The Rational Siting Push/Pull Accelerator 2 (RSPPA2) program, funded by a $1M grant from the 21st Century Jobs Fund builds upon the original RSPPA program, launched in September, 2003, with the support of a Michigan Life Science Corridor/Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor grant.
• pursue a multi-site accelerator strategy
• create new companies in Lansing and in Midland
• assist those businesses in relocating strategically within Michigan--and specifically to the Midland area--if and when such relocation was a rational choice for the business.
RSPPA will
also continue the practice of providing $50,000 unsecured loans through the Michigan
Economic Development Corporation to start-up firms in the Lansing area and in Midland, to
alleviate regional shortages in angel and other seed capital.
As an economic development engine, RSPPA2 will complement the $15 M US Department of Labor’s “Workforce Innovation for Regional Economic Development” (WIRED) grant received by MSU on behalf of the Mid-Michigan Innovation Team.
RSPPA2 links Michigan State University, Midland Tomorrow, Dow Chemical Company, Dow Corning Corporation, Dow Venture Capital, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Lansing Regional SmartZone, MBI International, the MidMichigan Innovation Center, Midland Molecular Institute, the MSU Corporate Research Park, North Coast Technology Investors, the Small Business Association of Michigan, and the Small Business Technology Development Centers.
RSPPA also cooperates with the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and the Prima Civitas Foundation to promote regional economic development.
For more information on RSPPA, please contact:
Loraine J. Hudson
Director of Research Facilitation
Michigan State University
238 Administration Building
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: (517)432-4499
ljh@msu.edu
Scott Walker
Executive Director
Midland Tomorrow
300 Rodd Street, Suite 201
Midland, MI 48640-6596
Phone: (989)839-0340
walker@midlandtomorrow.org
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