Kettering University Science & Technology Incubator Project
On Kettering University Campus along Bluff Street

Description of Project:
The economic re-development of Flint gained momentum Oct. 25 when Kettering University broke ground for a facility dedicated to developing new science and technology opportunities in the region.

Kettering University has broken ground for a 12,000-square-foot, multi-tenant facility to support scientific and technologically-based 'start-up' companies that need dedicated laboratory space during their first three or four years. The $2.7-million facility is being made possible by support from the U.S. Department of Commerce, State of Michigan funds through the City of Flint, and the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

Prospective companies for this new incubator will come from three sources; "spinouts" from regional universities, their faculty members and student entrepreneurs; regional scientific and technological entrepreneurial start-ups; and entrepreneurial start-up companies currently outside Michigan but wish to locate.

Construction is slated for property just east of the corner of Chevrolet Avenue and Bluff Street in an empty lot that once was a parking lot for General Motor's 'Chevy In The Hole.'

The new building will include the following features:

• Ten dedicated research laboratory suites each approximately 500-square-feet with the ability to be customized to the tenant needs
• Ten furnished executive offices
• Shared equipment and support facilities
• Conference room with high-tech audio/video systems
• Cafe vending and seating area for clients
• Electronic building security, video surveillance and access control
• Telephone and Internet connectivity
• Construction will begin in spring 2008 with a tentative completion date of spring 2009