Accelerate Jackson reports growth in business outreach, campaign surpasses goal

Marsha Gabrowski, speaking for Accelerate Jackson, presented the organization's semiannual report and outlined staffing and program updates. "My name is Marsha Gabrowski. I'm with Accelerate Jackson County filling in for our fearless leader, Keith Gillenwater," she said, and then reviewed hires, interns and outreach activity. She told commissioners Accelerate Jackson increased its business retention-and-expansion visits from 56 to 72 and has made roughly 56 resource referrals to local programs including Michigan Works and the RLF program.

Gabrowski also highlighted capital and site-preparedness work: staff continue to market a 66,000-square-foot speculative building at the JTPN, hosted Allston Consulting for a three-day site study, and are pursuing a silver MEDC site certification that required grant-funded geotechnical testing. She said Accelerate Jackson has submitted a proposal to the Land Bank Board, via the County Treasurer, requesting authority to manage the county Land Bank under a management agreement. The board voted to receive the report.