The Grand Vision is running a series of brief articles by our Grand Vision Champions that discuss what the Grand Vision means to their business or organization.
Black Star Farms is exactly the kind of Leelanau County business that benefits directly from the Grand Vision project. We operate multiple business units based upon value-added agriculture and agricultural tourism. Grand Vision has demonstrated that an overwhelming majority of Leelanau County residents are interested in preserving both farmland and our farmers. They feel that local and fresh food and successful farmers add to their quality of life. Local government units can translate those ideals to direct support through local zoning such as the newly adopted Bingham Township agricultural tourism ordinance.
As Grand Vision moves from the vision to action stage, local entrepreneurs will be encouraged to live, work, play, invest and raise families in Leelanau County. These are exactly the people we need to ensure that we do not become only a bedroom community for our urban center. Our villages will thrive as community centers and our townships will support many agriculture-based businesses and farm families. I will raise a glass of wine to toast that future.
Don Coe, Managing Partner
Black Star Farms
2 Comments
So many have carried, fought, and worked for a vision of what the Grand Traverse Region is and can be for years to come. Regardless of our walk of life or politics, the vision surrounds and unifies us - the bays, rivers, lakes, and streams, farms, orchards, villages and City, the arts, and music.
A few years ago, before the Grand Vision process started, I stood with many others, including former Michigan first lady Helen Milliken, on the banks of the Boardman River, wondering whether this region would follow the vision that the river, bays,and environment gave us, or one that cut up, crossed, and despoiled it.
Today, thanks to the unique Grand Vision process, the citizens in this region have articulated this vision - one that will chart the course of our endeavors in the decades to come.
In the Grand Vision we have discovered a way to meet the challenges of economic collapse, climate change, sprawl, and a crowded and overly consumptive world. The Vision, while maybe not supplying all answers, offers a mutual blue print to transform our region into a network of locally sustainable businesses, jobs, communities - all with respect for the limits (although really the outline of the vision) of the natural world and environment that surrounds us.
I cannot wait to jump on a light rail to catch a ride to work in Traverse City, a concert in Interlochen, skiing at Crystal Mountain, or a meal and film in Traverse or one of our bustling villages.
Thank you to all who have led and supported the Grand Vision.
I'm excited about the process as much as the vision. Keeping all of us in the planning and execution, I think, is very important.
I live in town in Traverse City and walk and bike for most of my errands. I am all in favor of retaining that ability and expanding it, and the public transportation.
I'm curious as to how this can all be implemented now that we have the vision? Thanks for keeping an open forum.