In September 2008, the State of Michigan approved the SmartZone application and awarded Oakland University, Macomb County and the City of Sterling Heights with the opportunity to create the only business incubator in Macomb County. Based on market research and trend analysis, the INCubator’s focus was within three key sectors: Defense, Homeland Security and Advanced Manufacturing.

With seed money from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Macomb-OU INCubator opened its doors in October 2008. In July 2009, the INCubator set up an office at 7205 Sterling Ponds Court with the help from community partner L-Tech Holdings. Continued support from the SBA and MEDC enabled growth and operation of the INCubator during its first, formative months.

After a generous facility donation to the City of Sterling Heights by A.J. Damman in January 2010, the INCubator moved to its permanent home at 6633 18 Mile Road. Grant funds provided by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) enabled the INCubator to move programs forward and remodel the building to suit emerging businesses.

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