Catalyst for a Competitive, Innovative & Global Michigan
2014
Annual Report on Programs & Services
Prima Civitas is an economic
and community development
organization working to
improve Michigan’s economy
by connecting, convening,
collaborating and adding
expert capacity to projects
that support Michigan’s
economic growth. We
use a collective impact
approach, which allows us
to leverage the resources
and expertise of an array of
partners throughout the state
to promote collaborative
relationships. By spearheading
initiatives with the public
and private sectors, state,
local, federal and international
agencies, we are positively
impacting Michigan’s
economic landscape
WATCH A VIDEO:
Visit http://bit.ly/1zxSQ7H
to view a TV interview
with Prima Civitas
CEO and Board Chair
Arnold Weinfeld, where
he discusses economic
development successes and
emerging opportunities.
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Our clients include:
u State and local government, and workforce
and economic development agencies
u Institutions of higher education, and K-12
and intermediate school districts
u Private companies and entrepreneurs in
high-demand and emerging industries,
associations and chambers of commerce
Our work is focused on four key drivers of
economic and community development:
u Regional collaboration and development
u Talent and workforce development
u Innovative industries and emerging markets
u International connectivity
We offer a full range of direct services to public
and private agencies:
u Budget analysis
u Financial restructuring
u Organizational development
u Strategic planning
u Grant administration
u Administrative support
Workforce and economic development consulting:
u Workforce transformation
u Economic transformation
uEntrepreneurialism
u Manufacturing diversification
u Turnaround/crisis recovery
u Legal services
u Commercialization of intellectual property
Collaborative “brokering” services:
Facilitation and management of
collaborative groups
u Consortium identification, development,
and maintenance
u Shared services partnerships
u Helping clients gain access to key agencies
and networks
u
As an impartial, independent and expert resource
we are recognized as a statewide leader in
providing innovative solutions to challenging
economic and community development situations.
OUR ORGANIZATIONAL
STRUCTURE
Prima Civitas has a wealth of
experience and expertise. The
team includes:
Arnold Weinfeld
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman
Michael K. Brown
Senior Consultant, Community
Initiatives
K. Scott Fleming
Senior Consultant, Economic
Development
Sheri Greenhoe, Director,
Marketing and Communications
Janet Groves, CPA
Finance Manager
Patrick McRae
Senior Consultant, International
Programs
James Smiertka
Senior Vice President and General
Counsel
Dan Thompson
Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer
Steve Webster
Senior Consultant, Higher
Education
Mary ZumBrunnen
Director, Talent Initiatives
In addition, Prima Civitas is
fortunate to have a roster of Board
Members, Fellows and Scholars
who are thought leaders in their
fields and provide the expertise
and perspectives necessary to
deliver world-class results. We
highly value the work and efforts
of these important volunteers.
Prima Civitas has an extensive list
of other strategic partners, listed at
www.primacivitas.org.
OUR POSITIVE IMPACT
THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS &
PROGRAMS
REGIONAL COLLABORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT
I-69 International Trade Corridor Next
Michigan Development Corporation
Prima Civitas facilitated development
of the I-69 International Trade Corridor
Next Michigan Development Corporation
and continues to serve as a consultant.
We assisted the corridor with the creation
of the first Next Michigan tax increment
financing (TIF) authority to facilitate
development of a 13-acre multi-modal
facility in Shiawassee County. The
I-69 International Trade Corridor was
recently the recipient of the International
Economic Development Council’s Bronze
Award.
The Great Lakes International Trade and
Transport Hub (GLITTH): Prima Civitas serves as a consultant and
legal advisor to GLITTH, convening
partners and guiding the execution
of initiatives, and as a member of the
statewide steering committee. The State of
Michigan accepted our recommendation
for a transportation and logistics strategy,
making it the official state strategic plan.
Prima Civitas and the MSU Center for
Canadian Studies were asked by MEDC to
submit a proposal to create a state logistics
policy involving northern Ohio and
Canada, using GLITTH as the structure.
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MI Spaces and Pathways
Prima Civitas was contracted by the
Northeast Michigan Council of Governments
(NEMCOG) to design and execute an
initiative that leverages technology—
including mobile applications and broadband
connectivity—to digitize and market
Northeast Michigan’s trail assets. We are now
working GeLo, the private sector company
that developed and markets Bluetooth beacon
technology. This has led to projects in East
Lansing to highlight downtown public art,
and also at events such as the Grand Haven
Coast Guard Festival.
Local Administrative Support Unit (LASU):
The Local Administrative Support Unit
assists public and private agencies with
fiscal restructuring, budget analysis, talent
development, municipal law, shared service
partnerships, municipal code updating,
blight elimination, public safety, and strategic
planning.
Flint Cultural Center Corporation (FCCC)
Prima Civitas’ Mike Brown assisted FCCC
in an interim CEO capacity and led a
comprehensive strategic planning initiative.
One result of the strategic planning was
a commitment by two MSU professors to
conduct related semester-long, student-led
projects to further FCCC’s goals. Prima
Civitas will serve as a facilitator.
Gigabit Ready
Gigabit Ready is designed to deploy ultra
high-speed broadband in university
communities and strengthen their ability
to attract world-class talent, and ultimately
improve the business climate in the
communities. We serve as a project-spotter
and third-party convener to attract businesses
and institutions, leveraging our contacts with
universities and municipalities.
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TALENT AND
WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT
Global Talent Retention
Initiative (GTRI)
Partnership
The Global Talent and
Retention Initiative was
designed to strengthen
and diversity the state’s
economy through retention
of top international talent.
Prima Civitas serves as the
fiduciary for GTRI and
shares office space, as well
as its mission through our
workforce and international
programs.
College and University
Partnerships
Prima Civitas has partnered
with several two- and fouryear colleges to assist them
in developing programs and
community relationships
that aid in the employment
of students and residents
in the areas they serve.
We act as a facilitator
and to connect colleges
with employers and other
stakeholders.
Biodiesel Fuel Scale-Up Project
Prima Civitas has partnered with
MSU on a project funded by the
Dreyfus Foundation that enables high
school students to experience a handson “green” chemical process from the
classroom through the production
process, and to further students’
interest in STEM fields. We serve as
the project administrator and liaison
between MSU and the participating
schools.
Michigan Internship Initiative
Prima Civitas developed this unique
program to assist employers in
building an employment pipeline in
an effective, low-cost manner. We
provide direct training and consulting
to businesses interested in establishing
formal internship programs. An
“Employer Internship Toolkit” was
developed through this program, and
has been downloaded over 4,800 times
from the Prima Civitas website.
Trailing Partners Program
Prima Civitas was retained by MSU
to assist them in recruiting high-level
talent by working with candidates’
partners to help them secure
employment. We work directly with
individuals on job search activities,
and use our extensive network of
business contacts to secure interviews.
Michigan Shifting Gears Program
Prima Civitas has been a contractor
and key regional partner for MEDC’s
Michigan Shifting Gears (MiSG)
program, designed to assist longterm displaced professionals in
finding employment in new sectors.
We conduct trainings, coordinate
internships, and provide individual
counseling.
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INNOVATION AND
NEW MARKETS
Design Michigan
The goal of Design Michigan is
to establish and sustain Michigan
as the leading design state in the
United States. With our partner
agencies, we serve as the project
lead for the initiative, convening
partners and guiding the strategic
direction of the initiative.
Makers Coalition
Prima Civitas is the lead
organization in a coalition
established to re-invigorate the
cut and sew industry in Michigan
and make it a national leader.
The Makers Coalition (TMC)
is comprised of businesses,
educational institutions, and
nonprofit organizations working
to implement an Industrial Sewing
Certification Program for use by
community colleges.
IP Law Clinic
Prima Civitas took the lead role
in the establishment of this clinic,
designed to mitigate legal expenses
for startup businesses by assisting
entrepreneurs with intellectual
property issues, including
trademarks, patents, and royalties.
We provided assistance in
identifying eligible entrepreneurs,
serving in a triage capacity to
determine eligibility for receiving
assistance from the IP Law Clinic.
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GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY
Center for Global Initiatives &
Michigan Colleges and Universities
International Partnerships
Prima Civitas works with the
Michigan Community Colleges
Association (MCCA) to assist
universities and community colleges
to attract international students
and develop programs that have
an international focus. We are
currently engaged with MCCA in
the development of the Gateway
Michigan Initiative. We also serve
as consultant to these colleges and
universities, connecting them with
educational institutions in other
countries, facilitating meetings and
academic exchange programs.
Turkish Resource Center of North
America (TRCNA)
Prima Civitas co-founded TRCNA
to establish business and trade
relationships between Michigan and
Turkey. Prima Civitas has worked
to directly assist TRCNA in carrying
out its activities, providing staff as
needed. We continue to partner on
a project-by-project basis.
NEW ACTIVITIES FOR 2015:
Supply Chain Innovation Summit
Prima Civitas is the lead partner
with MEDC in the development and
coordination of the first regional summit
showcasing Michigan’s supply chain
assets, to be held in the summer of 2015.
Other key entities involved in planning
this event include the MSU Broad College
of Business Supply Chain Management
Program, and the MSU Canadian Studies
Program. The Summit will showcase
the state’s logistics efforts and assets, and
bring private logistics entities together for
networking and collaboration.
Saginaw County
Prima Civitas will facilitate strategic
planning sessions for The Board of
Commissioners of Saginaw County to
assist them in developing mission and
vision statements; establish priorities
within the proposed county budget;
review revenue projections being
prepared for this project by specialists
at Michigan State University; develop a
capital improvement plan; and explore
and facilitate related policy changes, if
any.
Cranbrook/Sloan Museum/
ITEC Initiative
Prima Civitas is coordinating a project
in development involving the Cranbrook
Institute of Science, the Sloan Museum,
and the Information Technology
Empowerment Center (ITEC) in Lansing.
The intent of the project is to take
advantage of economies of scale and of
the expertise among partners to develop
STEM-related programming for middleand high school girls.
Flint & Genesee Chamber of
Commerce
Prima Civitas has been engaged to
work with economic development
staff at the Flint & Genesee Chamber
to identify opportunities for
investment at development sites in
Genesee County. We will support
staff development of a feasibility study
regarding potential business park and/
or industrial facilities development
in the area, and investigate and
encourage other development in
conjunction with an existing raw
water pipeline. In addition, Prima
Civitas will facilitate collaborative
initiatives with key partners to
enhance economic development, and
entrepreneurial and grant prospects
for the region. We also will work
with the local CVB to identify
opportunities to market Flint and
Genesee County as a site for regional
meetings.
Expanded Strategic Partnerships –
Providing Direct Service Delivery
We continue to reach out across the
state to collaborate with governmental
and nongovernmental organizations
and identify economic development
opportunities. We have submitted
proposals for economic development
and/or strategic planning for Saginaw,
Wayne and Oakland counties, and to
assist the Yankee Air Museum in the
redevelopment of the former Willow
Run assembly plant in Ypsilanti.
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PRIMA CIVITAS
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS:
Mark Berdan, Executive Director,
Northern Transformation CorpRegion 7B Michigan Works!
Fay Beydoun, Executive Director,
American Arab Chamber of
Commerce
Kathy Conklin, Executive Director,
Saginaw County Business &
Education Partnership
Dr. Christine Geith, Assistant
Provost & Executive Director, MSU
Global Knowledge & Learning
Innovations
Pat Gillespie, Founder and
President, Gillespie Group, Lansing
Ginny Haas, MSU (Retired)
Allan Hooper, Executive Director,
Jackson Anchor Initiative
Steve Kim, Managing Partner,
RKJ Legal
Marv Pichla, Owner, Inspiring
Innovations
Beverly Walker-Griffea, President,
Mott Community College
Steve Webster, Co-Executive
Director, Turkish Resource Center of
North America
Arnold Weinfeld, CEO and
Board Chair, Prima Civitas
Dennis West, President,
Northern Initiatives
PRIMA CIVITAS
FELLOWS:
Matt Clayson, Director, Detroit
Creative Corridor Center
Eric Frederick, State Program
Manager, Connect Michigan
David Hollister, former Executive
Director of Prima Civitas and
CEO, Hollister Solutions, LLC
Dennis Sykes, former Executive
Director, Prima Civitas
Gerald (Jerry) Richards, Local
Government Manager, retired
PRIMA CIVITAS
SCHOLARS:
Dr. Joseph R. Codde, President
and CEO, Codde Group, LLC
and Professor Emeritus, College
of Education, Michigan State
University
Tremaine Phillips, former Prima
Civitas Director for Innovation
& Region Building, currently
attending Moritz College of Law at
The Ohio State University
Dr. Eric Scorsone, Extension
Specialist-State and Local
Government Program, Department
of Agricultural, Food and Resource
Economics, Michigan State
University
Dr. Mark Wilson, Professor of
Urban and Regional Planning,
School of Planning, Design and
Construction, Michigan State
University