Background
Northeast Michigan
Known as the “sunrise side,” Michigan’s northeast coastal region is rich in natural resources and home to many significant historical and cultural sites. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the region’s long stretches of undeveloped shoreline for hunting and fishing, visit the area’s network of lighthouses and dive the many shipwrecks preserved in Thunder Bay.
Historically, the northeast region has depended on lumbering, mining, manufacturing and agriculture; however, the past few decades have been economically challenging. Community leaders have more recently turned to tourism to boost the economy by promoting the natural and cultural resources unique to the area, especially those associated with the coast. Despite the great potential for economic development, the communities are proceeding cautiously to avoid overdevelopment and destruction of the area’s resources.
The Northeast Michigan Integrated Assessment focused on the coastal portions of Presque Isle, Alpena and Alcona counties. Although a variety of initiatives targeting coastal access had been developed in the past, efforts were not well coordinated. A key purpose of this project was to build upon existing coastal initiatives for the long-term. For more details, see links to the right.
Top
|
