Advancing Sustainable Growth in the Grand Traverse Region through the Power of People & Metrics

Abstract

Great Lakes coastal communities experience unique cultural and environmental challenges, yet these communities share similar opportunities to leverage local water amenities to create vibrant, attractive, and progressive environments. To mitigate challenges and leverage opportunities, leaders across the basin are working to advance collaborative frameworks that inspire sustainable growth and community resilience along the Great Lakes coasts. The Grand Traverse region, located on the coast of Lake Michigan in the northwest portion of Michigan’s lower peninsula, is one example of these efforts. The Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation (GTRCF) serves five counties across Northwest Lower Michigan and is recognized for their role in gathering regional actors. In 2019, they mobilized interdisciplinary leaders to form the Community Development Coalition of Northwest Michigan (Coalition), whose aim is to guide collaborative and intentional growth throughout the region. However, the group faces lingering hesitancy due to inaction following prior collaborative efforts. Consequently, the Coalition’s success hinges on their ability to shift from planning to action in a coordinated and impactful way. To support these efforts, we worked closely with the GTRCF and Coalition, from January 2019 through April 2021, to identify key strategies for initiating and sustaining long-term progress toward regional goals. Our research also studied the role that water plays in unifying collaborative efforts in coastal communities. We interviewed 19 leaders from six Great Lakes coastal communities and 17 members from the Grand Traverse region, then evaluated our findings using the qualitative data analysis software, NVivo. We synthesized our findings in a series of case studies that outline common themes for success in collaborative efforts in other Great Lakes coastal communities. Case study interviewees shared valuable insights into the successes and missteps of their own attempts at community and regional change, providing us with an understanding of potential challenges the Coalition may face. We then organized themes gleaned from the Grand Traverse community into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats surrounding Coalition efforts going forward. It was apparent from our local interviews that the region is full of vibrant leaders who are excited to advance regional sustainability goals. Our findings informed the following recommendations for Coalition action and implementation: (1) establish an active and direct approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion, (2) Intensify efforts to develop a unifying purpose and coordinate action, (3) Expand Coalition partnerships and optimize collaborative efforts, (4) enhance communication and engagement with the public, and (5) be intentional with data tracking and progress sharing. While these recommendations are designed for the Coalition, their implications can be leveraged in other collaborative efforts across the Great Lakes region.