News & Stories
Regional Coalition Makes Its Voice Heard in Lansing
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
This op-ed was originally published in the Record-Eagle on May 4, 2025.
In a political environment often defined by division and partisanship, a group of 15 leaders from northwest lower Michigan demonstrated what’s possible when communities come together with a common purpose.
Earlier this month, representatives of the Northwest Michigan Community Development Coalition—comprised of over 40 local business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations members—traveled to Lansing to advocate for four key issues critical to the long-term health of our region: housing, agriculture, rural development, and arts and culture. These sectors are the lifeblood of our communities and the backbone of our shared future.
In meetings with the Governor’s policy and budget teams, directors from the Michigan departments of housing and agriculture, and both Republican and Democratic lawmakers from the Michigan House and Senate, our message was clear: regional priorities matter, and the solutions we champion benefit all Michiganders—not just those in northwest Michigan.
We were heartened by what we heard. Policymakers across the aisle affirmed their support for the issues we raised. Several noted that seeing such a diverse group united behind a shared agenda was not only rare but refreshingly impactful. In Lansing, where political gamesmanship often overshadows policy progress, our Coalition’s collaborative approach stood out.
Of course, the path forward isn’t without challenges. Divided government, transitions in House leadership, and uncertainty around federal funding loom large over the state budget process. Still, moments like this group visit offer a powerful reminder: when local leaders join forces across sectors, we can cut through the noise and bring real priorities to the forefront.
Northern Michigan has a long tradition of rolling up our sleeves and working together. It’s time our politics reflected that same spirit. The Coalition's visit to Lansing was a start—and we hope it’s just the beginning of a broader movement to advocate for thoughtful, bipartisan investment in the future of our region.
Thank you to the leaders and organizations who joined the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation for this year’s Community Development Coalition Advocacy Day, including: Blue Orange Consulting, City of Traverse City, Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology, Grand Traverse County, Grand Traverse Industries, MSU Extension, Norte, Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, and Traverse Connect.
About the Author
David Mengebier is the President and CEO of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation, a role he’s held since 2018. The Community Foundation is focused on creating healthy, resilient, thriving communities by serving donor partners, awarding meaningful grants and scholarships, and participating in collaborative leadership on important community issues. The Community Foundation also convenes the Northwest Michigan Community Development Coalition, made up of over 40 business, governmental, and nonprofit partners who together collaborate to share information, align and leverage resources, and coordinate advocacy actions to drive position economic, societal, and environmental improvements for our rural communities. For more information about the Coalition, please visit: www.nwmicommunitydevelopment.org.