The Michigan Iraq Consortium for Housing Development (MICH Development)

Organized and housed by the East Lansing-based Prima Civitas Foundation, The Michigan Iraq Consortium for Housing Development (MICH Development) is a consortium of public and private sector entities working collaboratively to establish conduits for positioning Michigan businesses to seize global construction and development opportunities.

The initiative will target opportunities to engage Michigan’s expertise across the Architecture/Engineering/Construction and material supply spectrum as well as promote international opportunities for Michigan’s academic, economic development and manufacturing groups.

The initial focus of the coalition is within the Republic of Iraq, in response to a request for proposal from the Government of Iraq for a major project involving the design and development of a planned community that will include 100,000 housing units as well as commercial, civic and institutional components.

The Prima Civitas Foundation, as well as the wider stakeholder community, intends to utilize the project in Iraq as a template for positioning Michigan firms for export and investment opportunities around the world.

The Michigan consortium will bring together the best the state has to offer from academia, local/ state/ federal government, private industry (design, engineering, construction, development, supply, etc.), finance, logistics, etc.; all with a focus on positioning Michigan businesses for global opportunities.

Opening the door to the Republic for the Michigan coalition is Dr. Sami Al-Araji, Chairman of the National Investment Commission of Iraq; and a Michigan State University alumnus from the school’s Dept. of Engineering.  With his recent visits to East Lansing, Dr. Al-Araji has paved the way for MICH Development’s involvement in this initiative.  Our efforts are also supported by key partners from the federal Government, including the U.S. State and Commerce Departments, the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

The stakeholder community will be divided into three basic categories: (1) An Executive Leadership Committee that will handle day-to-day administration and project coordination; (2) An Advisory Committee that will offer program guidance, drawing expertise from across the professional spectrum; (3) A General Supplier Pool that will include firms and individuals interested in export sales.

Following several recent visits by Dr. Al-Araji, the coalition has received an invitation from the Government of Iraq to submit a preliminary development proposal.  In response, the coalition has submitted a formal Letter of Interest to Iraqi officials, which has been received and acknowledged. Additionally, the Executive Leadership Committee is nearly finalized, as is the larger Advisory Committee; offering critical project structure and guidance.

A survey for businesses that are interested in participating in this opportunity has also been created and is being distributed to economic development corporations, business associations and local Chamber’s throughout the state.

The growing MICH Development group continues to be fully engaged in conversation with government departments and ministries within the U.S. and Iraq, and we are committed to moving forward on this long-term opportunity for the state of Michigan and the Republic of Iraq.

This initiative addresses a wide spectrum of needs and opportunities, including:

• New markets for Michigan businesses negatively impacted by the economic downturn.

•  A peaceful and productive strategy for addressing unemployment and wider stability issues in a critical part of the world.

• A structure for expanding export opportunities for Michigan products and services within the Middle East and globally.

• Utilization of leading edge design, methods and materials to promote sustainability and energy efficiency on a large scale basis.

• A global stage for promoting and show-casing Michigan’s deep and diverse talent pool

• The financing intricacies of large-scale export and investment opportunities in challenging and emerging markets abroad.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: 

For more information regarding the Michigan Iraq Consortium for Housing Development initiative, please contact:

Patrick McRae

Director of International Programs

p.mcrae@primacivitas.org

517-899-8013