Such has been the League's "tag line" for the past several years. It came about as part of our overall effort to change the conversation about how prosperity occurs in the 21st century. Namely, that the research and facts prove out that investing in "place" is an integral part of any economic development strategy.

The effort is non-stop and proven by the most recent series of articles by League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin as well as Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero.

The effort is also non-stop in communities across our state. From Alpena to Allegan and Marquette to Monroe, local officials, non-profits, and the private sector are coming together to forge new policies and initiatives that are beginning to pay dividends.

And if you're looking for help in getting started, check out the League's "Center for 21st Century Communities" or the new "MIPlace Partnership Initiative."  Both are undertaking projects across the state and gathering research and strategies that will continue to assist local and state policy makers and "doers" in their efforts.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail

The 2012 CEA finalists after being selected at the 2012 Capital Conference.

The Village of Lexington in Michigan’s Thumb region as well as Albion, South Haven and St. Joseph in the southern portion of the state are among the first communities to enter the Michigan Municipal League’s 2013 Community Excellence Award (CEA) competition.

The CEA is a spirited competition that recognizes innovative solutions taking place in MML-member communities. The contest officially gets under way during the League’s Capital Conference (April 9-10 in Lansing) but communities interested in participating can submit entry forms now at this link.

The small Village of Lexington, population 1,178, was the first to announce its entry into the CEA, affectionately called “The Race for the Cup” and St. Joseph, the 2007 winner of the Cup, and South Haven, and Albion entered this week. The League is seeking nominations from communities of all sizes from throughout the state. The 2012 winner was Grandville and you can view other past winners here. You can view past CEA presentations here.

Communities will compete in the first round of the competition during regional meetings at the League’s Capital Conference. Attendees of the Regional Roundtables will vote on the projects, and the regional winner will go on to compete at League's Annual Convention taking place in Detroit in September.

Remember, giving a five minute, “elevator pitch” style presentation at your Regional Roundtable at our Capital Conference is the ONLY way to enter!

Here's how to get involved in this year's CEA competition:

1.) Register: Click here for the online Community Excellence Award entry form.

2.) Prepare Entry: Prepare a five (5) minute verbal “elevator pitch” style presentation. Optional:  Bring a 2 x 3 ft display board of your project/initiative; we will display it on an easel during the meeting.

Matt Bach is director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at (734) 669-6317 and mbach@mml.org.

Dan Gilmartin and Natalie Burg talk about aging in place on the Prosperity Agenda radio show.

From now until 2030, AARP predicts all 50 states will see a “rapid acceleration in growth” in their elderly populations as baby boomers turn 65.

During this month’s Prosperity Agenda radio show on News/Talk 760 WJR the Michigan Municipal League's Dan Gilmartin and guests talk about retiring baby boomers and the unprecedented opportunity they bring to cities and downtowns ready to accommodate them.

Several Michigan communities, such as Marquette, Holland and Howell, are already recognized for meeting this challenge and becoming thriving environments for retirees. The show airs 7 p.m. Wednesday on News/Talk 760 WJR, but you can listen to the show anytime here on our website or by podcast here. You can register now for the Age-Friendly Communities Conference coming Feb 28 to UM-Ann Arbor.

The host of the show is League CEO Dan Gilmartin and his co-host for this first show of 2013 is Natalie Burg, a writer and owner of Vial Half Full Communications. Natalie is a former Downtown Development Director in Owosso and now writes about cities, placemaking and downtowns for numerous outlets including Metromode and Ann Arbor’s Concentrate. Our other guests are Marquette City Manager Bill Vajda, Barbara Spreitzer-Berent, an urban planner and gerontologist who serves as volunteer state coordinator for health and supportive services for AARP Michigan; and Joe Borgstrom, director of downtown and community services division for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The Prosperity Agenda is a monthly radio show that challenges listeners to help make Michigan a better place to live, work and play by creating vibrant and prosperous local communities. It airs on News/Talk 760 WJR on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

Matt Bach is director of media relations for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at (734) 669-6317 or mbach@mml.org.

Here is a great article about residential development in Lansing that again reflects where the housing market is headed as we get deeper into the 21st century.

Now I'm going to say that I and my colleagues at the MML "told you so", but we have been telling whoever will listen that prosperous communities of this century look and feel far different than those of the last century.

In order to understand why, you have to understand demographics and the market shifts that are occuring. Such knowledge has been central to our message about the use of place-based strategies through mechanisms like the League's "Center for 21st Century Communities."

How many more of these kinds of articles are necessary before policy makers and the broader development/real estate community get it.

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail