West Michigan Land Use Organizations

Best Michigan

This organization has gathered “much of the regional economic development data, commercial and industrial real estate listings, business profiles and infrastructure information to assist the site selection process.”

The Delta Strategy

The Delta Strategy mission is to “build the capacity of our community to solve our challenging and complex problems by engaging in the Delta Strategy community improvement process with people and organizations seeking change.” Formal and informal community leaders are encouraged to participate through Dialogue/Action Groups, Outreach Events, and by serving on various steering committees.

Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC)

GVMC “is an alliance of governmental units in the Grand Rapids, Michigan metropolitan area that are appointed to plan for growth and development, improve the quality of the communities life, and coordinate governmental services.”
GVMC’ envisions itself as: “A Council of Governments dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the people of our metropolitan area through collaboration among regional partners.”

Greater Grand Rapids Food Systems Council

The Council defines itself as “an expanding collaborative of chefs, environmental and religious organizations, planners, farmers, community gardeners, conservationists, educators, health professionals seeking to broaden the dialogue about our present food system and advocate for and create alternatives.  It involves the Muskegon, Ottawa and Kent counties.

Kent County Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program

PDR Programs are economic development tools to retain agricultural businesses.  This site offers onformation on PDRs throughout Kent County.

Land Conservancy of West Michigan (LCWM)

LCWM “permanently protects lands that contribute to the distinctive character and quality of life in West Michigan-lands that are important for their values as habitat for native plants and animals, as centers for study and quiet recreation, and as elements of scenic beauty and rural character.”
To date, the Land Conservancy has permanently protected over 1400 acres of West Michigan's forests, fields, wetlands and dunes in a service area that includes all or parts of Allegan, Kent, Ottawa, Newaygo, Muskegon, Oceana and Lake Counties.
Land conservation options (nature preserves, conservation easements, community assistance).

Macatawa Area Coordinating Council

The Macatawa Area Coordinating Council (MACC) defines its mission as “encourag[ing] cooperation among neighboring units of government on area wide issues.” Focusing on seven townships (Fillmore, Holland Charter, Laketown, Olive, Park, Port Sheldon, and Zeeland Charter) and two cities (Holland and Zeeland) within Ottawa and Allegan Counties, MACC is involved in many issues including transportation, the environment, crime prevention, and community communications. MACC is also a federally designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) that, “is responsible for carrying out the metropolitan transportation planning process” within its boundaries.

Michigan Land Use Institute (MLUI)

MLUI was founded in 1995 to “establish an approach to economic development that strengthens communities, enhances opportunity, and protects the state's unmatched natural resources.”  MLUI’s mission is “to help Michigan avoid the patterns of suburban sprawl and over-development that cause traffic congestion, pollution, loss of community, rising costs to individuals and governments, and a deteriorating quality of life.”
The Institute manages a focused program of research, communications, grass roots organizing, and reasoned advocacy that includes a variety of projects.

Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station (MAES)

MAES’s mission focuses on “generating knowledge through strategic research to enhance agriculture, natural resources, and families and communities in Michigan.”
Over 300 scientists from four colleges at MSU collaborate with MAES.

Michigan State University Kent Extension (MSUE)

MSUE’s mission is to “help people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities.”

Michigan Environmental Council (MEC)

The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) provides a collective voice for the environment at the local, state and federal levels. Working with our member groups and their collective membership of nearly 200,000 residents, MEC is addressing the primary assaults on Michigan’s environment; promoting alternatives to urban blight and suburban sprawl; advocating for a sustainable environment and economy; protecting Michigan’s water legacy; promoting cleaner energy; and working to diminish environmental impacts on children’s health.
MEC “supports policies that foster a new approach to Michigan's land resources.”

Michigan Land Use Leadership Council (MLULC)

This bipartisan Michigan Land Use Leadership Council provided a vision and a framework of recommendations in their report, Michigan's Land, Michigan's Future (August 2003). Members set forth the foundations for an "agreement on more than 100 of these policy recommendations to plan a stronger and more prosperous future for Michigan."

Michigan's West Coast

A great internet resource to plan a trip to anywhere in the greater tri-plex area. Includes information for festivals and events, beaches, destinations, business opportunities, conventions and other aspects of discovering West Michigan whether you are a visitor or resident of the area.

Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance

Michigan Trails and Greenway Alliance (MTGA) was given non-profit status on October 1, 2005. For eight years prior to MTGA gaining nonprofit status, its personnel worked directly for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Michigan Field Office. As Rails-to-Trails regonializes, MTGA continues to have a “Michigan-centered focus” in fostering and facilitating “the creation of an interconnected statewide system of trails and greenways for recreation, health, transportation, economic development and environmental/cultural preservation purposes.”

Muskegon Area First

Founded in 1999, Muskegon Area First (MAF) serves as the Muskegon County economic development corporation, whose main focus is to maximize public and private expenditures and resources to create, “high-quality employment opportunities” in the County.

The Right Place, Inc.

The Right Place, Inc., “is a regional, non-profit economic development organization…Its mission is to promote area economic growth through high-quality employment, productivity, and technology.” The Right Place, Inc. does this through offering a variety of services (i.e., acting as a local and state government liaison, assisting with site selection, workforce development, customized market research, manufacturing assistance, etc.) to existing and potential business in the Greater Grand Rapids Area.

Rural Partners of Michigan

Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM) is a public/private partnership that exists “to develop new, collaborative approaches to build sustainable communities and to enhance the future of Michigan citizens.” RPM classifies itself as an “umbrella organization” that gives representatives from local government, state government, the non-profit sector, private sector, tribal government, and federal government a forum to address partnership, education, assistance, and leadership issues in order to “implement a comprehensive and integrated policy for building sustainable communities.”

United Growth for Kent County

United Growth’s purpose is, “To contribute to the development of a vibrant and sustainable West Michigan region by forming a sustainable, citizen-based coalition of rural, urban and suburban citizens focused on promoting positive land use.”

West Michigan Clean Air Coalition

The West Michigan Clean Air Coalition (WMCAC) “is a partnership of businesses, academic institutions, government agencies, industry, and non-profit organizations in Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo counties working together to achieve cleaner air in the region.” The WMCAC operates under the purview of the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council (GVMC) and is directed by the West Michigan Clean Air Coalition Steering Committee.

West Michigan Regional Planning Commission (WMRPC)

WMRPC assists with “planning efforts in community and economic development, provides a regional forum for sharing information and ideas, and promotes cooperative solutions to regional issues.”  WMRPC serves communities in Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Osceola, and Ottawa Counties. 

West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission

The West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC) is the Federal- and State-designated regional planning and development agency for the counties (and jurisdictions located therein) of Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties, as well as the northern portion of Ottawa County. The Federal/State designations of the WMSRDC are as follows: “Economic Development District (EDD) for the counties of Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for Muskegon County and Northern Ottawa County, Areawide Water Quality Management Agency, Solid Waste Management Planning Agency for the counties of Newaygo and Oceana, Local Census Affiliate, Regional Clearinghouse, Air Quality Planning Agency for Muskegon and northern Ottawa Counties.”

West Michigan Strategic Alliance (WMSA)

Formed in 2000 “to create a shared vision for the region for the next 25 years.” 
Business and community leaders from Holland, Grand Rapids and Muskegon (the West Michigan Metro Tri-Plex).
The Common Framework is not a plan for the future; it provides a snapshot of West Michigan that can be used as a tool for creating a shared understanding of our Metro Tri-plex, its complexities and interconnections, its strengths and weaknesses and its opportunities and threats.

West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC)

WMEAC  is “a non-profit environmental advocacy and education organization committed to citizen empowerment.”
Since its inception in 1968, WMEAC has been West Michigan's leading voice for environmental protection (for change and the protection of human and ecological health) since 1968.