ESCANABA – The Copper Country already has a successful Smartzone business incubator and now there could be one in the works for K.I. Sawyer.
The Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Regional Commission is sending out its annual Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for approval by the six-member counties.
According to CUPPAD Executive Director Lloyd Matthes, a potential K.I. Sawyer Airfield Incubator is one of the big potential projects being recommended for funding support by the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The Smartzone Incubators were initially developed by now state House Speaker Andy Dillon, (D) Redford and Rep. Bill Huizenga, (R) Zeeland. Officials working with the incubators help developing businesses get on their feet, and in the case of the collaborative effort in Houghton and Hancock, help create a setting where innovating new technology and industrial design can be fostered.
One thing the copper country lacks is a lot of vacant, heavy industrial infrastructure – something K.I. Sawyer has plenty of with its former U.S. Air Force facilities – most of which are now being managed by the Telkite Technology Park.
Delphi Automotive already utilizes Sawyer for winter testing of anti-lock brake systems and other technology. Heavy industrial customers such as Potlach, Superior Extrusion and AMR create a base for utilities and services at Sawyer.

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