Better Communities, Better Michigan: The Podcast!

Partnership for Place Thriving communities are a key to Michigan’s long-term success and sustainability. If we are going to compete globally in the 21st century, then it is critical to create communities that can attract and retain talent and enterprise. We’ll discuss the League’s Partnership for Place agenda and the increased support for placemaking locally with League Executive Director and CEO Dan Gilmartin, University of Michigan’s Debra Horner and State Representative Gretchen Driskell.  The Partnership for Place agenda proposes a commitment of action between the State and its municipalities that will facilitate Michigan’s economic growth and allow for the development of places to provide key services and amenities that contribute to a high quality of life.  Also, a recent study released by the University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy shows that more local governments than ever before are utilizing placemaking as an economic development tool in their communities. Finally, we’ll discuss what

Will the Legislature Support the Governor’s Proposed Revenue Sharing/EVIP Budget? Governor Snyder recently proposed an additional 15% in funding for the statutory revenue sharing program, known currently as the Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP). But with the additional funds comes yet another layer of requirements local leaders must adhere to in order to obtain the funds. How likely is it the legislature approves this plan? House General Government Subcommittee on Appropriations Chairman Earl Poleski (R-Jackson) and Senate General Government Subcommittee on Appropriations member Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township) talk to us about their views on local government funding, short term and long term. Better Communities Better Michigan The Podcast! The Michigan Municipal League is the one clear voice for Michigan communities, working in Lansing and throughout the state for the unique and vibrant places where people want to live. From state policy to cutting edge local initiatives, we’ll discuss issues tha

Welcome to Better Communities Better Michigan The Podcast! The Michigan Municipal League is the one clear voice for Michigan communities, working in Lansing and throughout the state for the unique and vibrant places where people want to live. From state policy to cutting edge local initiatives, we’ll discuss issues that impact us all, and identify key strategies to promote highly adaptable, economically competitive communities that are ready to face the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. Demographic Trends Provide Key Insights for Future City Designs Nationally renowned demographer Laurie Volk, a Principal at Zimmerman Volk Associates, talks to us about her latest research and the preferences of the largest generations – millenials and boomers. We also get the view of what these trends mean for cities when working with the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Jim Tischler, Director of Community Development, discusses how they use demographics in programming. You can listen to all podcasts by

Welcome to Better Communities Better Michigan – the Podcast! The Michigan Municipal League is the one clear voice for Michigan communities, working in Lansing and throughout the state for the unique and vibrant places where people want to live. From state policy to cutting edge local initiatives, we’ll discuss issues that impact us all, and identify key strategies to promote highly adaptable, economically competitive communities that are ready to face the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. National Placemaking Expert Carol Coletta Gives Her Perspective on Current and Future Initiatives What are the current trends in placemaking? How is the foundation world viewing placemaking projects, and what level of engagement can we expect from them going forward? Carol Coletta, Vice President of Community and National initiatives at the Knight Foundation, talk to us about these issues and much more, including the arts in placemaking, and how business owners benefit from strategic cultural investments.  

Welcome to Better Communities Better Michigan – the Podcast!  The Michigan Municipal League is the one clear voice for Michigan communities, working in Lansing and throughout the state for the unique and vibrant places where people want to live. From state policy to cutting edge local initiatives, we’ll discuss issues that impact us all, and identify key strategies to promote highly adaptable, economically competitive communities that are ready to face the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. What Are the Prospects for Action on Federal Policy Changes? The environment in Washington DC has not been collaborative in recent years, to say the least. With some very critical issues which impact local communities on the table for action, we discuss what can be expected of Congress in the coming months. We speak with National League of Cities experts Carolyn Coleman, Center Director for Federal Advocacy and Leslie Wollack, Program Director for Federal Advocacy on Infrastructure and Sustainability, about what lo

Welcome to Better Communities Better Michigan – the Podcast!  The Michigan Municipal League is the one clear voice for Michigan communities, working in Lansing and throughout the state for the unique and vibrant places where people want to live. From state policy to cutting edge local initiatives, we’ll discuss issues that impact us all, and identify key strategies to promote highly adaptable, economically competitive communities that are ready to face the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. Exploring Placemaking Efforts on Location! Niles’ Path to Prosperity: Communities around Michigan have been engaging in a variety of creative placemaking efforts. We went to Niles to talk to their community development experts about their efforts to transform many components of their downtown for nearly fifteen years in the making. After much success, they illustrate the tangible benefits of undertaking projects, both large and small, to improve the quality of place in their city. Juan Ganum, Community Development

Welcome to Better Communities Better Michigan – the Podcast!  The Michigan Municipal League is the one clear voice for Michigan communities, working in Lansing and throughout the state for the unique and vibrant places where people want to live. From state policy to cutting edge local initiatives, we’ll discuss issues that impact us all, and identify key strategies to promote highly adaptable, economically competitive communities that are ready to face the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. Detroit’s Bankruptcy: Iceberg or Anomaly? The largest municipal bankruptcy case in US history is everywhere in the news these days. But what is the real impact of Detroit’s bankruptcy filing, both for Detroiters and for other communities? Is it the tip of the iceberg and a dire warning of things to come…or a powerful lesson for both state and local officials on why – and how –to avoid this costly and complex solution to fiscal crisis? Just as important: what  fallout has already been felt by Detroiters and other Mi

Welcome to Better Communities Better Michigan – the Podcast!  The Michigan Municipal League is the one clear voice for Michigan communities, working in Lansing and throughout the state for the unique and vibrant places where people want to live. From state policy to cutting edge local initiatives, we’ll discuss issues that impact us all, and identify key strategies to promote highly adaptable, economically competitive communities that are ready to face the challenges of the 21st century and beyond. October 30, 2013 podcast: Lean Urbanism: The New Local Face of New Urbanism There’s a fundamental shift going on in the way communities approach urban planning: Lean Urbanism. But what is it, and why should local governments learn to embrace it? Listen in as the League’s Summer Minnick talks to Andres Duany, co-founder of the Congress of New Urbanism, and League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin, as they explain why the future of urban planning is moving on into this lighter, quicker, and cheaper approach