Rebuilding a county’s road to prosperity

Andy Northrop<northro5@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

St. Clair County, Mich. seeks to reinvent itself with a ten point plan from the Economic Development Alliance.

Skyline of St. Clair as seen across the St. Clair River, in St. Clair County, Mich. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user P199.
Skyline of St. Clair as seen across the St. Clair River, in St. Clair County, Mich. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user P199.

Michigan has undergone several changes in the last few years – population declines, job loss and recovery, industry shifts. This changing landscape has forced businesses and leaders in the state to appreciate new ideas, embrace new concepts for development and shift the approach in how to rebuild communities, cities and counties.

Placemaking is one approach cities and smaller communities are taking to make themselves more attractive and to entice visitors and potential new residents. Embracing entrepreneurial activity is also another strategy seen as valuable path to building better communities.

The Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County has identified a 10-step approach they have determined to be their “road to prosperity,” according to Chief Executive Officer, Dan Casey.

  1. Create better-paying jobs
  2. Leverage our transportation infrastructure
  3. Streamline government
  4. Strengthen our downtowns
  5. Be leaders, not followers
  6. Be a net exporter region
  7. Enhance our image in Michigan and Canada
  8. Align education with opportunity
  9. Promote our shoreline assets and culture
  10. Grow the next generation of businesses

Through these 10 steps, St. Clair County strives to reinvent itself as a more attractive place to live, work, and play. The Economic Development Alliance believes the success of these 10 points will come via developing a culture within the area around Leadership, Excellence, and Teamwork.

With a number of welcoming communities nestled inland and along the shoreline, the Blue Water Bridge to Canada, easy access to Lake Huron, other Thumb counties, and the metro-Detroit area, St. Clair County has potential to become one of Michigan’s biggest success stories in the 21st century.

Michigan State University Extension has a number of staff working across Michigan in areas related to community revitalization, development, and education.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Did you find this article useful?

You Might Also Be Interested In

Tag List
  • civic engagement,
  • community,
  • conflict resolution,
  • facilitation,
  • lakes,
  • lakes streams & watersheds,
  • leadership,
  • livable communities,
  • msu extension,
  • streams & watersheds,
  • tourism
Michigan State University
  • Spartans Will.
  • © Michigan State University

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential.

Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quentin Tyler, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing, MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

The 4-H Name and Emblem have special protections from Congress, protected by code 18 USC 707.

We comply with the Federal Trade Commission 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).