Wayne County's assets far outweigh its challenges. Home to a skilled
workforce, first-class universities, a world-class airport and an
unyielding resolve to succeed, businesses have clearly taken notice of
the County's technological, geographic and economic advantages in
choosing to relocate or remain here.
Wayne County EDGE
is becoming a driving force in job growth and retention for its
existing business community and for new emerging industries. While we
must always attempt to attract firms to our region, it is also critical
that we help build new economy industries from the ground up and foster
grassroots innovation. Nowhere is 21st Century innovation more present
than at TechTown, which has enjoyed Wayne County's full support since
its inception.
TechTown recently received a grant from the
New Economy Initiative to launch the
Kauffman Foundation's "
FastTrac to the Future"
program. This landmark initiative pairs would-be entrepreneurs with
established Southeast Michigan entrepreneurs to discuss their business
plans and visions for the future. A series of FastTrac seminars detail
various aspects of establishing a business and allows participants to
interact with a team of mentors who have proven experience in running
companies both large and small.
In support of this innovative business development initiative, Wayne
County recently awarded a $500,000 grant to Techtown that will
facilitate the rapid establishment of at least 25 new logistics
companies. This grant was received by the County from the federal
government and constitutes part of our drive to enhance the
Aerotropolis region. Wayne County is perfectly positioned to develop
businesses in warehousing, shipping and receiving, and supply-chain
management, and this grant will enable at least 25 participants in this
program to be on a fast track to a new career in logistics within 30
days.
Wayne County prides itself on the partnerships it has created with the
MEDC,
Ann Arbor SPARK, non-profits and venture capital firms to
establish and maintain such business incubators as TechTown and the
Michigan Life Science and Innovation Center. These incubators and
business accelerators provide crucial start-up support to the
innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow, enabling our region to lay
the framework for a future that will bring deep economic rewards via
job growth and economic diversity. By building off the innate
entrepreneurial spirit of the people from this region,
Wayne County EDGE can help foster home-grown innovation, create new products and
services, and define the marketplace of the 21st century.
Turkia Awada Mullin is an Assistant CEO and Chief Development Officer for Wayne County's Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE)
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