On Thursday, July 11 the Great Lakes Commission with MML and several other groups as co-sponsors will be hosting a workshop in Muskegon to discuss place based strategies for waterfront areas.

This workshop will focus on placemaking opportunities in coastal communities and illustrate examples of how leaders are leveraging Michigan's bountiful water resources to advance economic growth and build a higher quality of life in their communities.

This is an introductory workshop to the principles of placemaking and is intended for those involved in economic development, tourism, waterfront development, watershed management and coastal restoration.

Registration will be open shortly, so save the date and come back to this blog for further information.

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

Across the country, local governments have unleashed a new approach to anti-poverty work through the practice of municipal financial empowerment – collaborative community-based initiatives that connect residents with financial education and counseling, affordable financial products and opportunities to save.

On Tuesday, May 14 from 11 am to 12:15 pm a free webinar featuring Ingham County Treasurer Eric Schertzing, City of Lansing Treasurer Antonia Kraus and Megan Kursik from the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), is being offered as they discuss municipal financial empowerment in the Greater Lansing community and the new Lansing Financial Empowerment Center. Over the next three years, the Lansing Financial Empowerment Center will provide 4,000 individuals free, one-on-one financial counseling.

You will learn how your community can begin this work through a similar approach and with support from the Michigan Communities for Financial Empowerment (MCFE) network at CEDAM.

Learning Objectives:
1. What is municipal financial empowerment and is it an effective anti-poverty tool?
2. Deep dive: Financial Empowerment Center model
3. Support and technical assistance available to Michigan local governments from the MCFE network

Again, the cost of this webinar is free. Register here.

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

Bikes Belong, a national organization that promotes more bicycling, is accepting applications until May 24 for Community Partnership Grants, which are designed to foster and support partnerships between local governments, nonprofit organizations, and local businesses working to improve the environment for bicycling.

Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to fund the construction or expansion of bicycle facilities such as bike lanes trails, and paths. The grants committee also will consider advocacy projects that promote bicycling as a safe and accessible mode of transportation.

To be eligible for a grant, a partnership must include collaboration between at least one city/county government office or department; one nonprofit organization with a mission specific to bicycling, trails, or recreation; and one local business.

Luke Forrest is a Project Coordinator for the Michigan Municipal League. Contact him via email or Twitter. 

Eastpointe Mayor Suzanne Pixley has written a new book about her community now available online.

Michigan Municipal League board member Suzanne Pixley has written a new book about the people who helped make her community - Eastpointe - what it is today.

Legendary Locals of Eastpointe was written by Pixley, mayor of Eastpointe, and published by Arcadia Publishing. It's available at area bookstroes, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 or online.

According to a news release about the book, Eastpointe was first settled in the early 1800s by Irish and German immigrants, who had traveled to a new country to find a better life. The inherent values of strong education, hard work and love of home and family have continued throughout the city's history into modern times.

In the past 200 years, many locals have become legendary as they strived in various ways to pursue excellence. As notable as the achievements of hometown hero astronaut Jerry Leninger and the athletic power of All-American Ron Kramer, there are also the stories of unsung heroes, which are now told. Legendary Locals of Eastpointe celebrates some of the individuals who have left their mark on the city.

Highlights of Legendary Locals of Eastpointe: Showcases the rich heritage of active citizens that have contributed their time and efforts on local, state and even national causes to make this region viable; and Includes business leaders, cultural leaders, medical leaders, military leaders, political leaders, sports leaders and community founders and leaders.

Pixley’s interest in local history comes naturally having grown up in the city where her grandfather first purchased a farm in 1910. Her knowledge of local businesses, high school programs and alumni accomplishments make her a natural to record the history and the people who were part of the development. As the current Mayor of the City of Eastpointe, she has also become keenly aware of the historical background of the many aspects of municipal government. She graduated from Henry Ford Hospital School of Nursing in 1961, advancing her education with additional Bachelor and Master’s Degrees from the University of Michigan in the 70’s, followed by Doctor Studies in Community and National Development.

She is an active volunteer with various community service organizations and has been recognized at state, county and local levels for her volunteer actions. She has received the National Daughters of the American Revolution award for Historical Preservation, as well as a Keep Michigan Beautiful Award for individual volunteer landscaping projects in Eastpointe’s Downtown area. She has also received awards from the Michigan Municipal League where she now serves a three year term on the Board of Trustees.

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