Macomb County Joins with Higher Education Institutions to Create Freshwater Research Center

Macomb County has joined with Wayne State University, Macomb Community College and the Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority, to launch the Huron to Erie Alliance for Research and Training (HEART) Freshwater Center. 

The center, which was nearly two years in development, is a component of Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel's Blue Economy Initiative centered around Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River. 

Each of the partners in the center "has committed resources for making the alliance a top-notch hub for studying this unique freshwater corridor," according to the release. 

"This is another collaborative effort that is pulling regional assets together to help better understand and promote our freshwater advantage," Hackel said in a release.  
According to a release, the HEART Freshwater Center will utilize a mobile laboratory and classroom based out of Lake St.Clair Metropark. Wayne State University is awaiting final determination for funding from the National Science Foundation "to better define the future of the center and its programming." 

"Wayne State University is pleased to be a collaborative partner of the Huron to Erie Alliance for Research and Training Freshwater Center," said Hilary Ratner, vice president for research at Wayne State University. "This center will provide important opportunities for students, faculty and many others to conduct innovative research and learning opportunities focused on urban freshwater systems and the environment."

For more information on the HEART Freshwater Center, visit www.heartfreshwatercenter.org.