Growth & Investment Network

The Grand Vision Growth & Investment Network exists to facilitate the growth and entrepreneurial culture of unique cities and villages in our region by strengthening and encouraging business development, removing barriers, utilizing incentives, and fostering public and private improvements.

What is the Growth and Investment Network?

Each month, a dynamic group of regional stakeholders meet to discuss the future health of the northwest lower Michigan regional economy. Monthly meeting participants include stakeholders from the following types of organizations:

• Local Units of Government
• Local, Regional, State and Federal Government Service Agencies
• Local, Regional, State and Federal Economic Development Service Agencies
• Citizens Groups
• Non-Profits Organizations
• Financial and Lending Institutions
• Private Sector Businesses
• Academic Institutions
• Foundations  

The goal of this group is to both create a forum and comprehensive network which provides the pulse of economic growth and investment opportunities throughout the region and an environment where these opportunities can be pollinated for economic success.

Ribbon Cutting for Grand Vision-Inspired Silver Drive

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of Silver Drive and the non-motorized Buffalo Ridge Trail in Traverse City. Watch the video to hear why local leaders think the project is important for the region.

New Designs for Growth (NDFG) Program

During intensive growth and sprawl in the early 1990s, public recognition of the need for economic development projects that complemented and protected the northwestern lower Michigan’s unique natural resources became clear, and prompted an action-oriented public private partnership. The Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce led the creation of a regionally focused development guidebook, focusing on examples of development practices that would accommodate growth while maintaining and improving quality of life for residents.

Efforts of the Chamber to inform local officials of guidebook principles and implementation methods led to the formation of New Designs for Growth (NDFG), ultimately leading to several iterations of the regionally focused development guidebooks. The management of the NDFG program has now transferred to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, therefore making the principles of this program relevant to the 10-county northwestern lower Michigan region, including all of the Grand Vision counties.

We have learned in recent years from the economic decline of local, regional, state, national and global economies that growth is no longer guaranteed. Although the latest version of the NDFG Development Guidebook is relevant in areas where growth, investment and economic development is occurring, other tools are now relevant for many areas facing stagnation and decline. These new strategies for economic sustainability and development focus on the local and regional assets of our communities and region that must now be leveraged to attract growth, investment and economic development to our region. The New Designs for Growth program is evolving into a regional brand that represents a comprehensive set of strategic economic growth and land use tools and concepts that embrace the Principles of the Grand Vision.

NDFG Smart Growth Initiative

• New Designs for Growth Website (click here)
• New Designs for Growth Development Guidebook (click here)

NDFG Placemaking Initiative (click here)

• 2011 Northern Michigan Placemaking Summit (click here for more info)
• Northern Michigan Community Placemaking Guidebook (coming soon)
• Planner’s Moments DVD Video Series
  • Thematically focused on Placemaking in 2011(click here)
  • Annual Subscriptions Available (click here)

NDFG Community Grant Initiative

• 2010 Community Growth Grant Program
  • Release Date: June 11th, 2010
  • Deadline for Proposal Submission: July 23rd, 2010
  • The Grand Vision Community Growth Grants are intended to support action-oriented projects and/or programs that will encourage investments in the region’s potential growth centers, including planning, plan implementation, public works, or infrastructure projects. Successful projects will create a framework for sustainable and efficient growth and development that is consistent with the Grand Vision (www.thegrandvision.org), New Economy (http://www.landpolicy.msu.edu/) and New Designs for Growth (www.newdesignsforgrowth.org) principles.
  • The following communities were awarded the 2010 program grants:
  • Antrim County
    • Village of Elk Rapids (Summary of Final Report coming soon)
  • Benzie County
    • Village of Beulah (Summary of Final Report Coming Soon)
  • Grand Traverse County
    • Green Lake Township (Summary of final report coming soon)
  • Kalkaska County
    • Village of Kalkaska (Summary of final report coming soon)
  • Leelanau County
    • Village of Empire (Summary of final report coming soon)
    • Village of Suttons Bay (Summary of final report coming soon)
  • Wexford County
    • City of Cadillac (Summary of final report coming soon)

Hot Topics

Check this area of our page often, as we'll post big stories and Grand Vision-inspired action from around the six-county region. Current Growth and Investment work throughout our region includes:

• Interlochen charrettes
• Acme
• HARP activities
• Suttons Bay leveraging of Community Growth Grant
• Empire Wi-Fi

Crains of Detroit article: After the Leaves Leave, Leelanau County Works to Build Economy Less Dependent on Tourism (Nov. 2, 2011)

Regional Growth & Investment Resources

• County Guides to Permitting and Zoning
• Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
• New Designs for Growth Development Guidebook
• New Designs for Growth Community Placemaking Guidebook (coming soon!
• Link to Regional Planning & Community Development at NWMCOG.

To be a part of the Growth and Investment Network check out the Google Group. For a list of dates and times for Growth and Investment Network monthly meetings and future events, please see the Calendar.