Resources & Research

Representatives of the seven regional CEA communities are (from left) Gladstone Mayor Pro Tem Hugo Mattonen; Fenton Mayor Sue Osborn; Ithaca Councilmember L.D. Hollenbeck; Grandville Mayor Pro Tem Josh Meringa; East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett; Cadillac Mayor Carla Filkins; and Harbor Beach Mayor Gary Booms. Placemaking can come in many...

Fostering a culture of entrepreneurship is one of the League's eight assets that Michigan communities need to grow and strengthen, for our state to sustain and prosper in the 21st century. Nothing promotes that culture as much as this new crowdfunding opportunity. This new community investment tool is a natural...

Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan discusses the League's Partnership for Place initiative. When it comes to the value of placemaking and how it ties to municipal financing in Michigan, Utica Mayor Jacqueline Noonan doesn't mince words: "The state's current system of funding our communities is broken and change is essential to...

Brighton is one of many Michigan cities to embrace the placemaking concept. A new study released today (Jan. 22, 2014) 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. The...

Michigan Future, Inc has released a new report entitled "The New Path to Prosperity: Lessons for Michigan From Two Decades of Economic Change." The report analyzes data from the American economy over the past two decades. In addition, it takes a closer look specifically at the Michigan and Minnesota economies...

First, a brief history lesson. Woodward Avenue, a multi-lane road that stretches over 27 miles, making its way through 11 communities, dates back to 1805 when it was originally platted. In 1909, responding to demand for smoother roads by bicyclists and early auto owners, the first mile of concrete highway...

The Michigan Municipal League's annual Community Excellence Award showcases innovative solutions, programs or projects that have had a positive impact on their community, and can be replicated in other communities with similar challenges. The winner from each region will go on to compete for the statewide CEA title during the...

My colleague, Liz Shaw and I, decided that at the first faint signs of spring, we would begin our little journey of experiencing many of the great bicycle trails that wind their way through Michigan. (I should note that Liz has ridden just about all of them over the years.)...

It started as an idle thought when Ann Arbor businessman Mark Hodesh pondered the unused lot behind his Downtown Home and Garden store: What about food trucks? In two short years, the once-vacant lot has become a hot spot for local foodies and sparked a statewide food truck movement. Mark's...

Imagine a natural disaster knocking out your local power and telephone grids. A city in the Republic of Congo has planned ahead for that potential problem, with a system that combines solar-powered street lighting and internet access in a wireless configuration.