May 14, 2008 Michigan Needs a Plan New Jersey, developing countries show power of strategizing for success As Michigan’s terrific economic crisis worsens, it is crystal clear that the state badly needs a widely embraced statewide plan that points us to a brighter future. Perhaps we could learn from New Jersey, a state with an impressive track record for looking ahead and planning for the future at a very broad level.....more
May 12 , 2008 Michigan’s Disaster: Washington’s Opportunity
Over the last four years, I have observed the glaring statistics about Michigan’s economy on TV, radio and my local newspaper—and it’s keeping me up at night. That’s because I’m a “just do it” kind of guy, always eager to put my ideas and experience to work to make....more
May 2 , 2008 Grand Vision: Where Red and Blue Meet
Next week, The Grand Vision, the Traverse area’s popular citizen-based planning project, takes a major step toward it’s ultimate goal: building a vision for the six-county region’s future land use and transportation. ...more
April 28, 2008 Pricey Lawsuits Hound Local Governments' Growth Decisions
An attorney with a controversial history of suing public officials as private citizens has so far helped force Bear Creek Township to spend $388,000 to defend itself against lawsuits he’s filed for the developer. ...more
April 21, 2008 Farm-to-School Success Stirring State Action
A Michigan lawmaker and a state agriculture agency are each taking steps to make it easier for schools to serve more locally grown fresh foods to their students. Representative Lee Gonzales is . ...more
March 3, 2008 Townships: Sprawl, Big Boxes May Be Best Bet for Jobs
Like much of northern Michigan, Inland and Homestead Townships suffer from a shortage of jobs and business development. That may be why township trustees want
...more
February 27, 2008 Two Benzie Townships Making Room for Sprawl
The first draft of two Benzie County townships’ joint master plan is attracting some criticism from neighboring governments and a top local environmental
...more
February 14, 2008 Grand Vision Workshops Crack the 1,000 Mark
Demonstrating intense interest in their future, 600 people showed up last month for The Grand Vision’s most recent workshops. The wide-open planning
...more
January 24, 2008 County’s Secrecy Agreement with Firm Draws Fire
When executives from a startup company traveled to Emmet County to talk to local officials about setting up shop at the Pellston Regional Airport, they
...more
January 12, 2008 Can Emmet Think Outside the Box?
With its charming downtown and great Lake Michigan views, Petoskey is a strong tourist magnet and northern Michigan economic pillar. But looming approval of
...more
January 2, 2008 Grand Vision Kickoff Draws Record Crowd
The Grand Vision’s kickoff workshop drew a standing room only crowd to Traverse City’s Park Place Hotel. More than 450 people showed up for the
...more
December 12, 2007 Benzie Pushing to Halt Its Crisis
Six months after a report warned that Benzie County was losing the confidence of local residents and township governments because of its dysfunctional planning
...more
November 9, 2007 Can Benzie Conquer a Big Divide?
Facing big cultural divides, a credibility problem, and a revolt by several townships, Benzie County officials are scrambling to rebuild the trust and
...more
The Institute works to reform tax, zoning, investment, development, and other land use policies critical to revitalizing Michigan’s troubled towns and their struggling economies.
2008 Michigan Land Use Institute.
The images, marks, and text herein are the exclusive property of the Michigan Land Use Institute. All Rights Reserved.
148 E. Front St., Suite 301. Traverse City, MI 49684-5725 Phone: 231-941-6584 Fax: 231-929-0937 webinfo@mlui.org
Email Newsletter 
