[DetroitMan]

A $28.9M Great Lakes research institute breaks ground near Traverse City

A new center focused on research and entrepeneurship tied to the nation's largest concentration of fresh water is under way near Traverse City.

Groundbreaking took place Friday for the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center just north of Traverse City across West Bay in Elmwood Township, backed by an array of Michigan research and commerce powerhouses. Research projects are expected to include early detection and remediation of the so-called forever chemicals known as PFAS; dealing with microplastics in water; the proliferation of invasive species such as mussels; lead contamination; and nutrient runoffs from land that can cause harmful algae blooms and other problems.

Four partners announced plans for the center in December 2022, and the following June, it got $15 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Act, administered by the state’s Department of Natural Resources.
The partners were the Discovery Pier, a nonprofit organization that works with a range of organizations and schools to provide free Great Lakes-based programs to area students; Houghton-based Michigan Technological University; Traverse City-based Northwestern Michigan College; Traverse Connect, the regional chamber of commerce; and 20Fathoms, a business incubator just down the road.

Subsequent partners include Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard.

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/educat...-traverse-city