EAST LANSING, Mich. — Fifty-three businesses and organizations were recognized Monday for their collaborations with Michigan State University to advance economic development and quality of life in mid-Michigan.
The entities, which range from a bus company to hospitals to a biotechnology firm, represent the inaugural group of MSU Community Builders. The new Community Builders program is sponsored by MSU, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (Leap, Inc.) and Prima Civitas Foundation.
MSU plays a critical role in building mid-Michigan’s reputation as a good investment, an attractive business location and a great place to live and work. The Community Builders program is intended to bring visibility to the connections between the university and mid-Michigan businesses and organizations.
“Michigan State University has a strong and longstanding commitment to establishing strong working relationships throughout the state and here in our own community that promote economic growth and development,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “The MSU Community Builders program has been designed to recognize those organizations that share this commitment and work with us to enhance prosperity and improve the quality of life in mid-Michigan.”
To be eligible for MSU Community Builders recognition, collaborations with MSU must provide broad and enduring community impact; advance regional economic development and quality of life; have mutual benefits for both MSU and the business or community organization; and advance the public good.
Matt Dugener, Leap’s president and CEO, said the recognized entities are “truly building our community.”
“Economic development is a team sport – you need lots of different people with lots of different talents working together if you’re going to succeed,” Dugener said. “That’s why it’s so important to recognize the organizations that are working with MSU to make mid-Michigan better.”
David Hollister, president and CEO of Prima Civitas Foundation and former mayor of Lansing, said the foundation is “proud to be part of the implementation strategy that is developing this groundbreaking initiative.”
“Having the world headquarters of MSU located here in our community differentiates our region from any other on the planet,” Hollister said, “and the more we highlight the university’s role in our community, the stronger we will all become.”
For more information about MSU Community Builders, visit www.msucommunitybuilders.com.
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Michigan State University has been advancing knowledge and transforming lives through innovative teaching, research and outreach for more than 150 years. MSU is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact. Its 17 degree-granting colleges attract scholars worldwide who are interested in combining education with practical problem solving.
The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (Leap Inc.) is an innovative private/public partnership that was created to spearhead the Greater Lansing region’s economic development efforts and ensure they are cohesive and compelling.
Established in 2006, Prima Civitas Foundation is a not-for-profit regional community and economic development collaborative committed to putting mid-Michigan first. The foundation’s activities are aimed at diversifying mid-Michigan's economy and promoting job growth. The foundation supports the expansion of industries such as next generation transportation, alternative energy, biomass, health care, advanced manufacturing and homeland security.