The Governor Snyder administration has announced a new regional initiative. Dubbed “Regional Prosperity Initiative” the effort is meant to better coordinate service delivery and strengthen local economies through greater regional collaboration.

The initiative, first unveiled in the Governor’s 2014 budget request, is making $2.5 million through a competitive grant process for existing state-designated planning regions and Metropolitan Planning Organizations. The goal is to empower local and regional partners to develop a consensus vision and implementation plan for economic success.

According to a press release, all state government departments will begin serving 10 regions across the state, enhancing service delivery and encouraging communities to collaborate on a regional basis. The new regional map supports the governor’s vision that economic development must be viewed as a system that encompasses and coordinates talent and infrastructure along with traditional economic development strategies.

For more information visit www.michigan.gov/regionalprosperity

Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or at aweinfeld@mml.org