LIAA Provides Leverage to NWMCOG's Community Growth Grants

Grants available through the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) will give local units of government in northwest lower Michigan an opportunity to support the principles of The Grand Vision.

The New Designs for Growth: Community Growth Grants program will award grants of up to $15,000, provided as cash or technical assistance, available on a competitive basis to city, village, township, and county governments within the six-county Grand Vision region. The grant deadline is September 7, 2012.

“These grants strengthen our region by removing barriers and creating incentives for greater public and private sector investment in the communities in our region,” 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 communities for leadership, planning, collaboration, local decision-making, and action-oriented projects that enhance our communities’ sense of place, and build the foundation for a stronger regional economy.”

Successful projects will create a framework for sustainable and efficient growth and development by implementing strategies consistent with The Grand Vision principles.

The Grand Vision is a citizen-led vision for the future of land use, transportation, economic development and environmental stewardship in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford counties.

The ultimate goal of The Grand Vision is to create prosperity by making the communities it serves more attractive and viable.

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 application instructions and more information, please contact Matt McCauley at (231) 929-5000.

View/Download: NWMCOG Community Growth Grant Information
View/Download: LIAA Matching Grant Offer

Related Info: Regional Planning

Local units of government can double the value of their Community Growth Grants with help from the Land Information Access Association (LIAA).

The New Designs for Growth: Community Growth Grants available through the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) will give local units of government in northwest lower Michigan an opportunity to support the principles of The Grand Vision. In order to stretch those dollars, LIAA is offering to provide technical assistance and other services at half its regular price.

Five (5) or more local governments will be offered up to $15,000 in additional funding to pay for services from LIAA on a one‐to‐one matching basis. After winning a Community Growth Grant, a local government can engage LIAA to provide needed services, paying $1 for every $2 of services received.

Community Growth Grants will award grants of up to $15,000, provided as cash or technical assistance, available on a competitive basis to city, village, township, and county governments within the six-county Grand Vision region. Successful projects will create a framework for sustainable and efficient growth and development by implementing strategies consistent with The Grand Vision principles. The grant deadline is September 7, 2012.

Local governments are encouraged to contact LIAA early in the grant writing process to identify the type, quantity and costs of services needed. LIAA can provide a wide range of professional planning and technology support services.

The ultimate goal of The Grand Vision is to create prosperity by making the communities it serves more attractive and viable.

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 application instructions and more information, please contact Matt McCauley, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments at (231) 929-5000. Contact Land Information Access Association by calling Harry Burkholder at 231-929-3696.

View/Download: NWMCOG Community Growth Grant Information
View/Download: LIAA Matching Grant Offer

Related Info: Regional Planning

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- Ty Wessell, Leelanau County Commissioner