Grand Vision Overview

The Grand Vision is an ambitious, citizen-led vision for the future of land use, transportation, economic development and environmental stewardship across six counties in northwest lower Michigan.

More than 15,000 citizens got involved, and voiced their opinions about this vision. Twelve thousand citizens voted for what they wanted for the future for their communities. Of those voters, nearly 75% asked that growth occur in existing developed areas.

Over three years a series of public workshops, unparalleled collaboration between government, non-profits and the private sector, shaped The Grand Vision. The "vision" is now being implemented, as six counties, six issue area networks and a CORE team that all work to incorporate The Grand Vision principles into plans, developments, investments, and practices.

The Grand Vision originated when a proposed bridge/bypass around downtown Traverse City was approved and funded. Following a public debate about the proposal, the Hartman-Hammond Bridge concept was tabled, with those funds re-appropriated by U.S. Congress to be used for a long-term planning process. Several public and private organizations stepped forward to fund and lead the process - one that eventually expanded to include a the six counties The Grand Vision currently serves: Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford.

Today The Grand Vision is being realized across the region. Governmental bodies are collaborating, business leaders are seeing the benefits of a focused vision for the future, community members are reaping the rewards, projects are completed and others underway, and several diverse interests are coming together within issue networks that include Food & Farming, Energy, Growth & Investment, Housing, Natural Resources and Transportation.  

The Grand Vision is our vision.

View/download/print The Six Guiding Principles of The Grand Vision