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Kalamazoo is home to one of Michigan?s 11 SmartZones. SmartZones are defined geographical locations where technology-based firms, entrepreneurs and researchers can work in clusters of new and emerging businesses, all in close proximity to community assets that will support their growth. These zones are a result of collaboration among universities, industry, research organizations, government, and other community institutions with the intention of stimulating economic growth across the region.
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Southwest Michigan First worked with the City of Kalamazoo and Western Michigan University to make the Business Technology and Research park a state designated SmartZone. The Kalamazoo SmartZone is comprised of the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center, Western Michigan University?s College of Engineering and Applied Science, and several technology-driven companies in the life science, advanced engineering and information technology industries. The Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center, also located in Kalamazoo?s SmartZone, supports new life sciences ventures entering the commercialization phases of development.
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The efforts of this partnership have made the Kalamazoo SmartZone one of the most successful in the state. In 2000, the MEDC ranked the Kalamazoo SmartZone proposal number one out of 59. In 2003, the SmartZone was named SmartZone of the year. The MEDC also honored the Kalamazoo partnership for its performance and cooperative efforts in developing the SmartZone.
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Private sector residents in the park work closely with faculty, staff and students of WMU. As members of the university community, they can take advantage of a full complement of ancillary benefits, including access to the university library, special purchase opportunities for athletic and fine arts event tickets and group discount memberships at the university-owned health and tennis clubs.
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