Environmental Compliance Office, Inc. is the first start-up company to take advantage of Southfield-based Farbman Group's Michigan Now! program.
The environmental engineering company will open its new office in the Fisher Building in Detroit's New Center neighborhood this week.
The company will occupy the subsidized office space for three years. Environmental Compliance Office, which has $1.2 million in revenues, expects to create five new jobs within the next year.
Michigan Now! provides office and commercial space at greatly reduced rates, or even free in some cases, to businesses and entrepreneurs in growth industries both in and out of state. The idea is that by defraying the rental costs will free up capital in start-ups, allowing them to focus their resources on improving their business.
That is expected to provide enough incentives to attract out-of-state businesses to move to Michigan, improving the state's economy in the long- and short-term. The program will also offer to match up these companies with local banks, consulting firms and attorneys to help them grow their business.
Vimala Anishetty and Dennis Karl, co-owner of Environmental Compliance Office, moved their company from Plymouth to Detroit to take advantage of the program.
"Dennis and I are certainly very excited about this opportunity. The Michigan Now! Program has dramatically increased the likelihood of our success and we are profoundly grateful for it," Anishetty says in a statement. "We look forward to the expertise of the many companies that have volunteered their services to help us help Michigan. The need for environmental compliance and safety is growing every day and Michigan can be a leader in this important sector."
ECO provides environmental engineering services to all manufacturing and other facilities that are required to achieve and maintain compliance with environmental and safety laws, regulations and other standards
The deadline for applications for the program has been extended indefinitely. More information can be found online at michigannow.net or by calling 866-NewMich (642-4639).
Source: Farbman Group
Writer: Jon Zemke
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