The Prima Civitas Foundation (PCF) in partnership with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is investing in the Capital region to diversify its jobs and bring money into the area's economy.
Called the Diversification Summit, the day-long March 18 meeting at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing is intended to help auto suppliers move into growing economic sectors of aerospace manufacturing, defense and government contracts, medical devices, or wind and other forms of renewable energy.
And simply by showing up, and completing a questionnaire, they may qualify for a $10,000 matching grant to help them make the move.
The MEDC has spent two years isolating the specific sectors in which Michigan would have a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. In the last 18 months, the quasi public/private organization has hosted 200 such meetings, estimating that $350 million in new orders have resulted.
The meeting in Lansing is co-sponsored with Prima Civitas, a Mid-Michigan foundation devoted to economic development, particularly related to the post-petroleum economy. Call 517-999-3382, ext. 300, for more information, or register at the web site.
Other collaborators on the Diversification Summit are many, ranging from the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) and Delta Township to Michigan State University (MSU) and the Mid-Michigan Innovation Team.
“Together with our regional partners, this is one step towards creating the new economy of Michigan that we all know is so desperately needed,” says David Hollister, president of Prima Civitas.
Source: Steven Bennett, Prima Civitas Foundation
Gretchen Cochran, Innovation & Jobs editor, may be reached here.
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