The Grand Vision Food & Farming principle seeks to preserve agriculture as a viable economic practice in the region by protecting farmland. One method of preserving farmland is to use conservation easements such as those available through the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy's Farmland Protection Program.
Here's a video that talks about these efforts.

Photo credit: One [...]

The Grand Vision Growth and Investment Guiding Principle is to foster public and private investments to strengthen cities, villages and planned growth areas.
The Traverse City Business News Ticker has this story on a proposed hotel for the Warehouse district in Traverse City:
Another hurdle has been cleared to allow demolition to begin as soon as November [...]

From the Traverse City Chamber of Commerce website:

The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments and the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce awarded the Village of Empire a $20,000 Community Growth Grant on Tuesday, August 24 to the Empire Village Council. The grant was awarded to the village for the purpose of implementing [...]

Recently you may have attended or read our coverage of the Michigan by Rail Forum held in Traverse City last month.
Now, you have a chance to participate online in MDOT's official public comment session.
Click here to go to MDOT's website where you will be asked to write in your thoughts on the future of rail [...]

The Grand Vision Food and Farming Guiding Principle is to encourage local food, farming and rural development as a vital part of our economy, culture and identity.
The Associated Press has this story on a local Maple City resident famous for his food carvings:
He's best known for his fall pumpkin carvings, but it's what Pat Harrison [...]

The Grand Vision Housing Guiding Principle is to expand diverse and affordable housing options that fit the region's character.
7&4 News has this Fact Finder story on how 1 in every 237 homes in Michigan is in some state of foreclosure. Homeowners looking for help are running into a lot of questions:
Do you want to read [...]

The River-Raft Recycling Extravaganza was on Saturday, August 14th.
Participants built their own rafts, then floated them down the Boardman River collecting trash along the way.
To watch a video from the event, scroll down below.
The River-Raft Recycling Extravaganza was co-hosted by Right Brain Brewery, Bay Area Recycling and the Watershed Center.

Photo: Boardman River Downtown by earthgirl58.

The Grand Vision Energy Guiding Principle is to incorporate sustainable energy principles into building, transportation, power generation, and all aspects of the region's economy.
Crain's Business News has this story on how Grand Valley State University and the University of Michigan will be testing the feasibility of Great Lakes Windfarms:
The Great Lakes are fundamental to creating [...]

The Grand Vision Transportation Guiding Principle is to improve the region's existing network of roads and public transportation, and provide better infrastructure for bikers and pedestrians. And the Energy Guiding Principle is to incorporate sustainable energy principles into building, transportation, power generation, and all aspects of the region's economy.
MLIVE.com has this story on the Ford [...]

The Grand Vision Energy Guiding Principle is to incorporate sustainable energy principles into building, transportation, power generation, and all aspects of the region's economy.
Here is an article from Michael Buhler of the Glen Arbor Sun about his installation of solar panels at his home:
Two years ago I installed a photovoltaic (PV) solar array on my [...]