Working For A More Talented, Innovative, and Global Michigan
Spring 2013
pri•ma civ•i•tas (n.) First state; first nation
WORLD-CLASS TALENT, MICHIGAN OPPORTUNITIES SUPPORTING MICHIGAN’S GLOBAL TALENT ASSETS EQUIPPING JOB SEEKERS WITH NEW STRATEGIES HELPING
MICHIGAN TEENS SOLVE REAL-WORLD CHALLENGES
GAINING CITIZEN INPUT ON PUBLIC GOODS INVESTMENT THROUGH THE
MICHIGAN ECONOMIC CENTER
OPPORTUNITIES FOR MICHIGAN THROUGH LIBYAN TRIP EXPANDING
+ PLUS BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD CAPACITY IN FLINT LAUNCHING THE TURKISH RESOURCE CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA & MORE!
PRIMA CIVITAS FOUNDATION MAGAZINE
Dear readers:
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SPRING 2013
SUPPORTING MICHIGAN’S GLOBAL TALENT ASSETS
Thank you for learning more about the Prima Civitas Foundation!
Global Lansing Program
Our mission is in the very definition of our name: Prima Civitas - meaning “first state” or “first nation.” We believe that Michigan’s return to prosperity will be built upon four key economic pillars: talent, innovation, region building, and international connectivity. In this issue, we highlight a few of our innovative programs designed to link Michigan’s employers with Michigan’s job seekers; build the problem solving capacity of our hardest hit neighborhoods; connect Michigan’s industries with global business growth opportunities; and spark the development of our young, budding entrepreneurs. We’re enthusiastic about our work and optimistic about Michigan’s future, and look forward to the projects we’ll accomplish throughout 2013. Your partner in working toward a more talent-drive Michigan,
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ALL ABOARD THE SPARTAN LINE! The Spartan Line’s debut event
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EQUIPPING JOB SEEKERS WITH NEW STRATEGIES Job Seeker Strategy Group
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PROVIDING TALENT SOLUTIONS TO LOCAL EMPLOYERS Talent Team unveils menu of services
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ASSISTING MICHIGAN ENTREPRENEURS AND START-UPS WITH IP QUESTIONS Intellectual Property Start-Up Project
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MICHIGAN YOUNG INNOVATORS COMPETITION Competition wrap-up
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THE MICHIGAN ECONOMIC CENTER Advancing the citizen vision for Michigan
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RUNWAY LANSING
Lansing Economic Area Partnership guest article
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BUILDING NEIGHBORHOOD CAPACITY PROGRAM
Federal program will help Flint residents tackle the community’s toughest problems
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THE TURKISH RESOURCE CENTER OF NORTH AMERICA
Steven Webster Chief Executive Officer
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New Center provides opportunities between Turkey and North America
”NEW CITY” IN LIBYA
Creating international opportunities for Michigan
©2013 Prima Civitas Foundation Any photos, logos, service marks, and graphics that are not the property of PCF remain the exclusive property of their respective organizations. No reprints without permission. To obtain permission, please contact Magazine Editor Holly Hetzner at holly.hetzner@primacivitas.org.
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ORGANIZATION UPDATES
Meet the new PCF team members; David Hollister, former president and CEO, retires
TALENT
Supporting Michigan’s Global Talent Assets
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ichigan’s immigrant population is an important talent resource. In addition to launching flagship companies such as Meijer, Dow Chemical, and Masco, foreign-born residents were also responsible for 32.8 percent of the state’s high tech firms – putting Michigan third nationally behind California and New Jersey. Michigan also ranks ninth nationally for hosting nearly 25,000 international students. Recognizing the tremendous past and present value of Michigan’s growing foreign-born population, we have been working closely with the state of Michigan and a host of other nonprofits, businesses, and associations on a Snyder administration priority initiative called Global Michigan. Among its many objectives, Global Michigan intends to address Michigan talent attraction, university talent retention, small business investment, and immigrant-friendly communities.
“Immigration made us a great state and country. It is time we embrace this concept again as a way to speed our reinvention.” – Governor Rick Snyder, State of the State Address, January 19, 2011
PCF, along with leadership from the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), Michigan State University (MSU) and others, recently formed Global Lansing, an initiative under the Global Michigan umbrella that assists communities across the state in developing their own objectives for attracting and supporting foreignborn residents. PCF and LEAP were recently funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to develop and launch the Global Lansing “Getting Started” Internship Program in the Greater Lansing region. This program, which launched in January of 2013, is a first of its kind program that connects talented international students from MSU and Lansing Community College (LCC) to internship and mentorship opportunities with Greater Lansing businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. In addition to the Getting Started program, we are also leading a campaign to educate and engage the local community on supporting the region’s international population. Global Lansing will also launch an International Protocol Network, an effort aimed at streamlining the reception and programming associated with accepting incoming international delegations to the Greater Lansing region. For more information on Global Michigan, please visit michiganadvantage.org/Global-Michigan/. For more information on Global Lansing Getting Started program, please visit http:// bit.ly/SQSnGB.
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TALENT
All Aboard the Spartan Line!
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rganized by PCF, Michigan State University (MSU), the MSU Alumni Association, the MSU Alumni Club of Metro Chicago, MSU Athletics, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau (GLCVB), the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP), and the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Spartan Line is an initiative that provides a unique travel experience for Chicago-area MSU alumni and showcases economic growth in the Greater Lansing area. Transporting passengers in a graphically wrapped green and white train car, the Spartan Line travels from Chicago to East Lansing via the historic Amtrak “Blue Water Line” – a 319-mile stretch of rail that runs from Chicago, IL to Port Huron, MI. Spartan Line’s inaugural event took place on November 16th and included nearly 60 participants. The youngest Spartan Line rider, Julian, used the four-hour trip to learn the MSU fight song. Julian’s rendition, recorded while on the Spartan Line, has been viewed over two thousand times on YouTube: http://bit.ly/ SNMD1A
The Spartan Line train spent the holidays traveling through the Midwest. This moving “MSU billboard” was spotted in Naperville, Illinois, St. Louis, Missouri, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Due to the success of the first event, Spartan Line organizers are currently planning future events for East Lansing and expanding to other regions in spring 2013. For photos and testimonials of the inaugural event, please visit the Spartan Line’s Facebook page: Facebook.com/SpartanLine For more on future Spartan Line events, or for more information on the initiative, please contact Tremaine Phillips, PCF’s director for innovation and region building, t.phillips@primacivitas.org, (517) 708-4252.
In addition to transportation, the participants also received tickets to that Saturday’s MSU vs. Northwestern football game and an exclusive after-hours tour of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum.
Above: MSU President Simon greets Spartan Line passengers. Left: Sparty greets Julian and his mother. Photos courtesy of MSU Alumni Association
The Spartan Line in Chicago.
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TALENT
Equipping Job Seekers With New Strategies
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ach year, we are contacted by hundreds of job seekers, ranging from entry-level workers to top-level managers. A few common needs that seem to apply to most job seekers include a resume that makes them “stand out” to employers and information on where to search for job opportunities beyond internet databases. To address these needs, as well as countless others that job seekers face, we developed and launched a new program called the Job Seekers Strategy Group.
“At the end of the conversation, he called me a ‘very strong candidate.’ You [PCF] gave me a couple specific and helpful things to mention during the interview.” Doug, former job seeker
How is it possible that experienced, highly skilled individuals can submit so many resumes and applications and not receive a response? In our experience, we have found that the resume is often the culprit. Job seekers tend to struggle with articulating and marketing their experiences in a way that make them appeal to employers on resumes. In addition, many job seekers use standard word processing templates and outdated resume components that make them appear out of touch with modern business practices. In the Job Seekers Strategy Group, we discuss these common but easy to correct mistakes and present current best practices on how to network and market your skills to employers – greatly improving the odds of landing a position. Michigan companies and organizations are banding together to keep talent in Michigan and to fill open positions with Michigan job seekers. For this to happen, the job seekers and the employers must connect in ways that go beyond Internet job postings and electronic databases. In addition to resumes, the Job Seeker Strategy Groups also focus on the importance of networking and speaking with employers. Real life employers and guest presenters, such as Lisa Wiley-Parker, director of alumni career & business services at Michigan State University, will be on hand to answer questions and provide suggestions on how job seekers can gain networking advantages with employers. We are also involved with several initiatives for job seekers including the MEDC’s Shifting Gears program (mitalent.org/michigan-shifting-gears-program/), services offered by Michigan Works agencies (michiganworks.org/agencies/for-job-seekers/), and other statewide resources. We are also customizing the Job Seekers Strategy Group to assist employees experiencing a corporate merger, acquisition, or mass layoff. For more information, contact PCF’s Talent Team: Amanda Dumond-Avila at a.avila@primacivitas.org or 517-708-4240 or Sherry Pfaff-Doody at s.doody@primacivitas.org or 517-708-4243.
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TALENT
PCF is an HR partner in the MEDC’s Pure Michigan Business Connect referral network for companies and small businesses.
Providing talent solutions to local employers
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tarting in 2011, we became inundated with calls from Michigan employers asking for our assistance in helping them to find skilled, available workers for immediate positions. To respond to this overwhelming demand, we added capacity to our internal Talent Team and worked to develop a comprehensive package of services to offer employers.
In mid-2012, we unveiled our Talent Team Menu of Services, which includes: organizational assessment; mission and vision strategy development; culture perspective audits; human resource (HR) assessment; hiring/recruitment and retention strategies; performance management; collaborative, accelerated, recruitment and training for employees; and customized connectivity to important networks throughout the state. Our services set us apart from traditional recruiting agencies or other workforce agencies because our goal is to work closely with companies to develop a “big picture” for sustaining human resources and operations. This includes helping employers to identify underlying issues that are preventing them from finding and keeping talent as well as helping them to develop achievable, comprehensive action plans for the future. Toward the end of 2012, we were once again inundated with calls from employers – specifically manufacturers. To address these needs, we added additional capacity to our Talent Team and expanded 5 Prima Civitas Foundation Magazine
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our menu of services to include turnaround support, acquisition support, quality system development and implementation, project and program management, and access to angel or venture investment. For more information regarding our Talent Team Menu of Services, contact Amanda Dumond-Avila at a.avila@ primacivitas.org, 517-708-4240 or Sherry Pfaff-Doody at s.doody@primacivitas.org, 517-708-4243.
The cost-savings in reducing turnover and building an effective recruiting and hiring strategy is substantial once employers start adding the time spent from HR and managers, costs for posting on job boards, training, benefits, tools, as well as costs associated with inefficiencies and quality issues.
INNOVATION
Intellectual Property Start-Up Project Assisting Michigan entrepreneurs and start-ups with IP-related questions
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hrough coordination efforts of the I6 Green Proof of Concept Center, the Michigan State University College of Law (MSU Law) is leading an initiative to help West Michigan and mid-Michigan entrepreneurs and small businesses with their intellectual property (IP) questions. The new program, called the Intellectual Property Start-Up Project, will offer assistance with patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. Initially, MSU Law experts will work at the MSU Bioeconomy Institute in Holland with the “i6 Green Proof of Concept Center” consortium – MSU, Lakeshore Advantage, New North Center, and PCF – to identify entrepreneurs and small companies that could benefit from intellectual property consultations. The i6 Green project provides business services to support innovative “green” technologies centered on bio-based materials, specialty chemicals, and fuels. However, the new intellectual property project goes beyond “green tech” innovators and is open to all qualified Michigan entrepreneurs and small companies. Under our coordination, the Intellectual Property StartUp Project is also being offered to entrepreneurs and small businesses in Greater Lansing and along the I-69 International Trade Corridor, a region that covers Genesee, Lapeer, Shiawassee, and St. Clair Counties. Following an initial contact, MSU Law representatives will match interested Michigan companies and entrepreneurs with volunteer attorneys, who will mentor the MSU law students participating in the new IP law clinical experience. Working together, the companies and law students, with guidance from the practicing lawyermentors, will explore the companies’ opportunities for patenting or otherwise protecting new technologies. The law students will conduct any legal research that may be needed, under the supervision of the veteran attorneys, who will guide them in producing an advisory letter by the end of the spring semester in April 2013.
The Intellectual Property Start-Up Project is the newest practice area offered through MSU Law’s Legal Clinic. The Legal Clinic provides a high-energy law firm environment in which student clinicians work under close faculty supervision to advocate for real clients with real legal challenges. Additional practice areas include civil rights, criminal, family, First Amendment, housing, immigration, small business and nonprofit, and tax law.
“Often a new company’s or an entrepreneur’s most valuable asset is simply the idea for a new technology. There are laws to protect the economic value that those ideas represent, and we want to help Michigan’s emerging high-tech company leaders understand their options.” Adam Candeub, MSU Law Professor
If the initial pilot is successful, the program partners anticipate a full-scale launch in the fall. Small companies or individuals interested in discussing the protection of their patent idea, copyright issue, potential trade secret, or related questions may find more information about the program at http://bit.ly/WeEC7R.
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INNOVATION
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INNOVATION
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n Saturday, Jan. 26, we recognized the winners of our recent 2012 Young Innovators Competition by distributing more than $11,000 in cash prizes at an awards ceremony in East Lansing. With major support from the C.S. Mott Foundation for this 4th annual competition, the ceremony capped a several months’ long process that sought out innovative ideas from Michigan’s 6-12th graders. More than 220 students from around the state responded to our call, submitting 115 different ideas. High school students submitted ideas in one of three categories: best new/improved product or service; best new app idea; and best social innovation idea. Middle school students submitted ideas on how to improve their local community, either through a new product or service or through a socially-based solution. “To say the least, we were overwhelmed by the ideas submitted. As our judges reviewed the ideas, you could sense a growing and palpable excitement about the ingenuity and innovation being displayed from these young adults,” said Steven Bennett, vice president for innovation and region building at PCF. The competition’s Grand Prize award of $2,500 went to a team of students from Williamston High School with their life-saving rip current alert system called Offshore Rip Current Alert (ORCA). First place winners included a team of students from Ann Arbor with a sustainable water purification system idea in the New/Improved Product or Service category, a team of students from Ann Arbor with a plan for a sonar-based technology to assist blind individuals in the Best Social Innovation category, and a student from Muskegon with a smart phone app for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event in the Best New App category. Other winners submitted ideas that ranged from a food pantry app, to a LEDbased design for snowboards and outdoor activities, to a creative clothing line and represented a wide geographic range of Michigan cities that included Detroit, Dewitt, Dexter, Flint, Grand Ledge, Holt, Lansing, Perry, and Traverse City. Twelve volunteer judges with entrepreneurial support, economic development, and technology expertise evaluated the submissions last fall, and provided important feedback for each of the entries. Extra judges were brought in to assist with the near 400 percent increase in the number of entries from the previous year.
Bennett credits the increase in participation as a result of expanding competition guidelines to allow team collaborations and multi-format submission opportunities. “The increase in submissions shows that Michigan teens have very innovative ideas for new products or social solutions, and by expanding the competition guidelines we were able to give these students an opportunity to share their visions in ways they felt comfortable,” notes Bennett. Many students chose to submit ideas utilizing online tools such as Prezi presentations and YouTube videos; others chose to submit through more traditional methods of PowerPoint presentations and written business plans. We have begun planning the 2013 Youth Competition with key partners from around the state in order to continue to expand the reach of the competition. “We’re already getting questions on when the competition will be held in 2013,” explains Bennett. “We want to expand our outreach methods and leverage partner networks to ensure that every Michigan student has an opportunity to participate.” A full list of winners, idea submissions, and names of judges are available at http://bit.ly/10NLDBa. A photo gallery of the awards ceremony is available at http://on.fb.me/112Xi03. For more information on the 2012 Young Innovators Competition, please visit http://bit.ly/NmsT5r.
A team from Williamston High School walked away with the competition’s Grand Prize Award for their life-saving rip current alert system.
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INNOVATION
Photo of downtown Flint provided by Gerry Leslie.
The Michigan Economic Center Advancing the citizen vision for Michigan
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arlier this fall, we launched the Michigan Economic Center (MEC), an independent policy and action organization focused on advancing a collective vision for Michigan’s economic renewal.
The MEC’s focus on “collective vision” differentiates it from the many economic development organizations and think tanks throughout the state. At its core, the MEC is dedicated to engaging public input and turning that input into action. As an example, recent work on an MEC project revolved around the convening of focus groups in Flint, Farmington Hills, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Traverse City
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to gain resident perspectives on Michigan’s economic challenges and state public good investment priorities to meet those challenges. Examples of “public goods” that citizens discussed included roads and infrastructure, safety, education, outdoor and water conservation, and urban revitalization. With the assistance of a neutral facilitator, the focus groups, comprised of diverse Michigan residents, discussed their perceptions of Michigan and the public goods they’d like to see supported with state funding. PCF and MEC staff observed several focus group sessions through two-way mirrors.
INNOVATION
“Listening to the thoughts of Michigan residents during the focus groups was an eye-opening experience,” relays Tremaine Phillips, director for innovation and region building. “We’re getting to the heart of what citizens value and what they’re willing to support with their tax dollars.”
In addition to the citizen-input forums conducted through the Kellogg Foundation-funded Michigan “Dream Restored” public goods project, other MEC projects include advancing the “Next Economy” metrourban strategy for Michigan; growing Michigan’s “Blue Economy”; developing new mobility and smart transportation solutions; creating a welcoming and businessfriendly atmosphere for immigrants through “Global Michigan”; and advancing a vision for needed educational improvements in the state. Since its launch, the MEC has built a passionate and active Investor Leadership Council and has raised over $425,000 in grants, contracts, and donations from supportive foundations and citizens. “The support for the Initiative has been extremely validating,” says Austin. “And we’re thrilled to be the mechanism that turns resident ideas and values into priorities for Michigan’s economy.”
Images Michiganders in MEC focus groups associate with the state.
The MEC is now planning to synthesize and “package” the focus group summaries as well as the results of a follow-up survey of 1,000 Michiganders as a set of policy recommendations for 2013. In the meantime, the Center is integrating similar citizen input components into its other projects. Utilizing public consensus to inform policy is nothing new to the Director of the MEC, John Austin. The current President of the Michigan State Board of Education and a Non-Resident Brookings Institution Senior Fellow, John’s economic development resume also includes roles as a statewide elected official, Policy Director for the Governor-appointed Commission on Higher Education and Economic Growth, and Founding Director of the New Economy Initiative for Southeast Michigan. Currently residing in Ann Arbor, the Harvard-educated Austin believes the MEC is a needed catalyst for Michigan’s economic growth.
For more information on the MEC, please visit the Initiative’s website at mieconomiccenter.org and on Facebook at facebook.com/MichiganEconomicCenter.
“We will ask the people of Michigan what’s special about this state and what they feel are the priorities for growing our economy.” - John Austin, MEC Director
MEC
“There is no reason Michigan can’t be the world center for inventing and making the products of tomorrow. Through the Center, we will ask the people of Michigan what’s special about this state and what they feel are the priorities for growing our economy,” notes Austin.
MICHIGAN ECONOMIC CENTER
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REGION BUILDING
Runway Lansing By Ken Szymusiak, Lansing Economic Area Partnership
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ashion? Lansing? Admittedly, fashion isn’t often the first thing that comes to mind when you ask the average citizen about the economic fabric of Greater Lansing, yet unknown to many in Lansing, as well as in Michigan, Lansing is home to a rapidly growing and diverse group of companies that are participating within this dynamic industry. From Peckham Industries, to Michigan Fashion Proto, to Lady Aitch Designs, to the newly formed Michigan Garment Industry Council, our region is on the fashion map. Like automobiles, fashion requires the development of a complex supply chain that is critical to get products from raw material to the sales rack at a department store and requires the support of business and political leaders to ensure that the correct foundation is laid for the success of our budding entrepreneurs. In collaboration with LEAP, PCF and other partners continue to push our state and region’s global influence, creating incredible local developments that will radically transform our fashion landscape. Of course we’re referring to the development of “The Runway,” a fashion/design/retail business incubator slated to be housed within the former Knapp’s Department Store Building in downtown Lansing. LEAP’s intent is to bring retail and fashion back to our region’s most iconic shopping center and create a new industry cluster that will impact the local and state economy. The Knapp’s Building has begun a multi-million dollar renovation that will transform the vacant facility into a dynamic mixed-use facility in the heart of Lansing. The Runway will occupy approximately 7,000 square feet over two floors. The first floor will serve as retail and event space for tenants while the upper floor will house seven to ten designers, companies with shared workspaces, equipment, etc. Similar to other business incubators, The Runway will support its client companies with affordable space and shared facilities, but will also provide business plan training and support as well as fashion industry specific equipment that might be too costly for most entrepreneurs. In this way 11 Prima Civitas Foundation Magazine
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the incubator will help accelerate the success of the designers and begin to create a true ecosystem of successful fashion and garment industry focused companies. Understanding that demand for the 7-10 office suites will be very high, LEAP is also going to support virtual tenancy so companies can access the shared amenities without a full office lease. The Runway is slated to open in the fall of 2013 and is accepting general information from those interested in participating with the program. For more information regarding The Runway please visit www.runwaylansing.com.
REGION BUILDING
Photo of Flint provided by Gerry Leslie.
Building Neighborhood Capacity Program
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wo of Flint’s most distressed neighborhoods will receive some much-needed help through a new, innovative federal program designed to help residents tackle the community’s toughest problems through the development of a neighborhood revitalization plan. Flint’s Ward 1 and Ward 3 were among eight neighborhoods in four cities nationwide that were selected in early August to participate in the White House Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative through the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. The program is designed to transform and reclaim distressed neighborhoods by addressing public safety, education, housing, human services, and health issues. In Flint, Metro Community Development received a $225,000 federal grant, which was matched with $225,000 by the C.S. Mott Foundation, the Ruth Mott Foundation, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, the City of Flint, and Metro Community Development. PCF’s Flint Area Reinvestment Office (FARO) helped identify the grant opportunity and convene the local partners. Metro Community Development will oversee the program, which will get off the ground this fall. The grant dollars will be used to fund training and technical assistance for those involved in developing a revitalization plan for each of the neighborhoods. The Center for the Study of Social Policy—a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit public policy, research, and technical assistance organization—will provide the training and technical assistance. In addition to developing a neighborhood stabilization plan for both areas, another goal of the program will be to create and establish neighborhood groups in each ward. Residents in these groups will help identify specific needs in each ward, provide input into the process,
and take ownership of the changes and improvements identified in the neighborhood revitalization plan. While local partners have some idea of what is needed in each of the neighborhoods, input from residents who live there will be key to the project. Once underway, the process likely will include discussions about how to lower crime, attract new businesses to the area, and will touch on other issues related to promoting safe and healthy neighborhoods. The genesis of the project began when FARO, Metro Community Development, and other partners decided to leverage the work they had already accomplished while applying for other federal grant dollars to help the same neighborhoods. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts to secure grant dollars through other federal programs, federal officials invited Metro Community Development to apply for the Building Neighborhood Capacity grant, which assists communities in attaining a level of capacity that helps them qualify for more federal assistance. Flint was one of thirty communities invited to apply for funds through the Building Neighborhood Capacity program. “The project itself and the process leading up to it showcases the high level of local collaboration in Flint,” said Jason Caya, director of Faro. “From day one, FARO was engaged in this,” said Ravi Yalamanchi, CEO of Metro Community Development, adding that FARO helped bring everyone to the table for the initial discussions. FARO also assisted with the grant application and with organizing the original site visit that brought federal officials to the Flint area. “The community made this grant happen. There were a lot of partners at the table. I cannot thank the funders enough.” www.primacivitas.org
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INTERNATIONAL
The Turkish Resource Center of North America New initiative promotes economic, educational, and cultural development between Turkey and the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
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INTERNATIONAL
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he Turkish Resource Center of North America (TRCNA) is off to a running start since its formal establishment this past June. Having successfully captured the interest of higher education institutions, private businesses, and industry associations throughout Michigan and across the Atlantic, TRCNA has launched operations within PCF to identify opportunities for collaboration and growth between Turkey and the countries of North America. TRCNA’s Co-Executive Directors, Steve Webster and Nurten Ural, are committed to exploring ways to better connect the countries of North America with Turkey. “The time is now to invest in relationship-building between North America and Turkey,” said Steve Webster. “The relationships we create today will provide benefits to our local, state, and national economies for years to come.” Last June, hundreds of university, government, and industry leaders convened in Istanbul for the “TurkeyMichigan Forum: University-Industry Collaboration and R&D Trends” organized by TRCNA. Local government leaders such as Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and university executives from a wide range of Michigan universities presented on topics relating to regional government and industry partnerships, trends in design and creative studies, and international and environmental law. Sponsors for this event included the MEDC, the MSU International Business Center, the Turkish Ministry of Economy, and PCF, among others. TRCNA will organize a new program in Turkey for June 2013 that focuses on creative talent and applications of design across industries. The design-oriented confer-
ence will expose attendees to international concepts of design applications in architecture and the automotive industry, interior and graphic design, and design programs in higher education. TRCNA will showcase the talents of designers throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Turkey. During a September 2012 trip to Las Vegas, TRCNA’s CoExecutive Directors signed an agreement with the Turkish Global Business and Conventions Authority (TGBCA) that emphasizes a commitment to collaborating efforts in increasing ties between the U.S. and Turkish business communities. TRCNA was a sponsor of this event, and Ural was invited to give a speech regarding her vision for the future of U.S.-Turkish relations. Ural urged attendees to further the efforts made by both the U.S. and Turkish governments to increase bilateral trade. “Las Vegas is the center not only of the United States, but the world, in terms of consistently being able to draw in diverse communities and businesses together under one roof,” noted Nurten Ural. “The number of conventions, meetings, and tradeshows held in Las Vegas each year is unmatched by any other city. Turkish businesses must capitalize on the incentives this economically vibrant city offers,” Ural continued. Closer ties between TRCNA and the TGBCA will help to further TRCNA’s mission of bringing together industries and associations within North America and Turkey. For more information on TRCNA services and programs or to receive the TRCNA monthly newsletter, please contact Alyssa Roland at a.roland@primacivitas.org. Also visit the TRCNA website at www.trcna.org. June 2012 forum attendees
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INTERNATIONAL
Making opportunities for Michigan businesses through Libyan “New City� 15 Prima Civitas Foundation Magazine
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INTERNATIONAL
Emerging project update:
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CF has been invited to join the AKT Consortium, which is composed of U.S., Turkish, and South Korean firms that pursue projects throughout the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region.
Recently, AKT was invited by the government of the State of Libya to consider developing a new city and university. When fully developed, the project presents a student population of 25,000 and an accompanying “new city” development centered on the construction of 50,000 homes plus all supporting non-residential community components - (e.g. retail, recreation, infrastructure, medical, civic, etc.).
PCF CEO Steve Webster presents an MSU cap to President Magarief.
In mid-January, PCF representatives Steve Webster and Pat McRae and other AKT Consortium partners met with Libyan National Congress President Mohammed Magarief and other high level Libyan officials regarding the project. The general budget for the planning/design/construction aspects of the project is in the $2 billion range, with an ongoing academic/operations budget yet to be finalized. This project flows from a preliminary meeting in New York City between the President Magarief and selected members of AKT, including PCF’s CEO Steve Webster. At the meeting, President Magarief stated his personal support for the new city/university idea.
Members of Libya’s General National Congress meet with Steve Webster.
PCF will use our networks to identify Michigan businesses that can supply goods and services for this project. The most immediate benefit to Michigan would come in the form of training programs for skilled trades training, conducted in cooperation with Michigan community college and university partners. Longer term, the new city/university development could be a $2 billion-plus project, with targeted exports of goods and services that could reach into the tens of millions for Michigan businesses. In addition, the nature of this project suggests a growth of opportunity for Michigan’s colleges and universities. The AKT Consortium is now working to secure the project with Libyan officials.
AKT Consortium members meet with the Libyan Ministery of Higher Education (pictured fourth from left).
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ORGANIZATION UPDATES
Welcome to the team! Sherry Pfaff-Doody, Director of Talent Programs and Human Resources Sherry Pfaff-Doody has over 20 years of HR experience in several industries such as financial services, healthcare, insurance, consulting, and franchising. She has strategically led and played an integral part in all aspects of the businesses in which she worked, including in several mergers and acquisitions and transition processes. Prior to her employment at PCF, Sherry worked at Republic Bank, The Accident Fund Insurance Company of America, and Two Men and a Truck International. She holds a bachelor of science degree in employment relations from Michigan State University, and was recognized in 2004 as the Human Resources Professional of the Year by Human Resource Management Association of Mid Michigan. “I am a person who thrives off of collaboration, so I really enjoy working for an organization that collaborates with multiple partners across different programs, industries, and sectors.”
Alyssa Roland, Program Manager As a Program Manager, Alyssa Roland brings both a deep understanding of international relations and a passion for the great state of Michigan. Prior to coming to PCF, Alyssa worked in the Michigan House of Representatives as a Legislative Assistant and on several political campaigns. It was during this time she developed a strong interest in the direction of Michigan’s future and realized she wanted to play an active role in the state’s comeback. Through her work at PCF, Alyssa is actively engaged in the Turkish Resource Center as well as other international and innovation initiatives. Alyssa received her bachelor’s degree in international relations from James Madison College at Michigan State University and her master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the PCF team that takes on impactful initiatives both at home and around the world.”
Dan Thompson, Director of Business Development Dan Thompson has extensive experience in fund development, program management, and executive administration, having served at several nonprofit organizations throughout Michigan. He worked for many years in the health care industry, serving in various capacities at Michigan Health & Hospital Association, Michigan Primary Care Association, and Spectrum Health System. Just prior to joining PCF, he was Chief Operating Officer at Michigan Nonprofit Association. Dan has a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Michigan State University. “The work we are doing at PCF isn’t just helping Michigan’s economy grow—it’s setting the standard for other economic development organizations. I can’t think of a more exciting company in Michigan to work for right now.” 17 Prima Civitas Foundation Magazine
Spring 2013
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ORGANIZATION UPDATES
Former President and CEO, David Hollister, retires from PCF
A
fter nearly seven years of service as President and CEO and then as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, David Hollister announced his retirement from PCF on October 31. “I’ve had six careers in my lifetime, including teacher, county commissioner, legislator, mayor, cabinet member, and CEO of a nonprofit,” notes Hollister. “The work of PCF in creating a culture and environment for nurturing a 21st century economy in Michigan has been the most significant – and challenging – of my career.” In 2006, Hollister left his role as Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Growth to become PCF’s founding President and CEO. After leading the organization for five years, Hollister stepped back from the day-to-day operations of the organization in 2011 and moved into the new role of Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. In this role, he concentrated on activities in the Flint region as well as international activities, such as the Great Lakes International Trade and Transport Hub (GLITTH) and the I-69 Trade Corridor Next Michigan Development Corporation.
“The work of PCF in creating a culture and environment for nurturing a 21st century economy in Michigan has been the most significant – and challenging – of my career.”
“David has been the heart and soul of PCF, and his guidance, leadership, and inspiration will be missed,” said Steve Webster, PCF’s current CEO. “Beyond the credit we give to him for building PCF into one of the best economic development enterprises in the country, we should also remember his other enduring legacies. As Mayor of Lansing, David was a successful champion in keeping - some would argue ‘saving’ - GM operations in Lansing. While a legislator, David developed many pieces of groundbreaking legislation through his unmatched policy development skills and consensus building. Michigan and PCF owe a debt of gratitude for the lifelong body of work of David Hollister.” Hollister is planning for an “active” retirement, continuing his personal work on economically-based projects. These projects include documenting the greater-Lansing region’s successful effort to keep GM; serving as chair on Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero’s Financial Advisory Team; and continuing consultation work for the Flint area. In addition to these projects, Hollister is also looking forward to renovating the cottage he shares with his wife Christine and spending time with his seven grandchildren. We thank David for his years of leadership for PCF and his service to Michigan!
www.primacivitas.org
Spring 2013
Prima Civitas Foundation Magazine 18
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Working For A More Talented, Innovative, and Global Michigan
Winter 2013
SPRING 2013
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To be added to our mailing list, contact Amiee Evans at amiee.evans@primacivitas.org. An electronic copy is also available on our website. This magazine is drafted and edited in-house by PCF, and comments, corrections, and/or suggestions can be sent to Holly Hetzner at holly.hetzner@primacivitas.org.