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| Michigan Association of Regions | |
|---|---|
| Name | Michigan Association of Regions |
| Formation | 1970s |
| Type | nonprofit association |
| Headquarters | Lansing, Michigan |
| Region served | Michigan |
| Membership | regional development agencies, councils of governments, planning commissions |
Michigan Association of Regions
The Michigan Association of Regions is a statewide nonprofit association representing regional planning entities across Michigan, serving as a coordinating forum among local, state, and federal institutions such as the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. Department of Transportation, and regional councils like the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. It convenes stakeholders including officials from Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and Flint to align regional strategies with programs administered by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, and foundations like the Kresge Foundation and Ford Foundation.
The association traces roots to cooperative initiatives in the 1970s involving entities such as the Council of Great Lakes Governors, National Association of Regional Councils, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan State University Extension, and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, evolving through interactions with projects funded by the Economic Development Administration and directives influenced by laws like the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Early collaborations involved metropolitan agencies including the Detroit Regional Chamber, West Michigan Regional Planning Commission, Midland County, Kalamazoo, and institutions like Wayne State University and Michigan State University to tackle issues intersecting with programs run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, and regional utilities such as Consumers Energy and DTE Energy.
The association's mission aligns with objectives promoted by organizations such as the American Planning Association, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Counties, and policy bodies like the Michigan Legislature to enhance regional capacity for transportation planning, economic development, environmental stewardship, and resilience. It pursues goals similar to initiatives by the Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, Regional Plan Association, and Lincoln Institute of Land Policy to support equitable investment in communities from Traverse City to Berrien County and to coordinate with programs of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
The association operates with a governing board composed of representatives from regional entities such as the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Mid-Michigan Council of Governments, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, and county-based bodies including Wayne County, Oakland County, Macomb County, and Kent County. Committees mirror subject-matter groups frequently partnered with organizations like the Federal Transit Administration, Michigan Department of Transportation, U.S. Economic Development Administration, Great Lakes Commission, and academic partners including Michigan Technological University and Grand Valley State University. Administrative functions reflect nonprofit practices also observed at the Ann Arbor Area Chamber of Commerce and state associations like the Michigan Townships Association.
Programs address cross-jurisdictional priorities similar to those advanced by the Transportation Research Board, National Science Foundation, Eisenhower Climate Initiative, and philanthropic partners such as the Kresge Foundation. Services include technical assistance for grant applications to agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, training workshops reflecting curricula of the American Planning Association Michigan Chapter, regional data coordination using platforms favored by entities like the Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and applied research in collaboration with University of Michigan Taubman College, Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Wayne State University School of Medicine for community health metrics.
Membership comprises councils of governments, metropolitan planning organizations, regional transit authorities, economic development districts, and planning commissions from locales including Detroit, Flint, Saginaw, Muskegon, and Holland. Institutional members include universities such as Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Oakland University, and nonprofits like the Michigan Environmental Council, Alliance for Economic Inclusion, and the Michigan Association of Counties. Affiliate members often include federal partners such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Federal Highway Administration, and private sector firms with ties to General Motors and Ford Motor Company.
The association engages in advocacy aligning with policy debates involving the Michigan Legislature, the U.S. Congress, state agencies like the Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan State Police, and national coalitions including the National Association of Regional Councils and Smart Growth America. Policy initiatives address funding mechanisms influenced by bills in United States Congress committees, infrastructure programs administered by the Federal Transit Administration, resilience strategies connected to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and housing policies shaped by the Fair Housing Act. It issues position statements echoing concerns raised by groups such as the Michigan Environmental Council and the Michigan League for Public Policy.
Key partners include regional bodies like the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Mid-Michigan Council of Governments, state agencies including the Michigan Department of Transportation, federal partners such as the U.S. Department of Transportation, academic institutions like the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, philanthropic organizations including the Kresge Foundation, and national networks such as the National Association of Regional Councils. Collaborative projects have involved entities like the Great Lakes Commission, Council of Great Lakes Governors, Environmental Protection Agency, Economic Development Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and local chambers such as the Detroit Regional Chamber and Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce to advance regional planning, infrastructure investment, environmental restoration, and equitable economic development across Michigan.
Category:Organizations based in Michigan