MSU Extension plans and conducts educational programs in community and economic development. These educational programs consist of research-based information and materials, which are available to individuals, businesses, communities and organizations.

The purpose of these programs is to:

	Enhance the quality of life in Michigan
	Help generate local solutions to community and economic development challenges
	Build long-term community capacity
	Foster the integration of economic, social and environmental objectives

There are special educational programs that assist entrepreneurs, small businesses and local economic developers, as well as local units of government.

Community and Economic Development Programs connect university resources to expand the capacity of community based organizations and local communities preserve and redevelop county neighborhoods.

Examples of technical assistance are neighborhood plans, housing and land use inventories, and surveys designed to qualify the neighborhood, community, or organization for financial resources from public and private sources.

The Livingston County Citizen Planner Program

A land use training and certification program for volunteer land use decision makers in Livingston County

Why Citizen Planner? Local Planning Commissioners and Zoning Boards of Appeals are often called upon to make important decisions to guide the growth and development of their communities. Issues surrounding land use planning and regulation, and the tools and techniques available within Michigan to address them have become increasingly complex.

Local officials and the development community must address such issues as retaining tax base and community character, a changing legal environment and new amendments to Michigan planning laws, and environmental requirements especially for storm water management, water quality, redeveloping contaminated sites, and eliminating unwanted uses.

Michigan State University Extension’s Citizen Planner Program was developed to address the basic, ongoing training needs of citizens appointed to serve on local land use planning bodies. The statewide program is being made available, in part, by funding support from People and Land. The Program is delivered at the local level in conjunction with county MSU Extension Offices.

The Citizen Planner Program’s objective is to equip volunteer community leaders with the technical knowledge and leadership skills needed to perform their duties more effectively and responsibly. Livingston County MSU Extension staff has worked with a committee of area residents and officials to provide a program customized for Livingston County.

Instructors Curriculum for the first two sessions was developed by the Michigan Society of Planning, and is taught by MSP certified instructors. Instructors for the training program include members of MSU Extension staff, practicing planners, attorneys, university faculty, government officials, developers and other leaders involved in the local planning process.

Sample Topics Include:

	Roles and responsibilities of members of the planning commission and board of zoning appeals
	The master plan and its relationship to the zoning ordinance
	Michigan laws related to planning, zoning, and development
	The 2002 amendments to Michigan’s planning and zoning laws
	Relationships to legislative, administrative and quasi-judicial governing bodies, and related boards
	Managing public hearings and the open meetings act
	Interpreting the zoning ordinance
	Consideration of a variance
	Risk management and avoiding takings
	Conflict Resolution
	Sustainable development and community character
	Innovative tools to address in-fill development, managing growth, and encouraging reinvestment
	Public Participation in the Planning Process

Victor Institute for Responsible Land Development and Use

The mission of the Victor Institute is to support the wise and responsible use, development, and redevelopment of Michigan's land resources that respects the value and integrity of natural ecosystems by providing research-based information to all stakeholders in the development and redevelopment processes. This mission will be accomplished through the conduct of research, education, and outreach efforts to:

	Provide tools and information to enable decision makers to make informed decisions
	Provide a forum for discussion of appropriate land development and use
	Achieve optimal development through the wise use and allocation of resources

Community & Economic Development Link