Ann Arbor’s Local Orbit hires 3 as it sets stage to go national

Local Orbit is an Ann Arbor-based start-up that connects restaurants and institutions with local farmers and food producers. The 2-year-old company is gearing up for a national roll out of its business this year. The firm now supports marketplaces in five states, including Michigan, Washington, New Mexico, New York and Pennsylvania. It has also made a few hires, including a chief technology officer who moved back to Michigan from Silicon Valley. "We have made tremendous progress," says Erika Block, CEO & founder of Local Orbit. "We have gone from two people to five people." Local Orbit provides online business infrastructure for businesses and organizations working to expand local food distribution. Its tools can be customized to the unique needs of local markets, helping entrepreneurs, food hubs, farmers markets, farmers coops and institutions leverage their existing physical resources and networks. Block has her sights set on significantly growing Local Orbit. She says her company is aiming to be in at least 150 marketplaces and as many as 250 marketplaces within the next year. She also sees Local Orbit's staff expanding to 20-25 people within that time frame. "We have really focused on laying the foundation for our growth in 2013," Block says. Source: Erika Block, CEO & founder of Local Orbit Writer: Jon Zemke Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.