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Michigan Equine Partnership Selects Northern Jackson County to Be Site for the Michigan International Equine Facility

LANSING – The Michigan Equine Partnership (MEP) Board of Directors selected a site in northern Jackson County to build the Michigan International Equine Facility. Jackson Enterprise Group coordinated a proposal on behalf of many interested parties in Jackson County and MEP has selected this proposal and location to build this dynamic facility.

The International Horse Park concept has been a two-year project in planning and selection of the best site for this state of the art equine center. Letters of intent were due by February 1, 2009 and final proposals were due June 1, 2009. The committee conducted individual meetings with each group to hear their plan for partnership and a physical visit to the proposed property.

Scott Fleming, President and CEO of the Enterprise Group of Jackson says, “This will have a tremendous economic impact on the county and its ability to draw tourism to the Mid-Michigan area. We are delighted to work with Michigan Equine Partnership to accomplish this goal”.

Michigan Equine Partnership received three proposals of partnership for the International Equine Facility. Albion Economic Development Corporation, Springport Township Equine Partnership and the Enterprise Group of Jackson submitted proposals for the location of the Michigan International Equine Facility. The Michigan Equine Partnership, Equine Facility Committee, reviewed the written proposals, completed site visits and provided recommendation to the entire Board of Directors.

MEP President, Aaron Rice says, “We worked hard to make the best decision. We thank all of the groups for their proposals and look forward to making the project become a reality. These folks have put their heart and soul into this project and we appreciate their effort and intensity.” “We are enthusiastic to partner with Jackson County in this endeavor to create thousands of jobs and be an economic driver for the equine industry and for the State of Michigan.”

The Michigan Equine Partnership in partnership with the Jackson Economic Development Group will begin work immediately in planning this development.

All interested parties should contact Michigan Equine Partnership at 235 N. Pine St., Lansing, Michigan 48933. The Michigan Equine Partnership (MEP) is a Michigan non-profit (c 6) organization. For more information call Executive Director Val Vail-Shirey @ 517.372.1500 or e-mail val@julianvail.com

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