The Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM) is a public/private partnership whose charge is to develop new, collaborative approaches to build sustainable communities and to enhance the future of Michigan citizens. The emphasis of the Rural Partners' work is on finding new, innovative, non-traditional ways to address the issues, problems and needs of rural Michigan.

Rural Partners focus on team building, education and information, technical assistance and leadership development. Through these approaches, RPM believes that Michigan can implement a comprehensive and integrated policy for building sustainable communities. Our goal is to empower people to make a difference in communities and to create a rural legacy for generations to come.

Helping Small Towns Succeed
2011 National Conference: Tools for Community Survival
June 6-8, 2011
Lake Michigan College
South Haven, Michigan

Heartland Center for Leadership Development is recognized as an innovator of creative training programs that focus on community capacity building and entrepreneurship as critical economic development strategies. Our conference content and materials emphasize the role played by local leadership as communities and organizations work toward sustainable economic development.

A Power-Packed Program:
  • Clues to Community Survival
  • Positive Approach to Revitalization
  • Building Social Capital
  • Branding Your Community
  • Strategies for Recruiting & Motivating Leaders
  • HomeTown Competitiveness (HTC)
Download the conference program(updated 5/11/11)
Promo Flyer/Registration Packet
Online registration

2011 Small Town & Rural Development Conference
April 18-20, 2011
Crystal Mountain
Thompsonville, MI

  • Conference Program


    • Keynote Speakers

  • Mark Lange -
    The Sweet Spot for Job Creation in Small Communities

  • Della Rucker -
    Creating a Wise Economy

  • Got'em, Got'em, Need'em...Keepin'em -
    Cops and Doughnuts
    Copper Nail
    Garden Theater
    Hometown Market
    MIUpperHand
    The Echo


    • 2011 Breakout Sessions

  • YOUR Economy
  • Rural Broadband Connectivity
  • Shared Services: A New Reality for Small Communities
  • Agriculture and Rural Character: If You've Got It, Flaunt It
  • Small Business Capital Access Project
    •    -Final Report
  • Succession Planning for Family Businesses
  • Farm-to-School: A Successful Program in NW Michigan
  • Community Success in the New Economy
  • The Wise Economy
  • Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Balancing Regional Alliances and Local Identity
  • Economic Gardening: A Local Perspective
  • USDA Rural Development Programs
  • Main Street Marketing on a Shoestring Budget
  • Local Libraries: A Town's Own Business Resource Center
  • Got Media? -Concepts for Keeping Your Citizen Informed
  • Michigan Rural Network Update
  • Helping Small Towns Succeed
  • MSHDA's Main Street Program




    		•
    • 1 Crystal Mountain 2011
    • 2 Top Featured Presentations
    • 3 Many Breakout Sessions
    • 4 Spacious Accomodations
    • 5 April 18-20, 2011
    Rural Partners of Michigan Offices are with Allan Hooper, its chairman: One Energy Plaza, Jackson, MI 49201-2276
    Phone: 517-788-1691     E-mail: achooper@cmsenergy.com