LPI Director on Place and Prosperity
 
The current economic situation has given us cause to reflect on Michigan's positioning for the future and the principles that we may need to follow. There's no doubt that a paradigm shift is needed based on what works and what does not work. For four years, the Michigan State University Land Policy Institute has made "prosperity" the driving principle behind its work. The work has involved a clearer definition of what prosperity means, analysis and modeling to explain and decompose prosperity, comparative analysis of prosperous places in order to decipher commonalities, the development of the concept of "Strategic Growth" as a framework to replace "Smart Growth" as the basic framework for regional economic development, the development of the principles of Strategic Growth, outlining of a framework for planning in the New Economy (Strategic Growth planning), the implementation of this planning framework in metropolitan areas, such as Lansing and Pontiac, and technical assistance to communities across Michigan.
 
There is a growing request for the work we have done in this area to be pulled together so each element could be easily found. Many of our communities in Michigan seem to have adopted our idea of Strategic Growth, creating increased demand for more information on this work. Through our partnership with the Michigan Townships Association, we have trained thousands of local decision makers across Michigan on the basic principles of Strategic Growth and asset-based economic development. Through our People and Land (PAL) initiative and partnerships, this concept has also been disseminated to PAL's partners, communities and people who are championing regional economic development in Michigan. Through our Michigan Citizen Planner educational program, these concepts have also been disseminated to appointed and elected officials across the state. Other venue partners include the Michigan Association of Regions, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and numerous others across the state.
 
More recently, MSU Extension agents have been delivering this information with much success to community leaders. The growing demand for me and others at LPI to attend meetings and conferences to present this work and the physical inability to meet all such demands makes it necessary for us to seek other ways to get such concepts in the hands of people who value it.
 
Gathered here are seminal content on place and prosperity that I encourage you to utilize:
 
1) "Linking Economic Prosperity to Land Use Reform" is my presentation from our 2006 Summit, providing my earliest foundational thoughts on this concept. It defines Michigan's challenges, prosperity, Smart Growth, Strategic Growth and other key elements. It is solid material for anyone interested in understanding the genesis of this idea.
 
2) Two presentations--"Making Strategic Growth Happen: Principles, Strategies and Examples" and "Moving Forward through Strategic Growth"--I made at the 2007 Summit expanded my thinking and provided concrete examples of places that have used Strategic Growth principles to build more resilient economies and better positioning within the New Economy.
 
3) My 2008 Summit presentation, "Building Prosperity, Growing Michigan," took a hard look at Michigan's poor economic performance in the new global economy and offered strategies for a return to prosperity based upon creating places with a high quality of life or, as I coined it, "strategic placemaking."
 
4) At our 2009 Summit, I presented on "Placemaking for Prosperity in the New Economy," in which I rolled up the research from our national, county-by-county study of the characteristics of places that are succeeding, and those that are not, in the New Economy. More about this study below.
 
5) In January 2008, I published two complimentary articles in the Planning & Zoning News: "Comparison of the Old Economy to the New Economy and the Relevance of the New Economy to Urban and Rural Michigan" and "Strategic Growth: The New Economy Prosperity Paradigm." The first contains what I saw to be the underpinnings of the New Economy, and why it was important for communities to begin moving forward on the new paradigm for the future. The second article presented information on strategic assets and provided examples of places around the country that have rebuilt themselves on the principles of Strategic Growth. Together, they form a primer on Strategic Growth.
 
6) The May 2008 Michigan Township News contains my cover story on "Regional Placemaking for Prosperity in the New Economy," in which I assert that "effective placemaking requires communities that share distinctive assets working together." It is a good, user-friendly, read on this subject.
 
7) In early 2009, we released a major report, Chasing the Past or Investing in Our Future: Placemaking for Prosperity in the New Economy, available both in summary and full versions. We see this report as a proof of concept study: a national, data-intensive, econometric, growth-decomposition model that verifies and confirms the validity of Strategic Growth and shows--for the first time--that critical assets, such as green infrastructure, quality of life, knowledge workers and related New Economy elements are quite relevant drivers of prosperity in today's economy.
 
8) Most recently, in July 2009, LPI staff authored three articles in the Michigan Township News, focused on entrepreneurship-based growth strategies for Michigan communities: "Entrepreneurship and Place in American Communities," "Viewing Entrepreneurial Development as an Infrastructure Need for the New Economy" and "Growing Entrepreneurial Communities." All three represent LPI's evolution of thought and research regarding prosperity science.
 
Our work continues. Forthcoming is the publication of our Michigan Critical Assets Atlas, a publication that will help communities identify regional assets and opportunities--a foundation for strategic positioning for prosperity.
 
We have also recently put together a multi-disciplinary research team from MSU and partner universities in a project entitled, "Place, Place-Performance and Prosperity." With this latest effort, if funded, the partnership intends to bring the center of place science and related policy research to MSU. The series of studies under this initiative would not only inform key pillars of prosperity, but enable a much fuller understanding of place-based policies.
 
It is interesting to note that the key strategy by the Obama Administration for rebuilding American communities draws on the very same principles that our strategic growth concept promotes: 1) regionalism, 2) rural urban interdependency, 3) strategic assets assessment and Strategic Growth planning, and 4) targeting of resources. A recent memo by key members of the Obama Administration to agency heads, "Developing Effective Place-Based Policies for the FY 2011 Budget," communicated a new policy focus that will target resources in ways to promote regionalism, urban-rural linkages, strategic assets and the insistence of having Strategic Growth plans.
 
We believe that Michigan has been well served by the Land Policy Institute's forward-looking research, which precedes federal and state policy thinking and has been available to Michigan communities for awhile. Per the White House memo, agencies will distribute 2010-2011 dollars to communities utilizing place-based approaches. 2010 is almost here. I am proposing that Michigan's regions not only accelerate their development of Strategic Growth plans but begin to prioritize their placemaking projects and initiatives based on these regional plans.
 
For communities interested in the practical application of this approach, please visit the Greater Lansing Next website. LPI assisted Leap, Inc., (Lansing Economic Area Partnership) in the development of the first comprehensive Strategic Growth plan for a region in the state of Michigan. We remain available to assist other communities that are interested in this approach to planning for prosperity.
 
Three of our LPI units are especially versed in this thinking and execution: Planning & Zoning Center at MSU, Michigan Citizen Planner and the Entrepreneurial Communities program. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with them on our website, and with all the information related to this critical issue.
 
The Land Policy Institute is dedicated to providing information and tools that will help Michigan harness the New Economy. We look forward to continuing to work with you on efforts that will return Michigan to prosperity.
 
Soji Adelaja
John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy
Director, Land Policy Institute
 
 
LPI Research Focus of

Leap, Inc.'s Greater Lansing Next Plan
 
Last week, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (Leap, Inc.) rolled out a new economic development plan for the Tri-County Region (Ingham, Clinton and Eaton Counties) in front of an attentive audience of 270 business and community leaders at the MSU Wharton Center in East Lansing. The plan was based on 10 months of intensive study of regional assets and opportunities by the MSU Land Policy Institute. Greater Lansing Next: A Plan for Regional Prosperity was unveiled with a tremendous amount of media attention and enthusiasm, but with even more hope that it will promote and galvanize a coordinated effort by business, government and nonprofit organizations in the region around implementation of seven key strategies to guide the region to greater prosperity.
 
The rollout began with 25 interviews by Leap, Inc. Board members, and Leap, Inc. and LPI staff on local media stations. By mid-afternoon, invited guests enjoyed the new space in the Wharton Center addition to hear from local leaders about how the plan will strengthen economic development in the region. The audience was treated to the wisdom of Michael Langley, Founder and President of Langley Group and Economic Development Guru, who helped lead the incredible turnaround of Pittsburg, after the steel mill crash. Langley lauded the Greater Lansing plan as a great unifying step forward and urged the audience to "shoot the ball!" By that he meant it is now time to work cooperatively to implement the plan. MSU Men's Basketball Coach Tom Izzo added the day's exclamation point by explaining the importance of a prosperous region to attracting the kind of talent needed for Michigan State University to continue to host a national-class college basketball team. Izzo urged the enthusiastic crowd to "shoot the ball" and tossed 30 basketballs into the crowd to dramatically make the point.
 
The Greater Lansing Next regional prosperity plan was prepared by the Land Policy Institute in partnership with the Leap, Inc. staff and the Board of Directors. The goal of Leap, Inc.--a consortium of business, government and NGO leaders--is to unify the region toward the creation and achievement of regional cooperation and prosperity. Leap, Inc.will play a lead role in promoting Greater Lansing Next, building support and helping to ensure that everyone who wants to help implement the plan has a meaningful role. This is on top of Leap, Inc.'s major responsibility in partnering with other regional economic development organizations to promote regional business development and marketing. The planning process was based on the Strategic Growth paradigm developed by Dr. Soji Adelaja and others at LPI. This paradigm accentuates regional place-based strategies for sustainable economic development.
 
Denyse Ferguson, Leap, Inc. CEO and President, said, "The Greater Lansing Region now has a consensus strategy around which to work cooperatively. We have already begun receiving commitments from regional partners including businesses, NGOs and local governments to take the lead in implementing the seven strategies in the plan. What we can achieve together is boundless. We have created new hope and new opportunity by adopting the plan. Leap is grateful for the many individuals, business, nonprofit and government leaders who donated their time, knowledge and energy to help shape this plan and we look forward to continuing to work with them on its successful implementation."
 
The research that went into creating the plan was embodied in four reports. The first report documented regional assets, compared the Lansing region to 55 similarly-sized regions around the nation, and reported on the results of a survey of regional leaders. The second report examined technical information on 10 clusters of business activity in the region that have the potential to create thousands of new jobs. Location quotient, shift share and input/output analysis were all performed and four clusters emerged as growth industries of consequence: finance and insurance, healthcare, life sciences and information technology. These economic clusters are recommended for future business development, attraction and acceleration activities. The third report identified key problems, opportunities, gaps and over 200 alternative strategies that could be pursued to improve job and talent creation and retention in the region. The fourth and final report synthesized the highest priority strategies into seven categories:

Dr. Soji Adelaja, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy, Director of LPI and the Chief Economic Technical Analyst for the plan; and Mark Wyckoff, Senior Associate Director of LPI, Director of the Planning & Zoning Center at MSU and Project Manager and principal author of the plan, were presented with framed artwork by the Leap, Inc. Board in thanks for their role in creating the plan. Others at LPI also provided valuable assistance: Chuck McKeown, Renewable Energy Program Manager and Informatics Coordinator; and Ben Calnin, Data and Spatial Analyst, gathered and analyzed thousands of variables and prepared hundreds of maps for the plan. Planning & Zoning Center's Jon Beard and Pat Carolan were instrumental in assembling data, preparing detailed analyses and generally being extremely helpful throughout the plan-making process. It was truly a team effort in which nearly half of LPI's staff was involved at some point.
 
"The Obama Administration has keenly embraced place-based strategies as a basic principle behind its FY 2011 investments in American communities. Our work at LPI has helped synchronize new thinking about appropriate strategies for regional economic development in the New Economy," said Dr. Adelaja when asked to comment on the importance of this plan to the Greater Lansing Region. "We are working hard to secure funding to help the other 13 regions in Michigan prepare similar strategic growth plans that will help position them to effectively compete in the new global economy, starting with opportunities afforded by the FY 2011 national budget." said Dr. Adelaja.
 
"Communities across the state have been inspired to begin working together for a better Michigan. We came away from our educational programs across the state on economic development and regionalism, with the insight that these communities need some help in moving forward. Greater Lansing Next demonstrates that communities can come together as a region to build a sustainable future together," said Mark Wyckoff.
 
Learn more about the plan at Greater Lansing Next.

 

 

LPI Director on Michigan's Future,
Part of Poll for the By the People Project:

"Hard Times, Hard Choices"
 
By the People--a civic engagement initiative launched by MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, working in partnership with the Center for Deliberative Democracy at Stanford University--has implemented a Michigan-based project, entitled "Hard Times, Hard Choices." This initiative is funded through a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
 
The project engaged a diverse, representative sample of over 300 Michigan citizens in a face-to-face statewide Deliberative Poll around critical issues related to the state's economy, education and housing. Kwame Holman, correspondent for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, served as event moderator during the two-day event in Lansing.
 
The weekend-long Deliberative Poll, held November 13-15, 2009, will be the focus of a MacNeil/Lehrer Productions documentary report, anticipated to be distributed to Michigan PBS stations and offered to PBS stations across the country in early 2010. The event consisted of three panels: Poverty, Unemployment and Education; Spending Cuts and Taxes; and Michigan's Future.
 
LPI Director Dr. Soji Adelaja participated as part of the Michigan's Future panel, which assisted the 300 participants with the technical questions they had on specific issues. Other panelists included Ken Sikkema, Senior Policy Fellow at Public Sector Consultants; Sharon Parks, President and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services; and Jake Miklojcik, President of Michigan Consultants.
 
The panel discussion addressed reinventing Michigan's economy by focusing on fiscal choices that need to be made in Michigan; fiscal accountability; the importance of the knowledge-based economy; the role and importance of urban areas, especially Detroit; the Michigan mindset; and the importance of places working together as part of regions that can effectively compete in the emerging New Economy.
 
Look for more information on the "Hard Times, Hard Choices" project, including air-date times in 2010, in future editions of "This Week at the Land Policy Institute."

 

 

 
 
 
Planning and Zoning, Risk Management

Focus of Winter Trainings
 
The simple truth is that communities need to change the way they do community planning. Local officials have a responsibility to help their communities manage the impacts of economic change and be part of the solutions to challenges and issues their communities face. Local communities that proactively plan to succeed in the New Economy can improve their quality of life and lead Michigan's recovery and transformation. As part of this process, Michigan Citizen Planner empowers local officials to shape the future of their communities by providing them with the tools and education they need to lead.
 
Classroom Programs in Planning and Zoning
This winter, Michigan Citizen Planner will be offering classroom-based training in the "Fundamentals of Planning and Zoning," a seven-week non-credit course. This certificate-based training will be offered on the following dates and locations:

The course is intended for local appointed and elected officials, zoning administrators and interested citizens. Cost to attend is $350 per person, which includes registration, course materials and refreshments. The special topic session, "Working across Community Boundaries," is also available for $75. Group discounts are available for four or more. Scholarships may be available from your community's liability insurance provider. For PAR-Plan members, contact Barb Callahan at 800.783.1370 for more information.To register and learn more, visit Classroom Series.
 
To schedule a classroom-based training, if one isn't currently being offered in your community, either contact your local MSU Extension office or Michigan Citizen Planner at [email protected] or 517.432.7600.
 
Special Training Opportunity
Planning and zoning decisions that are subject to law suits are part of the formal dispute resolution process. Therefore, all land use actions and decisions should be made in a predictable, fair and cost-effective manner. To address these issues, Michigan Citizen Planner is hosting a workshop on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, on "Risk Management: How to Stay out of Court" at the Artesian Wells Sports Tavern, Cement City. This workshop, taught by MSU Land Policy Educator Jasneet Sharma, will discuss steps attendees can take to minimize the risk of legal action, as well as measures that may improve your chances to win the case, if you are sued. As part of the training, attendees will learn how to:

For those who register by Tuesday, December 15, 2009, cost to attend is $75 ($65 for Master Citizen Planners (MCP)). After December 15, 2009, cost to attend is $85 ($75 for MCP's). The fee includes refreshments and resource materials. Attendance at each workshop will count for 0.3 continuing education units for MCPs. To register and learn more, visit Risk Management Workshop.
 
Michigan Citizen Planner is an MSU Extension program within the Land Policy Institute.
 
 
Future of Michigan Land Use Addressed by
LPI Director at Conference on Michigan's Future
 
Last week, Local Future hosted the 2009 Conference on Michigan's Future at the Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville. This year's theme was "Energy, Economy and the Environment." The three-day event explored visions of a sustainable future; critical challenges facing the economy; and strategies for developing a stable, enduring economic, energy and environmental future.
 
On Saturday, November 14, 2009, LPI Director Dr Soji Adelaja spoke on "Land Use in Michigan's Future: Planning for Prosperity in the 'New Economy'." Specifically, he addressed the importance of placemaking in the move toward prosperity; the current state of Michigan's population dynamics, along with the differences between the Old and New Economies; the need for a paradigm shift toward place-based thinking, support for entrepreneurship (both urban and rural) and regional cooperation related to future economic development. He also provided key opportunities for regions, including the importance of asset-based strategies and infrastructure planning.
 
Later that morning, Dr. Adelaja sat on a panel with Economist Richard Douthwaite, Author of "The Ecology of Money." The panel responded to information presented in Douthwaite's presentation, dialogued with Douthwaite and answered questions from the audience. Other panelists included Robert Costanza, Director of the Gund Institute for Ecological Economics at the University of Vermont; and Thomas Greco, Community and Monetary Economist and Author of "The End of Money and The Future of Civilization."
 
Topics discussed by the panel included money and local currency, both national and international; the need to transition from the Old to the New Economy in Michigan and the U.S.; the economic future of Michigan agriculture, along with the need to focus on food availability and distribution, viability and sustainability; and the need to enlighten the public and policy makers on the path toward a stable economic future for Michigan.
 
Audio from the discussion is available for download at Economist's Panel. Download Dr. Adelaja's presentation at: "Land Use in Michigan's Future." The audio version of his presentation is also available for download.  
 
 
Agriculture as Smart Land Use

LPI Director at Agriculture Forum in TC
 
Last week, Peninsula Township hosted an agriculture forum at Chateau Chantal in Traverse City (TC). The event focused on the need to further develop a message on successful land use planning for communities like Old Mission, Acme Township or Leelanau County.
 
Keynote speaker Dr. Soji Adelaja, Director of LPI, focused on "'The Old Mission Peninsula': Land, Place and New Agriculture Land in a 'New Economy'." Specifically, he provided an economic history of Old Mission Peninsula, including its successes in placemaking; its connections to the Green Economy and niche markets in agriculture; and a vision of the future for Peninsula Township. He contrasted by discussing the economic status of the state of Michigan; the importance of placemaking to the prosperity of the state, its regions and communities; and the differences between the Old and New Economies. He addressed the need for a regional prospective and working together to achieve prosperity and outlined key opportunities that the Peninsula can take advantage of to move itself forward in the New Economy. Finally, he discussed the importance of viable agriculture to the region and provided principles and strategies for agricultural "Smart Growth."
 
Download his presentation at: "The Old Mission Peninsula."  
 
 

Act Now: Take Advantage of the

Year-End Online Program Special
 
From now until Thursday, December 31, 2009, Michigan Citizen Planner is offering a special discount to all that sign-up for online training in the core series, "Fundamentals of Planning and Zoning." New registrants will pay $199.99 for the series, a savings of $150 off the original price of $349.99. To take advantage of this limited-time offer, simply register online and include "cponline" as the coupon code where requested.
 
The core series--consisting of seven modules--is a certificate-based curriculum program designed to equip volunteer community leaders with the technical knowledge and leadership skills needed to perform their duties more effectively. Each module is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience, whether the participant is a new planning official, an experienced planner looking for a refresher or an interested citizen. 
 
One of the best things about the online training program is that participants can work at their own pace when and where the training fits into their busy personal and professional lives. Many appointed and elected local officials, community planners and interested citizens have taken advantage of the online training program. Hear what some of them had to say.
 
Be sure to act now to take advantage of this limited-time opportunity. To register and learn more, visit Michigan Citizen Planner Online.
 
 
ICE to Host Meeting on

What Makes a Good Business Idea?
 
Last month at the Mid-Michigan Innovation Club for Entrepreneurs (ICE) meeting, several Lansing-area professionals were on hand to share ideas and learn about how media is supporting entrepreneurs. Ivy Hughes, Managing Editor of Capital Gains Media, described how Capital Gains is serving a niche market that communicates positive stories about innovation, growth, entrepreneurship and lifestyle. This news source is the Lansing-focused arm of Issue Media Group, which emphasizes advancing innovative ideas to the local creative economy in order to provide more news coverage that represents the revival--and young voice--of the Greater Lansing Area. Entrepreneurs interested in sharing their stories should contact Ivy Hughes at [email protected].
 
On Tuesday, December 1, 2009, ICE is hosting their next monthly meeting from 5:30pm - 7:30pm at the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center (TIC), located at 325 E. Grand River (top floor) just west of Barnes & Noble Bookstore. Public parking is available in the ramp north of Barnes & Noble Bookstore, from Charles Street.
 
This month's meeting will feature guest speaker Don Waskiewicz, Owner of Deep Blue Insights, LLC. Waskiewicz's business provides consultative services and collaborative design to companies looking to build or improve IT infrastructure or processes, create Customer Relationship Management (CRM) or lead generation applications, Web Portal development and New Product Development activities. As an entrepreneur and Business Development Manager, Waskiewicz will address "What Makes a Good Business Idea."
 
This event is free and open to the public, with refreshments provided. Attendants should bring business cards and start-up and concept ideas. RSVPs are welcome and appreciated. Please send RSVPs to Bethany Lumbert at [email protected].  
 
The first ICE Meeting in 2010 will take place on Tuesday, January 5, at the same time and same place. An ICE flyer is available for download. Please feel free to post this information and pass it along to those who might be interested.
 
Meeting summaries from the October and November meetings are available online. For more information, visit Innovation Club for Entrepreneurs or check out ICE on Facebook. Questions, contact Dr. Barb Fails at [email protected] or 517.432.3287.
 
The purpose of the monthly club is to provide a new forum for professionals of the Greater Lansing Area to share and explore ideas in a positive and supportive environment, create or strengthen existing networks for collaboration and find resources to bring ideas to life. ICE is a collaborative effort of the MSU Land Policy Institute and YSG Lansing. 
 
 

December Training Opportunity,

Renewable Energy Systems
 
In conjunction with LPI's Renewable Energy Program, Michigan Citizen Planner is hosting a workshop series on "Small-Scale Renewable Energy Systems 101" from December 2-10, 2009, across Michigan. The workshops will be held from 6pm - 9:30pm at the following dates and locations:
 
December 2, 2009:

December 3:

December 9:

December 10:

This workshop series--co-sponsored by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, MDELEG Bureau of Energy Systems and Michigan Farm Bureau--will cover a wide variety of energy issues for local governments and stakeholders. To help communities address these challenges, this training will cover:

Registration is now available. Cost to attend is $75 ($65 for MCPs). The fee includes refreshments and resource materials. Attendance at the workshop will count for 0.3 continuing education units for MCPs. Learn more at Small-Scale Renewable Energy Systems 101.
 
 

Hear the Latest Michigan Now Reports:
 
Norwegian Wind Developer:

Michigan Perfect for Offshore Wind
November 19, 2009
 
State government is closer to getting windmills on the water. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has renewed the 29-member Great Lakes Wind Council. Their job has been to figure out where windmills could generate the most electricity without disturbing nature and commerce. This month, the Council heard a call to action from a Norwegian wind developer. Michigan Now's Chris McCarus reports. Listen in at Michigan Perfect for Wind. Note: LPI Director Dr. Soji Adelaja was appointed to this council by Gov. Granholm.
 
Michigan Now is supported by the Land Policy Institute, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and Issue Media Group.
 
 
Good Ink . . .