Automation Alley Appointed to Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization Board

TROY, Mich., Jan. 23, 2006 -- Ken Rogers, executive director of Automation Alley, was appointed by Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm in January to the Strategic Economic Investment and Commercialization Board (SEIC). The SEIC Board is represented by 19 members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor, and will award grants and loans from a portion of the 21st Century Jobs Trust Fund. The board sets the strategic direction of the fund, approves investment decisions and oversees the administration of the program.

The 21st Century Jobs Fund is a billion dollar plan made possible by the securitization of a portion of Michigan's tobacco settlement award. The fund seeks to foster the growth of Michigan's small businesses by investing in the best research and commercialization opportunities in the following competitive edge technologies:

  *  Advanced Automotive, Manufacturing, and Materials Technology
  *  Alternative Energy Technology
  *  Homeland Security and Defense Technology
  *  Life Sciences Technology

"I am extremely honored to hold this seat on behalf of Automation Alley," said Ken Rogers, executive director. "I want to thank the Legislature and the Governor for this privilege to serve and am confident that the 21st Century Jobs Fund program will contribute to future job growth and job creation in Michigan."

The program seeks to create a robust, entrepreneurial private sector through encouraging collaborative partnerships between the research and business communities to enhance economic growth in Michigan. A major difference in this program from previous statewide technology initiatives (the Technology Tri-Corridor and its predecessor, the Life Sciences Corridor) is that basic research investments have been capped at 10 percent.

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley drives the growth and image of Southeast Michigan's technology economy through a collaborative culture that focuses on workforce and business development initiatives.

More than 600 businesses, educational institutions and government entities belong to Automation Alley, covering an eight county area and the City of Detroit. Automation Alley promotes regional prosperity through the Automation Alley International Business Center, which provides business attraction services and exporting assistance; the Automation Alley Technology Center, which brings together businesses, educators and government to help entrepreneurs accelerate technology commercialization; and the GLIMA Network, a state-wide association for individuals engaged with and involved in technology-oriented industries.

  For more information, visit http://www.automationalley.com/ .

  About the 21st Century Jobs Fund

For more information about the 21st Century Jobs Fund, visit http://www.michigan.org/21stcentury .