MML CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin was opening keynote speaker at the second annual Northern Michigan Placemaking Summit. Gilmartin spoke on the same day in Traverse City and Petoskey.  

The summit, hosted by the Grand Vision, Michigan Land Use Institute and Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, and co-sponsored by the League, brought together over 100 persons at both locations to hear about projects and activities taking place in the region around place-making. Breakout sessions included discussions on art and culture, downtowns, recreation, walkability and investment.

In his remarks, Gilmartin applauded the work of those in the region, noting that folks understand the need to be moving regional assets together for economic prosperity and that projects are being done at the local level by local people.

The summit once again showed that through the Grand Vision, this region of our state has perhaps the best example of a place and asset based regional economic development strategy that fits right in line with the League's work through the "Center for 21st Century Communities"

To learn more about what's going on view this video.

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

Governing Magazine, in partnership with the League and other private and public sector organizations, is hosting a forum in Lansing on June 7, is hosting a event designed to focus on issues of importance to state and local government officials in Lansing. The forum is similar to others being held by Governing in state capitols across the country.

The forum will cover issues in finance, transportation and infrastructure, livability and economic development. high performance and health and human services. Sessions will be interactive and led by experts from across the country.

The forum will take place at the Radisson hotel in Lansing. Registration is open and there is no charge to attend. 

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

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan - Michigan Municipal League CEO & Executive Director Dan Gilmartin will give the keynote address during the 3rd Annual Public/Private/Partnership (P3) Conference in Grand Rapids May 31. The event, taking place at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids, is jointly sponsored by the Urban Land Institute of Michigan and the Michigan Municipal League. (Please note this event was originally scheduled to take place in April but has been rescheduled for May 31).

To register go here. This half-day event will begin at 8 a.m. with a breakfast and keynote address, and will continue through the morning with discussion panels, a case study, and the Metro Marketplace, where exhibitors from non-profit, development organizations, communities, and local governments can market their property listings, development plans, incentives, and services to developers and financiers, and the private sector can showcase their services to the public sector community.

The past two conferences in Rochester and Lansing have been overwhelming successes and attracted more than 450 of the state's leading real estate developers, investors, public officials, academics and professional service provider. Gilmartin will give the keynote address and discuss how to balance community wants with market realities. View the full agenda here.

"It's more important now than ever before that seemingly disparate groups find common ground to build communities that attract our young leaders to live, work, shop and play in Michigan."

Non-members of ULI can save $100 off membership when they register for this event at michigan.uli.org. For registration and sponsorship information, please contact ULI Coordinator, Shannon Sclafani at ssclafani@uli.org or (248) 807-1600. Click here for more details on registering for the event.

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

Communities across the country are undertaking efforts to help individuals and families reach financial self-sufficiency.

Such financial empowerment efforts are bringing together key stakeholders to provide greater access to financial education, income-boosting supports and tax credits, financial products and services, savings tools and consumer protections.

Through the Cities for Financial Empowerment Coalition communities are connecting individuals with tools for managing financial distress, credit repair and counseling and financial products and services. In Michigan, the Community Economic Development of Michigan (CEDAM) has launched the Michigan Communities for Financial Empowerment (MCFE).

MCFE is a network for local leaders in Michigan, providing the tools, resources and supports necessary to implement local initiatives that provide residents greater access to financial opportunity. Types of activities include "Bank On" campaigns, children's savings initiatives, financial education networks and "Show Me the Money Day" events.

The network is open to local communities across the state. For more information, contact Megan Kursik, kursik@cedam.info or 517-485-3588.

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