Eastern Leaders Group
Spring Summit 2012
Collaborating for Success

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!