Inc. magazine lays out 5 reasons to invest in Detroit and Ann Arbor

Wednesday, October 13, 2010 | Source: Inc.com

Prepare yourself for this: A national media outlet made a list about Detroit/Ann Arbor, and it wasn't to tout its shortcomings or strengths. Inc. magazine told the world five reasons why southeast Michigan is worth the investment and Ann Arbor figured prominently into that equation.

Excerpt:

To see the change, you needn’t look further than the SPARK Business Accelerator in Ann Arbor. Located 45 miles outside the city center, SPARK has helped more than 200 innovation-related start-ups in the region. Its convenient location next to one of the world's leading research institutions – the University of Michigan – doesn't hurt either. "We think Ann Arbor represents a wonderful hub of activity that can serve as a catalyst for the rest of the state of Michigan," says Michael Finney, president and CEO of SPARK.

Entrepreneurs also look to the region's automotive pedigree to tackle new industries. They can parlay the region's swath of talented engineers to make innovations in areas like battery technology, which Rizik says fits "hand-in-glove" with the auto industry. SPARK has, in fact, sought funding for a few battery makers in Ann Arbor, aiming to establish Michigan as a leader in the technology for the rest of the country.

Read the rest of the story here.