Since its launch in 2006, the Prima Civitas Foundation has sought to help Michigan residents and leaders explore, understand and realize a new economic vision for the state. The East Lansing-based organization will take those efforts to a new level this year, thanks to an $800,000 general purposes grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.

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It’s not easy to get 12 local governments to agree on anything. In an effort to galvanize economic growth opportunities along the I-69 corridor, however, that is exactly what the Prima Civitas Foundation is working to do. Together with 12 municipalities and five local economic development organizations, PCF is organizing a coalition with one common goal: capturing economic opportunities that drive right through Michigan every day.

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Michigan may soon have a unique economic partnership with a new ally - The Republic of Iraq. The concept is that the rebuilding of Iraq is going to take a lot of construction, manufacturing and consultants, which are industries Michigan has ready to go. The Lansing area in particular has another key connection with Iraq, as the chairman of the Iraq National Investment Commission is a Michigan State University alumnus who has a strong desire to bring Michigan talent and goods to his county.

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Join us on June 13 in Lansing for the 2011 Iraq Export Opportunity for Michigan Businesses Forum! The Forum's purpose is to inform and prepare Michigan companies to take part in a statewide effort to export products and services to the Republic of Iraq. This opportunity was recently offered by Dr. Sami Al-Araji, a Michigan State University alum and current Chairmen of the Republic of Iraq National Investment Commission.

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An MSU alumnus turned high-level Iraqi official visited campus Saturday, personally extending an invitation to Michigan businesses to profit from Iraq’s postwar reconstruction efforts. Sami Al-Araji, a 1967 graduate and now the chairman of the Republic of Iraq National Investment Commission, addressed a small audience of Michigan business leaders at Kellogg Center Saturday afternoon, calling [...]

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Lansing, MI — From handmade sweets and dog walking services to alternative fuel engines and recycling services, innovative and creative thinking was in full-force as over sixty high school and middle school student entrepreneurs from across Michigan competed in the 2011 IGNITE Youth Business Plan Competition. IGNITE is a statewide, collaborative team of educators, non-profits [...]

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Thank you to everyone who attended our open house on April 21st. It was a tremendous success and we are fortunate to have such an incredible network, support system and community around us. We will be posting our new and improved one-pagers on our website in the days to come. For now, you can view [...]

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Amanda Avila, Regional Coordinator of PCF will be rappelling down the 23-story tower. Her goal is to raise at least $500 for the cause. There are 2 days left to contribute toward the 2011 Over the Edge event that takes place on June 4th. All proceeds go to the **Team Lansing Foundation. For more information, [...]

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  The Prima Civitas Foundation has been working with Bishop International Airport and over a dozen governments in order to create the I-69 Aerotropolis. Click this link in order to download the Notice of Intent.

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Amanda Avila, PCF’s Regional Coordinator, is going Over The Edge! No, it’s not because of her kids — it’s simply to support a cause that she believes in — supporting the local community and economy. If Amanda reaches $500 in donations, she will rappel the 23-story Boji Tower in Lansing. Please consider making a pledge [...]

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Michigan State University and Spotlight Michigan, an economic and public policy focused research group at Michigan State University, would like to invite you FREE of charge, to a first of its kind career fair highlighting second‐stage Michigan businesses. The event, called The Career Circus, will be held on Friday April 29 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm [...]

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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).

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PCF has released the Spring 2011 edition of our newsletter. A PCF 2.0 special issue, we dive into PCF’s blueprint for the future, PCF in transition, meet the FARO team, the I Love Michigan video contest, and more! To be added to our mailing list for the PCF Newsletter, contact Amiee Evans at a.evans@primacivitas.org.

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The Prima Civitas Foundation is gearing up to run (walk, wheelchair or stroll) in the Heart of Michigan 10K, 5K & 1-Mile on May 14th, 2011. This event is designed to bring thousands of runners and walkers to the State Capitol to raise money for non-profits, including PCF! All of the money raised for PCF stays with PCF, making this is a great opportunity to show your support by donating to our PCF Heart of Michigan page!

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IGNITE, the K-12 entrepreneurship volunteer action team in the Prima Civitas Foundation's Moving Ideas to Market initiative, has launched its 3rd Annual Statewide Youth Business Plan Competition. This year's competition includes a new division for best science/technology business and increased pre-seed award amounts.

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The February Moving Ideas to Market Entrepreneurship eNewsletter is here!

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The general public can view the top 10 videos for the contest on PCF's website at www.primacivitas.org and vote for their favorite video once a day between February 14 and March 4, 2011. PCF will award the top three videos with cash prizes ranging from $2,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third. Prizes for the top three winners are sponsored by Michigan State University and the Prima Civitas Foundation.

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Changes are afoot at Lansing's Prima Civitas. Last week, the Michigan State University economic development group announced an expansion of its services statewide and a move to East Lansing. And a new CEO will navigate the transitions---long-time MSU administrator Steve Webster. WKAR's Mark Bashore spoke with Webster and first asked him whether the changes mean the organization is altering its mission or the kinds of projects it takes on.

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Communities that don't have a resource such as MSU in their backyard will be able to tap into Prima Civitas for help creating strategies for development. PCF 2.0 should be a powerful tool in helping communities across the state adapt and thrive.

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Former interim Flint mayor Michael K. Brown has been appointed as president of Prima Civitas as the East Lansing economic development agency begins to expand statewide.

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