Grand Vision, Your Action - Six Counties to Host Live Cablecast Sept. 27

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 19, 2011

Contacts: Carrie Bourdages
Communications Specialist
Voice: (231) 929-5038
Email: carriebourdages@nwm.cog.mi.us

Grand Vision, Your Action
Live Cablecast from the State Theatre
Six counties to host local cablecast
September 27, 6 – 8 p.m.

Northwest Michigan —The Grand Vision will present a live, local cablecast originating from the State Theatre in Traverse City and linking to each of the six Grand Vision counties. The event will showcase on-the-ground projects and activities throughout the last year. Diana Fairbanks, news anchor at TV 7&4 News, will emcee the event, which is free and open to all community members in the region.

“We really want to show the communities of The Grand Vision all of the great work and exciting projects happening right now in their communities, and celebrate that success,” said Grand Vision Spokeswoman Marsha Smith.

“This will be an annual event showcasing just how much The Grand Vision inspires community leaders and members and how collaboration is the key to prosperity – for our region and beyond. We hope all community members come out for this fun and educational night. And we have a couple of surprises in store for everyone,” said Smith.

Venue locations are as follows:

• Township Hall, Elk Rapids
• The Garden Theater, Frankfort
• County Civic Center, Kalkaska
• High School Auditorium, Suttons Bay
• The State Theatre, Traverse City
• City Offices, Cadillac

The event will also be shown live on Charter Communications’ public access channel 97 or channel 992 on digital boxes for viewers at home.

As a report to the community for 2011, the event features student-produced videos from Grand Vision networks in each Grand Vision county:

• Elk Rapids Wastewater Treatment Facility – Antrim County (Food and Farming/Growth and Investment Networks)
• Frankfort Downtown Business Development – Benzie County (Growth and Investment Network)
• Eighth Street Depot Housing Project – Grand Traverse County (Housing Network)
• Energy Education – Kalkaska County (Energy Network)
• Suttons Bay Redevelopment – Leelanau County (Natural Resources Network)
• Buckley Transfer Station – Wexford County (Transportation Network)
• Boardman River Restoration Project – Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians
(Natural Resources Network)

“The student videos are a meaningful way we are engaging young people in The Grand Vision and its
future,” said Smith.

In addition to these videos, the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments will recap the 2011 New Designs for Growth Community Growth Grants and projects inspired by the funding, as well as announce the 2012 recipients of the New Designs for Growth Community Growth Grants. Seven projects, with at least one in each of the Grand Vision counties, have been chosen to receive up to $10,000 each for projects inspired by The Grand Vision.

Traverse Area Chamber President Doug Luciani will also present Grand Visionary awards, recognizing individuals and teams who have championed Grand Vision-inspired projects during the last two years.

The following individuals will receive Grand Visionary awards:

• Paul Skinner – Leelanau County
• Honor Area Restoration Project (HARP) – Benzie County
• Jeff Seiting – Kalkaska County
• Marc McKellar – Grand Traverse County
• Vance Edwards – Wexford County
• Pete Garwood – Antrim County

“Not only is the chamber proud to be a partner of The Grand Vision, I’m honored to present awards for exemplary community leaders who have moved projects along in each community that are and will continue to lead to economic strength for all of northwest lower Michigan,” said Luciani.

City officials and chamber representatives from each community will be greeting and addressing their audience the night of the event, prior to the live cablecast.

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and concessions will be served at each location. The event is made possible by the support of and donations from many generous community partners, businesses, community members, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

For more information, please contact Carrie Bourdages at 231-929-5038.

#     #     #