Lanthorn.com

WMSTI shares Cook with MAREC business incubator

By Lauren Fitch GVL Managing Editor
6/24/2009

In an effort to further improve its business incubator, the Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center recently hired Rich Cook to operate as a part-time advisor to young businesses in Muskegon.

Cook, who is currently the venture center director at the West Michigan Science and Technology Initiative in Grand Rapids, began sharing his services with MAREC in June and will continue to work part-time there for at least a year.

“Rich was helpful to (WMSTI) in the bio medical field,” said Arnold Boezaart, interim director of MAREC. “MAREC is focused on energy and Rich wanted to work in the alternative energy area. He will be sharing his expertise and filling our need for assistance in the incubator.”

Boezaart said he thinks Cook’s involvement will have a positive impact on MAREC and therefore, the Muskegon community.

“MAREC’s primary priority is to stimulate economic development,” Boezaart said. “The incubator is an important way to achieve that goal.”

Cook said he looks forward to working with small businesses and is focused on finding more businesses to fill the incubator.

The incubator is a system designed to provide start-up businesses with space, low cost options and guidance while the company gets started, Cook explained.

“We want to make running the business as easy as possible,” he added. “(The incubator) provides a lot of jobs.”

There is currently one business in the MAREC incubator, leaving space for at least three more, Cook said.

managingeditor@lanthorn.com

Comments: