LANSING – One of Governor Rick Snyder’s biggest frustrations since taking office in 2011 was the confusing array of regions different state departments and agencies had to manage their services.
Depending on the department, or even individual division within a department, service regions varied. But Snyder announced Thursday a consolidated regional map that gives all state functions the same 10 regions.
“This is about the most efficient and effective use of limited resources,” Mr. Snyder said in a statement. “This is a new, collaborative model that can bring existing groups together to better leverage local and regional assets. The result is a more globally competitive Michigan.”
As part of the new map, a competitive grant process is being set up to allow local governments and other organizations in the regions to win money for putting together a coordinated service delivery plan.
Dubbed “Prosperity Regions,” the 10 regions are:
Region 1: Upper Peninsula, divided into three sub-regions;
Region 2: Northwest – Emmet, Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Wexford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie and Manistee counties;
Region 3: Northeast – Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Roscommon, Ogemaw and Iosco;
Region 4, divided into northern (Mason, Lake, Osceola, Oceana, Newaygo and Mecosta) and southern (Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, Kent, Barry, Montcalm and Ionia) sub-regions;
Region 5: East Central – Clare, Isabella, Gratiot, Saginaw, Midland, Gladwin, Arenac and Bay;
Region 6: East Michigan – Huron, Tuscola, Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, Sanilac and St. Clair;
Region 7: South Central – Clinton, Eaton and Ingham;
Region 8: Southwest – Berrien, Van Buren, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, Calhoun and Branch;
Region 9: Southeast Michigan – Livingston, Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe;
Region 10: Detroit Metro – Macomb, Oakland Wayne.
“Our experience in economic development over the last 18 months is that there is a real thirst for greater collaboration within the regions across the state,” said Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Michael Finney. “Community, education and business leaders are seeing great benefits from working together to address the issues they face. If we are serious about increasing our state’s competitiveness, it is vitally important to foster greater regional collaboration.”
Doug Rothwell, president and CEO of Business Leaders for Michigan, praised the announcement as a key step toward providing more regional-oriented service delivery.
