Today at 12:30:  Michigan’s Competitive Advantage: Harnessing the Power of the University Research Corridor 

The Detroit Economic Club and Detroit PBS present the presidents of Michigan State, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State discussing how these leading research institutions are collaborating to develop sustainable economic solutions and a pipeline of talent for the future. 

Watch the livestream at 12:35 p.m. ET on One Detroit’s Facebook and YouTube

Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University represent one of the nation’s top academic research clusters, providing critical research and development assets for the Michigan economy. They have formed an alliance called the University Research Corridor (URC) to develop innovative solutions to ensure  the state’s future prosperity and the talent it will need to thrive.

Today at 12:35 p.m., One Detroit and Detroit PBS in partnership with the Detroit Economic Club present a roundtable discussion of the three URC presidents: Kevin Guskiewicz, Ph.D., president of  Michigan State University; Santa Ono, Ph.D., president of the University of Michigan; and Kimberly Andrews Espy, Ph.D., president of Wayne State University.

They will address how their institutions are collaborating to lead groundbreaking research and attract and support companies across four key industry areas: artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, life and health sciences, and sustainability. The panel will be held at the Masonic in Detroit and moderated by Matt Elliott, sustainability executive and Michigan market president of Bank of America.

The URC is one of the nation's top academic research clusters and a leading engine for innovation in Michigan, focused on increasing economic prosperity and connecting Michigan to the world. According to a 2023 economic impact report, the URC injects millions into the economy, providing businesses and industries with graduates, and conducting cutting-edge research. Its research and development and commercialization efforts make significant contributions to Michigan, conducting $2.87 billion in research and development annually and catapulting Michigan into the top 10 states for academic R&D.

Additionally for every dollar that the state has invested in URC institutions, the study reported that the  URC has put back $24 into the state economy through research, education, and innovation activities, jobs created and in-state spending. Last year, the URC’s total net economic impact was $23.9 billion, reaching every single county across Michigan.