In November 2009, Business Leaders for Michigan received a grant of $42,500 to support a process to engage the primary life science leaders and stakeholders and to build a health/life/bio science strategy and initiative.

The effort has three components:

1. Working with Business Leaders for Michigan, NEI and others, consultants from Business Development Advisors (BDA) will compile a preliminary list of life sciences sector organizations and individuals to interview. Once the list is complete, 40-50 interviews will be conducted.
2. BDA will develop a bio/life sciences asset map. The effort will expose the gaps that exist in this sector, and will determine the goals and priorities as the region moves forward to develop an effective health/bio/life sciences agenda. This would ensure that ongoing state or local life science initiatives are incorporated into a health/bio/life sciences strategy.
3. A working session with economic development groups will be held to review the findings from the two tasks listed above. The session will identify key assets, common goals, and potential leaders and individuals. The work group will address the catalysts for change and begin developing a strategy for incorporating priorities that lead to a preliminary roadmap for a realistic health/bio/life sciences initiative for southeast Michigan.

Key Metrics and Indicators

• An asset map of life/bio sciences resources in southeast Michigan