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Grand Vision Celebrates Implementation of Guiding Principles at Community Updates in Six Counties
Over six nights in six communities, The Grand Vision celebrated successful implementation of its six Guiding Principles, and encouraged communities to continue the efforts. Projects that were specific to each county were presented, and the county's Grand Visionary honoree and recipients of Community Growth Grants were featured. Videos that were produced by local students were shown throughout each night. The events were titled: "The Grand Vision: Community Action Updates, Connecting Communities to $10 million and Counting..." and were attended by local businesses, citizens, organizations, and public officials.
In his closing comments, Grand Vision CORE Chairman Kim Pontius said, "The Grand Vision isn't "taking credit" for work that has been done as a grass roots effort. Tonight, we are simply pointing out the great work that is being done here - work that is making The Grand Vision a reality. We are shining a well-deserved spotlight on the passion and commitment that so many have for this community, as well as the values and visions of the youth."
Many of the projects that received the spotlight were self-identified as aligned with The Grand Vision during a survey of local organizations working to implement the Guiding Principles. More than 300 projects were listed in that survey, which collectively brought $10 million of investment into the region.
This year's Grand Vision Community Action Updates were made possible by a $15,000 Smart Growth Grant from the National Association of REALTORS� with support from the Traverse Area Association of REALTORS� (TAAR).
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Grand Visionaries Honored at
Community Action Updates
The Grand Vision CORE group named two individuals, two couples, and two organizations as recipients of the 2012 Grand Visionary awards at the series of Community Action Updates held in each of the six Grand Vision counties during the first two weeks of October. The award recognizes residents who engage the community in activities that further The Grand Vision principles.
The Antrim County Grand Visionaries are Joe and Lisa Short, the owners of Short's Brewing Company. They were recognized for supporting local food systems, preserving natural assets, and helping to create vibrant local communities.
"I think The Grand Vision is a great way for our region to band together and for the businesses in the region to band together around some common goals," said Matt Drake, Short's Brewing Company operations manager.
The Grand Visionary award in Benzie County went to Benzie Bus for their collaboration with other organizations and commitment to a regional transportation system.
"The Grand Vision has just been great for us," said Susan Miller, executive director of the Benzie Transportation Authority. "It's this huge group of people all working together to make this region be an example for the state about cooperative work and doing some great things."
Acme Township Supervisor Wayne Kladder was selected as the Grand Traverse County Grand Visionary for his leadership in  acquiring shoreline property and nurturing partnerships for the Acme Shoreline Project.
"It's a Grand Vision because it now has given us all a common vision to move forward," said Kladder.
In Kalkaska County Shetler Family Dairy owners George and Sally Shetler are the Grand Visionaries for their commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and community involvement.
"I'm very positive about the future of Kalkaska," said George Shetler. "I see more visionaries at work in downtown Kalkaska and the County that are really working to see things move forward in a positive way."
Ian Plamondon, a 2012 Suttons Bay High School graduate, is the Leelanau County Grand Visionary for his vision, persistence and dedication in the development of the Suttons Bay disc golf course at Herman Park. Ian is now a student at MSU and was unable to attend the Community Action Update, but his efforts were highlighted in a student video about the disc golf course shown at the event. Click here to see that student produced video.
The Grand Visionary award in Wexford County went to Baker College of Cadillac for responding to the needs of the community by developing an Agriculture Technology program. 
"What we're doing with our Agriculture program and also a vision that we have for an Institute of Agriculture and Sustainable Resources parallels perfectly with what The Grand Vision is all about," said Mark Lagerwey, Dean of Business and Technology at Baker College of Cadillac. Click here to see a student produced video about Baker's Agriculture program.
More information, including photos and interviews with Grand Visionaries is available at thegrandvision.org.
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Grants Awarded to Communities Supporting The Grand Vision 
The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG), in partnership with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, announced this year's recipients of New Designs for Growth: Community Growth Grants at the Grand Vision Community Action Updates held in each of the six Grand Vision counties during the first two weeks of October.
These awards, provided in part with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, offer funding and/or technical assistance to local units of government for projects that pursue the principles of The Grand Vision as a means to increase economic prosperity and growth in their community.
"This year's awards focus on four of The Grand Vision principles: creating unique and vibrant communities, multi-modal transportation options, protection and enrichment of our natural resources, and local food systems enhancement," said Matt McCauley, NWMCOG director of regional planning and community development. "Their purpose is to move The Grand Vision to action by providing direct financial support to assist communities in their efforts to flourish and build the foundation for a more resilient regional economy."
Projects from each of the six Grand Vision counties were awarded grants as follows:
- Antrim County, Village of Ellsworth - awarded $12,500 to help support and market their farmers market, build awareness of the community, including downtown businesses and to strengthen ties between the agricultural and educational sectors.
- Benzie County, City of Frankfort - awarded $12,500 to implement community WI-FI within the Main Street and Lake Michigan Beach corridor.
- Grand Traverse County Parks & Recreation Department - awarded $10,000 to advance the efforts of two new regional collaboratives (the Parks and Recreation Network, and the Up North Experience Partnership) with the goal of fostering a sustainable, world class parks and recreation system in the Grand Traverse Region.
- Grand Traverse County, Village of Kingsley - awarded $5,000 for planning and funding for a public outdoor art display project to coordinate artists, donors, volunteers, businesses and the public to achieve success for the project.
- Kalkaska County -awarded a NWMCOG technical assistance grant that will bring in planning staff to organize and execute the creation of Kalkaska County's recreation plan in a manner which also supports and reinforces township plans and planning efforts.
- Kalkaska County, Village of Kalkaska - awarded a $7,500 grant to assist with the purchase of property in the 300 block of their downtown core slated for redevelopment in their new Master Plan.
- Leelanau County, Village of Empire - awarded a $12,500 grant to identify and create transportation opportunities and alternatives that will enhance the ability of residents and visitors to move and circulate between the assets of the Village of Empire and the surrounding area.
- Wexford County, City of Cadillac - awarded a NWMCOG technical assistance grant for the creation of a Complete Streets policy to guide transportation project decision-making in their community.
The New Designs for Growth: Community Growth Grants program is administered by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, in partnership with the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, and is made possible through generous support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
For more information about the Community Growth Grants, including interviews with grant recipients click here.
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Student Videos Available
on Grand Vision Website 
The student videos unveiled at the 2012 Community Action Update events are now available for viewing on The Grand Vision website. The 26 videos involved more than 900 students from The Grand Vision region. Each of the videos ties into The Grand Vision by illustrating how a sense of "place" is important to students.
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Local Housing Advocate to Receive
Housing Leadership Award 
The Grand Vision Housing Solutions Network and the Foundation for Mental Health have selected housing advocate Cheryl Naperala to receive the inaugural Grand Vision Housing Leadership Award. The award will be presented on Friday, November 9 at an awards luncheon at the Traverse City Golf and Country Club on Union Street in Traverse City.
The Grand Vision Housing Leadership Award highlights the contributions of individuals in northwest lower Michigan who have made positive, significant contributions to housing for all residents. The award is for individuals including elected or appointed officials, professional staff, or volunteers who have:
- Made important contributions to the region's housing choices;
- Increased the understanding and awareness of housing needs;
- Led efforts resulting in significant economic, social, and/or political impacts in the community that have encouraged housing choices for all.
Naperala is being recognized for her contributions to supporting and housing the region's homeless and those with special needs. In 1987 she helped start the Foundation for Mental Health (FMH) which began to address the mounting problem of homelessness among mentally ill individuals in the five-county area. Naperala's work as director of FMH was instrumental in moving the fledgling organization into a critical support for the region's homeless. FMH now owns, develops, and manages supportive housing for people with special needs, providing housing for over 80 formerly-homeless members of the community and their families.
Since 2000 Naperala has been the coordinator for the Grand Traverse Area Continuum of Care where she has played a pivotal role in attracting financial resources to the area. Under her leadership at the Continuum of Care, over $12 million has been awarded to the region for use in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and stable homes for families and individuals.
Naperala continues to advocate and work toward the development of supportive and equal opportunity housing for the Grand Traverse Area.
The November 9 awards luncheon is open to the public and will feature keynote speaker Judge Michael Stepka, who will discuss the 86th District Court's Mental Health Court.
Tickets are available for $20 from TREAT Tickets (www.treattickets.com).
For more information contact: Sarah Lucas, Regional Planner, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, 231-929-5034,
sarahlucas@nwm.cog.mi.us; or Emilee Syrewicze, Executive Director Foundation for Mental Health, 231-929-1309, Emilee.fmh@gmail.com.
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Information and Events
 Transportation Network:
October 25
Transit Subcommittee Meeting
4:00 p.m., BATA Transfer Center
Hall St., Traverse City
November 6
Transportation Network Meeting
3:30 p.m., NWMCOG office
600 East Front St., Traverse City
Second floor conference room
 Food & Farming Network:
November 7
Agricultural Economic Development Workshop
6:30 - 9:00 p.m., Northwest Michigan Horticultural
Research Station
6686 South Center Highway, Traverse City
Click here for information and registration.
Energy Network:
November 9
Energy Network Meeting
9:00 a.m.
NMC Aero Park Laboratories Building
2525 Aero Park Drive, Traverse City
Growth & Investment Network:
November 12
Growth & Investment Network Meeting
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Conference Room, Traverse City Michigan Works!
1209 South Garfield
Housing Solutions Network:
November 13
Housing Solutions Network Meeting
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Conference Room, Traverse City Michigan Works!
1209 South Garfield
Natural Resources Network:
November 21
Natural Resources Network Meeting
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Steelcase Room, Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce
202 E. Grandview Parkway
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Grand Vision Guiding Principles
Based on intensive research and input from thousands of citizens from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford counties, a vision that will lead to prosperity for people throughout northwest lower Michigan was created founded on these guiding principles:
A coordinated regional transportation network
Unique and vibrant communities
Housing choices
Sustainable-energy uses in construction, transportation and economic development
Protected and preserved water, forests, natural and scenic areas
Viable regional farms and local food systems
thegrandvision.org
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