News

What is, or is not, a charrette?

Published on April 25, 2025
Charrette is a very specific type of public involvement system for design and planning projects. Do not be fooled by people calling every public participation event a charrette.
Category 4 sites under the Right to Farm Act Site Selection GAAMP

Published on April 25, 2025
Site Selection GAAMP provides local authority to permit livestock keeping in primarily residential areas
Prosperity comes from a focus on people, policy and place on a regional scale, part 5

Published on April 10, 2025
It takes a region to provide the places, variety, resources and attributes to attract people; economic development also needs to be coordinated among state, regional, educational, local government and private sectors.
People count: Population growth leads to basic economic growth, part 3

Published on April 10, 2025
Population growth is economic growth, which makes taking steps to attract people to move to a community an important strategy.
Did you know the Great Lakes have three different Ordinary High Water Marks?

Published on March 9, 2025
Determining where the Great Lakes water's edge is can be a challenge. An Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM) helps distinguish and categorize different areas near the Great Lakes.
First time visitor perspectives still in high demand for Michigan communities

Published on February 19, 2025
Demand for MSU Extension’s First Impressions Tourism assessment program reaches pre-pandemic levels by assisting five communities in understanding assets and unique qualities through first time visitor experiences and perspectives.
Farmer shares experience about grazing livestock in solar projects

Published on February 12, 2025
Farmers who raise sheep and cattle and local planning and zoning board members are invited to learn about solar grazing opportunities.
Why you should care about planning and zoning

Published on December 19, 2024
Being involved in planning and zoning is a great way to help shape the future of your community.
Road diets can improve pedestrian safety without compromising capacity

Published on December 19, 2024
Since pedestrian safety is a function of vehicle speed, and vehicle speed is a function of roadway width, 4-to-3 lane conversions, also known as road diets, can improve safety without compromising capacity of the roadway.
Old versus new: Understanding the new economy part 2

Published on December 19, 2024
A very fundamental structural shift has occurred with economic development. In this new economic age, it pays to know the difference between the old and new economy.