Automation Alley Breaks Ground on New Headquarters, Promotes Southeast Michigan as Regional Technology Cluster

TROY, Mich., April 19 -- Automation Alley, Southeast Michigan's regional technology cluster, broke ground today on its new headquarters in Troy, which will house the Automation Alley Technology Center, Automation Alley Member Consortium activities and the GLIMA Network, the Association of Interactive Professionals. The headquarters will open in the fall of 2004 and will be located in the recently designated Automation Alley Technology Park-Troy, on Big Beaver between John R and Rochester Roads.

In addition to centralizing Automation Alley's numerous services, the headquarters will provide an opportunity for members to increase the global visibility of Automation Alley as Southeast Michigan's premier technology cluster by offering a forum to showcase, analyze and assist emerging technology. A variety of events will take place in support of this, including technology shows, demonstrations, exhibitions and networking mixers. In addition, the Automation Alley Technology Center will encourage new technology development through its Technology Accelerator, offering established processes and programs to aid entrepreneurs in business development and product commercialization.

"The Automation Alley headquarters has been designed to expose Southeast Michigan as the world center for advanced engineering and manufacturing," said Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley. "This exposure will assist in continuing to grow our region's technology jobs, while strengthening our economy."

Automation Alley's recently expanded geographic reach reflects the technological growth of the Southeast Michigan region. Currently, the cluster reflects an eight-county presence. Specifically, area participation includes the City of Detroit, Genesee County, the Economic Development Council of Livingston County, Macomb County Government, Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation, Oakland County, the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County and the Washtenaw Development Council.

"The resources available at the Automation Alley headquarters will drive economic growth and job prosperity through the cluster," said Tom Anderson, director, Automation Alley Technology Center. "The Technology Center specifically will prove valuable through offering strategic, hands-on assistance to emerging area technology businesses."

Funding for Automation Alley's headquarters has come from a variety of sources, including a $450,000 federal grant secured by U.S. Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-Bloomfield Township). In addition, a $1.8 million State of Michigan grant secured by Representative Marc Shulman will assist the Technology Center in bringing emerging automotive technology products and services to market.

"The realization of Automation Alley's new headquarters would not have been possible without the efforts of Representatives Knollenberg and Shulman," said Ken Rogers. "Collaborations such as these truly assist in driving this region forward."

"With the creation of the Automation Alley's new headquarters, we estimate it will contribute approximately $15 million to the surrounding community and generate approximately 100 new jobs over the course of the next five years," said Beth Utton, director, Automation Alley Member Consortium. "The facility will also house approximately 15 associates, including Automation Alley's central staff and the Technology Center staff."

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley is Southeast Michigan's regional technology cluster, attracting the creators and consumers of diverse technologies from a variety of industries around the world. The Automation Alley Member Consortium is a membership of technologically diverse, progressive business, governmental and educational visionaries working in concert to attract world-class talent and businesses to Southeast Michigan. For more information, visit www.automationalley.com

About the Automation Alley Technology Center

Located within Southeast Michigan's global technology cluster, the Automation Alley Technology Center leverages businesses, educators and government to help entrepreneurs bring new technologies to market quicker and more efficiently. Automation Alley Technology Center assistance includes seed capital investments for technology commercialization, business plan and strategy development support as well as a powerful network of experts and mentors.