Economic and Community DevelopmentPicture: Money Sign

Reports, Studies and Surveys on Economic Development:

A New Agenda for a New Michigan - Michigan Future, Inc.
Economic Impact of the Proposed Maritime Heritage Center
Michigan's 21st Century Electric Energy Plan - By J. Peter Lark
           
Energy Plan Appendix I 
            Energy Plan Appendix II
Michigan's Economic Transition: Toward a Knowledge Economy - by Thomas Ivacko, University of Michigan
Regional Approches to Economic Development - Citizens Research Council of Michigan
Survey of Economic Development Programs in Michigan - Citizens Research Council of Michigan

Important Economic Development Links:

Bay County Economic Development Webpage
Bay Future
Michigan Future
Smart Growth Online

10 Key Public Sector Priorities to Promote Local Economic Development

1. Efficient and responsive public services.
2. An effective criminal justice system to reduce crime.
3. Practical programs that reduce community blight.
4. Financial support for local economic development efforts which emphasize retention, expansion, and attraction.
5. Tax rates that are stable or lower.
6. Maintenance and promotion of public recreational facilities.
7. Expanded youth services including summer recreation and after school programs.
8. Provide access to governmental information and technology, such as Geographic Information Systems.
9. Improved, on-going communiation with the private sector and the general public.
10. Civility by elected public officials.

Economic Development Building BlocksPicture: Building Block

• An ideal location in relation to your principal customers.
An image as an excellent community in which to live, work, and own a business.
Quality of K-12 school systems, including programs that serve the needs of all children.
Access to quality higher education.
Supply of qualified, productive workforce.
Excellent Labor-Management relations.
Cost of Labor in relation their productivity and skill sets.
Customized, on-going employee training services.
Retail shopping opportunities.
Efficiency of local government services.
Overall local tax levels that ensure value for taxes paid.
Transportation system and quality of local roads and streets.
Availability, capacity, and cost of water and sewer system.
Incidence of crime and response by criminal justice system.
Proximity to enjoyable cultural and recreational opportunities.
Business retention and expansion efforts.
Business attraction efforts.
Diversity of local economy (i.e., manufacturing, retail, high tech, service, agriculture.)
Livability of neighborhoods including access to parks, condition of local streets and neighbors' homes, responsiveness of police and fire services.
Access to investment capital including venture, equity, and debt capital.