News

Cultivating local farm economies

Published on April 21, 2021
Farm viability requires flexibility, innovation in local government planning and zoning to allow for farm income diversification.
First-time visitor perspectives become the catalysts needed to spawn change just in time for the novel coronavirus pandemic

Published on January 29, 2021
City of Laingsburg, MI acts on tourism assessment results, which helps prepare them for unpredictable changes related to the pandemic, downtown business, and web presence.
What’s in a planning commission’s annual report?

Published on November 6, 2020
The annual report is a requirement of all local government planning commissions and is an opportunity to provide the community and elected officials with a review of planning commission activities and achievements.
Why did the chicken (and cow and pig) cross the county?

Published on September 11, 2020
A guide for local officials addresses barriers for needed livestock processing in Southeast Michigan
Life-cycle models can help tourism destinations chart a path to sustainability

Published on August 7, 2020
Can a life-cycle model help a destination understand tourism development and plan its future? The answer is: yes.
Annual entrepreneurship conference provides solutions to rural communities in advance of pandemic

Published on July 21, 2020
City of Alma, Mich. adopts rural connectivity solution in advance of the pandemic allowing students to access the web while being confined to learning from home.
Rural tourism opportunities increase in Tuscola County, Mich. from first-time visitor assessment program

Published on June 17, 2020
Opportunities increase for tourism from the first-time visitor assessment program.
Urban agriculture and agriculture-like sample zoning text available to local governments in Michigan

Published on May 29, 2020
Local government should encourage urban agriculture. But there needs to be proper safeguards and a consensus to balance agriculture activities without undesired impacts in the neighborhood.
Remember this when planning for great adult educational programs

Published on May 5, 2020
Focus on simple concepts to make a real difference in adult learning.
Decision making in communities

Published on May 5, 2020
How what happens after the decision depends on involvement before the decision.