Broader Impact
In addition to the impacts listed below, government agencies, towns and businesses have developed new partnerships and have developed new ideas for sustainable economic development. Project efforts have helped secure more than $400,000 in grants and funding to employ new efforts. This project has helped guide regional planning and decision making by:
- Providing an inventory of cultural and ecological resources and evaluating planning and zoning tools. See: Results
- Encouraging the development of regional goals and prioritizing potential actions for achieving them. See: Policy Context
Additional Partner Impacts
“NEMIA encouraged us to look at planning beyond the individual park basis. It made sense in this instance and has led to similar planning for three parks in southwest Michigan.”
– Paul Curtis, MDNR- Parks |
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Representatives from Negwegon, Rockport and Thompson’s Harbor state parks participated in workshops to develop a new coordinated management plan. In addition, the parks developed a citizen advisory committee to enhance communication between state and local partners.
NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
This project provided technical and community support for a Maritime Heritage Trail proposal that will be constructed by the sanctuary in collaboration with surrounding towns. The process allowed the federal agency to form partnerships with the surrounding counties and to explore opportunities to expand the sanctuary.
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
This assessment helped prioritize regional needs and opportunities, and in turn, helped the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality evaluate and fund projects such as the Huron Blueways Project.
Northeast Michigan Council of Governments
This project fostered a variety of regional partnerships between federal, state and local agencies, enhancing the Council of Governments’ mission. The assessment also helped the leaders from the council focus attention and secure funding for projects that address the region’s long-term goals.
Michigan Sea Grant
This assessment helped Michigan Sea Grant leaders to prioritize its programming in the region. Sea Grant is now leading and leveraging support for new, targeted initiatives, including supporting coastal tourism, entrepreneurial business efforts and Great Lakes education.
Implementing Regional Priorities
“NEMIA brought the three counties together to help take a look at the needs, to broaden our focus and realize that what we have in common is greater than what separates us.”
– Bethany Styer, Alcona Economic Development Corporation |
Regional Coastal Tourism Survey
Based on needs identified by the assessment project, marine sanctuary staff and the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments are working together to conduct a study to gather tourism data that is current, specific and relevant to northeast Michigan.
Coastal Tourism Business Support Website
Michigan Sea Grant is developing a web-based “toolbox” designed to provide targeted support to emerging entrepreneurs interested in eco- or cultural-coastal tourism in the northeast region.
See: Overview
Huron Blueways Project
In order to enhance recreational opportunities for paddlers along northern Lake Huron, NEMCOG began a project to identify coastal access points, water routes and other amenities from Mackinac to Harrisville.
Great Lakes Education
This assessment helped to identify education project partners and topics. Michigan Sea Grant specialists led the effort to lock in $32,000 in grants to support pilot education projects focused on coastal stewardship and community needs. For instance, a group from Alcona schools is developing interpretive signs for Negwegon State Park. As a result of the project and support from Michigan Sea Grant, educators in the region recently secured $200,000 from the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. The Fishery Trust will support a Northeast Michigan education hub for school and youth groups to address coastal resource issues in partnership with local communities.
See: Aquatic Education Network
Creating Entrepreneurial Communities Initiative
This project helped position a team from Northeast Michigan to be selected as a Creating Entrepreneurial Communities Pilot Community, a regional economic development opportunity supported by Michigan State University. Four people were chosen to represent the three-county region in intensive training sessions focused on energizing entrepreneurs.
See: Entrepreneurial Communities
Revitalizing Fishing-Related Tourism
Based on an opportunity identified by NEMIA, Michigan Sea Grant is now working with fishery-dependent businesses in the region to identify new products and marketing strategies that are necessary in order to thrive within a changing ecosystem and economy.
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