News
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Extension will be key partner in USDA climate hubs
Published on February 14, 2014
Hubs will provide education, assistance to landowners by centralizing regional climate information. -
Changes in Michigan’s foreclosure law
Published on February 3, 2014
Significant changes to Michigan’s “90-day law” and purchaser rights to inspect property to determine if there is damage during redemption period. -
Michigan city government revenues and spending since the Great Recession
Published on January 27, 2014
Michigan City governments have experienced significant revenue shortfalls since 2008. In response, they have cut spending in areas such as city council offices and other general government functions while sparing public safety from the harshest cuts. -
Boyne City uses design charrette to help reimagine a public facility
Published on January 24, 2014
Design charrettes are an excellent way to engage community members in a design challenge, even one involving a single community structure. -
Strategies to reach consensus on controversial wind energy farms: Part two
Published on January 21, 2014
Large wind energy farms can be very controversial. But in some communities they are not. This is the second of two articles exploring some of the reasons why. -
Not all proposed large wind energy farms are controversial and there may be reasons why: Part one
Published on January 21, 2014
Large wind energy farms can be very controversial. But in some communities they are not. This is the first of two articles exploring some of the reasons why. -
New resource on form-based codes is a practical guide for all communities
Published on January 13, 2014
Municipalities with a small or non-existent planning staff will find this form-based code resource helpful for learning the basics and getting a handle on how to request assistance from planning consultants. -
Measuring change in a community with aerial images
Published on December 31, 2013
Utilizing aerial images to measure change in a community can provide a quality, accurate analysis of complex problems while providing strong visual support to assist decision-makers and inform the public. -
The Board has hired an Executive Director – who makes decisions now for the organization?
Published on December 31, 2013
In order to work effectively, the Board of Directors and the Executive Director need to understand and support the responsibilities of both roles. -
Work through difficult decision-making with compromise
Published on December 31, 2013
Compromise can be vital to success, especially when conflict has rendered efforts stagnant. While agreeing to a compromise can take some time and effort and may be difficult to accept, doing so often is the only viable path to success.