Four years ago, more than 12,000 citizens shared their vision for future growth and investment in our region. The Grand Vision was discussed in terms of decades, but there has already been tremendous community action to make some of those plans a reality.

The Michigan Land Use Institute helped gather citizen input four years ago, and we’re thrilled to see that more than $10 million has been leveraged for numerous activities. There are hundreds of citizens working within six collaborative networks and subcommittees working on real action in support of the Vision.

Community members are invited to celebrate this progress and learn how they can get more involved at a series of six Community Action Updates.

Kalkaska – The Kaliseum
Tuesday, Oct. 2nd, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Cadillac – The Cadillac Wexford Public Library
Wednesday, Oct. 3rd, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Elk Rapids – The Elk Rapids Cinema
Thursday, Oct. 4th, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Suttons Bay: The Inland Seas Education Center
Tuesday, Oct. 9th, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Frankfort – The Garden Theater
Wednesday, Oct. 10th, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Traverse City – The State Theater
Thursday, Oct. 11th, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Each event will highlight activities in each of the six participating Grand Vision counties. Also on the agenda:

Winners of Community Growth Grant awards: These grants provide direct financial support to communities for leadership, planning, collaboration, local decision-making and action-oriented projects that enhance a communities’ sense of place and build the foundation for a stronger regional economy. Grants of up to $15,000 (provided as cash and/or as direct technical assistance) are made available on a competitive basis to city, village, township, and county governments from the six-county Grand Vision region.

Winners of the Grand Visionary Awards: A Grand Visionary engages his or her community in activities that further Grand Vision principles. He or she is dedicated to the resiliency of the region and shows passion for successful implementation of Grand Vision-inspired projects. One Grand Visionary will be selected from each of the six counties in the Grand Vision region.

Review student-produced videos: Each county will premiere several short video projects highlighting community action in support of the Grand Vision. These videos are all created by students from local schools.

What’s Next? The Grand Action Plan: The Grand Vision provides a 50-year, big-picture vision for the future of our region. But how do we make it happen? The Grand Action Plan will provide specific strategies to help communities realize Grand Vision goals. It will be developed through input from local citizens. The six Grand Vision Networks will convene public-input sessions, and provide guidance throughout the process.

For more information and to RSVP, visit www.thegrandvision.org/communityactionupdates