LiveYpsi Offers Homebuying Help for EMU Employees
Jun 5, 2012 1:23 pm

New ELG program could offer EMU employees up to $10,000 to purchase [more]

WAY Washtenaw
May 17, 2012 2:22 pm

Here's some positive coverage about WAY Washtenaw, an online-based [more]

Round 2: Commercial Building Renovation Grants
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

Here's recent coverage of the Eastern Leaders Group Commercial Building [more]

Washtenaw International High School Opens
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

The Washtenaw International High School has opened. [more]

ELG Gap Financing Helps Local Business
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

ELG Gap Financing Program Supports Michigan Ladder Company The [more]

ELG Funds: Making An Impact
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

Tony VanDerworp, ELG's Executive Director, recently provided an update [more]

Video: Investing in Ypsi
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

Check out our 2011 video on how ELG Programs are helping businesses [more]

2011 ELG Spring Summit was a Success!
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

Monday, April 11, 2011 Eastern Michigan University Student Center [more]

2010 Eastern Leaders Group Annual Report
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

The 2010 Eastern Leaders Group Annual Report is available.

ELG's New Gap Financing Fund
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

Fund Description Between 2001 and 2008, Washtenaw County lost almost [more]

ELG Releases Summer 2010 Update
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

You can dowload the update in PDF form here: http://elg.ewashtenaw.org/business-plan/Summer_2010_Update [more]

Video: Why Businesses Choose Ypsi
May 17, 2012 11:56 am

Click here to see a brief video about why our local businesses choose [more]

Eastern Leaders

The Eastern Leaders Group is a partnership between Eastern Michigan University and civic and private sector leaders who are collaborating to meet the immediate and long-term economic and quality of life needs of Eastern Washtenaw County.

Eastern Leaders Group
Spring Summit 2012
Collaborating for Success

ELG Spring Summit 2012

Nearly 100 Eastern Washtenaw County community leaders joined us on April 16 to hear about current local and state-level trends, learn about what collaborations are working for Eastern Washtenaw, and help us celebrate our shared successes.


Message from the Co-Chairs

2011 has been another stellar year for the Eastern Leaders Group.

From our Annual Spring Summit featuring Regional Economic Partnerships and collaborative Secondary School Options to our ongoing Microloan, Commercial Redevelopment and Gap Financing Programs, we’re continuing to see positive and lasting changes in Eastern Washtenaw County.  

Over the past three years, our programs have leveraged over $5,000,000 in federal, state, local and private funding, created 344 jobs and retained 176 jobs. Thanks to our WISD and school district partners, we now have five secondary option schools offering our students technology-infused and skills-based learning experiences and the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school. Thanks to the City of Ypsilanti, the Ypsilanti DDA, and property owners, we have a revitalized West Cross Street through streetscape improvements and the redevelopment of 5 commercial properties along this corridor. And, our microloan and gap financing programs have assisted the expansion of 13 local companies.

Our focus in 2012 will be to continue our business incubator, microloan and gap financing programs and our support for the success of our secondary option schools.

We will also initiate three new programs:  

  • A Student Design Incubator to provide design services to incubator tenants and startup companies, and to provide community college students with work experience and entrepreneurial training;
  • A LiveYpsi Program to incentivize EMU faculty and staff to purchase homes in the area and become engaged members of our community; and
  • A Retail Incubator Program to assist new businesses with rent and business training and to fill vacant storefronts adding to the vitality of downtown areas.

Our success has been, and continues to be, dependent on our local partners. We are fortunate to have the resources of Washtenaw County and the support of our municipalities, universities, school districts, economic organizations, private businesses, and a host of local non-profits and secondary education stakeholders.

We look forward to another great year of collaborating to meet the immediate and long-term economic and quality of life needs of Eastern Washtenaw County.

Thanks for your part in making these priorities a reality!

ELG Co-Chair Leigh Greden

 Tetens

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Mentorship: Cooley Law and Ypsi High
Cooley Law School and Dean Joan Vestrand have partnered with the Ypsilanti Public Schools to create the Ypsilanti High School Student Court. The ELG actively supports community partnerships. This project was an idea fostered through [more]

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