News

Amending a zoning ordinance requires adopting an ordinance

Published on October 22, 2024
Communities with zoning must regularly update their ordinance to reduce legal risk. The process for doing so is not difficult, but it is detailed and requires adopting an amending ordinance.
Public engagement: How to prepare and select a fitting approach

Published on October 22, 2024
Public engagement helps organizations and local governments draw from and foster community relationships. This article aims to give groups guidance on selecting a fitting engagement strategy and organizing to make the event a success.
Set group goals for growth with MSU Extension: A pathway to team success

Published on October 22, 2024
Get your group on track with a project plan that works!
New online program available: Foundations of Effective County Administration

Published on October 9, 2024
This new, self-paced online program builds knowledge, skills, and capacity of new and aspiring county administrative officials to navigate the complexities of county governance with confidence.
Registration and online course content is now available for the 2024 New Commissioner School

Published on September 17, 2024
New Commissioner School prepares new and veteran county leaders for their role in county government.
Community discussions around housing: Tax increment financing (TIF) for housing

Published on August 13, 2024
The Brownfield Redevelopment Finance Act now allows for TIF to be used for qualified housing projects.
Citizen education resources support voices of residents

Published on August 12, 2024
MSU Extension citizen education resources are helpful tools to inform community residents on the nature of local government planning and zoning decisions.
Annual state entrepreneurship conference continues to showcase small town charm and success in Cadillac

Published on July 22, 2024
The Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities conference returned in 2024 hosted by the City of Cadillac, welcoming more than 100 participants from across Michigan.
Registration now open for the 2025 Zoning Administrator Certificate Program in Mt. Pleasant

Published on June 17, 2024
Since 2009, the MSU Extension Zoning Administrator Certificate Program has served as Michigan's only zoning administration program focused on techniques that reduce legal risks to the zoning administrator and their community.
MSU Extension Center for Local Government Finance and Policy names Mark Skidmore interim director

Published on April 4, 2024
Skidmore will serve in this interim role while a nationwide search for a new director is underway.