The Rural Partners of Michigan work with rural communities to enhance the quality of life on rural Michigan. The Rural Partners of Michigan (RPM) are a public/private partnership whose charge is to develop new collaborative approaches to enhance the future of Michigan citizens by building sustainable communities. RPM is an umbrella organization which continually promotes the membership and active participation of six partner groups: private for-profit and non-profit interests, local, federal and state governments, and Native American tribes.
What do the RPM focus on?
The emphasis of the Partnership's work is on finding innovative ways to address issues facing rural Michigan. The Rural Partners identify barriers, highlight policy issues, organize resources, and coordinate issue resolution. Their goal is to empower people to make a lasting difference in communities and to create a rural legacy for generations to come. RPM believes in building the capacity of rural communities in order to enhance and create rural economic opportunities. Issues such as economic development strategies to maintain and expand local businesses, upgrading aging sewer and water infrastructure, strengthening local health care systems, access to telecommunication technology, youth and job skill training, agriculture and forestry development, and others are all important aspects of enhancing rural opportunities. RPM also recognizes the long-term impacts and consequences of current land use patterns, and believes that smart growth and land use planning is a critical aspect in building sustainable communities and protecting natural resources, upon which many rural industries are economically dependent. RPM promotes innovative strategies for urban redevelopment, implementation of innovative designs for new residential development, and a variety of techniques to protect farmland in order to create a long-term business environment for agriculture.
What approach does RPM take in addressing issues?
The activities of 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 and to create a rural legacy for generations to come.
Partnerships: RPM firmly believes in the power of partnerships, the strength of organizations working together on common issues and provides a forum for discussion and networking on common issues.
Education: RPM serves as a resource and link for information, highlights issues through educational forums and promotes innovative approaches and solutions.
Assistance: RPM helps communities find local solutions to problems, serves as a catalyst for successful problem solving and assists in implementing strategies that can serve as a model for other communities.
Leadership: RPM clearly recognizes the need and role for state and local leadership in solving key issues and believes that leadership development is an integral element in creating solutions to the issues facing Michigan communities.
How Can You Get Involved?
We encourage the involvement of individuals and organizations interested in helping to build sustainable communities and enhance future opportunities for Michigan citizens. Involvement can range from receiving newsletter updates, participation in RPM events and projects, providing input on rural issues, working with various RPM committees or serving on the RPM governing board. Any organization or individual who is interested and able to contribute time, ideas, effort or finances to the work of the RPM is encouraged to participate as a RPM member.
Read the Rural Partners of Michigan Bylaws in Microsoft Word format:
For more rural resource links visit the Rural Links page.
Phone: 517-788-1691 E-mail: achooper@cmsenergy.com