Project leaders to present May 19, 6:30-8:30 at the State Theater in Traverse City.

Traverse City, MI – The Grand Vision - created by the citizens of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford Counties will have a first preview of “The Roadmap to Regional Prosperity” on May 19th at the State Theater in Traverse City from 6:30-8:30. This final Grand Vision document will be released, along with specific ways you can get more actively involved in helping to make positive change in the region. Leaders of the Grand Vision will walk through the past, present and focus on future implementation strategies.

In late February the Grand Vision Coordinating Group approved in concept a new structure for taking action on the principles of the Vision. The proposal recognizes “working groups” comprised of representatives from public, private and non-profit organizations that commit to actively develop new policies or funding proposals that will advance the Grand Vision. The working groups will roughly follow the issue areas identified within the draft Grand Vision document.

A common theme among each of the working groups is jobs and the economy. Doug Luciani, President and CEO of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce emphasized this point. “There is no better time than right now to take a serious look at integrating the concepts of the Grand Vision with job growth. It is a top priority across the board, and these new working groups will form an alliance that will drive the job growth and economic stability our region needs for a healthy future.”

The Coordinating Group is now soliciting organizations, agencies, and individuals that are committed to working within one of the identified issue areas to contact Grand Vision staff at the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.

Organizations, groups, agencies and individuals who support the principles of the Grand Vision will be asked to join an Alliance by signing a Statement of Support for The Grand Vision. Alliance members will be identified publicly, be routinely notified of the activities and progress of Grand Vision working groups, and be solicited for support of Grand -Vision projects.

The Alliance will convene at least one annual regional public event to provide progress reports and gather input from members and the general public on Grand Vision activities.

The Grand Vision identified six issue areas and action statements that together will help move the vision into reality. Working groups will be identified or established around each issue area. One or more existing organization will help staff and coordinate these regional working groups.

Each group will maintain an emphasis on strengthening the region’s economy through sustainable development practices that consider many generations.

The working groups are identified as follows:

Growth in Investment Areas: This group will work to ensure that both public and private investments are made in cities, villages, and planned growth areas and will give the region the best return on the dollar for strengthening the economy and designing vibrant communities.

Housing: This group will work to offer 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, which are all important to the area.

Transportation: This group will work to ensure that transportation projects are 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 work to preserve 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 work to protect and preserve the open spaces, forests, open waters, and other natural areas by ensuring that the consideration of natural resources and the environment is always at the core of decision making in the region.

Energy: This group will work to create 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.

While each of the working groups are specific and distinct in scope, a common factor among them all is the prioritization of jobs and the economy. “It doesn’t matter whether you are talking about new investment areas, housing, transportation, food and farming, natural resources, or energy—the focus has to be on creating jobs and strengthening this region’s economy. The scope of the Grand Vision working groups must be viewed through the lens of creating jobs and sustaining economic growth,” said Matt McCauley, with the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.

Organizations who see themselves plugging into one or more of these working groups should contact Jennifer Hutchinson at jen@thegrandvision.org.