Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $2.1 Million for Expansion of Western Michigan University’s Business and Technology Park

Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, (202) 482-4085
September 28, 2016

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.1 million grant to Western Michigan University to support the expansion of Western Michigan University’s Business and Technology Park, a regional research and innovation business park. According to grantee estimates, the project is expected to attract an investment of $50 million and create 200 new jobs.

“Our universities are key drivers of innovation, job training, and business development,” said Secretary Pritzker. “EDA’s investment to expand Western Michigan University’s business and technology park will directly support the region’s growing manufacturing and biotechnical industry clusters.”

The EDA grant will support the phase two construction of necessary infrastructure for the Western Michigan University Business and Technology Park. The expansion will facilitate technology transfer opportunities between Western Michigan University and the region’s businesses. To date, the park has attracted more than $150 million in investment and generated more than 700 jobs for the South Central Michigan region.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA makes investments in economically distressed communities in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth. To learn more about EDA, visit www.eda.gov.