Empowering Locals to Drive Economic Prosperity

Michigan has earned the title of America’s comeback state. It’s an economic success story that would not be possible
without collaboration by the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Our shared accomplishments during the past two
years underscore the need to work in partnership toward a common vision of economic prosperity. That’s the goal of
Gov. Rick Snyder’s Regional Reinvention Initiative.
While Michigan’s future is bright, our job creators, local governments and nonprofit le
adership face stiff global
competition.

We must recognize that the world does not
simply
identify with local units of government, individual
counties or even the entire state of Michigan. It is the uniqueness of our regions
–
Greater Detroit, the Traverse
City
region, the West Michigan shoreline,
the magnificence of the Upper
Peninsula
and similar corridors throughout our
state
–
that makes the world take notice. These regions drive Michigan’s economy and define its character.

Michigan has numerous regional entities
, including regional planning and development organizations, metropolitan
planning organizations and workforce boards. Unfortunately, they were designed in such a way that results in
overlapping goals and competing priorities. Where
local and
regional coll
aboration is occurring, it often is
cumbersome and is happening in spite of a structure that seems designed to dissuade it. Michigan needs to provide a
structure that supports and encourages collaboration rather than discourages it.

Full Story: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dmb/Regional_Prosperity_FAQs_430327_7.PDF