Western Michigan University has released details about a large development plan that could provide a big boost to the economy in the Kalamazoo area. According to WWMT, the plan involves a major expansion to the Parkview campus along Drake Road, south of Stadium Drive on the Kalamazoo/Oshtemo Township line. The second Business, Technology and Research park, which aims to be similar to the one that already exists, would be created with the hopes of bringing more companies to the area and in turn create about 200 new jobs in Kalamazoo County.

WMU was able to get a $2.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce to fund the development. With additional investments from the university and communities, the total project is estimated to be just over $4 million. Oshtemo Township planning officials are partnering with WMU and the city of Kalamazoo to prepare the currently wooded area ready for development. Construction on the project is scheduled to start sometime in the summer of 2019. Businesses would likely open sometime in 2020.

 

 

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