Community Development Coalition Heads to Lansing for Advocacy Day

Image description (pictured from left to right): Liz Vogel - The City of Traverse City, Chris Forsyth - Grand Traverse County, Cindy Evans - Grand Traverse Industries, Warren Call - Traverse Connect, Daniel Marbury - Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology, Jennifer Berkey - Michigan State University Extension, Steve Wade - GTRCF, Ashley Halladay-Schmandt - Northwest Michigan Coalition To End Homelessness, Alison Metiva - GTRCF, Jill Sill - Norte, Lander Bachert - Traverse Bay Children's Advocacy Center, and Dave Mengebier - GTRCF

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The Northwest Michigan Community Development Coalition, a group of more than 40 business, governmental, and nonprofit partners convened by the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, is headed to Lansing on April 24 to advocate for policies aimed at benefiting the region as part of the group’s annual Advocacy Day.

"Collaboration with local nonprofits, grantmakers, and the private sector is part of what makes Traverse City such a great community," said Liz Vogel, City Manager for the City of Traverse City. "Opportunities like Advocacy Day show our Lansing leaders that we are part of a bigger regional strategy."

The Coalition’s Advocacy Day aims to educate state legislators and policy leaders about the unique needs and opportunities of rural communities across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau Counties. The Coalition has more than 40 organizations as members, with leadership from over 20 of them traveling to Lansing for Advocacy Day.

"I appreciate the chance to sit down with a cross-sector group of leaders from across my district," said Senator John Damoose. "They’re taking time to come to Lansing to advocate for shared priorities, which to me, demonstrates the authentic, productive, working relationships that exist in Northern Michigan. When they speak together, I value that input." 

The Coalition’s advocacy platform will drive awareness and support for key economic, societal, and environmental priorities of the region, including:

• Bolstering the Rural Readiness Grant Program through the Office of Rural Prosperity
• Increasing investments in employer-assisted housing programs and in permanent supportive housing to help individuals maintain long-term housing and independence.
• Supporting arts and culture state budget allocations that would enhance the region’s arts in education programs, organizational capital and operations, and regional partnerships.
• Seeking full funding for agriculture resiliency grant programs that help farmers be more resilient in the face of extreme weather events and a changing energy sector.

Securing support from the state to address the region’s housing crisis, particularly the need for additional attainable housing, has been a long-standing priority for the Coalition. 

"Homelessness impacts our community at all levels and in all sectors," said Ashley Halladay-Schmandt, Executive Director of the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness. "It means a lot to have community leaders advocating with us, for the needs of neighbors experiencing homelessness."

To learn more about the Community Development Coalition, visit: www.nwmicommunitydevelopment.org.