The Citizens' Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) is issuing a request for proposals to rural communities facing design challenges to host local workshops in 2013. Successful applicants will receive a $7,000 grant and in-kind design expertise and technical assistance valued at $35,000. The Request for Proposals is on the new CIRD website: www.rural-design.org. 
 
The deadline for submitting a proposal is Tuesday March 5, 2013 at 5:00 pm EST.
 
CIRD (formerly known as "Your Town") works to help rural communities with populations of 50,000 or fewer enhance their quality of life and economic vitality through facilitated design workshops. The program brings together local leaders, non-profits, and community organizations with a team of specialists in design, planning, and creative placemaking to address challenges like strengthening economies, enhancing rural character, leveraging cultural assets, and designing efficient housing and transportation systems.

The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design is a National Endowment for the Arts leadership initiative in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Project for Public Spaces, Inc., along with the Orton Family Foundation and the CommunityMatters^® Partnership.  A task force of national experts in rural design and planning is also being assembled to help shape the CIRD program.

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 Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs has announced over $5.6 million in grants to 312 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions and municipalities in 47 counties throughout the state. The Council received 600 applications requesting over $8.2 million in funding.

The funds come from a state appropriation of $6.15 million recommended by Governor Snyder and approved by the legislature. The funding represented the first increase in in nearly 4 years. A complete listing of the grant awardees can be found here. 

Arts and culture are essential components of thriving, vibrant communities as recognized by the MML Center for 21st Century Communities. A healthy creative sector attracts and retains residents and businesses, and produces economic benefits including jobs, a stronger tax base, downtown and neighborhood revitalization, and tourism.

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 Michigan Economic Center at the Prima Civitas Foundation has announced a two year project to develop policies for a "public goods" investement strategy in Michigan.

Dubbed the "Dream Restored Project" MEC Director John Austin, notes that the time is past for Michigan to figure out how to invest in critical assets such as great universities, good roads, clean water, public safety, and overall quality of life. The projects goal is to provide research-driven, policy ideas through citizen input to inform future debate on state and budget and legislative priorities and offer additional solutions.

The project comes at a time when other states are making large investments in such areas, such as Ohio's $2.3 billion Third Frontier innovation initiative or Minnesota's Clean Water, Land, and Legacy act that is investing $6 billion over 25 years in clean water, parks and the arts. 

The MEC is led by a multi-sector advisory board that will help guide the project.  Along with League's own CEO, Dan Gilmartin, others on the board include leaders from business, labor and the non-profit sectors. The work associated with this project will complement the League's own initiatives in several areas including transportation and community development.

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

Congratulations to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments for receiving a 2012 Innovation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations Research Foundation for the Northern Michigan Community Placemaking Guidebook.

The guidebook was released earlier this year to provide information and resources to help communities implement placemaking. It includes case studies of placemaking projects in six Northern Michigan communities.

The NWMCOG is also a facilitator for the Grand Vision Project in Northwest Michigan. 

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