See your business in a park-like setting on the campus of a major research university
About WMU ■ Globally engaged, national research university with an enrollment of about 22,500 students ■ Eight colleges, 262 degree programs—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral ■ Local region economic impact = $1.6 billion annually ■ State-of-the-art buildings for business, chemistry, education, health and human services, science research, and the visual and performing arts ■ Affiliated with the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, whose Innovation Center is located in the BTR Park ■ Two nature preserves open to the public and used for research and education, including the Asylum Lake Preserve directly east of BTR 2
Join more than 40 companies at Western Michigan University’s Business Technology and Research Park in Kalamazoo and discover its formula for success. The BTR Park and its resident businesses have attracted more than $150 million in investment and generated more than 1,400 jobs (direct and indirect) and hundreds of internships for WMU students. The focus of the BTR Park is on the development of mutually beneficial relationships that involve resident businesses, the University, the Greater Kalamazoo community, and beyond. The private sector firms located at the park are recruited from three key business sectors: ■ Advanced Engineering ■ Life Science ■ Information Technology
“The synergy we’ve found with WMU has been invaluable toward growing our business. Since we opened in the BTR Park, we have had a number of wonderful interns from WMU’s Engineering program develop into full-time employees after graduation. Being located right on Western’s campus offers a definite strategic advantage.” — Timothy Mitchell, vice president and director of regional operations, SME
Special resources ■ WMU Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine Innovation Center, a state-of-the-art high-tech/ wet lab business incubator launched by the regional economic development agency Southwest Michigan First
The BTR Park was founded in 2001 through a partnership between the City of Kalamazoo, Southwest Michigan First—the region’s economic development agency, and the University. It is situated on WMU’s 265-acre Parkview Campus and adjacent to its highly regarded College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The BTR Park offers a broad range of opportunities for businesses to interact and partner with the faculty and students of one of the nation’s largest major research universities. The collaborations that result can range from initiatives in manufacturing engineering to the development of new products in the pharmaceutical arena. ■ There are approximately 850 employees in BTR Park businesses; more than 100 WMU alumni own or work for Park companies. ■ Tax captured is in excess of $9 million. ■ A number of businesses that began as startups in the park have constructed their own facilities; several buildings house multiple tenants.
■ Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center at WMU, which provides commercialization expertise, research support, and funding to emerging life sciences ventures ■ One-megawatt solar power plant and a utilityscale battery power facility on site, owned by Consumers Energy
BTR 2 Building on the success of the first phase of the BTR Park, the University has planned for its expansion on the University’s 55-acre Colony Farm Orchard property, located within the boundaries of Oshtemo Township at the northwest corner of Drake Road and Parkview Avenue. ■ U.S. Department of Commerce awarded $2.1 million for BTR site development—roads and utilities ■ Collaborative effort to secure grant funding—Oshtemo Township, the Kalamazoo County Road Commission, and several offices at Western Michigan University ■ Expected to attract investments totaling $50 million and create 200 high-tech jobs ■ Award-winning design firms selected: Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber and landscape architects O’Boyle, Cowell, Blalock & Associates. These firms also developed the site plan for the first phase of the BTR Park, which has been repeatedly honored for its environmentally sensitive design. ■ 55 acres of wooded land, focused on maintaining the natural features of the property while developing parcels ■ Historic water tower base on site and recognition of its significance to the Kalamazoo community in its early years ■ Adjacent to the Asylum Lake Preserve—330 acres of undeveloped, protected land used exclusively for recreation and research ■ Development launched in early 2019
BTR Park goals ■ Recruit, retain, and help create high-technology businesses that will partner with the University in its core mission of research and instruction ■ Add to the tax base ■ Help recruit, retain and create high-tech jobs
The BTR Park and the Parkview Campus are directly adjacent to US-131 just north of the I-94 interchange. Visit our website to learn more about the BTR Park and partnering with a major research university to grow your business:
wmich.edu/btr We welcome all inquiries.
Office of Community Outreach Kalamazoo MI 49008-5202 USA (269) 387-2072 btr-park@wmich.edu
About Kalamazoo ■
Located midway between Chicago and Detroit on Interstate 94 and offers commercial transportation by train, bus and major airlines at the Kalamazoo|Battle Creek International Airport
■ Major international pharmaceutical and life sciences center; original home of the Upjohn Company and Stryker ■ Center of higher education: WMU, Kalamazoo College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College—which collaborate on a variety of fronts ■ Kalamazoo Promise guarantees college tuition for graduates of the Kalamazoo Public Schools to attend Michigan public—and some private— colleges and universities ■ Sixth largest metropolitan area in Michigan, with amenities and entertainment found in larger cities ■ About 50 miles to South Haven and Lake Michigan beaches; 83 lakes with public access located throughout Kalamazoo County