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Two homeland security industry advocacy groups have formed to help foster growth of the industry in Michigan.
The nonprofit groups are the Michigan Homeland Security Consortium and Secure Michigan. They are not connected.
The consortium is designed to model MichBio, the state's association for the life-sciences industry, and provide networking, educational opportunities and assistance with landing venture capital, among other things. Secure Michigan is the lobbying organization for the industry.
The Michigan Homeland Security Consortium formed June 21 after about 30 representatives from business, education and economic-development organizations held their inaugural meeting in Brighton. Barry Cargill, vice president of government relations for the Small Business Association of Michigan, was named executive director last week.
Secure Michigan, with about 12 founding members, also formed in June. Secure Michigan is lead by Lynn Egbert, founder of Lansing firm Egbert & Associates and former CEO of the Michigan Homebuilders Association.
Both organizations are designed to take advantage of the increase in contracts, grants and other awards since Sept. 11, 2001.
"It's a sign of a vital industry when you have collaborations like this taking place," said Michael Shore, chief communications officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corp.
Of the...