About the Vision

The goal of the Grand Vision is to create prosperity by making this region an even better place to live, work, and play. By providing support for leadership, planning, collaboration, local decision-making and action in a regional context – the Grand Vision seeks to enhance our sense of place and build the foundation for a strong economy.

What’s new? 15,000 people shared their voice about what they want to see achieved in land use and transportation in this region for the next 50 years. The citizens of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford counties made their voices heard. These 15,000 citizens identified six guiding principles expressing a shared set of values that will make their vision a reality. The foundation is strong. It’s time now to build on those Guiding Principles and implement change.

Sustaining the Vision

The Grand Vision moves now from the planning stage to Implementation and needs your continued input for change to happen. Active groups of thoughtful citizens are critical. Seven Working Groups are being mobilized as a result of the process and will speak directly to each of the Guiding Principles. These Working Groups will be comprised of representatives from key related organizations and agencies, local government, businesses, and non-profit groups. The Coordinating Group that initiated the Grand Vision is defining a structure and is encouraging each of these groups to convene by Fall 2009.

This structure will identify the support and the resources that these groups will need to succeed, as well as a process and a plan for communications within working groups and to the community. The Coordinating Group and TC-TALUS (Traverse City – Transportation and Land Use and Study group) plan to finalize this work at meetings in August so that groups can begin their work.

So what are you passionate about? What impacts you, your family, and your business – today, and in the future? There are many opportunities for you to participate and stay involved. Make sure that the organizations, businesses or groups that you are part of know about and are involved in the Grand Vision. And if you are interested and able to be involved as part of one of these groups or as a citizen voice, please get involved.

Follow the activity and progress of working groups at thegrandvision.org by tracking who’s involved, meeting notes and agendas, and specific ways that you can stay involved. Look for annual meetings to report on the progress of each working group beginning this fall.

Interim Working Groups

Growth and Investment Areas: This group will advance the effort for both public and private investments to be made in cities, villages and that will give the region the best return on the dollar for strengthening the economy and designing vibrant communities.

Housing: This group will promote a diverse mix of regional housing choices with affordable options that fit in with the small town character of the neighborhoods, villages, and cities as well as rural housing.

Transportation: This group will support and promote transportation projects designed to maintain and improve the existing road system, increase public transportation services between cities and villages in the region, and expand infrastructure serving pedestrians and bicyclists both in and out of town.

Food and Farming: This group will advocate for agriculture as a viable economic practice in the region by protecting farmland, enhancing the affordability of farms, and supporting agricultural infrastructure in the region.

Natural Resources: This group will continue to protect and enhance the region's natural environment, especially the abundant freshwater resources that define the region.

Energy: This group will advance new energy options through energy conservation and the development and promotion of alternative energy in the region: all part of a sustainable energy future and a regional economic strategy for Northwest Michigan.

Communications – Organization – Resources – Education – (C.O.R.E.) This group will serve as a resource to the other working groups providing: resource development, identification of strategic alliances and opportunities within working groups, training and education, and communications and outreach through oversight of the communications committee. This group is to include representatives from each of the working groups, with broad geographic representation.

Photo Credits

• Workshop by farlane
• Hotel Sieting by joseph a
• Peppers & Smiles by ETCphoto