Regional Community Scorecard

With a shared pursuit of overall growth, prosperity, and sustainability for the Northwest Lower Michigan region, the Community Development Coalition set collective priorities with measurable economic, societal, and environmental goals.

Our Regional Community Scorecard features shared metrics that track the region’s progress toward each goal, with specific targets for improvement by 2030. The Scorecard measures and monitors change in the areas that matter most, emphasizing shared accountability and transparent communication along the way.

How to Use the Scorecard

The Scorecard is organized into three broad categories: Economic, Societal, and Environmental. Each category contains a defined vision, including several objectives, long-term targets and key indicators of progress. Each Scorecard objective was identified with input from cross-sector Coalition Contributors with relevant expertise.

Scorecard Terminology:

Vision – A succinct description of where we see our region in 10 years.
Objective – How we will measure progress toward our vision.
Target – The specific and measurable long term goal.
Key Indicator – A shorter-term target to measure progress toward our target and vision.

Scorecard Navigation:

    1. Select a category—Economic, Societal, or Environmental—using the + or – to expand and collapse each category.
    2. Explore each vision, objective, target, and key indicator.
    3. Rollover the under each objective to view additional details, like baseline and source data, who is working on this objective, and why the objective is important. To easily see progress toward these goals, reference the color coded bar above each objective.

How to Track Progress on the Scorecard

The Scorecard is updated on an annual basis. To see progress toward our shared goals, reference the color coded bar above each objective.

Green – Reflects progress and an overall better trend
Yellow – Reflects no change
Red – Reflects a worsening trend

How are we doing?

better

no change

worse

  • Economic

    Vision:

    Diversified, thriving regional economy that promotes sustainable growth and creates jobs

    Vision:

    Diversified, thriving regional economy that promotes sustainable growth and creates jobs

    OBJECTIVE

    Increase professional, IT, scientific, technical jobs

    2030 Target

    10%

    Increase

    KEY INDICATORS

    1000

    New high skill jobs by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    By targeting these jobs, we can grow both our economy and support working families in a sustainble way. STEM professionals help diversify our economy and make it more resilient.

    BASELINE

    2.6% decline from 2014-2018 to 2,843 jobs

    CURRENT STATE

    0.44% decline to 2,758 jobs (Q4 2020) from 2,746 jobs (2019)

    REGION

    4 county

    Partners

    Traverse Connect

    Networks Northwest

    SOURCE

    US Bureau of Labor Statistics

    Date of last update

    August 31, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Increase average wage per employee

    2030 Target

    90%

    Of Michigan average wage

    KEY INDICATORS

    3%

    Increase by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    Strategies will target both the top and bottom wages, mitigating extremes in regional wealth disparity.

    BASELINE

    70% of MI avg.

    CURRENT STATE

    69% of MI avg. (2020)

    REGION

    4 county

    Partners

    Traverse Connect

    Networks Northwest

    SOURCE

    US Bureau of Labor Statistics

    Date of last update

    August 31, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Increase % of working families

    2030 Target

    5%

    Increase

    KEY INDICATORS

    30

    New residents (ages 35-49) by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    As our region ages and retires, we need a workforce to sustain the economy. Mid-career employees also have children which strengthens our schools.

    BASELINE

    10% decline from 2010-2017

    CURRENT STATE

    5% decline from 2017 to 2019

    REGION

    4 County

    Partners

    Traverse Connect

    Networks Northwest

    SOURCE

    Regional Population Migration Data - US Census Bureau

    Date of last update

    August 31, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Increase educational attainment of post-secondary credentials of value

    2030 Target

    45%

    Of population has post-secondary degree or certification

    KEY INDICATORS

    5%

    Increase by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    Degrees and credentials of value increase earning potential for employees. Employers working with credentialing partners build a stronger workforce.

    BASELINE

    34.2%

    CURRENT STATE

    44% (2019)

    REGION

    4 county

    Partners

    Traverse Connect

    NMC

    SOURCE

    American Community Survey - US Census Bureau

    Date of last update

    August 31, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Improve arts and culture resources and experiences

    2030 Target

    #1

    Become #1 arts-vibrant medium sized community in the U.S.

    KEY INDICATORS

    Top 5

    Secure top 5 ranking by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    A vibrant arts culture is a desirable and necessary part of a strong community.

    BASELINE

    #10

    CURRENT STATE

    No new data for 2021; delayed due to COVID-19

    REGION

    5 county+

    Partners

    The Dennos Museum Center

    Interlochen Center for the Arts

    Interlochen Public Radio

    NWMI Arts and Culture Network

    Traverse Connect

    SOURCE

    NCAR Arts Vibrancy Index II

    Date of last update

    August 31, 2021

  • Societal

    Vision:

    Improved health and well-being for all people in Northwest Michigan

    Vision:

    Improved health and well-being for all people in Northwest Michigan

    OBJECTIVE

    Improve community mobility

    2030 Target

    50%

    Increase in public transit use over ten years

    KEY INDICATORS

    20%

    Increase in public transit usage by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    Increase use of public transit has a positive impact on carbon emissions, and it will require public infrastructure improvements - things like sidewalks, bus shelters and other amenities that connect with transit stops.

    BASELINE

    811,484 total passengers

    CURRENT STATE

    No new data for 2021; delayed due to COVID-19

    REGION

    5 county

    Partners

    BATA

    MDOT

    Northwest Ed

    Norte

    Date of last update

    April 30, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Improve access to housing

    2030 Target

    10%

    Reduction in overburdened households

    KEY INDICATORS

    5%

    Reduction in overburdened households by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    Currently, we have a shortage of attainable housing options in desirable areas, and a large % of our workforce living far from their employer.

    BASELINE

    55% of households overburdened (defined as those spending 45% of income on housing and transportation)

    CURRENT STATE

    No new data for 2021; delayed due to COVID-19

    REGION

    5 county+

    Partners

    Housing North

    Goodwill Northern Michigan

    SOURCE

    Housing and Transportation Affordability Index

    Date of last update

    April 30, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Improve youth mental health and well-being through social-emotional learning

    2030 Target

    Regional students meet or exceed national social-emotional learning benchmark

    KEY INDICATORS

    % increase in social-emotional learning competencies by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of acquiring knowledge and skills to manage emotions, care about others, behave ethically and responsibly, and avoid negative behavior. SELWeb is a national normed reference assessment and SSIS (Social Skill Improvement System) is a criterion reference assessment used to identify needed improvement.

    BASELINE

    TBD

    CURRENT STATE

    TBD

    REGION

    5 county

    Partners

    Northern Michigan Health Innovation Region (NMCHIR)

    GT County Health Department

    Northwest Ed

    SOURCE

    Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth (MiPHY)

    Date of last update

    August 31, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Improve youth mental health and well-being through child safety

    2030 Target

    2.23%

    Of children ages 0-17 in investigated families

    KEY INDICATORS

    1.39%

    Increase by 2023 of children ages 0-17 in investigated families

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    Research indicates a strong relationship between exposure to adversity in childhood, such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and multiple risk factors for the leading causes of death in adults. To be effective, child protection must become a part of everyday life, an ordinary function of the settings in which youth and their families live, study, work, worship, and play.

    BASELINE

    1.32% of children ages 0-17 in investigated families

    CURRENT STATE

    1.31% of children ages 0-17 in investigated families

    REGION

    5 county

    Partners

    Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center

    SOURCE

    KIDS COUNT Data Book

    Date of last update

    August 31, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Increase school readiness

    2030 Target

    60%

    School ready

    KEY INDICATORS

    44%

    School ready by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    National research shows investment in early literacy, ready to learn and social networking skills for pre-schoolers increases likelihood of success in K-12.

    BASELINE

    35%

    CURRENT STATE

    36% (2020-2021 school year)

    REGION

    5 county

    Partners

    Northwest Ed

    SOURCE

    Northwest Ed School Readiness Data

    Date of last update

    August 31, 2021

  • Environmental

    Vision:

    Restore and protect Northwest Michigan land, air and water resources

    Vision:

    Restore and protect Northwest Michigan land, air and water resources

    OBJECTIVE

    Reduce carbon emissions

    2030 Target

    60%

    Of energy provided from clean and renewable sources

    KEY INDICATORS

    27%

    Of energy provided from clean and renewable sources by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    By both reducing energy use and securing energy from renewable sources, we have a substantial impact on the environment.

    BASELINE

    14.87% of energy provided from clean and renewable sources

    CURRENT STATE

    14.87% renewables (2020)

    REGION

    City of Traverse City

    Partners

    TCL&P

    SOURCE

    Traverse City Light & Power Strategic Plan

    Date of last update

    April 30, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Protect and preserve open space and farmland

    2030 Target

    13,000

    New acres protected

    KEY INDICATORS

    1,300

    New acres protected by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    Loss of farmland and greenspace impacts property value, damages wetlands and watersheds, and negatively impacts our ability to achieve a sustainable food ecosystem.

    BASELINE

    433 acres protected and preserved annually

    CURRENT STATE

    1,048 acres protected (2020)

    REGION

    5 county+

    Partners

    Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

    Leelanau Land Conservancy

    SOURCE

    GTR Land Conservancy and Leelanau Land Conservancy Strategic Plans

    Date of last update

    April 30, 2021

    OBJECTIVE

    Improve regional water quality resources

    2030 Target

    10

    Large-scale green infrastructure projects installed

    KEY INDICATORS

    3

    Large-scale green infrastructure projects installed by 2023

    WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

    Green infrastructure captures and filters surface water during major rain events, protecting our waters.

    BASELINE

    1 large-scale green infrastructure project installed annually

    CURRENT STATE

    2 large-scale green infrastructure projects installed (2020)

    REGION

    Antrim, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau County

    Partners

    Watershed Center

    Local Governments

    SOURCE

    Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan

    Date of last update

    April 30, 2021