Events/Announcements

KALAMAZOO ? Configuration Solution has completed its acquisition of Helix Technology Group of Rochester. With the addition of Helix?s automotive expertise, Configuration ads engineering change and project management software for automotive suppliers. Terms were not disclosed. Configuration provides enterprise-wide product configuration and selling solutions from quote to delivery. "Combining our expertise and software capabilities with

TROY ? The Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan has renewed a $126,000 grant used to fund the Walsh College Adams Entrepreneurial Fellowship, which develops the entrepreneurial skills of two promising Walsh College business students or alumni by matching them with two local entrepreneurs for one year. Waterford, Michigan, resident Monica Smith, a Walsh College master?s

GRAND RAPIDS ? GLIMAWest is hosting a panel discussion on RFID technology and how it will make business leaner and faster. The event RFID ? Tag, You?re IT - is scheduled for Sept. 22 at 5:45 pm at Dr. Grins, a comedy club in the B.O.B. The RFID panelists are: Gary Burns from RF Identics

KALAMAZOO ? A Canadian pharmaceutical company has agreed to purchase Kalamazoo-based Afmedica, a drug device company, for an undisclosed amount. Angiotech Pharmaceuticals will move Afmedica to Vancouver, British Columbia. But the pending departure of Afmedica won?t be a loss for Kalamazoo?s life sciences industry, said Afmedica CEO Don Parfet, rather it will be a victory

LANSING ? The months-long effort of a work group and committee testimony produced a tentative decision Wednesday in a Senate committee on a bill to serve as the basis of rewriting Michigan's telecommunications law, which is set to expire December 31. But the Michigan Technology and Energy Committee postponed for a week action on possible

KALAMAZOO ? Medical devices will get a lot more money from the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor Fund in 2006, a Michigan Economic Development Corp. executive said Tuesday at the MichBio Sprouts event. John Shallman, Life Sciences Business Development Manager, said medical device start ups will get more focus than in year?s past when the awards are

GRAND RAPIDS ? In the past seven years, $360 million in research labs and hospital wings have been built in the Grand Rapids SmartZone, with another $500 million in new life sciences facilities coming on line, David Van Andel, CEO of the Van Andel Research Institute, said Wednesday. Trouble is, Michigan's high schools and colleges

LANSING ? Starting December 1, anyone who sells or rents highly violent or sexually explicit video games to children will face new criminal penalties under a legislative package that was partially enacted with the signing of two bills on Monday by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. "This new common-sense law is one more tool we can provide

ANN ARBOR ? Last spring, Judy Ravin, president of an accent reduction service, approached Menlo Innovations about developing software to automate the process. Menlo President Rich Sheridan like English Communications Services so much, he bought the company in August. Neither Sheridan nor Ravin would disclose the terms. But both acted pretty excited about the deal,

LANSING - An agreement reached finally by Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Michigan legislative leaders will mean a budget that is $70 million more than the governor?s general fund proposal, but with no changes in taxes or major state fees. The package, however, means the state will securitize $1 billion in tobacco settlement fees, used to