MSU Extension Livable Communities

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  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.

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  Sustainable Living and Leadership Series launched by three land-grant universities

  Published on January 22, 2021
  Multi-topic series explores sustainability actions for home and community.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  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.

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  Decision making in communities

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

• St. Clair County communities confirm first-time visitor impressions are valuable to community tourism improvements

  Published on May 4, 2020
  MSU Extension’s First Impressions Tourism (FIT) assessment program benefits participants knowledge and awareness of the importance of outside visitor's perspectives.

• First Impressions Tourism program FAQs

  Published on May 4, 2020
  Growing interest in First Impressions Tourism (FIT) program spawns a list of FAQs.

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  First Impressions Tourism program yields positive results in Marine City

  Published on May 4, 2020
  Coastal tourism successes achieved by community leadership taking action based on first-time visitor perspectives.

• Your farm and the Families First Act

  Published on April 16, 2020
  Do you know how the Families First Coronavirus Response Act will affect your farm and your employees?

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  Charrettes go virtual: A state-of-the-art process helps a community stay-the-course during COVID-19

  Published on April 14, 2020
  COVID-19 impacts inspire a virtual master planning charrette process, to be highlighted by an upcoming webinar series.

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  Be careful what you flush

  Published on April 9, 2020
  Flushing wipes and other items used for disinfection can damage wastewater treatment systems.

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  Caution: Zoning moratorium ahead

  Published on April 8, 2020
  Michigan local governments should proceed carefully when considering temporarily suspending property owners’ rights to develop or build until adequate regulations can be developed and adopted.

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  Sample Land Division Review Worksheet

  Published on March 24, 2020
  Sample land division review worksheet for use by the official responsible for approving or rejecting proposed land divisions.

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  Sample Land Division Application

  Published on March 24, 2020
  Sample land division application for use by local government when receiving a request to divide land.

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  Land Division Act basics for landowners

  Published on March 24, 2020
  Current and prospective owners of land in Michigan will benefit from understanding some basics of the Land Division Act.