The City of East Lansing celebrated its accomplishments this past year by releasing its 2011 Annual Report, integrated with an attractive 2012 community events calendar. Throughout the report, the city highlights success stories that have helped create a “sense of place,” making this community a destination that people are proud to call home. According to 2010 census figures (and in contrast to the overall state population trend), East Lansing experienced an increase of 4.4% in population, which it attributes to their quality of living and close-knit neighborhoods.
Through the Center for 21st Century Communities, the League identified eight key assets which are critical to creating the kinds of vibrant communities that will attract not only the knowledge-based workers, but people of all ages. Creating place is an economic development strategy which will build sustainable and unique places, and help us compete on a global scale in the 21st century.
Clearly, East Lansing is progressive in its vision and strategies, investing in resources that contribute to that "sense of place." As a diverse walkable university city, it values its parks, ensures that its residents have access to a wide variety of cultural events, leverages its institutions to create educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, promotes sustainability through an enhanced recycling program and continues to maintain a high level of services for its residents.
Congratulations to the East Lansing community for their great work!
Colleen Layton is Director of Policy Development for the Michigan Municipal League. She can be reached at 734-669-6320 or by clayton@mml.org
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