Mayors Summer Workshop A Hit

This past week, I had the opportunity to attend the Michigan Association of Mayors (MAM) Summer Workshop in Grand Haven.  The workshop focused on the importance of parks, recreation, and art and culture to local economies.  Among others, presenters included Canton, Traverse City, the Clinton River Watershed Council and the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association.  Grand Haven too served as a great site for the workshop offering up displays of what make it a vibrant place.  Being there and watching the presentations, my thoughts turned to the League's "Center for 21st Century Communities" and the assets we've worked to identify that make up a vibrant community, ready to attract and retain jobs and residents.  Two of those assets, green initiatives and cultural economic developlment were clearly on display at the workshop, and served as a positive reminder that local officials and communities across our state are working to create places that are attractive and vibrant.   This is the kind of stuff that fuels my passion for the work I do at the League.  Thank you MAM for helping to recharge my batteries!