ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Three universities and a nonprofit group have joined a regional consortium that studies problems facing the Great Lakes and nearby communities. The Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research is based at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Its 12 members work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on research and development activities. The four new partners are the Cleveland Water Alliance, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University and Wayne State University. Officials say each brings a critical new element to the consortium, such as expertise in fisheries, environmental health and other areas. The Cleveland Water Alliance coordinates a network of businesses and researchers to promote growth of the water-focused "blue economy" by bringing ideas for new technologies from the drawing board to the market.