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| David Spencer, executive director of OU INC, speaks with Congressman Sander Levin at the grand opening of the incubator's new facility in Sterling Heights. |
As many as 400 dignitaries, industry leaders, business advocates and other supporters gathered Monday, July 20, to help the Macomb-OU INCubator celebrate the grand opening of its Sterling Heights facility.
A business support system designed to accelerate the successful development of start-up companies, Macomb-OU INC is dedicated to supporting the development of technology of the future and creating new jobs.
“Those who are discouraged about Michigan’s future should look at this incubator,” said Congressman Sander Levin, who worked with a number of other legislators to appropriate federal funding to support the project. “This is a moment of hope for this state and this county. This is a spring toward the future.”
A joint venture between Oakland University, Macomb County and the City of Sterling Heights, the incubator will focus on nurturing companies in the fields of defense and homeland security, advanced manufacturing and alternative energy. OU INC hopes to create up to 12 new companies and 130 jobs by 2010, and up to 55 new companies and nearly 600 jobs by 2015.
With support from its partner organizations and corporate partners, the incubator will provide entrepreneurs with support services, shared resources, capital acquisition assistance and flexible leases. Client companies also will benefit from minimized start-up costs.
“The Macomb-OU INCubator greatly expands the resources of our local economic development efforts for business retention, attraction, diversification and entrepreneurial development,” said Richard Notte, mayor of Sterling Heights.
Perhaps most importantly, new businesses will find inspiration and motivation in a supportive environment designed to help them succeed.
“Nothing great has ever begun without passion … and that’s what this incubator is all about," said Mark Roualet, president of General Dynamics Land Systems, one of the incubator’s eight corporate partners. “I look for great things coming out of the Macomb-OU incubator.”
Other corporate partners include Rave Computer, Apex Digital Solutions, BAE Systems, Fitzpatrick Mfg. Co., DASI Solutions, O'Reilly Rancilo P.C. and Macomb Community College.
The incubator is already working with eight client companies, including Lighthouse Moldings, FireX, g-plug, Impact Jackets, Geotech Solutions, Motor City Wipers, Trinity Armour and EnerWatch Systems.
“The incubator will help entrepreneurs and other forward-thinkers to transform ideas into new business ventures, develop patents and see their original ideas make their way into commercial markets,” said OU President Gary Russi. “This, too, will help create jobs – a prospect of vital importance to the county and the state.”
The incubator is located at 7205 Sterling Ponds Court in Sterling Heights, and is the only SmartZone designated by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in Macomb County.
For more information about the Macomb-OU INC, visit the Web site at
www.oakland.edu/ouinc.
