Scroll through the list to Kalamazoo County, which, according to the article, indicates 9% job growth between 2010-2012. Why? As the article explains:
"The county's Business Technology and Research Park, next to Western Michigan University's engineering complex, is forging strong connections among the school and resident life-sciences, engineering and IT businesses. New addition Newell Rubbermaid announced plans to build a design and innovation center in the park, bringing 100 new, well-paying jobs."
The park is a high-tech business development in which partner firms in the life sciences, advanced engineering, and information technology have regular opportunities to interact with faculty, researchers, and students at WMU.
In addition to housing companies such as ThermoFisher Scientific, Engineered Protection Systems Inc. (EPS Security), Fluid Process Equipment, and Kalexsyn Inc., the BTR Park is also home to two important resources:
- Southwest Michigan Innovation Center (SMIC), a state-of-the-art high-tech/wet lab business incubator, which was launched by the regional economic development agency Southwest Michigan First. The SMIC focuses on Life Science start-up companies.
- Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center at WMU, which provides commercialization expertise, research support and funding to emerging life sciences ventures.
To learn more about the BTR Park, including other companies located there, please follow the Link below:
WMICH.EDU — Business Technology and Research Park
To read the article on CNN, please follow the link below:
CNNMoney — Where the Jobs Are (Kalamazoo County)