New Website Highlights Placemaking Efforts in Northern Michigan

News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2012

Media Contact:     
Dan Boss
Program Publicity Specialist
Voice: (231) 929-5047
Email: danboss@nwm.cog.mi.us

                                                                                               

New Website Highlights Placemaking Efforts in Northern Michigan
New Community Placemaking Guidebook Also Available

 

NORTHWEST, MI—A new website highlighting placemaking efforts in northern Michigan is available from the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG). CreateMiPlace.org is designed to give communities a better understanding of what placemaking is and how it can be implemented.

"CreateMiPlace.org is an interactive website that will give communities in northwest lower Michigan an opportunity to share their placemaking experiences and how it is helping them build prosperity," said Matt McCauley, NWMCOG's director of regional planning and community development.

CreateMiPlace.org will give communities a a quick and easy way to see placemaking stories from communities around the region. Communities will also be able to post stories and information about their placemaking efforts and upload placemaking videos to the website.

Placemaking is a community-based approach to the planning, design, and management of spaces that have local and regional importance. It involves the discovery and implementation of practices that make our communities distinctive, economically viable, accessible, and visually pleasing. 

Governor Rick Snyder recognizes the importance of placemaking. In his message on Community Development and Local Government Reforms, Governor Snyder said, "A community without place amenities will have a difficult time attracting and retaining talented workers and entrepreneurs, or being attractive to businesses."

Along with the CreateMiPlace.org website, a Northern Michigan Community Placemaking Guidebook is also being provided by NWMCOG. The Guidebook provides information and resources to help communities implement placemaking. It includes case studies of placemaking projects in six northern Michigan communities. The Guidebook can be downloaded from the CreateMiPlace.org website.

 

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