Community Action Updates

The Grand Vision: 2012 Community Action Updates

Connecting Communities to $10 million and Counting…

Citizen-defined Grand Vision principles are becoming a reality in the place you call home.

See still images from the Community Action Updates.

The 2012 Grand Visionary Award Winners

The Grand Vision CORE group named two individuals, two couples, and two organizations as recipients of the 2012 Grand Visionary awards at a series of Community Action Updates held in each of the six Grand Vision counties during the first two weeks of October. The award recognizes residents who engage the community in activities that further The Grand Vision principles.

Antrim County - Joe Short and Leah Hannan, Short's Brewing Company. Recognized for supporting local food systems, preserving our natural assets, and helping to create vibrant local communities.

Benzie County – Benzie Bus. Recognized for collaboration with other organizations and a commitment to a regional multi-transportation system.

Grand Traverse County – Wayne Kladder, Acme Township Supervisor. Recognized for his leadership in acquiring shoreline property and nurturing partnerships for the Acme Shoreline Project.

Kalkaska County – George and Sally Shetler, Shetler Family Dairy. Recognized for their commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and community involvement.

Leelanau County - Ian Plamondon, Suttons Bay High School class of 2012. Recognized for his vision, persistence and dedication  in the development of the Suttons Bay disc golf course at Herman Park.

Wexford County – Baker College of Cadillac. Recognized for responding to the needs of the community by developing an Agriculture Technology program.

Along with the awards, the Community Action Updates highlighted projects from each county in the last year that advance The Grand Vision. Projects from all six counties have resulted in $10 million worth of investments in the region. Funding for the projects comes from a variety of sources, including national foundations and federal and local grants.

This year's Grand Vision Community Action Updates were made possible by a $15,000 Smart Growth Grant from the National Association of REALTORS^® with support from the Traverse Area Association of REALTORS^® (TAAR).

The 2012 Community Growth Grants

The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG), in partnership with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, announced this year’s recipients of New Designs for Growth: Community Growth Grants at a series of Grand Vision Community Action Updates held in each of the six Grand Vision counties during the first two weeks of October.

These awards, provided in part with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation,  offer funding and/or technical assistance to local units of government for projects that pursue the principles of The Grand Vision as a means to increase economic prosperity and growth in their community.

“This year’s awards focus on four of The Grand Vision principles: creating unique and vibrant communities, multi-modal transportation options, protection and enrichment of our natural resources, and local food systems enhancement,” said Matt McCauley, NWMCOG director of regional planning and community development. “Their purpose is to move The Grand Vision to action by providing direct financial support to assist communities in their efforts to flourish and build the foundation for a more resilient regional economy.”

Projects from each of the six Grand Vision counties were awarded grants as follows:

• Antrim County, Village of Ellsworth – awarded $12,500 to help support and market their farmers market, build awareness of the community, including downtown businesses and to strengthen ties between the agricultural and educational sectors.
   
• Benzie County, City of Frankfort – awarded $12,500 to implement community WI-FI within the Main Street and Lake Michigan Beach corridor.
   
• Grand Traverse County Parks & Recreation Department – awarded $10,000 to advance the efforts of two new regional collaboratives (the Parks and Recreation Network, and the Up North Experience Partnership) with the goal of fostering a sustainable, world class parks and recreation system in the Grand Traverse Region.
   
• Grand Traverse County, Village of Kingsley – awarded $5,000 for planning and funding for a public outdoor art display project to coordinate artists, donors, volunteers, businesses and the public to achieve success for the project.
   
• Kalkaska County – awarded a NWMCOG technical assistance grant that will bring in planning staff to organize and execute the creation of Kalkaska County’s recreation plan in a manner which also supports and reinforces township plans and planning efforts.
   
• Kalkaska County, Village of Kalkaska – awarded a $7,500 grant to assist with the purchase of property in the 300 block of their downtown core slated for redevelopment in their new Master Plan.
   
• Leelanau County, Village of Empire – awarded a $12,500 grant to identify and create transportation opportunities and alternatives that will enhance the ability of residents and visitors to move and circulate between the assets of the Village of Empire and the surrounding area.
   
• Wexford County, City of Cadillac – awarded a NWMCOG technical assistance grant for the creation of a Complete Streets policy to guide transportation project decision-making in their community.

See the Student Videos!

The student videos which premiered at The Grand Vision Community Update events in each county are now available for viewing online. See Student Videos.

Special Thanks

These events are made possible by the generous contribution of the National Association of REALTORS® and the Traverse Area Association of REALTORS®.

                 For providing sound equipment.

    For providing the venue.