LEELANAU COUNTY — A possibly game-changing project is now on its way to being built just outside Traverse City on West Grand Traverse Bay.
The idea behind the freshwater research an innovation center is to put blue tech education and business incubation all under one roof.
“It’s going to be a hub for, taking research, that’s being done, in the Great Lakes. And, and transferring that into entrepreneurial businesses,” said Greg Luyt, Freshwater Research and Innovation Center Board Chair.
The shovels have been turned and now construction is underway on something unique to Northern Michigan.
The Freshwater Research and Innovation Center, in Elmwood Township, is designed to put our area at the forefront of the emerging blue tech industry.
Blue tech refers to the design and manufacture of technology to conserve and protect our water resources.
“So, the development of that technology through the R&D process, but then also having a space for entrepreneurs that want to take that technology and commercialize it. There’ll be some of our partners, like 20Fathoms, have programs to help entrepreneurs start up a new business around that and build out their business so that it’ll help the economy in our region develop new blue tech businesses for our local economy,” said Matt McDonough, Discovery Pier CEO.
The 40,000 square foot facility is a partnership between Discovery Pier, Northwestern Michigan College, Michigan Tech, 20Fathoms and Traverse Connect.
The plan is for it to house several laboratories, technical maker space, a water test tank, classroom and meeting space and an autoclave room.
It will also have a blue tech exhibit space for the public to learn more about what the center does.
“So that means that we’re working with Discovery Center Pier to make sure that we build this building, fill it with university partners, tenants and industry partners and startups so that we have this thriving economic piece here in Northern Michigan,” said Jason Slade, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at Northwestern Michigan College.
The $28.9 million dollar project was initially funded by a $15 million state grant.
Other state and federal dollars have also been added along with generous amounts from foundations and private donors.
“There was a large, grant from the state, that (State Rep.) Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) and (State Senator) John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) in particular were instrumental in bringing to the to the project,” said Luyt.
Even though the project has gotten off the ground with construction, they’re still not at their fundraising goal, having reached 92%.
“There’s just a little bit of a gap there. But we’re, we’re confident that, that we’ll get there,” said Luyt.
One of the major components will be adding NMC’s Marine Technology Program.
The center will only enhance the nationally recognized education they are already getting.
NMC’s research ship, the Northwestern, will reside at the center on the Discovery Pier.
“And our students, more importantly, will be able to interact with research scientists, university partners in industry that they can hopefully eventually work for. So, we’ll be involved not only the education side, but also the workforce side,” said Slade.
That means the students could go right from the classroom to jobs or even starting up their own companies, possibly keeping their expertise right here in the area.
“So, as new technology is developed, as new talent is needed in these industries, we can change and adapt. So, I anticipate us designing new programs based on what we develop here in the center,” said Slade.
There is a lot of optimism surrounding this project, that it will generate a bigger blue tech component to the local economy, spawning products and jobs.
“I really hope that this center becomes, not only just a regional, but a national and international, beacon and, and an example of what can happen with, public and private collaboration, an example of, you know, protection and stewardship of the Great Lakes, and freshwater around the world,” said Luyt.
That makes Traverse City Area the perfect place for this kind of vision.
“I mean, both were in the geographic center of the Great Lakes, but we also have very strong partners that already have a presence here.”
They are about two million dollars short of their complete funding.
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