Marquette, MI – December 1, 2002 – The Innovate Marquette SmartZone is receiving federal grant funding to develop a center for outdoor recreation-based economic development and to establish an Entrepreneur In Residence program for the region.
Thiel said the USDA rural innovation grant is going to the SmartZone and project partners Northern Michigan University, Lake Superior Community Partnership and Michigan Works to support the creation and management of the Marquette Outdoor Venture Innovation Center. He added that the funding also is going to assist in the new Entrepreneur In Residence program.
Ollila, a Marquette-based serial entrepreneur in outdoor recreation and innovation and founder of Shophouse Park, spoke about his role as the inaugural Entrepreneur in Residence.
Thiel added that the Marquette Outdoor Venture Innovation Center will strengthen the rural regional economy by supporting small businesses and jobs in the emerging industry of outdoor recreation innovation.
The grant includes $555,000 federal money and a $145,000 local match from Innovate Marquette and program partners.
-mediaBrew Communications News
