Ann Arbor SPARK scores $100K grant for MichAGAIN program

Ann Arbor SPARK has received a $100,000 from the Michigan Economic Development Corp to help further MichAGAIN, the state's program to help lure talented people back to the Great Lakes State.

"The effort is intended to make Michigan alumni aware of the opportunities here, in the Ann Arbor market in particular," says Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK.

The $100,00 will fund trips for MichAGAIN program workers to Boston, Chicago, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. Those workers will attend events like alumni receptions, CEO breakfasts and site selector meetings, making the case for why there is opportunity in Michigan tailored to each specific audiences interest and needs.

So far, the program has assisted 60 people looking to come back, including 46 from events and 14 from its social media campaign.

The MichAGAIN program works with local companies to pair people with ties to Michigan who are interested in returning to the Great Lake State with jobs and other business opportunities. Many of the jobs and business opportunities are centered on Michigan's emerging new economy, specifically the tech industry.

"These companies have jobs," Krutko says. "We are working these to acquaint these people with these Michigan companies."

Source: Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK
Writer: Jon Zemke

Read more about Metro Detroit's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at SEMichiganStartup.com.