DEARBORN, Mich. - The University Research Corridor has been awarded the 2010 Catalyst award from Michigan Emerging for making the state "a better place to live, work and play.''

"With over a half million URC alumni contributing to Michigan's economy and quality of life, your work in the student sector ensuring that we keep talent in the state and your leadership in both innovation and collaboration, you epitomize what this award was created for,'' said Michigan Emerging Executive Director Kelli Baird.

"Making university resources accessible to entrepreneurs and businesses, large and small also supports the strong small business and entrepreneurial ecosystem here in our great state.''

The URC was organized by the presidents of Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University in 2006 to transform, strengthen and diversify the state's economy. It goals include aligning the three institutions' collective resources toward accelerating economic growth and innovation and encouraging a greater level of collaboration involving the universities, communities and business.

URC Executive Director Jeff Mason, accepting the award on behalf of the universities, said "We are honored to be recognized by our colleagues knowing a great deal of Michigan's future success will involve the innovators gathered here today and our partners in business, academia and communities across the state as well as our friends and trading partners around the world.''

The Michigan Emerging conference, a featured event of Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA, was designed to promote and connect innovators and entrepreneurs and the support system that exists only in Michigan. The day began with a keynote message from Ann Arbor SPARK President and CEO Mike Finney and was followed by breakout sessions focusing on the top emerging sectors for 2010, what is coming, what needs to happen, how you can become involved. The curriculum was designed to inform and enable those involved in this evolution.

A recent report showed the URC invested more than $1.5 billion in research, educated 137,152 students and had an economic impact of more than $14.8 billion on the state. The universities have more than a million alumni with more than 55 percent living in Michigan.
For more on Michigan Emerging, visit: http://www.michiganemerging.com/

For more on the URC, visit: http://urcmich.org/