Page: 1 - 2

Breaking ground for innovation - Page 2

From left: Bruce Coventry ’75, chair of the Kettering Board of Trustees, Dr. Stan Liberty, Neal Hegarty of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Roselyn Zator of the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Robin Bush of the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, and Tim Herman, CEO of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Liberty served as master of ceremonies during a ceremonial groundbreaking event on Bluff Street. Four speakers joined in the festivities.

Robin Bush, of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the Chicago regional office and chief of the Investment Analysis and Management Team, said the EDA is always pleased to see success gained by its grant recipients and partners. "The mission of EDA is to help our partners across the nation create wealth and minimize poverty by promoting a favorable business environment to attract private capital investment and jobs through world-class capacity-building, planning, infrastructure, research grants and strategic initiatives," she added.

A large crowd gathered at the ground breaking site to hear Dr. Liberty and special guests discuss the importance of the 12,000 square-foot facility on economic development efforts for the region.
Roselyn Zator, Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) manager of Smart-Zones and Business Accelerators, said the new initiative will support Kettering's, Flint's and Michigan's commitment to high tech entrepreneurship and build a high-tech culture. "The State of Michigan and the MEDC are well aware of the impact that high-tech entrepreneurship and a high technology culture has on the economic re-development of a region. Our goal is the diversity of Michigan's economy," she added.  

Neal Hegarty, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation program officer, said the Foundation and the University have a long history of working together. "Through the years, we have worked closely together in support of the educational outcomes for Kettering students, but also in support of the University's community impact. (That) role is an important component of Flint's economic and education infrastructure," he said.

Tim Herman, CEO of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, offered his congratulations to everyone who played a role in making this important facility a reality. "As you look around today, you can see the remnants of our past. Manufacturing, science and technology are core American strengths and a core Kettering strength. Congratulations and consider the Genesee Regional Chamber your partner for progress," he concluded.

To request an issue of Kettering Perspective, contact us at
Kettering Perspective, Office of PR & Communications, 1700 West Third Avenue, Room 4-934 CC, Flint MI 48504.
810 762-9538 voice; 810 762-7435 fax; gerwin@kettering.edu