NEI crafts program to boost tech
The New Economy Initiative (NEI) has embarked on an ambitious 10-year program called the Regional Innovation Network to boost high-tech development and job creation in Southeast Michigan, with a particular emphasis on Detroit's Midtown. NEI Executive Director David Egner said the initiative -- designed to connect the dots of innovation, from the riverfront to Ann Arbor and East Lansing -- will make at least $30 million in grants to an array of organizations. Wayne State University's technology transfer office and TechTown are among the organizations approved for grants so far. In addition, NEI will make a grant, yet to be determined, that will create what is called the High Tech Accelerator inside TechTown, a move designed to get TechTown back to its original mission of incubating emerging tech companies.