CMU-RC creates 85 new jobs, hires new communications manager

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The Central Michigan University Research Corp. has been successful in creating new jobs in an economy where many seem to be struggling.

Through its business incubator and business accelerator programs, CMU-RC created 85 new jobs in its 12th year of operation. Each program works with a company for a number of years to help promote and develop the business. CMU-RC possesses 17,000 square feet of wetlab space, leased from the university and shared between faculty, researchers and companies.

CMU-RC President and CEO Erica Strang said Thursday during the Board of Trustees meeting that CMU-RC space is almost to full capacity, with two wetlab spaces available, and the research corporation is becoming vital to the greater community and business area.

“CMU Research Corp. is a leader in advancing the economic development in the Michigan community by leveraging the resources of the university for Mount Pleasant SmartZone, its local, regional, statewide partners discovering successful entrepreneurs and to grow businesses and ultimately jobs,” Strang said.

In 2011-12, CMU-RC, a business incubator company, serviced 36 companies, 11 of which were within the SmartZone or incubator space, and leveraged an investment of $29,770,000. Strang credited CMU-RC with facilitating about $1 million of that.

This work is done by a team staff of five, including a new communications manger who started on Monday. Sheril Tarrant, the new manager and former program director for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance, is responsible for taking a strategic look at the brand, image and communications of the CMU-RC, Strang said.

CMU-RC hiring a CMU alumnus as its new business development manager in December, in an attempt to aid and encourage new clients in and around the Mount Pleasant area. The business incubator group also received a $100,000 award to help start up companies in mid-Michigan.