Forming community partnerships to identify economic development opportunities

This Michigan State University Extension program is providing the essential leadership and organizational training that will allow communities to come together.

While big changes are often possible only when communities work together, large-scale collaboration is hard. A new Michigan State University Extension program is providing the essential leadership and organizational training that will allow communities to come together, identify problems they want to solve and form an action plan to map out a path to achieving their goals.

The LEAD (Leaders Economic Alliance Development) program brought together community leaders from Mason, Lake, Newaygo and Oceana counties in partnership with MSU Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Four sessions took place, one in each county – each with a specific goal. The program offered participants a chance to develop partnerships, identify collaborators, enhance leadership skills and, crucially, develop a long-term action plan.

The highlight of the program, a civic forum, brought together dozens of community members from each of the four counties to identify goals and opportunities to work together on economic development efforts.

  • 109 people participated in the LEAD program, including 64 at the civic forum.
  • The communities set long-term collaboration efforts on recreation and trails, workforce development and broadband infrastructure.
  • MSU Extension and community subcommittees will work together in 2017 to further develop action plans.

Did you find this article useful?

Other Articles from this Publication

From the Dean

From the Dean
Connecting with residents

Connecting with residents
Pairing education with food access throughout Michigan

Pairing education with food access throughout Michigan
Working with state government to conserve our natural heritage

Working with state government to conserve our natural heritage
Fueling the economy

Fueling the economy
Growing aquaculture industry offers opportunities for youth, job development

Growing aquaculture industry offers opportunities for youth, job development
2016-17 MSU AgBioResearch-MSU Extension Legislative report cover

2016-17 Legislative Report

The 2016-17 MSU AgBioResearch-MSU Extension Legislative report contains stories on the latest developments in MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension.
View the rest of the articles from the publication
Tag List
  • civic engagement,
  • community,
  • economic development,
  • facilitation,
  • livable communities,
  • planning,
  • public policy,
  • msu extension
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).