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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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From Go State to going global, foundation aims to be ‘catalyst for collaboration'
By Amy Lane
In 2006, the Prima Civitas Foundation began with a Michigan State University quest to pursue strategies for economic development that went beyond the borders of community and were regional.
Initially, the nonprofit concentrated on an area in the center of the state and into the Thumb area.
It now reaches around the state and into international arenas — as seen most recently through its creation of a consortium of Michigan companies negotiating to lead an $8 billion development in Iraq, including $5.5 billion in housing.
Closer to home, the MSU-founded organization is involved in initiatives that include trade development, working with regions of the state on economic improvement, employer internship training and assistance, and entrepreneurship.
"The main thing that we're trying to do is move the economic development needle for the state," MSU President Lou Anna Simon said.
The organization's contributions include augmenting strategies and goals of state government and other entities – such as logistics-based development encompassing rail, air and truck freight – as well as providing a capacity for research and other resources, said Doug Smith, senior vice president for business and community development at the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
For example, Prima Civitas is in early stages of work with 14 counties in northeast Michigan, where the MEDC has few resources, Smith said. The organization is helping the MEDC explore expanding the state's garment and textile-related industry and determine "is there a strategy worth pursuing," he said.
A Michigan Garment Industry Council, formed by Prima Civitas and other economic development organizations, universities and industry members, is designed to provide networking and business development opportunities.
East Lansing-based Prima Civitas has a staff of 12, including two in Flint and one in Grand Rapids. The organization's largest financial support since its inception has come from the Flint-based Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Michigan State University Foundation, as well as federal grants, said Steven Webster, Prima Civitas' board chairman and CEO.
Last year, the foundation announced an expansion of its mission statewide.
At its core, though, "the DNA has not changed" since the organization began, said Webster, who assumed his posts last year, replacing David Hollister. Webster had been vice president of governmental affairs at MSU. Hollister continues as senior vice president and strategic adviser.
Webster said that in every project, Prima Civitas uses a common business approach: Identify leadership, whether in business or local government; bring those players together and create an intermediary organization populated by local leaders; "then help them determine a plan based on assets they may have.
"Then we help them launch that plan and step away."
One project set to move to a new phase is the I-69 International Trade Corridor. Prima Civitas has helped four Michigan counties create the corridor, which spans from the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron to the western boundary of Shiawassee County, with Flint's Bishop International Airport as a central logistics hub.
The corridor — to be formed as a state-designated Next Michigan Development Corp., a type of regional entity sometimes called an "aerotropolis" — will act regionally to attract companies that move products or services via air, roads rail or water. The corridor's Next Michigan designation awaits action by the board of the Michigan Strategic Fund.
The corridor could be a major component of another multiorganization effort: The Great Lakes International Trade and Transport Hub, a project to capitalize on freight traffic to and from the Port of Halifax in Nova Scotia through the border gateways at Detroit and Port Huron.
Those involved in that project include Prima Civitas, Michigan and Canadian officials, the Port of Halifax, MSU entities, the Detroit Regional Chamber, the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and Dalhousie University in Halifax.
Tim Herman, CEO of the Genesee chamber, said Prima Civitas brought the chamber in as a participant, giving the chamber "a forum to develop a plan to grow import and export opportunities for us in our region." He said Prima Civitas acts as "a catalyst for collaboration." The foundation is also a consultant to the chamber and identifies economic development opportunities.
The Prima Civitas umbrella includes the Flint Area Reinvestment Office, an entity established in 2009 by former interim Flint Mayor Michael Brown with support from area philanthropic organizations. The office, which became part of Prima Civitas last year, helps local organizations seek and procure state and federal grants.
Internationally, the opportunity for Michigan businesses to respond to a request for proposal for a planned urban community in Iraq was presented to Prima Civitas by MSU alumnus Sami Al-Araji, chair of the National Investment Commission of Iraq. In December, a memorandum of understanding was announced between the commission and Prima Civitas Global LLC, the foundation's for-profit entity.
The Michigan Iraq Consortium for Housing Development, or MICH Development, is a consortium of architectural, engineering, construction and other companies formed by Prima Civitas to present the proposal. MICH Development is created a finance strategy that could include groups of international investors as financial backers, said Pat McRae, director of international programs for the foundation.
If the financial plan is accepted by the National Investment Commission, the project will move forward under the direction of MICH Development, which will recruit and select businesses including construction contractors and suppliers.
Based on MICH Development preliminary estimates, Michigan companies could win about $1.5 billion in business from the project for work in planning, construction, engineering, project management and green-energy development and procurement.
The Iraq venture also could serve as a pattern elsewhere. Prima Civitas is looking at the possibility of a construction project in Turkey, Webster said, taking members of the MICH Development team and Michigan suppliers to that country or other areas where opportunities arise.
Topics in this article: Economic Development Economy Education Nonprofits Crain's Michigan Business |
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Thu May 31, 2012 7:22 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Press Releases PRIMA CIVITAS
GUEST COLUMN by TOM WATKINS: MSU and Mott Foundation team up to reinvent Michigan
Go Green!
Sorry, this column is not about Sparty basketball or football. It is about something much more important — our collective future.
Michigan does not need any prima donnas but will benefit from the expanding mission of Prima Civitas foundation (PCF).
“Prima … What?”, you ask!
Prima Civitas Foundation — (www.primacivitas.org).
The PCF is a community economic nonprofit that is working to build a new, sustainable economy for Michigan. The PCF began as a regional Lansing area foundation that is taking its mission statewide.
Knowledge, creativity, innovation and globalization will be a moving force as the second decade of the 21st century unfolds.
The revised PCF exists “to create, facilitate, and bridge the network that is necessary for local, regional, and state growth in today’s knowledge-based economy. Partnering with four year universities, community colleges, intermediate school districts, local economic development groups, workforce development agencies, and other local and regional partners, PCF seed to bring about foundational change to the culture of Michigan’s economy, while stimulating activity for job creation and retention.”
The leadership comes from Michigan State University President Lou Ann Simon and the C.S. Mott Foundation. The new statewide mission is to tap knowledge to assist communities and business transition and grow in our hyper-competitive, disruptive, global, knowledge economy where ideas and jobs move around the world effortlessly
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MSU Vice President for Governmental Affairs Steven Webster becomes the new CEO of Prima Civitas. He will retain his key role in government relations for the university, replacing former CEO, David Hollister who has been an innovative spark for the region and state for decades. Mayor Hollister will now serve as a senior vice president and senior adviser to PCF. The new president, Michael Brown, a former interim mayor of Flint, will retain his leadership role at the Flint Area Reinvestment Office, a regional economic development agency working to revitalize Flint
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MICHIGAN LOVES GREEN
The expanded role of PCF is good for Michigan as we adjust to the new normal, finding ways not to simply survive, but to lead change and thrive in the knowledge economy.
Leadership matters. As they have since their founding, once again Michigan State University and the C.S. Mott Foundation have stepped up to the challenges facing Michigan.
Expect good things to happen as PCF takes its mission statewide.
Tom Watkins is a proud MSU grad and served the citizens as the former state superintendent of schools, state mental health director and was the president and CEO of the economic council of Palm Beach County, Fla. He can be reached at: tdwatkins@aol.com.
Posted in: Breaking News, Press Releases |
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Thu May 31, 2012 7:28 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Office of Foundation Liaison
Purpose & Impact
Michigan's non-partisan Office of Foundation Liaison (OFL) was created in
2003 at the suggestion Michigan philanthropic leaders. [b]It currently operates with the support of Governor Rick Snyder and is located in the Governor's administrative offices. This cabinet level position - unique in the nation - helps to identify and broker strategic partnerships between the state and foundations likely to result in policy reforms that would improve the lives of children and families in Michigan.
The OFL is funded by 13 foundations and supported by the state government
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OFL's Objectives
•Educate state officials about foundations
•Forge relationships and support the development of partnerships between the state and foundations
•Attract new national grant dollars to Michigan
•Respond to opportunities for new local and regional public/private partnerships to serve people and the implementation of government programs
Accomplishments
Since its inception, the OFL has brokered over $100 million in foundation investment in initiatives designed to help increase Michigan's economic competitiveness through reforms in
•K-16 Education
•Economic Development, including Workforce Development
•Health
•Early Childhood
•Land Use
Michigan’s OFL has also inspired similar liaison positions around the U.S. in Newark, NJ and in New Mexico.
Governance
The OFL is governed by an Advisory Committee of contributing funders; the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF), its fiscal agent; and a member of the governor’s executive staff.
MEET THE OFL STAFF
Karen Aldridge-Eason, a loaned executive from the C.S. Mott Foundation, serves as Foundation Liaison. She previously worked as a budget director in both local and state government, and a legislative assistant in the Michigan State Senate
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Maura Dewan serves as program associate for OFL. Previously, she worked with the Michigan Nonprofit Association, Public Sector Consultants, and the Executive Office.
Alyson Mihlfeld serves as administrative assistant for OFL.
CONTACT THE OFL
Office of Foundation Liaison
P O Box 30013
111 South Capitol Avenue
Lansing, MI 48909
P 517.241-5882
F 517.335.7899 |
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Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:02 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| COULD THESE RELATIONSHIPS BE WHY BROWN REFUSES TO CONSIDER INDICTMENTS AND INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE WALLING ADMINISTRATION? |
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Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:06 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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CMF Board of Trustees Roster
Mr. Robert S. Collier, President
President & CEO
Council of Michigan Foundations
Mr. David S. Sebastian, Chair
Executive Director
Sebastian Foundation
Ms. Caroline E. Chambers, Vice Chair
Trustee
Comerica Bank
Ms. Brenda L. Hunt, Vice Chair
President & CEO
Battle Creek Community Foundation
Mr. Thomas S. Porter, Vice Chair
President
Porter Family Foundation
Ms. Ellen E. Crane, Secretary
Trustee
Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation
Ms. Andrea M. Cole, Treasurer
Executive Director & CEO
Ethel and James Flinn Foundation
Ms. Bobbie N. Arnold
President & CEO
The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation
Ms. Carolyn A. Bloodworth
Secretary/Treasurer
Consumers Energy Foundation
Ms. Amy B. Coleman
Vice President of Finance
The Kresge Foundation
Mr. Thomas B. Cook
Executive Director
Cook Family Foundation
Mr. John M. Erb
President
Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation
Mr. Phillip Wm. Fisher
Trustee
Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation
Ms. Carol A. Goss
President and CEO
The Skillman Foundation
Ms. Emma D. Harrington
YAC Representative
Chippewa County Community Foundation
Mr. Neal R. Hegarty
Vice President - Programs
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Ms. Shirley A. Kaigler
Trustee
Southfield Community Foundation
Dr. Russell G. Mawby
Chairman Emeritus
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Mr. Lawrence E. Moon
Trustee
Community Foundation of Greater Flint
Mr. David K. Page
Trustee
The Jewish Fund
Ms. Carol Paine-McGovern
President
Paine Family Foundation
Ms. Vivian R. Pickard
President
General Motors Foundation
Dr. Glenda D. Price
Trustee
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Mr. Sterling K. Speirn
President and CEO
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Dr. Margaret A. Talburtt
Lovelight Foundation
Ms. Diana Tarpoff
Director & Secretary
R.E. Olds Foundation
Ms. Bonnie Wenick-Kutz
Advisory 1st Vice-Chair
Community Foundation for Delta County |
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Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:16 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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LAWRENCE MOON IS ON BROWN'S ADVISORY GROUP AND HE SERVES AS A TRUSTEE FOR BOTH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THE RUTH MOTT FOUNDATION. (MOTT FAMILY MEMBERS SIT ON THE RUTH MOTT BOARD PER THE BYLAWS)
hE IS ALSO A TRUSTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF MICHIGAN FOUNDATIONS, THE ORGANIZATION PRESENTING THIS EVENT.
10/21/2011
Time:
11:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Location:
Mott Community College - Regional Technology Center
This symposium will focus on sharing vital information to professionals of color about how to advance their careers in the non-profit and philanthropic fields. The speakers will include representatives from executive search firms and senior-level executives who will provide insight about what skills and experiences emerging leaders need in order to succeed in the non-profit and philanthropic sector. It will also equip current executives to pass the reigns of leadership to the next generation.
Passing the Baton is an exciting professional development opportunity for nonprofit and philanthropic professionals of color. Attendees will have an opportunity to:
•Meet with executive recruiters
•Learn about cross-cultural mentoring
•Explore ways to improve intergenerational communication
•Network with senior level executives
Event Schedule
11:30 - 12:00 Network
12:00 - 12:30 Program
12:30 - 1:30 Lunch
Speakers
Lawrence Moon, Trustee for CMF and the Ruth Mott Foundation
Renee Johnston, CEO, Saginaw Community Foundation
Kimberly Houston-Philpot, President, Dow Corning Foundation
Raquel Thueme, Program Director, Ruth Mott Foundation
William V. Weatherston, Vice President, Harvey Hohauser & Associates Executive Search Firm
Dr. Lynn Perry Wooten, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Program, Clinical Associate Professor of Strategy, Management & Organizations, Ross School of Business University of Michigan
Rob Collier, President and CEO, Council of Michigan Foundations
Moderator
Shannon Polk, Associate Program Officer,
C.S. Mott Foundation
Who Should Attend
If you are a person of color working in the non-profit or philanthropic sector, this event is for you! There will be workshops, presentations and networking opportunities with non-profit and philanthropic leaders from around the state designed to equip urban communities and leaders of color with the tools necessary to take on the leadership positions of our communities and pass the reigns to the next generation.
Questions?
Please contact Shannon Polk via e-mail or by phone at 810-766-1771 if you have any questions |
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Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:24 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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LAWRENCE MOON ALSO SITS ON THE STRATEGIC BOARD AND THE REGIONAL LEADERSHIP BOARD OF THE GENESEE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
GENESEE REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Operating Board of Directors
The Operating Board has broad authority to direct day-to-day actions of the corporation within the context of the strategic plan and may adopt policy on issues of the day. The Operating Board oversees the management of the business and affairs of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Ex-Officios
John Matonich, Chair
President & CEO, ROWE Professional Services Company
Joe Serra, Chair-Elect
President, Serra Automotive Group
Dr. Julianne Princinsky, Past Chair
President, Baker College of Flint
Steve Landaal, Regional Leadership Council Chair
President, Landaal Packaging Systems
Patrick Gleason
County Commissioner
Dayne Walling
Mayor, City of Flint
At Large
Robert L. Rummel, Secretary
Senior Vice President, Chase
Phil Peters, Treasurer
Vice President, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Veronica Artis
Executive Vice President of Operations, Genesee Packaging
George Cook
Owner, Hill Road Hotel (Formerly Americinn Hotel)
Robert Fuller
CFO, Hubbard Supply Co.
Gary Hurand
President, Management Diversified, Inc
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Don Kooy
President, McLaren-Flint
Chief Executive Officer
Tim Herman
CEO, Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce
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519 S. SAGINAW ST. SUITE 200 • FLINT, MI 48502
PHONE: 810.600.1404 • FAX: 810.600.1461 • EMAIL: INFO@THEGRCC.ORG |
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Fri Jun 01, 2012 7:37 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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Ginosko has selected this new Limited Liability Company as the new entity to develop Smith Village. The LLC is still pending in Lansing.
Searched for: GDC SMITH VILLAGE, LLC
ID Num: D7817C
Name:GDC SMITH VILLAGE, LLC
Type: Domestic Limited Liability Company
Resident Agent: AMIN IRVING
Registered Office Address: 1100 CORPORATE OFFICE DR STE 110 MILFORD MI 48381
Mailing/Office Address:
Formation/Qualification Date:6-15-2012
Jurisdiction of Origin:MICHIGAN
Managed by: Managers
Status: ACTIVE Date: Present |
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Fri Jun 29, 2012 12:16 pm |
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annie226
F L I N T O I D
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Thu Jul 12, 2012 5:50 am |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| Ginosko is a developer for Smith Village! They are also associated with the Snyder administration. |
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Thu Jul 12, 2012 7:03 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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| Just drove Smith Village. Work on the streets is being done, but I haven't seen any work on the houses. Bricks still out front and no workers in sight! |
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Tue Aug 28, 2012 9:15 pm |
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untanglingwebs
El Supremo
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In and Out made an excellent point. Ginosko is following in Snyder's footsteps when they refuse to pay prevailing wages.
When Snyder gave us Brown and Kurtz, the big question should have been How much harm will they do? Smith Village continues to be a fiasco under their control and who will end up paying the tab? |
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Thu Dec 06, 2012 6:57 am |
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