Major regional partnership hailed as first-of-its kind among county and chamber leaders

Three county governments will work together for the first time with the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce to address priority issues in the mid-Michigan area.
 
Signed in early June, the partnership agreement between by the Boards of Commissioners in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties and the LRCC will foster collaboration between the tri-counties to support regional economic growth and policy initiatives. 
 
“This partnership is unprecedented in many ways and is already resulting in a greater regional dialogue on how the region can work together on issues that benefit the entire region,” said Tim Daman, LRCC president and chief executive officer. “We fully intend to get beyond the dialogue and focus our collective attention on specific issues that need to be a priority in promoting a higher quality of life in the region.”
 
County leaders say they recognize the need to reach across geographical and political boundaries to address common challenges through collective strategies. Likely issues include infrastructure needs, developing the Michigan Avenue Corridor, and working with state officials to modify the state revenue sharing formula for local governments.
 
The regional partnership will also provide tri-county units of government the opportunity to better understand best practices used in most municipalities to address financial challenges. As part of the agreement, each of the three county boards of commissioners will have a position on the City of Lansing’s Financial Health Team (FHT) that has been working on strategies to strengthen Lansing’s financial position.
 
“The decision to join the FHT underscores the recognition in all three counties that all of us in the region must have a strong central city for the region to thrive,” said FHT co-chair David Hollister. “We all need Lansing to be vibrant in order to have the quality of life we all desire whether we live in the urban area, St. Johns, Mason or Charlotte.”
 
Source: Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce
Writer: Ann Kammerer, News Editor
    
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