Arbor Local Development Financing Authority chose to partner with those communities for their Smart Zone extension and they wish them the best of luck. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation launched the SmartZone network in 2000 and Ann Arbor was one of the originals created. By law, the Ann Arbor SmartZone could only capture taxes to provide services for 15 years. However rules changed and in order to be eligible to extend the program for another 15 years, it needed a satellite partner. There are currently 15 SmartZones across the state and the program is designed to be an incubator to attract new manufacturing, high tech and energy-related businesses to communities. (JM)
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