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Activities

Prima Civitas focuses on the following three strategic activities:

Prima Civitas was established as a commercialization broker to accelerate the transfer of technologies that will yield positive job growth in next generation firms across the region. We seek to make Mid-Michigan a center for world-class innovation and a magnet for entrepreneurs. We will do this by:

1. Leveraging our close relationships with colleges and universities (Michigan State University, Saginaw Valley State University, Kettering University, Lansing Community College, Mott Community College, and Delta College) and with "incubators" (small business support organizations, financial institutions, and venture capital organizations) to quickly and efficiently conduct due diligence on technology and firms with the potential for sustainable growth in the region.

   • Focusing on next generation transportation, energy, biomass, health care, and construction industries. In particular, we will establish the region as a center of excellence in advanced manufacturing and agriculture-based biomass innovation that positions it as a world leader in the post petroleum economy.
   • Pursuing the right opportunities for communities in Lansing, Flint, Saginaw, Midland, Bay City, Mt. Pleasant, the Thumb, Jackson, and many areas in between.

2. Managing the Mid-Michigan Innovation Team (MMIT)

   Managed by Prima Civitas, the Mid-Michigan Innovation Team (MMIT) is a network of community leaders representing education, business, and economic and workforce development from across the region. MMIT successfully secured a $15 million U.S. Department of Labor Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) grant at the beginning of 2006. All of these funds have been allocated to programs within Mid-Michigan's 13 county region that enhance Mid-Michigan's economic transformation, with an additional $35 million in partner commitments.

   As an agent of the MMIT steering committee, PCF works with its business, education, government, philanthropy and community partners to align their educational and workforce training programs and curriculum to ensure that Michigan workers have the skills necessary to participate in the 21st century economy. We will:

   Work with the 13 counties and nine subcontractors to meet or exceed all U.S. Department of Labor program objectives.

   • Implement a marketing and communications strategy that positions the MMIT, its partners, and the region as a whole, as major economic players in the state, country and world.
   • Develop and promote a common regional identity, based on a shared vision for Mid-Michigan's future economy and quality of life.
   • Work with local leaders in all 13 counties to nurture and grow a regional identity and commitment.
   • Establish a communication vehicle and network to leverage and maximize resources, eliminate duplication, and assure all available training slots are full.
   • Identify, in collaboration with the MMIT steering committee, resources for sustaining the MMIT beyond the initial 3-year funding commitments.

3. Developing and Selling the Region's Identity and Assets

   Part of Prima Civitas' core work is to facilitate ongoing consensus and shared vision about the region's identity and key assets among stakeholders within Mid-Michigan, as well with external audiences. Because we define the region broadly, transcending traditional economic and political boundaries, there is a critical need to raise awareness of why transcending such boundaries is important, and how doing so will benefit the wide range of stakeholders who currently live, work, and do business in our target communities. Similarly, there is a pressing need to demonstrate that Mid-Michigan has the all the right economic, human, and natural resource ingredients to be a leading player in the global economy. We will do this by:

   Working with regional arts and cultural groups to strategically align and leverage regional assets to promote economic development and highlight our rich diversity, natural beauty, bountiful resources, and high quality of life.

   • Overcoming the "rust belt" image of Mid-Michigan by focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship and promoting our "can do" spirit where any problem or idea can be addressed by the best minds in America and where products are made and manufactured by the most skilled workforce.
   • Acting as a hub to connect businesses and entrepreneurs with the right relationships and resources that will spur their success in Mid-Michigan, and aligning the multiple and diverse assets in the region to promote innovation.
   • Convening diverse interests in order to find common ground for advancing economic transformation in Mid-Michigan.
   • Building lasting, broad-based coalitions that see value in collaborative leadership for tackling major challenges and opportunities.
   • Framing and articulating key issues and solutions that are supported by sound research, continuous dialogue, and a deep understanding of the region's social and political dynamics.
   • Serving as a public champion for Mid-Michigan and the incredible work so many individuals and organizations are doing to advance crucial agendas for community and economic development