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The International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) Announces 2010 Course Schedule

Battle Creek, Mich. (Vocus) January 7, 2010

The International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) today released its initial training course schedule for 2010. Registration information including dates and locations can be found at www.ifpti.org . The schedule represents the Institute’s initial course offerings and IFPTI will be adding new courses throughout the year. Additions to the 2010 schedule will be posted on the Institute’s website.

All costs associated with training and travel will be reimbursed by IFPTI to help state and local food protection professionals overcome the limited funding and travel budgets that often have prevented them from attending training.

Since July 2009, approximately 300 state, local, tribal and territorial food regulators have enrolled in courses delivered through IFPTI. Joanne Sax, Environmental Protection Specialist with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, took “Applications of Basics of Inspection and Investigation” to add wholesale food manufacturing know-how to her existing set of skills related to retail food inspection.

“I appreciated learning more about food laws and safety procedures as well as having the opportunity to network with students from other states,” Sax said. “I performed many hands-on exercises to reinforce the concepts taught during the course, and the lessons on report writing I applied in my job immediately.”

“Based on the attendance and response we have received thus far, it is clear there is a need for improved training that meets U.S. food safety standards,” said Gerald Wojtala, Acting Executive Director of IFPTI and Past-President of the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO). “Our 2010 curriculum schedule meets needs across all experience levels in food safety and addresses the critical issues that all food protection professionals face routinely,” he added. Wojtala also noted that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been instrumental in partnering with IFPTI by providing course instruction to assist state and local regulatory officials.

2010 International Food Protection Training Institute Course Schedule

January    

Applications of Basics of Inspection and Investigation (AFDO) — Battle Creek, Michigan
An Integrated Food Protection System (AFDO/FDA) — Webinar
February

Food Processing Technology (FDA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Food Emergencies: Practice and Execution (NCBRT) — Battle Creek, Michigan
March

Applications of Basics of Inspection and Investigation (AFDO) — Vancouver, Washington
Agriculture and Food Vulnerability Assessment (U. of Tennessee) — Battle Creek, Michigan
April    

Basic Low Acid Canned Foods (FDA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Food Equipment Standards (NSF International) — Battle Creek/Ann Arbor
Retail Plan Review (NSF International) — Battle Creek, Michigan
May    

Seafood HACCP- Domestic, Train the Trainer (Seafood HACCP Alliance) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Food GMPs 110 (FDA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Biology and Control of Insects and Rodents (NEHA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
June    

Seafood HACCP- International (Asia), Train the Trainer (Seafood HACCP Alliance) — San Francisco, California
Seafood HACCP- International (Central & South America) Train the Trainer (Seafood HACCP Alliance) — Miami, Florida
Produce Traceability (AFDO) — Norfolk, Virginia
Food Inspection Techniques/ Evidence Development (FDA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Managing Retail Food Safety (FDA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Milk Pasteurization Controls and Tests (FDA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
July    

Acidified Foods (FDA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Food-borne Illness Investigations (FDA) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Food Emergencies: Practice and Execution (NCBRT) — Battle Creek, Michigan
September    

Laboratory Investigation of Food-borne Illness (pending APHL approval) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Managing Food Recalls Effectively (AFDO) — Battle Creek, Michigan
GFSI: 3rd Party Standards Awareness for Regulatory Officials (NSF International) — Battle Creek, Michigan
Instructor Development Workshop (NCBRT) — Battle Creek, Michigan
About IFPTI

The International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to deliver career-spanning food protection training for state and local food protection professionals to assure competency and equivalency in meeting established U.S. federal food safety standards. Working in partnership with the Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO), the Institute seeks to protect the public’s health by working with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial food protection officials in the creation of an integrated national food protection system that ensures the safety of the U.S. food supply. Initial funding for IFPTI provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

About AFDO

The Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO) is an international, non-profit organization that is in the forefront of streamlining and simplifying regulations by either drafting regulatory rules or by commenting on government proposals. By developing a broad base of support for new approaches, AFDO has become a recognized voice in determining the rules and shape of the regulatory playing field of the future. The consensus that AFDO develops is key to advancing uniform laws, regulations, and guidelines that result in more efficient regulation and less confusion among industry in the marketplace. AFDO develops support for its positions by interfacing with high-level regulatory officials, industry representatives, trade associations, and consumer organizations. This continues to have a significant impact on regulations at the federal, state and local level. More information about AFDO can be found on its website at www.afdo.org . Inquiries about AFDO can be directed to AFDO’s Executive Director Joseph Corby.

SOURCE: International Food Protection Training Institute (www.ifpti.org ).

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Michigan Home Health Care

Michigan Home Health Care

Today we find ourselves in need of health care agencies often. There is a growing need for health care agencies because it is hard to take care of old aged people all on your own. It is good to have help. In Michigan home health agencies are available in plenty. These agencies assist by providing help in the form of nurses and therapists. The help provided by them is professional and makes it easier to take care of old people or people with diseases who need full time attention. Health care agencies offer a very valuable service that many of us cannot do without.

If you are in need of Michigan Home Health care, all you need to do is get a hold of a phone directory. There are many listed. You can also do a search online and you will find that there are plenty available. You can find services around the clock. If you are weary about calling the services, you can contact the patient’s doctor and see whom he recommends. It is always good to have professional help, they will know what to do in case of an emergency and will be able to provide the best help till medical assistance arrives.

If you are still wondering if Michigan home health agencies are of any good, you can go ahead and do your research on them. You can go pay a visit to the agency and ask all the questions that are on your mind. You can also contact some of their clients to find out about their services or you can simply read testimonials online about the same. Health agencies do not receive licenses easily, so trust that these agencies have received their license because they are qualified and able to provide accurate services. You can even request for a biodata on the help that is provided to you. Most agencies will employ only those who are qualified for the job, but if you have your doubts, go ahead and do your search on them.

And if you are feeling awkward to contact Michigan home health care because you feel you ought to be able to do it on your own instead of having a stranger look after your loved one, think differently. It is better to have someone who knows what they are doing than have you look after the patient. These people are trained for situations like this; let them do their job while you do yours.

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Michigan Foreclosed Homes ? What are the Benefits and How to Search for Foreclosed Homes in Michigan?

Michigan Foreclosed Homes ? What are the Benefits and How to Search for Foreclosed Homes in Michigan?

If you are a homebuyer on the lookout for a suitable property that meets your requirements as well as budget, buying a property through the foreclosed homes for sale in Michigan could be the best decision you can make. Benefits There are several benefits of purchasing one of the several foreclosed homes in Michigan as listed below: • High employment rate – The region ranks fourth nationally in high tech employment with 568,000 high tech workers, which includes 70,000 in the automotive industry and ranks third in Research & development as well as engineering job opportunities which makes residing in the state a good option through Michigan foreclosed homes. • Flourishing tourism – With thriving tourist destinations like the Institute of Art, Detroit Zoo, Charles H. Wright Museum , major casinos like the MGM Grand , Greek town Motor City, and Caesars Windsor and events like the Tulip Time Festival and the National Cherry Festival the state has some of the nation’s leading tourist attractions which makes buying a foreclosed home in the state a very good choice for your family. • Assistive Technology Loan Fund (ATLF) – The State Housing Development Authority, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships for homebuyers in making down payments under which there are some special schemes for senior citizens as well. • Educational Loans and scholarships – The state has very good educational programs like the Alternative Student Loan Scheme, Competitive Scholarship Programs, Education Savings Program (ESP), Michigan Education Trust and The Educational Opportunity Grant (EOG) which makes the state a great residential choice for your children. How to search Searching for Michigan foreclosed homes is easier than you might think. The best option is to log onto a search engine and look for foreclosed homes in Michigan through various listing services and real estate and bank websites in the state. You can narrow down on the properties by filtering them through your space requirements, neighborhood as well as your budget. At this point it is very crucial to compare home values to find the best bargains Before zeroing in on a property you must always do a ground inspection of the house as well as the locality in order to ensure a satisfactory purchase through foreclosed homes for sale in Michigan.

If you are a homebuyer on the lookout for a suitable property that meets your requirements as well as budget, buying a property through the foreclosed homes for sale in Michigan could be the best decision you can make.

Benefits

There are several benefits of purchasing one of the several foreclosed homes in Michigan as listed below:

• High employment rate – The region ranks fourth nationally in high tech employment with 568,000 high tech workers, which includes 70,000 in the automotive industry and ranks third in Research & development as well as engineering job opportunities which makes residing in the state a good option through Michigan foreclosed homes.

• Flourishing tourism – With thriving tourist destinations like the Institute of Art, Detroit Zoo, Charles H. Wright Museum , major casinos like the MGM Grand , Greek town Motor City, and Caesars Windsor and events like the Tulip Time Festival and the National Cherry Festival the state has some of the nation’s leading tourist attractions which makes buying a foreclosed home in the state a very good choice for your family.

• Assistive Technology Loan Fund (ATLF) – The State Housing Development Authority, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships for homebuyers in making down payments under which there are some special schemes for senior citizens as well.

• Educational Loans and scholarships – The state has very good educational programs like the Alternative Student Loan Scheme, Competitive Scholarship Programs, Education Savings Program (ESP), Michigan Education Trust and The Educational Opportunity Grant (EOG) which makes the state a great residential choice for your children.

How to search

Searching for Michigan foreclosed homes is easier than you might think.

The best option is to log onto a search engine and look for foreclosed homes in Michigan through various listing services and real estate and bank websites in the state.

You can narrow down on the properties by filtering them through your space requirements, neighborhood as well as your budget.

At this point it is very crucial to compare home values to find the best bargains

Before zeroing in on a property you must always do a ground inspection of the house as well as the locality in order to ensure a satisfactory purchase through foreclosed homes for sale in Michigan.

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Michigan State’s 2010 Football Program is in Critical Need of a Course Correction Immediately

Michigan State’s 2010 Football Program is in Critical Need of a Course Correction Immediately

When Mark Dantonio took over as head coach of the Michigan State University football program 3 years ago, no one was more excited and clapping louder than this former athlete and Michigan State graduate. It was easy to understand why.

In my last two seasons of watching the Spartans as a student-athlete, Michigan State players and their coach Duffy Daugherty won both Big Ten and National Championships in 1965 and 1966. After graduating in 1966, it would be 21 long years before George Perles would lead MSU back to some kind of prominence when the Spartans went 9-2-1 and won the Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl in 1987.

The arrival of Mark Dantonio, after years of losing to our arch-rival Michigan as well as Ohio State, signaled hope for a struggling program. Dantonio was the defensive coordinator for Ohio State’s 2002 National Championship team, and had built a reputation as a winner to be reckoned with.

In his first season, Dantonio went 7-5 and took Michigan State to a bowl game for the first time in 4 years-and all 5 of his losses were by 7 points or less. Last year he continued the march to prominence by improving to 9-4, and going to a second consecutive bowl game.

This year turned into a nightmare before it barely started. In their second game of the season against Central Michigan at home, the Spartans really worked at finding a way to lose, 29-27. The fact that Central Michigan was a mid-major school and would eventually finish the season at 12-2 was irrelevant-it was the way that Michigan State responded to the challenge that was troubling.

MSU then went on the road and lost a close game to another arch-rival Notre Dame, 33-30, and followed that up with another road loss to Wisconsin, 38-30.

The Spartans managed to host and beat arch-rival Michigan 26-20 in overtime, and also beat Illinois and Northwestern to sit at 4-3. Not happy with any success, they immediately lost at home to Iowa and on-the-road at Minnesota and dropped back to 4-5. Mercifully, they then beat Western Michigan and Purdue before being blown out by Penn State, 42-14, and ending up barely bowl eligible at 6-6.

What happened next signaled the trouble ahead for the Michigan State Spartans. A total of 14 Spartan players were suspended from the team pending investigation of a dormitory brawl in November. The players in question did not make it to the Alamo Bowl to face the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

Dubbed the “Distraction Bowl” by the media because of the firing of belligerent coach Mike Leach prior to the game, the Red Raiders nonetheless won, 41-31, leaving Michigan State with a losing record for the season at 6-7.

To say that Michigan State’s 3rd season under Dantonio was a disappointment is not an exaggeration. There is a huge difference between 9-4 in 2008 and 6-7 in 2009. It is not just about the wins and losses-as bad as it is-it is also about the apparent lack of team chemistry, apparent disinterest of some players, and the apparent non-performance of some “hot shot” recruits.

The problem was, as the great college football coach Lou Holtz says, “When all is said and done, more was said than done.”

If anyone wondered what happened to the Michigan State Spartans this year, the telltale signs are evident-14 players suspended for apparently participating in a dormitory brawl. When did Michigan State gain the reputation of being a school that recruits players interested in “thugging” and “mugging” to settle perceived scores?

The story is all too familiar today. Connecticut players won the Papajohns.com Bowl without cornerback Jasper Howard, who was stabbed to death in a fight outside of a school-sponsored dance in October.

Dozens of college football players have been suspended or kicked off their team for violent or criminal behavior this year. Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount sucker-punched a Boise State player at mid-field after the Broncos upset the Ducks 19-8 in the opening game for both teams this year. Other players on other teams are facing charges ranging from robbery to rape.

You have to ask yourself, “What is up with these talented, privileged athletes?” Some of them are gone after their first season because they are too lazy, too undisciplined or too stupid to get passing grades in their classes. Some run around like they are God’s gift to football, “talking smack” and acting like an illiterate person-in some cases they cannot write a complete sentence, and would have trouble communicating with anyone not from where they surfaced. Many times they bring nothing of substance to the area they occupy.

Life is not that complicated to anyone paying attention. By the time athletes even reach the college campus, they should know right from wrong, they should have some basic manners and respect for everyone they come in contact with, and they should have enough restraint to not rob their roommate, rape a girl, or engage in gangland violence.

Yoga taught me “impulse control”, the ability to feel an urge and delay acting on it.

Violent and criminal behavior should not be tolerated under any circumstances. We all are faced with challenges in life. Every one of us suffers failure, rejection and ridicule growing up. Life is not a resting place; it is a testing place. We all face challenges every day of our lives. We either learn how to deal with these challenges or we become victims of them.

What is it with young people today that causes them to solve their problems by going home, getting a gun, and coming back and killing someone because their feelings are hurt, or they faced rejection, or ridicule. Learning to deal with your problems is part of growing up. People who indiscriminately kill other people do not value their own life, and consequently do not value the lives of those they would kill.

The values of respect, tolerance, acceptance, compromise and love among others have to be taught and learned. If there is no one around, then you must observe and learn these values on your own.

The excuse that you are too lazy or too stupid to learn these values on your own is not acceptable if you plan on living on this planet with other people. If you cannot learn how to behave in a civilized society, then we take you out of circulation by locking you up, that is, if you do not get killed by someone else first.

The 14 suspended players at Michigan State-if found guilty as suspected-are immature, lack good judgment, lack character and lack integrity. No one does something as stupid as they apparently did without being more self-centered than other-centered.

Let there be no doubt about the value of having character and integrity. I do not believe you can build a championship team without a substantial dose of both.

And let there be no doubt about how character is developed. Just as we can learn from our mistakes, we can gain character from our disappointments. Also understand that adversity does not build character, it only reveals it. In case of the suspended athletes, the perceived adversity revealed their lack of character.

Integrity is what you do in the dark when no one is looking, and this is especially so if you can enjoy personal gain from what you are doing. Integrity is making decisions with right thinking and right motives. You cannot have integrity and be self-centered, full of yourself, greedy, dishonest, jealous, stupid, arcane and bovine like some stupid cow wandering around a field following other stupid cows.

All of which is to say that Mark Dantonio needs to do some serious housecleaning. Dantonio needs to determine who is really willing to work to succeed. Who not just wants to play football but loves the game and needs to play football. Who is a winner willing to meet and conquer challenges head on. And who appreciates the opportunity to wear a Michigan State Spartan uniform.

You cannot win with losers, and there are apparently some losers on the MSU football team that should not to be on the team. If the players that are left cannot help Michigan State take the next step forward, then Dantonio needs to find some players of character who can, and convince them of the value of being a true Spartan.

Copyright © 2010 Ed Bagley

Read more of my 2009 college football coverage, including: Fourteen consecutive weeks of NCAA Division I wrap-ups covering the top teams and key upsets.

Fourteen consecutive weeks of Ed Bagley’s Top 25 Poll (heck, I figure I am as good at picking them as the writers and coaches who pick the AP Top 25 and the Coaches’ Top 25 Polls, plus, I add some humor to lighten the load).

Coverage of the Washington Husky and Michigan State Spartan football programs, including Washington’s stunning 16-13 upset of Southern California early in the season.

http://www.edbagleyblog.com/Sports.html

Also find FREE articles and advice on resumes, cover letters, job interviews, negotiating pay, education, careers, handling objections, and how to find the high-paying jobs regardless of your educational level.

Did you know that there are 23 critical elements on your web site that could be killing your business now? You can identify these elements with a 50-page, detailed audit of your Internet Marketing business by leading SEO experts. Act now because this audit, which costs 7, is free on my web site for a limited time.

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Why I Write Michigan Bar Appeals

Why I Write Michigan Bar Appeals

The simple answer as to why I write Michigan Bar Appeals is for the fame and fortune associated with it. But since this area of law offers neither, I have to fall back to my real reason.

A good part of my practice focuses on counseling legal professionals in transition. This includes writing Michigan Bar Appeals, teaching bar examination prep classes, tutoring students, counseling applicants delayed in their application process because of Character & Fitness issues and helping young lawyers make the adjustment from law student to lawyer. I am writing a book to help law students prepare for the examination and am getting ready to write another book on how to open a solo practice. My own experience becoming a lawyer pointed up the lack of assistance during this transaction and the great need for guidance and advice. Over the years, I have encountered so many people who needed advice about Character & Fitness, how to reapply for the Bar Examination or simply finding the motivation to retake the Exam.

At first, I began to offer advice to these new lawyers informally. I mentored as I was mentored. Generally speaking, this has been how the practice has been taught and handed down – a combination of mumbled advice and presumed osmosis from which we are supposed to base our career. It was not very satisfying nor helpful. As our practice grows, there are fewer of the familiar relationships in place that promote open dialogue and sharing. Toughen up and put your shoulder into it. Everyone else is fine . . . what is your hang up? Ah, but I digress.

The thing is that the transition from law student to lawyer is difficult. The dizzying mix of personal and professional demands is, at best, challenging and causes no small measure of stress that can cause other problems. Even worse, some people discover that the practice of law is not like the brochures or Boston Legal. Again, I digress.

No matter what, if you have taken the Michigan Bar Examination and not passed, you may be looking for help and advice. I fully understand that feeling. Back in November 1993, I waited for my bar results anxiously as my new job (and my government career) depended upon them. On November 2, 1993, the carpet was pulled out from under me. I missed by two points (actually 1.667 points but the Board of Law Examiners rounds up). No, that was not the news I expected. I worked hard on studying, sacrificed my summer and put all my chips on the fact I would pass.

I was stunned. I did not know what to do. I did not know who to tell. I did tell my boss who was, at first, kind and understanding, but then told me the position held for me had to be filled by someone else. I told my family and friends. I heard all my friends passed and were making arrangements for get sworn in. I felt like a total loser whose winter months were going to be devoted to studying for the Bar Examination once again.

I spoke to my professors and my sister-in-law who told me to appeal my score. Appeal? Appeal what? I did not even know that was an option. I assumed it was a test and a test is a test. Well, it’s right in the Michigan Court Rules and tersely explained in the ‘failure packet’. OK, now what? How do I do it? Can I do my own? Pen or pencil? does neatness count?

Thank God for the good advice I received. With the help of Megan and Prof. Jack, I put my nose to the grindstone and knocked out my own Michigan Bar Appeal. To say I obsessed over it would be an understatement. I analyzed, reviewed, read and reread the materials: my answer, the Model Answer, the directions from the Michigan Board of Law Examiners. Draft upon draft until I had it just right. Conservatively, I spent about 70 hours on the whole project. I developed the basics for the same approach that I use today in writing appeals. Of course I did not believe I was going to ever do it again. I thought I would succeed, but after failing the Bar Exam and losing my job, betting against the house did not seem real smart.

The good news came to me two months into my new job driving a cab at the airport. On a clear February 3, 1994, I received a call from my dispatcher telling me to call home. As it was the day before cell phone prominence, I pulled over and called from a nearby medical clinic. My wife answered with the kids screaming in the back ground, “Honey, you passed!”" I told all the strangers in the lobby who smiled and wished me well; a great moment on a great day. Another bonus was that my new clerking job became an associate’s position that same week. Not only did I get enough points to pass, I actually received three points more. I guess I would have preferred to have passed in the first place, but I savored the win.

I shared this little victory with a few others and helped some buddies write their appeals. My first fee was two cases of Labatt’s Blue beer. Ah, the sweet taste of success! About six months later, I was hired to write a Bar Appeal for real money. I was paid and won it. A practice was born.

I have to admit that winning feels good. I wish I could win all of my cases but I simply cannot (nor does any honest lawyer). Writing Bar Appeals gave me an opportunity to employ and hone my writing skills. It let me relive the experience of winning again. Over the years, I learned how to better analyze results and the model answers to tell my potential clients whether they have a chance or not. More times than not, people who want an appeal will not qualify for a number of reasons. It is important to know what chances you have going into the process before investing your time and/or money on a bar appeal. I am just as proud of the fact I can make that call as a trusted resource as I am of the fact I can effectively write Bar Appeals.

Ever since I began looking at bar results, I have never charged for a review. That’s my way of paying back all of those people who helped me. It is my recognition of your hard work to enter our trade. It’s my way of helping people genuinely in crisis (or at least having a bad hair day).

The reason I write Appeals of the Michigan Bar Examination? Simple. I sympathize and empathize. I have a narrow expertise to share and have helped hundreds make the important decision to write or not write an appeal. I have written over 100 appeals with success on many of them. I feel good as a person and a lawyer to combine my passion with my success. It is rare and wonderful to combine the two. I am at my best doing what I love doing: helping my fellow lawyer get to where he or she wants to be.

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CAS-MI Laboratories Receives $1.2 Million Tax Credit for Expansion in the State of Michigan

Ypsilanti Township, MI (PRWEB) May 19, 2009

Not all Michigan companies and industries are struggling during these challenging economic times. In fact, some are thriving and expanding, much to the delight of the state and local economists. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is supporting CAS-MI Laboratories’ new Innovation Center that will help entrepreneurs and established companies create new specialty chemical products from concept to commercialization. Based on the MEDC’s recommendation, the Michigan Economic Growth Authority approved a state tax credit for CAS-MI valued at .2 million over 10 years.

CAS-MI Laboratories is an independent testing laboratory specializing in paints and coatings, plastics and polymers, and adhesives and sealants. Due to the company’s recent growth, expansion opportunities were explored in both Michigan and Missouri, where the company headquarters is located. However, the MEGA tax credit, in addition to the support of Ypsilanti Township, encouraged the company to expand near its current location. The credit will be awarded over 10 years and is aimed to help CAS-MI invest in the state’s economy. CAS-MI Laboratories will use the tax credit in its efforts to expand its analytical and product development services.

This tax credit will help fund the expansion of CAS-MI’s new Innovation Center. As the first order of business, CAS-MI and the Innovation Center will be moving from two facilities, one at Eastern Michigan University and another property near the campus, to a newly purchased 11,000 square foot facility in Ypsilanti Township. CAS-MI plans to invest millions of dollars in building renovations, new equipment and state-of-the-art technology over the next five years. To further support local business, it will hire Michigan contractors with skilled labor to expand and modify the new facility.

The company currently employs eight people, but plans to add ten more jobs by end of 2010. By 2014, the company expects to employ more than 60 people. CAS-MI has a long history of hiring from the southeast Michigan area, including students and graduates from Eastern Michigan University. CAS-MI will continue its dedication to hiring locals by engaging employees in technical, professional and clerical roles.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the state of Michigan on job creation and expansion of technical services,” said David W. Riggs, PE, President of CAS-MI Laboratories. “We are especially excited about our Innovation Center’s potential to attract more entrepreneurs to our state.”

The new Innovation Center will help entrepreneurs and established companies create new specialty chemical products from concept to commercialization. Already, the Innovation Center has partnered with the award winning Idea Paint, which is a dry erase coating that can be applied to any surface just like regular wall paint. The CAS-MI Innovation Center helped formulate this start-up’s high-performance dry-erase coating, coordinated supply chain management, toll production and beta testing.

CAS-MI’s new location in southeast Michigan will also enable a partnership with Ann Arbor SPARK, a proven business incubator. “I am delighted to invest in this region of high-tech growth” says Shri Thanedar, Ph.D., Chairman/CEO of CAS-MI Laboratories. “The strong business development and entrepreneurial resources of the region were a deciding force in our commitment to expand in Michigan.”

About CAS-MI Laboratories

CAS-MI Laboratories solves problems for the paints, coatings and polymer industries by providing independent product testing and chemical analysis. Troubleshooting services include deformulation (reverse engineering), contaminant identification, failure analysis and materials testing. The CAS-MI Innovation Center offers formulation services, scale-up assistance, regulation support, toll production and beta testing. CAS-MI Laboratories also specializes in litigation support and consulting, with expert witness services for issues involving paints, coatings, polymers, plastics, coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and more. For more information visit www.cas-mi.com.

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