Direct Technical Assistance

Networks Northwest Regional Planning Department provides services and programs for the county and local units of government in the ten-county Northwest Lower Michigan region.

The Networks Northwest Regional Planning Department’s goal is to provide useful resources and services to enable and enhance local decision-makers', stakeholders', and the public's ability to evaluate and make the best possible choices to protect, enhance, and promote a high quality of life in the region. Serving the collective vision and interests of communities in northwest Lower Michigan is the reason we're here.

Networks Northwest’s planning philosophy is that the community affected by the planning process is the planning expert- not us. As planners and facilitators, our job is to complement the community’s vision and knowledge. We provide approaches and experience that have found success in other communities and planning processes, and integrate those best practices into a community-driven planning process.

Networks Northwest Regional Planning staff provides assistance and resources to county and local governments, on a fee-for-service basis, in the areas of community visioning, partnership building, master plan development, recreation plan development, transportation planning, plan and policy implementation, and education and resources.
 

Community Visioning
Networks Northwest provides assistance in guiding and facilitating the public input and community visioning processes, through workshops, questionnaires, and public awareness and communications activities. Visioning projects include facilitation, organization, resources, and coordination.

GIS Mapping Services
Networks Northwest provides high-quality mapping services to the region. We offer a variety of fee-based mapping services to help you with all of your GIS needs. We can customize maps specific to your needs. Click here for more information on our GIS services.
 

Partnerships and Facilitation
As a neutral convener, Networks Northwest helps communities build coalitions and partnerships in preparation for community plans and projects and in the implementation of goals that cross government boundaries and involve multiple stakeholders.
 

Master Plan Development
Networks Northwest provides facilitation, communications, and technical assistance for communities developing or updating their master plans.  Staff provides guidance in public input, goal setting, plan development, and procedural requirements throughout the planning process. Master plan activities include communications, coordination, facilitation, and plan development, as well as data, analysis, and mapping for local master plan updates

Recreation, Parks, and Trail Plan Development
Networks Northwest provides facilitation, communications, and technical assistance for communities developing or updating their recreation plans; and for communities or regions developing plans or policies for specific parks or projects   Staff provides guidance in public input, goal setting, plan development, and procedural requirements throughout the planning process. Recreation planning activities are conducted for a variety of geographies and issues areas, including recreation plans, management plans, and non-motorized trail plans.

Transportation Planning
Networks Northwest provides meeting coordination, facilitation, and implementation assistance for transportation projects including state heritage route planning and implementation. Projects include scenic heritage route designation, committee coordination and facilitation, plan development, and implementation.

Plan and Policy Implementation
Networks Northwest provides assistance to communities as they work towards implementation of policies and planning goals. Assistance may include grant writing and administration; zoning ordinance amendments; and partnership building. Projects include technical assistance and resources regarding zoning amendments, tax incentives, and other policy decisions; and energy efficiency grants and implementation assistance.
 

For more information on Networks Northwest Regional Planning services or activities, or for bids or proposals on specific projects, please contact us.