Across our region, there are many strong partners—people and organizations—working to create thriving communities. Yet, there are still many deep-rooted and persistent economic, societal, and environmental challenges that prevent our region from achieving truly thriving communities.
We also know that we exist in an interrelated context, and it is imperative to cultivate and support collaboration among various community sectors, including business, government, nonprofit, and philanthropy.
The Community Development Coalition of Northwest Michigan uses an innovative multi-sector framework to tackle issues holistically and systematically.
The Coalition was formed in 2019 to tap into the power of working together to achieve transformational change across our communities. The Coalition is currently made up of more than 30 cross-sector partners from the government, nonprofit, business, and philanthropic sectors that work together to move the needle on issues critical to our region.
The Coalition has a regional strategy for collective impact by 2030 that includes:
Networks Northwest has partnered with the region's economic development organizations to create the NW Lower Michigan 2022 Wage Survey. ... (More)
BATA and the Traverse City Housing Commission are working to create the first, and one of the largest, rural transit-oriented development projects in the Midwest, establishing a national model for other communities to follow. ... (More)
Northwestern Michigan College, Michigan Tech, Discovery Center & Pier, Traverse Connect, and 20Fathoms are developing an ambitious new Freshwater Research and Innovation Center on West Grand Traverse Bay. ... (More)