TROY – 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, which 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,” Rogers said. “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.
For more information, click on AutomationAlley.Com
