Ann Arbor SPARK's bottom line proved to be quite big for 2009, helping generate $147 million in investment.

The downtown Ann Arbor-based economic development agency is credited with helping create or retain 3,200 jobs, taking part in 11 Michigan Economic Growth Authority deals, attracting seven firms to the Ann Arbor area that in turn created 1,522 jobs and $37.5 million in investment.

"2009 was definitely a challenging time for the Ann Arbor region, as well as the state and the nation," says Michael A. Finney, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. "The good news is we continued to help local companies that are in expansion mode."

Ann Arbor SPARK also took part in 34 projects, filled 887 jobs through its website and helped more than 4,200 people with job searches. It also opened its SPARK East incubator in downtown Ypsilanti and the Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center in a former Pfizer site in Plymouth.

Ann Arbor SPARK will consider expanding its influence in 2010. One of the primary ways it hopes to do this is by opening up its resources to other companies, entrepreneurs and economic development agencies outside of Washtenaw County.

"We plan on working in very close partnerships with many other economic development agencies in Michigan," Finney says.

Source: Michael A. Finney, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK
Writer: Jon Zemke