Governor Rick Snyder is challenging all Michigan stakeholders--state agencies, local governments, community planners, businesses, neighborhood associations and others--to focus on Placemaking as a key strategy for both economic and community development.

To that end, the state has started a new initiative and website:: the MI-Place Partnership Initiative (www.miplace.org). In this session at the Michigan Municipal League's 2012 Convention taking place October 3-5 on Mackinac Island attendees will learn how to plug-in to MI-Place resources that can help your community grow new jobs.

Check out the full Convention agenda and more detailed list of topics to be discussed, including a discussion on some of the controversial ballot issues that may appear on the November ballot, new laws regarding cell towers, how to secure grant funding for your community, how governments can address illegal drugs in their communities, collaborative innovation by Jeff DeGraff, walkable urbanism from Chris Leinberger, how to build resilient communities by Chuck Marohn, thinking global for local issues by Clarence Anthony, using art and creativity to drive our state forward by Jennifer Goulet, local finance issues and strategies, and community design and sustainability. Be sure to register by the end of the business day TODAY, Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, to get the early bird discount.

Det. Lt. George Sailer discusses illegal drug issues facing Michigan communities during a meeting with UP Michigan officials.

Illegal substances are a costly problem both financially and with regard to preserving quality of life within Michigan communities. During the Michigan Municipal League's 2012 Convention taking place October 3-5 on Mackinac Island we will have an eye-opening presentation for local officials about this dynamic, adaptable and formidable force trending everywhere.

Detective Lieutenant George Sailer, Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) will give the presentation Thursday, Oct. 4 about highly addictive modern meth, bath salts, K-2, spice and other trending drugs available to our school-age kids. These are the drugs responsible for erratic and deadly behavior, increasing crime, hazardous contamination sites, and neglected/abused children in our neighborhoods. Also in this sessions you’ll learn what law enforcement needs from local officials to help reduce and prevent this activity in your town. This presentation will educate and motivate.

Check out the full Convention agenda and more detailed list of topics to be discussed, including a discussion on some of the controversial ballot issues that may appear on the November ballot, new laws regarding cell towers, how to secure grant funding for your community, how governments can address illegal drugs in their communities, collaborative innovation by Jeff DeGraff, walkable urbanism from Chris Leinberger, how to build resilient communities by Chuck Marohn, thinking global for local issues by Clarence Anthony, using art and creativity to drive our state forward by Jennifer Goulet, local finance issues and strategies, and community design and sustainability. Be sure to register by Friday, Sept. 7 to get the early bird discount.

League staff give a legislative update during the 2011 MML Convention.

Learn about the latest bills and legislation that affect Michigan communities in two separate sessions being offered by Michigan Municipal League staff during the League's 2012 Convention taking place October 3-5 on Mackinac Island. By registering by the end of the business day Friday, Sept. 7, you'll save $50 off your registration.

The two sessions from members of the League’s Lansing staff are a “State and Federal Affairs Update” taking place as a breakout session 1-2:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4 and “Learning to Lobby: Local Officials” Role in Lansing” from 1-4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5.

During the Thursday state and federal affairs update League staff members Nikki Brown, Samantha Harkins, Jason Mancini, Arnold Weinfeld and Summer Minnick will discuss current issues and what’s on the horizon for the Legislature’s fall agenda.

The Friday session is a post-convention workshop the League is having on Mackinac Island immediately following Convention. Register here for that Friday session, which is just $10. Go here to view the other post-Convention workshops planned. This training for elected officials, both new and seasoned, will give a more in-depth look at legislative issues in Lansing and Washington that the League is involved with and the background of those issues, including revenue sharing, transportation funding, PA 312, and more. Elected officials will also discover the League's role in policymaking, legislative lobbying, and how each League member can get involved. The workshop will also teach elected officials the protocol for visiting the Capitol to testify on an issue on behalf of their communities.

Check out the full Convention agenda and more detailed list of topics to be discussed, including a discussion on some of the controversial ballot issues that may appear on the November ballot, new laws regarding cell towers, how to secure grant funding for your community, how governments can address illegal drugs in their communities, collaborative innovation by Jeff DeGraff, walkable urbanism from Chris Leinberger, how to build resilient communities by Chuck Marohn, thinking global for local issues by Clarence Anthony, using art and creativity to drive our state forward by Jennifer Goulet, local finance issues and strategies, and community design and sustainability. Be sure to register by Sept. 7 to get the early bird discount.

The clock is ticking if you want to get the early bird registration rate for the Michigan Municipal League's 2012 Convention taking place October 3-5 on Mackinac Island. By registering by the end of the business day Friday, Sept. 7, you'll save $50 off your registration.

This year's Convention is packed with sessions about tools communities can use to implement placemaking into their cities and villages as well as sessions on nuts and bolts ideas and information leaders need to run their municipalities each and every day.

Check out the full Convention agenda and more detailed list of topics to be discussed, including a discussion on some of the controversial ballot issues that may appear on the November ballot, new laws regarding cell towers, how to secure grant funding for your community, how governments can address illegal drugs in their communities, collaborative innovation by Jeff DeGraff, walkable urbanism from Chris Leinberger, how to build resilient communities by Chuck Marohn, thinking global for local issues by Clarence Anthony, using art and creativity to drive our state forward by Jennifer Goulet, local finance issues and strategies, and community design and sustainability.

Also returning to Convention is the annual silent auction and boat cruise with proceeds going to the Michigan Municipal League Foundation. We continue to seek contributions to the silent auction by bidding or donating an item.

Michigan’s state agencies are working together across department lines to find ways for communities to get the most out of the limited funding available for placemaking related to community improvements. Officials from multiple state organizations will lead a session about leveraging state resources to create place during the Michigan Municipal League’s 2012 Convention taking place October 3-5 on Mackinac Island.

In this session, you’ll learn from the experiences of Boyne City and Portland about how it's possible to use multiple grant programs from various state departments to implement place-based initiatives. State agency staff from MSHDA, MDOT, MEDC, MDEQ and MDNR will be available to answer questions and discuss potential projects.

Check out the full Convention agenda and more detailed list of topics to be discussed, including a discussion on some of the controversial ballot issues that may appear on the November ballot, new laws regarding cell towers, how to secure grant funding for your community, how governments can address illegal drugs in their communities, collaborative innovation by Jeff DeGraff, walkable urbanism from Chris Leinberger, how to build resilient communities by Chuck Marohn, thinking global for local issues by Clarence Anthony, using art and creativity to drive our state forward by Jennifer Goulet, local finance issues and strategies, and community design and sustainability. Be sure to register by Sept. 7 to get the early bird discount.