The daily lives of Michiganders are shaped by the strength of their communities, including the places we call home and the places we do business. Abundant housing choices and diverse local economies are not built by accident. Instead, they are intentionally created and are often the product of public-private partnerships. By creating walkable neighborhoods, supporting local businesses, developing infrastructure that includes all residents, and leveraging investment with limited resources for maximum impact, Michigan communities can help their residents thrive.
Local Economies Initiative
These resources are focused on entrepreneurship and small business support systems in southeast Michigan, with the goal of helping municipalities and their communities create more equitable small business ecosystems.
Creating Better Futures Policy Brief Series
This short policy brief series helps communities plan for current and future conditions, with key information on housing, climate resilience, local economies, and small business support.
- Intro: Creating Better Futures
- Climate and Demographics
- Making Space for Every Entrepreneur
- Hacking Michigan’s Housing Potential
Pattern Book Homes for 21st Century Michigan
By taking a cue from historic precedents, cutting down on the cost of design, and offering zoning reform tools to streamline review, this two-volume set of guides and copyright-free construction plans is giving communities the tools to create new homes right where residents want to live.
Predevelopment Best Practices for Site Redevelopment (PDF)
Developed by the League through a partnership with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), these best practices support the growth of vibrant, diverse, and resilient communities by providing economic development services and tools.
Michigan Housing Data Portal
This resource provides easily accessible housing, demographic, and economic data to trace key local trends, compare these trends to other geographies, and create detailed reports. [there’s no link to this on the mml.org site]
Community Capital
This publication explores both crowdfunding types: grants and direct local investment. [there’s no link to this on the mml.org site, but there is a blog post]
Restoring Michigan Communities Building by Building (PDF)
A how-to guide that will assist you in understanding effective methods for battling blight and related issues and equip you to restore and revitalize your community.
Michigan Economic Development Corporation Fact Sheets on Economic Development Incentive programs and tools
Contact: Information Services
Phone: 734.662.3246 or E-mail: [email protected]