http://primacivitas.org RSS feeds for Prima Civitas Foundation | primacivitas.org 60 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/358/Lansing-State-Journal-Editorial-New-ways-to-grow-new-business#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=358 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=358&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/358/Lansing-State-Journal-Editorial-New-ways-to-grow-new-business View the original article online here! Several years ago, some of the region’s civic leaders noted that the Greater Lansing region was lagging in entrepreneurial spirit. People here, after all, were accustomed to good-paying jobs with major employers. As a result, many parents (perhaps most) didn’t encourage entrepreneurship as a career option. There was a certain discomfort with risk-taking that comes with business ownership. No one likes to fail, after all, although failure is often part of a process that leads entrepreneurs to eventual success. There was also a realization that the region hadn’t been quite as supportive as it might be of startup businesses. There wasn’t quite enough community understanding of why entrepreneurialism is important to the region’s economic future. Much of that has been addressed with the laser-like focus of groups such as Lansing Economic Area Partnership, Prima Civitas, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and Michigan State University, which put significant effort into building awareness and fostering support. Those efforts have paid off, surely, but now the community is witnessing another layer of entrepreneurial spirit as businesses across the region begin to adopt special programs that bolster and support startups. Case in point, Greater Lansing-based Liquid Web Inc., a Web hosting company that has won INC. 5000’s fastest growing companies award for six years in a row (2007-2012), has started an incubator program to support startups with up to $25,000 in hosting services and consulting. The Clark Hill PLC law firm, which includes offices in Old Town, offers discounted services and special payment plans to startups. And the region’s network of publicly and privately supported incubators nurture startups with inexpensive space, business services and exposure to like-minded entrepreneurs has continued to grow. Such efforts have a practical aim, of course. “As their business grows, then they’re taking more space with us and helping our business grow, so it’s a very symbiotic relationship,” Liquid Web spokesman Cale Sauter said. Entrepreneurs have always banded together to help one another; witness the history of local chambers of commerce. But the growing awareness of startups and their potential is imprinting itself ever deeper into the community’s psyche. That can only pay dividends down the road. An LSJ editorial h.hetzner Tue, 21 May 2013 12:59:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:358 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/357/PCF-elects-three-new-Board-Members#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=357 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=357&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/357/PCF-elects-three-new-Board-Members At our Annual Meeting on May 16, we elected three new Directors to our Board: Dr. Don Green, Vice President and Dean for Extended and International Operations at Ferris State University; Steve Kim, Managing Partner at RKJ Legal; and Dr. M. Richard (Dick) Shaink, President of Mott Community College. We thank these gentlemen for volunteering their time and talents! h.hetzner Fri, 17 May 2013 13:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:357 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/352/IGNITE-Young-Innovators-Competition-Winners-receive-national-and-presidential-attention#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=352 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=352&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/352/IGNITE-Young-Innovators-Competition-Winners-receive-national-and-presidential-attention Two winning teams of our 2012 Young Innovators Competition have achieved national - and presidential - attention for their innovative ideas! Our competition's grand prize winners attended this week's White House Science Fair and presented their life-saving rip current alert system to President Obama. The Williamston High School InvenTeam developed the Offshore Rip Current Alert (ORCA) System as a way to prevent rip current-related drownings in the Great Lakes. The students' next step is to create a version for use in oceans. Click here for more! In addition to the Williamston Team's success, 1st place winners Andrew Burns, Densu Dixon, and Swagat Tripathy from Skyline High School in Ann Arbor each received $10,000 scholarships for their recent third place win in the Siemens national "We Can Change the World" challenge. We Can Change the World encourages high school student teams to identify an environmental issue that has global impact and to provide a viable, replicable solution. Their invention, the HydroPod, is an innovative solar water distiller which uses the heat and UV light from the sun to create clean, fresh drinking water. Click here for more! We congratulate these students on their success and will continue to mentor and provide resources to help them move their ideas to market! (Slider image photo courtesy of AP). h.hetzner Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:34:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:352 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/353/PCF-Talent-Team-presents-at-2013-Governors-Education-Summit#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=353 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=353&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/353/PCF-Talent-Team-presents-at-2013-Governors-Education-Summit PCF's Talent Team, represented by Amanda Dumond-Avila and Sherry Pfaff-Doody, attended today's 2013 Governor's Education Summit and presented their talent-related resources to a room of education leaders and economic officials.  Resources included PCF's Employer Internship Toolkit and Talent Team Menu of Services.  h.hetzner Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:03:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:353 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/351/The-Times-Herald-Logistics-experts-place-Port-Huron-at-the-hub#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=351 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=351&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/351/The-Times-Herald-Logistics-experts-place-Port-Huron-at-the-hub City could benefit as center of international trade By: Holly Setter & Tim Herald Click here to read the original article Geography, according to the exports, has situated Port Huron and Michigan to be a hub of international trade. The challenge, they say, is using that geography to the advantage of the city and state “Everyone in the logistics business knows where Port Huron is,” said Dan Casey, chief executive officer of the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County. “We don’t often think about our proximity to Canada as an advantage, but we are a significant player in the business because of the border crossing.” Prima Citivas Foundation, a nonprofit Lansing-based economic development organization, has been working with the state and other partners to capitalize on the state’s natural strengths. “The main point here is that Michigan has finally realized it is in a perfect position to work as a logistics hub,” said Jim Smiertka, senior vice president and general counsel for Prima Citivas. “If you take a map and step back and look at North America, look at the border crossings, it makes sense. And Port Huron is right smack dab in the middle of it.” Logistics — managing the flow of resources and products between producers and consumers — is both about how product moves and where it is created, Smiertka said. The momentum building around local logistics businesses could be a very good thing for St. Clair County. Casey said that industry brings jobs — well-paying jobs — and grows the tax base. Good bones Port Huron has the infrastructure in place to excel as a logistics hub, according to the experts: • The Blue Water Bridge is far less congested than the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit and connects with two major highways. According to data from Blue Water Bridge Canada, 679,226 trucks crossed into the U.S. and 797,962 crossed into Canada over the bridge last year. • The CN railroad crosses under the river through a double-stacked tunnel, allowing more freight to cross the border at once. • Freighters travel through the St. Clair River and Lake Huron, the midpoint of the St. Lawrence Seaway system. Deep water ports along the shoreline, including one in Marysville, could accommodate superfreighters once they start making their way around the globe. • The county’s international airport — and close proximity to both Flint’s Bishop Airport and Detroit Metro Airport — round out the list. Casey said the infrastructure is a remnant of the days when shipping was a major industry for the county, although it hasn’t been one for a while. Local businesses, however, still use that infrastructure. “I’m surprised that we aren’t more of a shipping hub because of our proximity to Canada and the highways,” said Todd Kinney, director of sales and marketing for Witco Inc. in Avoca. “I lived in Chicago, which is a major shipping hub, for three years, and there is no reason we can’t have that here.” Kinney said his company takes advantage of its location with roughly 40 percent of its product destined for Canada. Witco is a precision computer numeric control machine shop, manufacturing for industries ranging from aerospace to health. Joe McCulloch, business development manager with the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County, said businesses that have been operating in the area for a while tend to overlook the ties it has with Canada. “I find that a lot of companies do business with Canada without really realizing that they are dealing with a foreign country,” he said. “Because of the proximity, they don’t think of it that way.” Value added Although the physical location — and its corresponding infrastructure — is the first thing people talk about when discussing a logistics hub, it’s not the only defining factor. Smiertka said that is where marketing comes in. “Right now, about 90 percent of the freight that comes through Michigan doesn’t stop here,” Smiertka said. “The focus now is to show companies that if you build your facilities right here, you will have access to the world and a workforce and value-added proposition to do the manufacturing you need.” The value-added proposition comes via the Interstate 69 International Trade Corridor, a Next Michigan Development Corporation initiative that partners St. Clair, Lapeer, Genesee and Shiawassee counties to market Interstate 69 as an ideal place for logistics companies. It allows those communities to offer real and personal property tax abatements, as well as tax-free Renaissance Zones to business that can show they use two or more forms of transportation to move their product. Each of the economic development organizations in the counties have additional incentives at their disposal as well, including help with financing, workforce hiring and training, site selection and more. The EDA has made increasing local exports a priority for the coming year, sponsoring seminars on how businesses can obtain financing for exporting ventures. Crossing the border with product can be intimidating, Kinney said, because there are additional restrictions and regulations. It is worth it to get over the “fear factor,” he said, as it opens up a lot of new markets and customers. St. Clair County EDA is partnering with Michigan State University’s Center for Community and Economic Development on its regional exporting strategies project, Casey said. The project is backed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and allows the partners to provide site-specific advice for small- and medium-sized businesses that want to either begin exporting or expand their exports to a new country. The results of that work will be presented at a bi-national summit this fall. Another EDA focus for the coming year is workforce training, which Smiertka said is a necessary step. “Port Huron has access to a workforce that can service and be available for multi-modal businesses,” he said. “There are specific training programs to train students for that work. St. Clair County Community College has a program together with Mott in Flint to do that. The workforce is there.” That program, the transportation and logistics technology certification, is offered through the engineering technology department. Students take 10 classes covering everything from basic English and algebra to domestic and international freight operations. Graduates have the skills that professionals in the field would need and companies would want their employees to have, Casey said. Getting the word out Most people who have driven along I-69 have seen the billboards advertising the I-69 International Trade Corridor, but marketing the area as a logistics haven is going further than that. “The marketing and branding of the region is important,” Smiertka said. Smiertka said Port Huron will be one of five areas around the state highlighted in an international Pure Michigan campaign designed to market the state as a strong contender for logistics business. Casey said the I-69 International Trade Corridor recently took out a large ad in one of the major logistics industry magazines, and members have been traveling around the country to pitch the area as a business destination. In some ways, talking to logistics officials about locating in Michigan is an eye opener, he said. “We haven’t been traditionally thought of for logistics because you have to make a hard left turn to get here,” he said. “The industry focused on where are the masses of people, where are the majority of our customers?” “But if you step back and look at it from a macro standpoint, we are far more centrally located. North American logistics is becoming more global in nature, and with containers coming across the ocean on freighters, they are naturally going to flow through Port Huron. We are strategically located for the shipment of goods.” Amiee Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:19:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:351 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/350/Riding-Michigans-Wave-of-Regional-Partnerships#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=350 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=350&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/350/Riding-Michigans-Wave-of-Regional-Partnerships Janice Karcher, Vice President of Economic Development at the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce for MEDA  Regional partnerships in Michigan are gaining ground with enthusiastic response from the businesses, municipalities, and citizens of our communities. MEDC, Prima Civitas Foundation, federal departments, and charitable foundations have encouraged and supported regional planning and project implementation. Many such initiatives are underway across the state. These efforts deserve continued support based on their accomplishments to date and future potential. The example that I know best is the I-69 International Trade Corridor Partnership (MEDC Region 8) which has been motivated by the opportunity for new regional marketing and business development incentives. Achievements to date include Next Michigan incentive support for Pinnacle Foods’ Imlay City expansion project, over 230 attendees at last year’s Regional Summit, positive coverage of the region’s new Exporter of the Year Awards, CS Mott Foundation support for industry cluster efforts, and MEDC funding for regional marketing and outreach. Area businesses are responding positively, as evidenced by a recent experience had by Justin Horvath, CEO of Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership. A member of the four-county I-69 Corridor partnership that includes Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, and St. Clair Counties, Horvath found himself at a restaurant drive-through in his community when the manager peeked out and said, “We really like the I-69 Corridor work you guys are doing. Keep up the good work.” Horvath explains that the manager had not attended meetings and had not been approached personally about the regional effort, rather was reacting to news articles and corridor marketing that he had seen in the community. Other firms in the area have expressed similar enthusiasm, many anticipating new business opportunities as a result of the regional efforts. Northgate, a Flint-area company formerly known as Security Packaging reported that the selection of their new corporate name was influenced by regional I-69 Corridor efforts that position the area as “Michigan’s Bluewater Gateway.” Municipal support is strong as Shiawassee County Administrator Margaret McAvoy recently referred to the I-69 Corridor as a “Ribbon of Hope,” pointing to the progress to date of the I-69 Corridor’s 35-member Next Michigan Development Corporation that she chairs as well as future plans for collaboration along what MDOT has declared a Corridor of International Significance. In terms of external reaction, Paul Brake, City Manager of Grand Blanc and Horvath made a presentation to over 150 US economic developers and site consultants at the IEDC Leadership Summit in Orlando in January regarding the I-69 International Trade Corridor collaboration. Brake reports that attendees were very interested and envious of the new funding and incentive programs that Michigan regional partnerships have been able to access. The I-69 Corridor partnership has received strong support from Prima Civitas Foundation. Former Lansing Mayor David Hollister and legal counsel Jim Smiertka have played significant roles. Their leadership, advice, and facilitation have resulted in a growing level of collaboration and expedient action. The NMDC acted in February to approve municipal applications for Next Michigan Renaissance Zone districts for eligible multi-modal businesses with expansion plans. Based on the great success of Lansing’s “Keep GM” campaign, Hollister formed PCF in 2006 and dedicated the organization to the support of regional efforts such as this. The greatest lessons from this effort are: focus on achieving measurable results, find points of mutual interest, and create a structure that allows for broad-based participation. The I-69 Corridor partnership is just one of a number of successful regional projects across the state. MEDA plans to feature some of them at this year’s annual meeting in August. In the meantime, please use our MEDA Facebook and LinkedIn pages to tell us about your innovative partnerships, progress to date, and opportunities that can be shared among our members. Click here to read the original article!  Amiee Mon, 01 Apr 2013 12:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:350 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/349/Forbes-Michigan-Emerging-As-The-Next-Great-Shipping-Hub-In-North-America#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=349 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=349&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/349/Forbes-Michigan-Emerging-As-The-Next-Great-Shipping-Hub-In-North-America By Natalie Burg, Forbes Click here to read the original article!   To some, the idea of Michigan emerging as the next big North American transportation and logistics hub sounds ridiculous.  “There hasn”t been any marketing of it,” said Jim Smiertka, senior vice president and general counsel of the East Lansing, Mich. based Prima Civitas Foundation. “If you look at it, it”s a peninsula. A lot of people say, ‘How can Michigan be a logistics hub?’” The Potential But the doubters are missing a few important pieces of information, Smiertka said. First, the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron and Ambassador Bridge in Detroit are the two busiest US-Canadian border crossings. Through these, Michigan has access to the Halifax Deep Water Port and three other deep water ports along the St. Clair River at the Canadian border crossing. Additionally, the Canadian National Railway flows right into Port Huron, Michigan. Smiertka said the widening of the Panama Canal is also creating a ripe opportunity for these ports; others around the country are not deep enough to accommodate docking super freighters. “Halifax is a natural deep water port,” he said. “Then you have that direct connection with the CN and the interstate system right into the US and through into Mexico.” The Movements Smiertka said that more than 90 percent of the cargo that currently comes through Michigan continues right on through to Chicago without stopping. Prima Civitas Foundation has been working to change that, developing partnerships with municipalities, chambers of commerce and others. One of these groups is The Great Lakes International Trade and Transport Hub, which aims to take advantage of the freight traffic to and from the Port of Halifax through Detroit and Port Huron — with Canadian partners in tow. The international partners met for a summit in 2011 to brainstorm ideas for improving trade between Canada and the Midwest. A seven-year action plan delivered to the governor included increasing collaborations between businesses and marketing the region. A simultaneous economic development effort has been the creation of five aerotropolis zones, or Next Michigan Development Corporations. These districts are areas surrounding airports and collaborating municipalities now offer companies incentives to locate there. The largest of these cooperative agreements resulted in the I-69 International Trade Corridor. The Benefits The prospect of tens of thousands of new jobs and a new business sector is often the focus of the buzz, but Smiertka said the benefits of Michigan as the next major transportation and logistics hub go far beyond the state itself. “It’s a value proposition for businesses,” he said. “If you go through Chicago, your freight will be delayed five days. In Michigan, it would take one day.” The state also has one resource found nowhere else in the nation: the top talent. Michigan State’s undergraduate Supply Chain Management program ranks number one in the nation, according to US News & World Report, even outranking MIT. As a major partner in Great Lakes International Trade and Transport Hub, MSU’s influence is sure to put the movement on the right track, as well as fuel the burgeoning sector with talent. Though Michigan’s evolution into a transportation and logistics hub may not happen overnight, it’s not far-off. The seven-year action plan is awaiting approval now, and according to Smiertka, all entities are ready to move forward. “We’re all very hopeful,” he said. “There’s an enthusiasm around this I’ve never seen in my years of government work.” With any luck, within a decade, that enthusiasm will translate into a change in the the flow of cargo in and out of North America, and give Michigan a new place in the world transportation and logistics network. Click here to read the original article!  Amiee Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:349 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/348/Turkish-Delegation-Visits-US-Sees-Bilateral-Trade-Opportunities#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=348 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=348&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/348/Turkish-Delegation-Visits-US-Sees-Bilateral-Trade-Opportunities A group composed of 15 representatives of wire and cable manufacturers from Turkey participated in a trade mission to the United States March 18-22, 2013 organized by Prima Civitas Foundation's Turkish Resource Center of North America (TRCNA).     Each of the companies represented in the delegation belongs to the Turkish Electro-Technology (TET) Association, an organization with over 7,500 members focused on increasing Turkey’s export volume of electronics, machinery, and information and communications technologies.  Turkey aims to be among the world’s top 10 economies by 2023, the 100-year anniversary of its founding as a republic, and TET’s success will be a significant factor in reaching this goal.   TRCNA organized nearly 80 individual meetings and two industry-led presentations in New York and Chicago between the Turkish manufacturers and major US distributors and end-users of wire and cable products, such as Anixter, Southwire, Whirlpool, and more.  The group also visited the United Nations Procurement Office as well as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) in New York.   Represented in the delegation were the following Turkish companies: 2M Kablo, Basoglu Kablo, Bemka, Kabtek Kablo, Oren Kablo, Pamukkale Kablo, Sahra Kablo, Untel Kablolari, and Yilka Kablo.  j.hughes Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:348 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/347/Michigan-Business-Network-Business-Beat-PCF-Talent-Programs#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=347 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=347&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/347/Michigan-Business-Network-Business-Beat-PCF-Talent-Programs On February 8th, Amanda Dumond-Avila and Sherry Pfaff-Doody joined Chris Holman on Michigan Business Network's Business Beat radio program to discuss our Job Seekers Strategy Group. Listen to the segment here! h.hetzner Thu, 21 Feb 2013 13:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:347 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/346/Crains-Detroit-Business-Report--Public-supports-higher-taxes-for-core-state-services-that-foster-growth#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=346 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=346&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/346/Crains-Detroit-Business-Report--Public-supports-higher-taxes-for-core-state-services-that-foster-growth By Chris Gautz A new report being released Wednesday shows the public is at odds with the Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder over how best to attract businesses to the state — as well as what should be some of Michigan's top priorities. And the public also supports increasing taxes on businesses — and the wealthy through a graduated income tax — to pay for basic government functions and investments in education, transportation and other key areas. The Michigan Economic Center, a part of the Prima Civitas Foundation, produced the report, titled "Michigan Dream Restored." The results come from focus groups conducted around the state as well as a 1,000-person telephone survey by Epic-MRA Corp. John Austin, president of the State Board of Education and director of the Michigan Economic Center, said the report validates the premise that people want places to live, work and play that provide a high quality of life, communities that are safe and where children have access to affordable, high-quality education. "It seems pretty clear the public really believes the most important things for the economy are these public goods that support economic growth," Austin said. According to the survey, 64 percent of respondents said the most important thing state government can do to facilitate job growth is provide high-quality education and core services such as good roads, police and fire service, parks and libraries. That compares with 29 percent who said cutting taxes is the most important thing state government can do to increase jobs. The survey was conducted from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1, 2012, and has an error margin of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points. Austin said some of these areas, especially roads and higher education, have been degraded by the state. "People want to do better by these assets that matter enormously for economic growth," he said. And according to the survey results, residents propose paying for those assets by raising taxes on businesses. The most favored tax, at 83 percent, would be on companies that pollute the water or air. And about two-thirds of respondents favored taxes on companies that extract minerals and natural gas from state lands. Sin taxes were also favored by 65 percent of those polled, and support also was found for a graduated income tax — at 63 percent. A move to a graduated income tax would require a change to the state constitution. "It's encouraging," Austin said, adding that strong interest exists in investing in vital community services. He said the results showed that people believe strongly that those who are better off should pay a little more to fund these core investments in the state. The new revenue from a graduated income tax could pay for further public funding of higher education in the state or to help provide resources to better fund transportation infrastructure improvements, he said. The survey also found overwhelming support for improving the state's key roads and bridges but did not lay out the way in which to raise the revenue to do so. Rob Fowler, president and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan, served on an advisory committee for the report. "The whole effort is to bring a number of different perspectives together," Fowler said. And, he said, he was in the minority among those on the committee when it came to many topics and said SBAM does not support some of the recommendations in the report, including a move to a graduated income tax. Fowler said he believes that a growing economy creates new revenue for the state and doesn't come from the starting position that taxes need to be raised to invest in a climate that will attract businesses. "I think we can grow our way to some great new investments," he said. Fowler said he was intrigued to see support in the survey to help companies grow and to assist entrepreneurs through a new seed fund. Chris Gautz: (517) 403-4403, cgautz@crain.com. Twitter: @chrisgautz  View the article online here! (Please note, you will need a subscription to Crain's to view the article.) h.hetzner Wed, 20 Feb 2013 15:07:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:346 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/345/The-Michigan-Economic-Center-releases-results-of-its-citizen-public-goods-investment-research#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=345 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=345&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/345/The-Michigan-Economic-Center-releases-results-of-its-citizen-public-goods-investment-research Broad support seen for strategies to invest in job creation, higher education, infrastructure, vital community services, and outdoor conservation The Michigan Economic Center (MEC), our policy development program, released the initial results from its “Michigan Dream Restored” project that seeks to provide independent research and policy development around investment in public goods that are central to the state’s economic growth. The project’s interim report includes the findings from citizen focus groups and a statewide 1,000 person survey that identified shared citizen values and priorities for improving Michigan’s economy. The focus groups and survey tested the citizen appeal of various approaches for making valued investments in higher education, roads/infrastructure, community services, job creation, and outdoor conservation. Please click here to view a digital version of the full report.  Please click here to download the full report. “Michigan citizens overwhelmingly believe that public investments create the important conditions that drive economic growth, and they want to support those necessary investments – if investments speak to citizen values and have impact,” said MEC Director John Austin, who led the project.   Highlights of the Interim Report findings include: 64 percent of Michigan citizens believe the most important thing state government can do for job creation is to “provide quality education, good roads and transportation, good public services like safety, water, fire, parks and libraries that create an environment in which people want to live, work and run a business.”  This contrasts with 29 percent who believe the most important thing state government can do is to “cut taxes for individuals and business. That’s what really creates jobs.” 51 percent of citizens believe important public services (including road repair, local police and fire, quality schools and higher education, and state parks) are in worse or much worse condition today than 10 to 15 years ago. According to the surveys, Michiganders most value: Hard work being rewarded with economic opportunity; A good place to raise a family and keeping family close - by having communities to be proud of, that attract business, and keep our children from leaving for more vibrant communities outside of Michigan; and Having good places to escape (recreate, enjoy the outdoors, lakes, “Pure Michigan”) – as respite from "hard work" and as part of having a good place to raise and be with family. When asked about problems they see Michigan facing and their “urgency” levels, top ranking issues included: ensuring public safety and fighting crime (66 percent saying they are urgent problems that need to be dealt with now and 27 percent more saying they are very important and should be dealt with soon); providing quality education (70 percent “now," 22 percent “soon”); protecting Great Lakes and natural resources (66 percent “now,” 25 percent “soon”); and supporting small business and innovation (57 percent “now," 33 percent "soon"). While supportive of increased investment in public goods, citizens want any public investment to be combined with reforms to ensure money is not wasted (65% say “high taxes and government waste” is an “urgent” concern, 22% say "deal with it soon"). In raising revenue to pay for valued public good investment strategies, a majority of Michigan citizens said they wanted “polluters to pay” taxes (70 percent strongly favor, 13 somewhat favor); taxes to be levied on extractive industries (48 percent “strongly," 17 percent “somewhat”); an increase in sin taxes (49 percent “strongly,” 16 percent “somewhat”); and a progressive or graduated income tax (38 percent “strongly," 25 percent “somewhat”). The findings of the Interim Report were collected through the following: Focus group sessions conducted throughout Michigan that tested citizen values and priorities for the economy and a range of public good investment strategies gathered from Michigan proposals and successful efforts across the nation. Rigorous screening ensured balanced demographics and political viewpoints.  Download the full report on the focus group findings and policy scan at http://bit.ly/X7cPrp. EPIC - MRA administered telephone interviews with 1,000 adult Michigan residents from November 24th to December 1st 2012 to validate and refine the values, priorities, and most attractive policy and funding ideas from the citizen focus groups. The larger than normal sample provides a +/-3.1% (at 95% confidence interval) for questions with 1000 responses. Download the full survey report and analysis at http://bit.ly/VWBJ9G. “Collectively these findings provide powerful insight and direction concerning Michigan citizen values and priorities for economic improvement,” said Austin.  “With further refinement and citizen input, they can help us figure out as a state how to smartly invest in critical Michigan assets that our public cares about and that underpin our economy.”   The MEC plans to use these findings to reinforce the importance that Michigan citizens place on investing in public goods they value in the context of state policy discussions, and further research and develop particular investment strategies that may have broad support among Michigan citizens.   The “Michigan Dream Restored” project is funded by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and supported through individual and institutional contributions. To learn more about the "Michigan Dream Restored" initiative, please click here! h.hetzner Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:345 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/344/World-Class-Talent-Michigan-Opportunities-Our-2013-Spring-magazine-is-here#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=344 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=344&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/344/World-Class-Talent-Michigan-Opportunities-Our-2013-Spring-magazine-is-here For this edition, we spotlight many of our talent-related initiatives as well as other recent projects including: The Global Lansing internship program Job Seekers Strategy Group Young Innovators Competition wrap-up Building Neighborhood Capacity program for Flint The Turkish Resource Center of North America launch... and more! To view a digital copy of the magazine, please click here! To request a physical copy, please email your name and mailing information to info@primacivitas.org. h.hetzner Thu, 14 Feb 2013 16:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:344 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/343/MLive-Exporter-of-the-Year-winner-Genesee-Packaging-Inc-hopes-award-will-spur-Michigan-export-business#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=343 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=343&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/343/MLive-Exporter-of-the-Year-winner-Genesee-Packaging-Inc-hopes-award-will-spur-Michigan-export-business By Jeremy Allen | jallen42@mlive.com FLINT, MI – The naming of Genesee Packaging Inc. as Exporter of the Year by the I-69 International Trade Corridor was a stamp of validation for the small, Flint-based company. “It certainly puts us on the map,” said Veronica Artis, executive vice president of Genesee Packaging. “When you look at our small company, in our 34th year, people don’t necessarily look at us an exporter, but it says that small companies can definitely get into the business of exporting.” The award was presented to Genesee Packaging at the first-ever Exporter of the Year Award ceremonies, Thursday, Feb. 7, at the Lapeer Country Club. Additional Exporter of the Year awards were given to one company each from St. Clair, Lapeer and Shiawassee counties. Jim Smiertka, the senior vice president and general counsel at the Prima Civitas Foundation – the organization tasked with choosing the nominees and the winners of the award – said Genesee Packaging was chosen among seven other nominees because of its overall activity and international engagement in trade. “We were asked to be an independent judge of the exporter of the year award for the four counties,” Smiertka said. “At the end of the day, we had candidates from various regions and we had staffers take all of that information and put together the data for each company. “We developed an internal scoring system to weight different questions to get an evaluation of each business. Then we went through all the information and did a roundtable scoring and a debate on each (business) before we came to a consensus. It also came down to future strategies and ‘what are you doing now,’ and that’s why we chose Genesee Packaging.” View the full article online here! h.hetzner Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:343 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/342/Turkish-Ambassador-visits-MichiganDiscusses-growing-economic-opportunities-between-Turkey-and-the-US#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=342 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=342&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/342/Turkish-Ambassador-visits-MichiganDiscusses-growing-economic-opportunities-between-Turkey-and-the-US On Feb. 11, Namik Tan, ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the U.S., visited East Lansing to discuss the strengthening relationships and growing economic opportunities between the Republic of Turkey and Michigan.   Photo: Alyssa Roland, PCF Program Manager, meets with Ambassador Tan (center) and Consul General Yildiz at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. Michigan economic representatives met with Ambassador Tan at Michigan State University's Cowles House and Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum to present information on Michigan's economic assets.  Representatives included: Lou Anna K. Simon, President of Michigan State University Mark Kinsler, Vice President of Business Attraction and International Business Development for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation Virg Bernero, Mayor of Lansing Nathan Triplett, East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem Bob Trezise, Global Lansing representative and Lansing Economic Area Partnership President and CEO Ray DeWinkle, Senior Vice President of Global Business Development at the Lansing Economic Area Partnership Shawn Kuch, North American Commercial Manager at Dow Corning Arturo Cuellar, Global Market Manager of High Performance Building Solutions at Dow Corning Susan Awbrey, Interim Senior Vice President and Provost at Oakland University Don Green, Vice President and Dean for Extended and International Operations for Ferris State University John Berry, Director of Design West Michigan and Kendall College of Art & Design Matt Clayson, Director of the Detroit Creative Center After the presentations, the Ambassador and Consul General of Turkey in Chicago, Fatih Yildiz, came to our office in East Lansing to visit with staff and to learn more about our programs. Photo: PCF and TRCNA staff with Ambassador Tan and Consul General Yildiz. Ambassador Tan is fifth from right. Consul General Yildiz is fourth from left. PCF and our affiliate, the Turkish Resource Center of North America, were the primary organizers for the meeting and presentations. Our role was to present Michigan's dynamism in various sectors (design, higher education, international trade development, etc.) and the state's openness to increasing economic relations with Turkey. View a photo gallery of the Ambassador's visit here! MessageMakers, a communications organization based in Lansing, interviewed Ambassador Tan and captured footage from his visit.  h.hetzner Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:342 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/341/East-Village-Magazine-Genesee-Packaging-receives-export-award#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=341 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=341&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/341/East-Village-Magazine-Genesee-Packaging-receives-export-award Originally featured in the East Village Magazine on Monday, Feb. 11, 2013 By Elaine D. Redd The I-69 International Trade Corridor partnership has announced the recipients of the exporter of the year awards during a banquet at the Lapeer Country Club in Lapeer. More than 50 business leaders were on hand as the Exporter of the Year Award was presented to four companies, one each in Genesee, Shiawassee, Lapeer and St. Clair counties. They are Genesee Packaging Inc. of Flint, Rugged Liner of Owosso, Dunn Paper of Port Huron and KM International of North Branch. Genesee Packaging Inc. was selected from among eight nominees for the Exporter of the Year Award. According to Prima Civitas Foundation, the organization responsible for developing the selection criteria and process, Genesee Packaging was selected because of the sheer volume of countries to which they are selling products. The packaging company has an extensive reach and is selling to more countries than any of the eight nominees — countries in Africa, Middle East, Europe, Canada, Asia and Northern Europe. View the full article online here! h.hetzner Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:341 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/340/CBS-Detroit-MSU-College-Of-Law-Helps-Small-Michigan-Businesses-With-Intellectual-Property-Questions#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=340 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=340&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/340/CBS-Detroit-MSU-College-Of-Law-Helps-Small-Michigan-Businesses-With-Intellectual-Property-Questions By Matt Roush The I6 Green Proof of Concept Center and the Michigan State University College of Law are teaming up to help West Michigan and mid-Michigan entrepreneurs and small businesses with their intellectual property law 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, the NewNorth Center, and the Prima Civitas Foundation — 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, according to Paul Hunt, MSU senior associate vice president of research and graduate studies, the new intellectual property project goes beyond “green tech” innovators and is open to all qualified Michigan entrepreneurs and small companies. Under the coordination of PCF, the Intellectual Property Start-Up 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. Read more of the article here! h.hetzner Tue, 05 Feb 2013 15:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:340 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/339/Lansing-State-Journal-People-News-WKAR-Community-Cinema-features-Whitney-Young-film#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=339 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=339&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/339/Lansing-State-Journal-People-News-WKAR-Community-Cinema-features-Whitney-Young-film Originally featured in the Lansing State Journal on Saturday, February 2, 2013 Click here to view the original article! WKAR’s next Community Cinema screening will look at one man’s challenges and triumphs in the civil rights movement. “The Powerbroker: Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights” will be featured at 7 p.m., Feb. 13 on WKAR. The event is free and open to the community. Register at WKAR.org Immediately following the screening of a segment from the “Independent Lens” documentary, Renee Canady will moderate a discussion on the issues presented in the film with Willard Walker and Tremaine Phillips. Phillips is innovation and region building director for Prima Civitas Foundation. In 2010, he was one of 10 mid-Michigan young professionals to receive the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 10 Over the Next 10 awards. A Michigan State University graduate, Phillips has a degree in environmental economics and policy. h.hetzner Sat, 02 Feb 2013 14:53:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:339 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/337/CBS-Detroit-Michigan-Young-Entrepreneurs-Honored#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=337 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=337&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/337/CBS-Detroit-Michigan-Young-Entrepreneurs-Honored By Matt Roush Last week, the Lansing-based Prima Civitas Foundation recognized the winners of its recent 2012 Young Innovators Competition by distributing more than $10,000 in cash prizes at an awards ceremony in East Lansing. In addition to the awards, PCF will also work with students to locate local resources for nurturing and launching their innovative ideas. Read more of the article here! h.hetzner Fri, 01 Feb 2013 13:55:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:337 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/335/PCF-recognizes-young-innovators-in-awards-ceremony#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=335 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=335&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/335/PCF-recognizes-young-innovators-in-awards-ceremony On Saturday, Jan. 26th, the Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF) recognized the winners of its recent 2012 Young Innovators Competition by distributing more than $10,000 in cash prizes at an awards ceremony in East Lansing. In addition to the awards, PCF will also work with students to locate local resources for nurturing and launching their innovative ideas. The 4th annual competition, conducted under PCF’s Mott-Funded Moving Ideas to Market entrepreneurship Initiative, challenged 6th– 12th grade students in Michigan to submit business ideas for new products, solution-focused ideas, and mobile applications. The competition’s Grand Prize award of $2,500 went to Robin Miller, Robert Proctor, Parker Ottarson, Caroline Rising, Erin Rubeck, Katy Shoecraft, Matthew Suandi, Lauren VanStreain, Erin Wenk, Stephen Wardell, and Julie Xu from Williamston High School with their life-saving rip current alert system called the Offshore Rip Current Alert (ORCA) system.  Other winners submitted ideas that ranged from food pantry apps to water purification devices and represented a wide geographic range of Michigan cities that included Ann Arbor, Detroit, Dewitt, Dexter, Flint, Grand Ledge, Holt, Lansing, Muskegon, Perry, Traverse City, and Williamston. 12 volunteer judges with entrepreneurial support, economic development, and technology expertise evaluated more than 100 submissions from nearly 220 Michigan students, triple the participation from previous years’ competitions. Steven Bennett, vice president for innovation and region building at PCF, 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. The Foundation has begun planning its 2013 Youth Competition and hopes to see participation from more school districts in the state. “We’re already getting questions on when the competition will beheld 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. h.hetzner Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:335 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/336/Current-State-Young-Innovators-Competition-Awards-Preview#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=336 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=336&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/336/Current-State-Young-Innovators-Competition-Awards-Preview On January 25th, PCF staffers Steve Bennett and Holly Hetzner joined Mark Bashore on WKAR's Current State program to give a preview on the Foundation's upcoming 2012 Young Innovators Competition Awards Ceremony. Listen to the radio program here! (Steve and Holly are in the second segment.) h.hetzner Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:336 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/333/MSU-College-of-Law-to-help-small-Michigan-businesses-with-intellectual-property-questions#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=333 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=333&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/333/MSU-College-of-Law-to-help-small-Michigan-businesses-with-intellectual-property-questions The Michigan State University College of 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.   "Often a new company's or an entrepreneur's most valuable asset is simply the idea for a new technology," says Adam Candeub, the professor at MSU Law who is overseeing the program. "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."   Initially, MSU law experts will work at the MSU Bioeconomy Institute, Holland, Mich., with the "i6 Green Proof of Concept Center" consortium - MSU, Lakeshore Advantage, NewNorth Center, and the Prima Civitas Foundation - 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, according to Paul Hunt, MSU senior associate vice president of Research and Graduate Studies, the new intellectual property project goes beyond "green tech" innovators and is open to all qualified Michigan entrepreneurs and small companies. Under the coordination of the Prima Civitas Foundation, the Intellectual Property Start-Up 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, Candeub and his colleagues 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 lawyer-mentors, 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.   According to Hunt, "MSU is committed to promoting economic diversification and providing significant assistance to Michigan entrepreneurs statewide, through a variety of programs. In this particular instance, MSU is also providing hands-on experience to students who will become the state's next generation of patent lawyers. Everyone benefits from these collaborations."   Small companies or individuals interested in discussing the protection of their patent idea, copyright issue, potential trade secret, or related questions may request an appointment by contacting Jordan Hughes at the Prima Civitas Foundation at (517) 999-3382, j.hughes@primacivitas.org or by completing the online application at http://bit.ly/WKFY97. Appointment slots are limited, and prior appointments are required, so interested entrepreneurs and small firms are encouraged to contact PCF as soon as possible. Initial meetings are expected to begin during February 2013. h.hetzner Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:333 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/332/Join-us-2012-Young-Innovators-Awards-Ceremony-Saturday-January-26th#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=332 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=332&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/332/Join-us-2012-Young-Innovators-Awards-Ceremony-Saturday-January-26th Join us this Saturday, January 26, 2013 for the 4th Annual Young Innovators Awards ceremony! For this year's Young Innovators Competition, we challenged Michigan teens to submit business ideas for new inventions or solution-focused ideas. We received more than 100 submissions from nearly 220 teens from across the state! Submissions were evaluated by panels of economic, entrepreneurial, and business experts. This press conference will feature an awards ceremony, presentations by the winners, and a special announcement from the Foundation.  Winners represent the following cities: Ann Arbor, Detroit, Dewitt, Dexter, Flint, Grand Ledge, Holt, Lansing, Muskegon, Perry, Traverse City, and Williamston.  Event details: Saturday, January 26th at 12:00 pm at the Prima Civitas Foundation, 325 East Grand River, Suite 275, East Lansing, MI  48823. Light refreshments will be served. h.hetzner Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:07:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:332 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/331/Capital-Gains-The-Spartan-Line-Connecting-Spartans-in-Chicago-to-the-Capital-region#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=331 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=331&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/331/Capital-Gains-The-Spartan-Line-Connecting-Spartans-in-Chicago-to-the-Capital-region Natalie Burg | Wednesday, January 16, 2013 To view the original article online, please click here! On Friday, November 26, something out of the ordinary happened at the East Lansing Amtrak Station. Though the Blue Water Line arrived from Chicago at its regularly scheduled time, it looked anything but regular when it pulled up to the platform. That’s because one train car was completely encased in Spartan green and white, with “Spartan Line” written boldly across its body. And once it stopped, a gaggle of excited MSU alum tumbled out, eager to spend a fun-filled weekend in their old stomping grounds. “It was a lot of fun,” says 2012 Communications Graduate Ellina Stein, 22. “People were walking up and down the aisle, and they had an MSU card game. There was a wide range of ages, from parents, to younger people, as well as some people who graduated in 1970-something.”   The Spartan Line is a new Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF) initiative with a goal that is pretty well summed up by the tagline on the side of the branded train car: “Go green. Go white. Go forth. Come home.”   “This was a really an idea that was started by our CEO, Steve Webster,” says PCF’s Tremaine Phillips. “We kind of all came around the table and started thinking about ways we could attract the 25,000-plus residents of Chicago who are alumni of MSU.”   The premise of The Spartan Line is that it gives these Chicago-based MSU alumni a convenient and fun way to zip back to East Lansing for events. After all, the longer they stay connected to the Lansing area, the more likely it is that they consider their former home as a possible future home. PCF worked with several partners to make the program happen, including the university, the MSU Alumni Association, MSU Athletics, the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau, LEAP and other organizations interested in keeping Spartans local.   For Stein’s perspective, however, all the emphasis was on the fun.   “I wanted to visit friends and go to the football game, and come back home for a little bit,” says Stein, who was born and raised in New York. “It just made it so much easier because I don’t have a car in Chicago, and to have it mixed together with the football ticket – it’s perfect.”   In addition to a ride to and from Chicago and tickets to the MSU vs. Northwestern game, Spartan Line riders were treated to a morning tailgate and an exclusive, sneak peek tour and reception of the Broad Art Museum on Saturday.   “That was gorgeous,” Stein says. “They kind of closed it off and we had some drinks and appetizers and we got to walk around and see the exhibits. It was amazing. It’s like something you’d see in Chicago.”   Though Stein didn’t know any of the other riders before she left, it didn’t take long before she befriended some of the other Spartans on the train, whose graduation dates spanned from 2012 to 30 years ago. (See a cute-as-the-Dickens video of the youngest Spartan Line passenger singing the MSU Fight Song here.)   “A couple of the girls and I have already exchanged numbers and are planning to see a movie together,” she says. “It’s like being a part of the Spartan Family. As soon as you find out someone is from Michigan State, you’re like best friends.”   Just because fun was Stein’s primary motivator for taking the Spartan Line doesn’t mean PCF missed their mark. Though the 2012 grad is just beginning her career in Chicago and was born and raised in New York, she’s deeply committed to the MSU community – and she sees the Spartan Line as a great way to maintain that connection.   “One of the most important things to me is staying connected to my university family,” she says. “One reason I chose Chicago is that it’s close to Lansing, so I can always come back.”   She’ll get her chance do that again with the Spartan Line in the future. Phillips says planning for the next voyage is underway.   “We’re looking at some big events coming in the spring of 2013, even some in Chicago,” he says. We’re thinking of bringing East Lansing students to Chicago for an MSU-oriented event.”   About 30 riders came out for the inaugural Spartan Line run, and Phillips hopes to see that number grow for future events.   “For a first event, we thought that was a success,” he says. “We got great feedback from those who participated. They said they would love to do it again and bring friends and family. We know that we have struck a nerve.”   One thing is for sure. Whenever it is, for whatever event, MSU alumni like Stein will be ready and eager to hop on the Spartan Line to reconnect with East Lansing.   “Any opportunity to come back to East Lansing, I jump on it,” she says. “It still feels like home.” Natalie Burg is the development news editor for Capital Gains.   h.hetzner Wed, 16 Jan 2013 18:11:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:331 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/329/MLive-Nine-Genesee-County-communities-will-look-at-renaissance-zones-to-increase-commerce-with-tax-breaks#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=329 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=329&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/329/MLive-Nine-Genesee-County-communities-will-look-at-renaissance-zones-to-increase-commerce-with-tax-breaks Written by  Shaun Byron | sbyron@mlive.com To view the original article online, please click here! FLINT, MI -- A 15-year tax abatement could be placed on 1,588 acres in Genesee County and communities surrounding freeways and transportation hubs in neighboring counties. Packets containing step-by-step information on designating renaissance zones were handed out Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the I-69 International Trade Corridor Next Michigan Development Corp.'s board meeting at Bishop International Airport in Flint. The information will be given to the local governments that have the properties, for possible approval before the I-69 International Trade Corridor NMDC's board meeting in February. Nine local units of government and the Genesee County Board of Commissioners must approve the sites for renaissance zones before the Trade Corridor group will pursue the tax abatement designation. The communities where the parcels are located in are Fenton, Grand Blanc, Grand Blanc Township, Mundy Township, Flint Township, Mt. Morris Township, Davison Township, Burton and Flint. Shiawasee and Lapeer counties have only two potential sites at this time. St. Clair County has only one. The Genesee County properties were identified with an informal poll of board members from those regions. The 1,588 acres mentioned during the meeting could change as local governments begin to examine the proposal, said Janice Karcher, vice president of economic development for the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber serves as a partner agency to the I-69 International Trade Corridor NMDC. The potential candidates for the tax break in Flint include portions of Buick City, property near Bishop Airport and the old Delphi Flint East site off Davison Road, Mayor Dayne Walling said. "The city of Flint needs to have every economic tool that's available," Walling said. "This is the first step in the process." Grand Blanc has one potential site located in the northwest section of the city that is being looked at as a candidate for the designation, said City Manager Paul Brake, who serves as the treasurer for the I-69 International Trade Corridor NMDC board. The tax incentive provides an opportunity for the region to not only compete for businesses in Michigan, but also in the Midwest, he said. It could also provide spinoff benefits, such as an increase in residential sales to  people who move to work in the zones, Brake said. "For companies looking at expansion and relocating, the timing couldn't be better to consider this," he said. The 1-69 International Trade Corridor NMDC is made up of business and elected officials from Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer and St. Clair counties, as well as representatives from Bishop Airport. Its mission is to market the area's airports, highways, railroads and ports as resources for commerce. It is also one of four Next Michigan Development Corps., which are designated by the Michigan Economic Development Corp.'s Strategic Fund. The other four are metro Detroit, Lansing, the I-69 corridor and the Grand Traverse region. A renaissance zone means the property and development there is eligible for a 100 percent tax abatement for multiple taxes. The process to have the acreage designated as a renaissance zone can't begin without the consent of the local units of government. Once that consent is given, the list of properties will be ranked by a committee under the I-69 International Trade Corridor NMDC. The region is limited to 12 renaissance zones, totaling 1,675 acres. The local NMDC's board will decide at its February meeting on what the final recommendation will be to the MEDC. The state then has the final say on if the properties will receive the renaissance zone designation. If approved, companies locating to those sites would be eligible for a 15-year tax abatement, but must follow certain guidelines. The zones are limited to 10 businesses. The companies must also use at least two types of transportation provided by the area, which are air, water, highway and rail. There also can't be any outstanding taxes, assessments or millages on the properties, said James Smiertka, senior vice president and general counsel of the Prima Civitas Foundation. The foundation is an East Lansing-based nonprofit that is assisting the board with strategies for economic development. The tax break isn't automatic if the property gets the renaissance zone designation, as businesses must go through an application process to show it meets the criteria for the abatement, Smiertka said. "The business must be multi-modal," he said. "It must come through a process, go through (the local NMDC board), and then be submitted to the MEDC for approval as a certified business in order to be exempt. "So an existing owner doesn't automatically see the exemptions." h.hetzner Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:329 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/330/MLive-Michigan-internships-Key-economic-development-driver-not-just-for-college-students-anymore#Comments 0 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=104&ModuleID=461&ArticleID=330 http://primacivitas.org/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=330&PortalID=0&TabID=104 http://primacivitas.org/News-Media/PCF-News/ID/330/MLive-Michigan-internships-Key-economic-development-driver-not-just-for-college-students-anymore By Melissa Anders | manders@mlive.com To view the original article online, please click here! LANSING, MI — Internships are a “big priority” for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. as it looks to jumpstart the economy, retain talent and prepare students for careers in Michigan. “The whole concept of internships is a tremendous opportunity for the state of Michigan to develop and retain their key talent in Michigan,” said Amy Cell, MEDC’s senior vice president for talent enhancement. “It’s a big priority in a variety of ways.” Cell used to work for Ann Arbor SPARK, the economic development group co-founded in 2005 by Gov. Rick Snyder and University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman. Snyder recognized the significance of developing talent, and recruited Cell to work on the issue at the MEDC once he became governor in 2011. Since then the state has adopted or launched multiple programs aimed at keeping college graduates in Michigan, developing a skilled workforce and connecting workers with high-demand jobs. Internships play a key role in all of it. “One approach is just getting more info into hands of employers so they’re more likely to hire interns,” Cell said. The MEDC is partnering with East Lansing-based Prima Civitas Foundation to inform employers about the benefits of hiring interns. Some employers are hesitant because they’re worried about the cost, but Cell reminds them that there are ways to provide work for college credit, and not for pay. Companies can list their internship openings for free on www.mitalent.org. “Local employers don’t have a chance at some of the high-demand talent unless they do internships,” Cell said. She said companies like Amazon are scooping up Michigan talent by offering internships to college juniors and then promising full-time positions for once they graduate. The state also has programs like LiveWorkDetroit and Pure Michigan Opportunity that host career and internship networking and other events aimed at keeping students in Michigan. “To change perceptions that there aren’t any jobs in Detroit or Southeast Michigan, we’re trying to get people to actually experience Detroit,” said Nicholas Steiner, a student ambassador for LiveWorkDetroit. Steiner, 21, is a senior at the University of Michigan and plans to start a full-time job with Ford Motor Co. after graduation. He got the job offer after interning with the automaker for a summer. “What you learn in class is important, but until you really experience it firsthand, there’s really no way to tell” if a company or field is the right fit, he said. Internships aren’t just for college students. The MEDC has a program called Michigan Shifting Gears, a three-month program to help experienced workers adapt their skills for jobs in small businesses and start-ups in growing industries. The program requires participants to complete an 80-hour unpaid internship. Shifting Gears graduate David Newhouse went on to become president of InterClean Equipment Inc. in Ypsilanti Township, a manufacturer of heavy-duty washing equipment for large vehicles. “It was through the Shifting Gears program that enabled the transition from pro-bono internship to president,” Newhouse said in an MEDC video on the program.  (See video below).   h.hetzner Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:330