A large group of prominent Ann Arbor locals have transformation on the mind.
Dozens of leaders (in excess of 70) from local businesses, governments, non-profits and other institutions are working on the new Ann Arbor Region Success Strategy. The idea is to change Ann Arbor into a center of innovation in the mold of Silicon Valley or Research Triangle Park.

But doesn't the Ann Arbor area already enjoy that reputation? Global economic powerhouse Google set up its AdWords headquarters here. Local start-up HealthMedia just sold itself for a huge chunk of change to Johnson & Johnson, which plans to grow it even more here. This is still the home of one of the top research universities in the world – the University of Michigan.

Yes and no, according to Jeff Irwin, chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and one of six co-chairs of the initiative.

"There is more we can do and we can build on the things we have," Irwin says. "We can also build on our opportunities to make sure Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County is the place where innovation happens."

The strategy is rolling out a plan to increase job opportunities for locals residents and students, pump up demand for local products and services, create new revenues for local arts, culture and social needs. And of course it wants to help make the local community richer.

It plans to do that by growing and grooming the next generation of local leaders, locating capital for start-ups, creating synergies to make the local K-12 education systems world-class and marketing the area's distinct culture.

Some of 70 local leaders will be presenting the plan to local groups over the next few weeks with the idea of getting everyone on the same page about moving the area forward.

Source: Jeff Irwin, chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and one of six co-chairs of the Ann Arbor Region Success Strategy
Writer: Jon Zemke