Through its relationship with the Michigan Association of Regions and the Land Policy Institute (LPI) at Michigan State University, the SWMPC is participating in an effort called the Michigan Prosperity Initiative (MPI). LPI's Mark Wyckoff, states that the vision of MPI is to:
- Return Michigan to prosperity by aggressively joining the global New Economy guided by regional and state Strategic Growth lans that focus on place-making and place-based strategies; and
- Prepare Michigan communities to seize emerging federal funding opportunities rooted in place-based strategies.
Currently, the SWMPC is working on Phase 2 of this process, which involves identifying a set of key action steps for improving the region's economic health within the context of the state. The 2009-2012 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Southwest Michigan provides a framework for this process, and results of the process will help guide which projects affecting the region's economic health the SWMPC chooses to aid/pursue in future years.
In July 2010, the SWMPC's full board and the 360 Group worked to select five-to-ten draft strategies to focus on, using the following CEDS action plan categories to guide this process.
- Land Use: The Natural & Built Environments
- Social, Cultural and Physical Health
- Education and Workforce Development
- Collaboration within Southwest Michigan
- The Regional Economy: Retention, Sustainability, Development, and Diversification
Since July, LPI and SWMPC staff have refined southwest MIchigan's strategic growth priorities through meetings, conference calls, and survey input. While LPI's state-level draft is nearly complete, you can still participate by attending an October 7th "Redefining Economic Strategies for the New Economy" meeting in Lansing to contribute your input during its final stage. Here in southwest Michigan, we're still working to better prioritize the objectives in the region's CEDS. Click on the image below and complete a 5-10-minute online survey to help us with this effort!
Email Matthew Aslesen (aslesenm@swmpc.org) or call 269.925.1137 ex. 13 with questions or comments.
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