Organization
News & Events Performance Automotive’s $1.2 million investment in Jackson expected to create 30 jobs

By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday, March 11, 2010

Performance Automotive, a locally owned and operated auto...

Procurement Technical Assistance Center helps manufacturers diversify

By Ingrid Jacques
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Monday, March 8, 2010

Bill Hirsch, projects manager at Clarklake Machine Inc., wanted...

Jackson leaders bid farewell to Acme Building complex; structure to be demolished next week

By Keith Roberts | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday, February 5, 2010

The Acme Building complex, a symbol of Jacksons prison and manufacturing...

Kaneka building sale final

Maverick Industries closes deal to purchase former Kaneka Texas plant in Blackman Township; 90 jobs expected to be created

By Chris Gautz Bids taken on demolition of Acme complex near art district in Jackson

By Tarryl Q. Jackson
Friday, October 30, 2009

Jackson residents and visitors will soon be able to view an up-and-coming art district...

RTD Manufacturing gets contract to assemble materials for U.S. Army: update

By Chris Gautz | Jackson Citizen Patriot
October 26, 2009

Standing in front of the dozen or so employees left at RTD Manufacturing,...

RTD Manufacturing gets major military contract; deal expected to help retain jobs

By Chris Gautz
October 26, 2009

A local manufacturer has received a major military contract that is expected to create and retain jobs,...

Arts Village gallery can stay open all winter

By Bill Chapin
Sunday, October 25, 2009

October 25, 2009

One of the biggest complaints among the artists living at Armory Arts...

Multimillion-dollar horse park approved for Jackson County

By Jackie Smith
October 16, 2009

A multimillion-dollar horse park is coming to northern Jackson County.

The Enterprise Group...

Ten Michigan Counties to receive more than $5 million

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2009

CONTACT: Bill Shreck, MDOT Director of Communications, 517-335-3084

The Granholm Administration today...

Jackson County Board of Commissioners vote to designate county a Recovery Zone

By Holly Klaft
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday, August 19, 2009

About $28.7 million in federal bonds will be available to...

Recovery Zone designation could help Jackson County businesses and local governments

By Holly Klaft | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday August 07, 2009

Hard-to-find financing for major expansion or improvement projects...

Article about Armory Arts Village appears in Michigan Municipal League magazine

By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Saturday July 18, 2009, 12:17 AM

Jackson is getting more good publicity for Armory...

Albion’s Caster Concepts secures contract to produce casters and wheels for Ford

By Caitlin Schneider
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday July 23, 2009, 2:22 PM

Some Ford employees will soon experience a little...

Demolition of Acme complex in Jackson supported by speakers at public hearing

By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday July 22, 2009, 11:16 PM

Acme Industries occupies a place in Jackson’s...

Senator Stabenow visits Jackson’s Armory Arts Village

July 13, 2009
Legal News Photo by Mary Steinmetz

Senator Debbie Stabenow recently visited the Jackson Armory Arts Village to honor...

Jackson area officials hope businesses can benefit from apprentice program

By Caitlin Schneider
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Tuesday July 07, 2009, 3:48 PM

If the old saying about teaching a man to fish...

UPDATE: City of Jackson, Enterprise Group get word that demolition of Acme building may proceed

By Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday July 08, 2009, 12:37 PM

Jackson isn’t getting many new buildings these days, but at least...

Firms seek government work

Monday, July 06, 2009
By Caitlin Schneider
cschneider@citpat.com—768-4923

Government contracts are one way local businesses...

Sen. Stabenow glad to see progress at Armory Arts

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com--768-4926

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow toured the Armory Arts Village on...

Financing woes stall redevelopment of former Kaneka facility in Blackman Township

By Holly Klaft
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Friday June 26, 2009, 12:24 AM

Harsh economic conditions are hampering a company’s...

Stakes high in race to build horse park in Jackson

By Jackson Citizen Patriot
Tuesday June 23, 2009, 8:57 AM

It appears more and more likely that equestrian enthusiasts in Jackson will...

County projects could get aid from stimulus program

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com—768-4922

A new federal stimulus program could make it easier...

3 plans submitted for big horse park

3 plans submitted for big horse park

Saturday, June 13, 2009
By Heidi Fenton
hfenton@citpat.com-- 768-4945

Officials...

Business owners could get free loans

Small-business owners in Jackson County may qualify for interest-free loans
by Chris Gautz
Wednesday June 17, 2009

Small businesses...

Two Jackson doctors get creative with sculpting class at Armory Arts Village

By Monetta Harr
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday April 29, 2009

In the operating room, Dr. Pramit S. Malhotra is limited by...

County gets $1 million brownfield cleanup grant

By Holly Klaft and Brad Flory
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Saturday May 09, 2009

Jackson County on Friday landed a $1 million grant...

Enterprise Group targets China

Monday, May 04, 2009
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

The Enterprise Group is taking a unique approach to business...

Jackson City Council puts Phase 2 of Armory Arts Village on hold

By Fredricka Paul
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday April 22, 2009

Ruth Ojeda clutched old marketing material promoting the...

Blackman DDA to review bids for road work near new Holiday Inn

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com
768-4922

The future of Northpointe Town Center may be uncertain,...

Shopping center developer gets year extension

Posted by Kristin Longley
Jackson Citizen Patriot
April 22, 2008

The developer of a new shopping center slated for Blackman...

Officials eye spruced-up Cooper

Plans to place Cooper Street ‘Welcome Mat’ to downtown Jackson moving forward
By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot Two Jackson County groups among five vying for multimillion-dollar horse park

by Chris Gautz and Steven Hepker
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Monday February 09, 2009

Two groups from Jackson County are among...

Resident artists taking the lead at Armory Arts Village

by Bill Chapin
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Sunday, February 8, 2009

Residents of Armory Arts Village are developing an association...

EG leader gets high marks

Thursday, February 05, 2009
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

A year ago this week, Scott Fleming walked into...

High-tech packaging company to open in former Kaneka Texas plant

By Chris Gautz
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Tuesday, February 3, 2009

A high-tech packaging company plans to open next month in...

Artist’s Obama piece displayed in Washington

Jason Caldwell is a graduate of the City’s Incubator, which was managed by The Enterprise Group of Jackson and the Small Business & Technology...

ARMORY ARTS - Fleming: Artists are more involved

Enterprise Group leader says artists getting more involved at Armory Arts Village
By Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Thursday,...

Project Welcome Mat - Cooper Street’s unwelcoming signs eyed

By Keith Roberts
Citizen Patriot
Thursday, January 22, 2009

The sign for downtown Jackson at the Cooper Street exit on I-94...

Goodbye to 2008

Our Voice
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday, December 31, 2008

This year was filled with disappointments.

Front pages...

EG on its way to $2 million goal

by Chris Gautz
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Monday December 29, 2008

Three months into a two-year capital campaign, The Enterprise...

EG gets boost in funding

Thursday, November 20, 2008
By Fredricka Paul
fpaul@citpat.com—768-4927

The city of Jackson has added an extra zero to...

Armory Arts Village resident creates and teaches art

Sunday, November 09, 2008
By Rene RosencrantzFor the Citizen Patriot

One day might find Armory Arts resident Mary Jean Westerlund,...

Closing incubator good for business

By Jackson Citizen Patriot

Sunday November 09, 2008

The following is a Jackson Citizen Patriot editorial:

It may have been...

EG plans virtual incubator

Saturday, November 01, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

As Jackson’s business incubator prepares to...

Armory Arts and Westwinds raise money with 24-hour event

By Will Keeler
October 26, 2008

Art of many mediums came alive Friday evening and Saturday at the Armory Arts Village, where dozens...

Leaders plotting development of SmartZone

Thursday, October 16, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
-- 768-4926

Fresh off the success of securing a coveted...

Blackman a SmartZone

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

Blackman Township is now one of 15 SmartZone technology...

Artist community wins state award

By Fredricka Paul
Jackson Citizen Patriot
October 08, 2008

Armory Arts Village has been named the 2008 Community Excellence...

Big project could mean 1,200 new jobs

Posted by Chris Gautz | Citizen Patriot October 03, 2008 09:01AM
Categories: Top Stories
A small machine shop in Jackson has been tapped...

Enterprise Group widens focus

Sunday, September 14, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

Quantum. Windmill. Cookie.

Those names...

Horse park still possible in county

Saturday, August 30, 2008
By Steven Hepker
shepker@citpat.com—768-4923

Jackson County remains in the running for a 1,000-acre...

IMPORTANT BRIEFING - HORSE PARK FEASIBILITY STUDY

In early 2007 the Michigan Equine Partnership (MEP) commissioned Public Sector Consultants to conduct a demand and feasibility study to determine whether...

County grant spells progress for the EG

Posted by Jackson Citizen Patriot
August 26, 2008 07:19AM
Categories: Editorial

If we were Scott Fleming, executive director...

Enterprise Group markets Kaneka facility

Posted by Chris Gautz
Citizen Patriot
August 24, 2008 00:08AM
Categories: Business

The Enterprise Group is taking a...

County mulls $100K for EG

Friday, August 15, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
—768-4926

Jackson County might shell out an additional...

Great Lakes Industry to expand

Posted by Keith Roberts
Jackson Citizen Patriot
August 01, 2008 09:25AM

Great Lakes Industry is planning to create 15 jobs...

Jackson, four others fight for 3 SmartZones

Sunday, July 27, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

After Jackson was denied a SmartZone designation in 2001,...

Fleming: Jackson faces tough competition

Sunday, July 27, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

Scott Fleming says Jackson has some tough competition...

Machine shop may hire 20

Friday, July 25, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com
768-4926

A small, family-owned manufacturing business is looking...

Blackman developing site

Tuesday, July 01, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

Regardless of whether the state approves Jackson County’s...

Business plan is given to state

Monday, June 30, 2008
By Chris Gautz
cgautz@citpat.com—768-4926

Scott Fleming hand-delivered a high-tech pen Friday morning...

SmartZone is one step closer

On behalf of the community and the Blackman Township Local Development Finance Authority (LDFA), The Enterprise Group of Jackson, Inc. submitted the...

Production Engineerings expansion plans bring new jobs to Jackson community

JACKSON, MICH.  Production Engineering Inc., a manufacturer of precision machined components for specialty truck and construction equipment axles,...

Jackson Area Manufacturers Association and The Academy for Manufacturing Careers Celebrates Certific

The Jackson Area Manufacturers Associations (JAMA) Academy for Manufacturing Careers is proud to announce the graduation of our students who have completed...

Artists’ complex is more than half full

Wednesday, June 11, 2008
By Fredricka Paul
fpaul@citpat.com—768-4927

Jane Robinson thinks of herself as a proud mother...

LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNITS MUST ACT IMMEDIATELY TO RECOVER LOST TAX REVENUE

The Michigan Townships Association announced that Local Tax Capture Authorities Have Until JUNE 15 to Recover Lost Tax Revenue

Legislation...

Pharmaceutical support firm already planning expansion

Tuesday, May 20, 2008
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com—768-4922

At most ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new companies,...

City has a say in effort to keep company in county

Monday, April 21, 2008

By Fredricka Paul
fpaul@citpat.com—768-4927

Keeping Production Engineering in the county is now...

Tax break eyed to keep plant

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
By Keith Roberts
kroberts@citpat.com—768-4922

Production Engineering has outgrown its Summit Township...

County, city awarded a combined $1.4 million to clean up brownfields

Wednesday, April 09, 2008
By Kristin Longley
klongley@citpat.com—768-4917

The county and city of Jackson have won a combined...

EG’s work is praised

Tuesday, April 08, 2008
By Kristin Longley
klongley@citpat.com—768-4917

One year ago this week, Jackson County commissioners...

Real World Fixes for Small Manufacturers

Through the Jackson Area Manufacturers Association (JAMA), The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), an Michigan Economic Development Corporation...

Trans Pharm Settling Into Jackson

Trans Pharm received the first 200,000 draw from the state a couple weeks ago.  All of the lab equipment is being moved back into the lab and yesterday...

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Resident artists taking the lead at Armory Arts Village

by Bill Chapin
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Sunday, February 8, 2009

Residents of Armory Arts Village are developing an association and bylaws to govern themselves. Those leading the effort say progress is being made to address concerns that arose in December after the resignation of Director Jane Robinson.

These residents said they intend to keep the project’s vision arts-focused, and they have the full backing of The Enterprise Group.

A closer look
Regular, winter hours for the Armory Arts Village are noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
The next Fourth Friday Open Studio Night will be 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 27.
Guided tours may be made by appointment, day or evening, any day of the week except Monday.
For more information on classes, tours, events or other activities, call Armory Arts Village spokeswoman Judy Gail Krasnow at 795-2112.

The economic development agency has formed its own task force to make sure that happens. It includes board members, representatives from other arts community groups and Neeta Delaney, who was director of the project from 2002 to 2006.

“The energy and number of people and dedication and determination to see this succeed is alive and well,” resident Judy Gail Krasnow said. “All these things take time, and they are being worked on and we are open.”

New rules for use of the complex’s studios have already been agreed on by residents. Security has been improved by installation of a new locking mechanism for the building’s main entrance.

Significantly, artists now are being given preference when there are open apartments in the building. That was made possible by changes to the federal tax code that went into effect in September, though uncertainty over how the new law applied to Armory Arts Village persisted into December.

The Enterprise Group President and CEO Scott Fleming said there is now agreement among project developer Excel Realty Group, the investor who purchased tax credits to fund the project and property management company KMG Prestige that applicants who identify themselves as artists can be approved for an apartment even if there are nonartists higher on the building’s waiting list.

How to determine who counts as an artist remains under consideration.

“Someone can lie their way into getting an apartment,” resident Matthew Tate said.

The other major sticking point is the building’s main gallery, which is not being heated this winter.

Krasnow said The Enterprise Group is negotiating with Excel Realty Group to find a way to cover utility costs.

“They are truly hoping this situation will be settled and solved so next year we’ll be open full time,” she said.

Residents including Krasnow, Hector Trujillo and Jean Weir approached Fleming about forming a self-governing board because they felt coordinating all the building’s arts activities was too much for one person. They are working on developing a business plan with input from EG board members and others with business experience.

Not every resident is convinced that the artists should be taking over what had been Robinson’s duties.

“Our job (is) to provide the art that goes into the gallery, and not to be gallery administrators,” potter Kay Howard said.

She also said she wants to see an agreement in writing to heat the gallery year-round before the Jackson City Council approves tax breaks for the second phase of the project, a mixed-use senior housing development. The City Planning Commission this week approved designs for the development.

“I’m not saying things aren’t moving in the right direction,” Howard said. “I’m waiting to see.”

Krasnow and other artists said public visitation to the building has been down since a Citizen Patriot story on the Armory Arts Village ran in December. There were rumors circulating that the project had ceased all its arts activities.

They also said the building remains in good condition and praised the dedication of maintenance technician Don Allen.

While public hours have been scaled back for the winter, art is still on display, residents are teaching classes and tours are available.

“It’s far from dead,” Tate said.

“There’s lots of people in there working hard to get it going.”