SmartZone: Taking it across campus

EMU made a commitment to the state sponsored SmartZone project. Michigan SmartZones are collaborations between universities, industry, research organizations, government, and other community institutions intended to stimulate the growth of technology-based businesses and jobs. This growth is fostered by aiding the creation of recognized clusters of new and emerging businesses, focused on commercializing ideas, patents, and other opportunities surrounding corporate, university or private research institute R&D efforts.

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone:

The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti SmartZone is a partnership among the Cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, the Ann Arbor IT Zone, the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, ERIM and the Washtenaw Development Council. The zone envisions the entire community functioning as a virtual business incubator taking advantage of the region's rate of business formation, which is fourth in the nation.

In keeping with Eastern Michigan University's goals pertaining to economic development and community outreach, the five colleges at EMU have embarked on a series of actions to leverage the University's key strengths. The Center for Entrepreneurship is designated as a key catalyst for this effort.

The goals are to:

• Connect the technology based research efforts in 20 different departments to the regional organizations that would have an interest in developing commercial applications.
• Assist in the development of businesses to commercialize emerging technology.
• Organize or co-sponsors at least 4 conferences or workshops in different industry verticals each year.
• Involve more than 50 companies in internships and student field projects.

At the present time five EMU centers are associated with this program:

* Center for Regional and National Security
* Coating Research Institute
* Center for Product and Research development
* Textiles Research Institute
* Center for Environmental Technology and Applications