The Kent-Ottawa-Allegan tri-county area represents one of the most productive agricultural areas in the state and also has the highest growth rate. As a result, the future of agriculture is directly impacted by the outward migration of residents into productive farming areas. RDCM provided leadership for the organization of a tri-county land use forum on farmland preservation bringing diverse interest groups together to discuss current land use trends and various land use solutions. Over 250 individuals representing agriculture, business, local government and the general public attended the conference. As a result, a number of local communities held follow-up sessions to discuss various land use solutions and several are in the process of taking action. Other partners included local organizations such as Farm Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Township Associations and Michigan State University Extension. RDCM has also provided educational information and technical assistance on land use in more than 45 public forums in rural communities encouraging the protection of productive farmland. (March 1996)

The 5,000 acre K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base at one point involved 10,000 personnel (equivalent of the third largest city in the Upper Peninsula) and was a large economic support to small local communities in the area before it was closed. RDCM provided assistance and leadership in helping to relocate an American Eagle airline maintenance facility to the base which created over 100 new jobs. As a result, the county also decided to relocate the airport to the former air force base. RDCM members have provided further recommendations and assistance in other base redevelopment efforts. Other ongoing economic efforts on the base include the location of a new $35 million sawmill as well as an electronic manufacturer which could provide as many as 60 new jobs. (July 1996)

Financial lenders play a key role in creating housing and business opportunities for rural residents and there are also numerous state and federal programs designed to help with financing such ventures. RDCM organized three regional business and housing credit conferences to provide information to financial lenders regarding these programs to enhance the rural credit opportunities. Over 280 financial lenders learned how existing programs can be used to enhance financing of housing and business opportunities in rural Michigan. According to conference evaluations, almost 90% of the participants said they had learned something new that was useful to their programs. (October 1996)

RDCM provided technical expertise and general public education on land use legislation which led to the passage of enabling legislation for giving local units of government clear authority to enact their own purchase of development rights program and legislative reform of the Subdivision Control Act. (1996)

Michigan has lost over 850,000 acres of farmland in the last decade, about 10 acres an hour. In an effort to provide farmers with an alternative to development of Michigan’s best farmland, the state began implementing a program to purchase the development rights (PDR) on farmland. RDCM and its members provided technical assistance and leadership in the development of the state PDR program including the adoption of guidelines by both commissions for the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). RDCM also helped organize education efforts on the program including a conference attended by over 300 individuals. Since then, over 760 applications from farmers wishing to sell their development rights had been received and RDCM continues to provide assistance in program implementation. In addition, RDCM provided leadership in partnership with MDA, MDNR, Peninsula Township and USDA-NRCS in submitting a grant application for federal matching funds. As a result, Michigan received a $1 million grant from USDA to be used as matching funds for PDR programs in the state. (September 1996)

One of the goals of RDCM is to develop, provide and promote educational material on issues important to rural communities. RDCM, in partnership with Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Farm Bureau and USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service, provided the initiative and leadership in the production of a two-part video series on land use issues facing agriculture and various tools and techniques to protect farmland while encouraging sustainable development. Over 1,000 copies have been distributed nationally. In addition, the Council’s efforts on land use were showcased in a mobile workshop on land use that was held at the National Rural Development Partnership Conference in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. (1996)