While some communities, regions and states spend their efforts wandering the halls at trade shows talking about growing life science companies, the Kalamazoo Region is delivering. Since 2003, 23 life science companies have been launched and the construction of nearly 800,000 square feet of life science facilities is completed or underway.
      Most of the start-ups in Kalamazoo fall squarely in the discovery and development stages of the pharmaceutical sector, precisely where the 2004 Milken study on the pharmaceutical industry predicted the jobs and growth would come.
      Kalamazoo has the distinction of being the only region in the nation where a drug can go from discovery to testing to manufacturing to distribution.
      Unlike other communities, Kalamazoo's pharmaceutical history dates back more than 125 years to the formation of the Upjohn Company. Our roots in life science based manufacturing, include not only drugs but also food and surgical instruments.
      Access to both facilities and capital are essential ingredients for bioscience growth, and the Kalamazoo Region is meeting those needs. The Southwest Michigan Innovation Center is a new 58,000 square foot, wet lab incubator/accelerator that is home to 16 start-up life science companies. Based on Western Michigan University's Business and Technology Research Campus the center is a division of Southwest Michigan First, the region's Economic Catalyst.
      Capital formation has also been key to the success of growing the life science sector in Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan. Currently there are four locally based venture capital funds and a large group of active angel investors.The newest venture fund is a $50,000,000 fund established by Southwest Michigan First.
      These are just a few examples of real results that have come from a community that has not only embraced its biosciences heritage but has also leveraged its locations, financial and academic strengths to ensure the development of a sustainable life science initiative.
     
      Ron Kitchens, CEcD, is the Chief Executive Officer of Southwest Michigan First. Ron is a Certified Economic Developer, a member of the National Speakers Association and is a much sought after writer and speaker on economic development issues.