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The Institute’s Grassroots Support Center has helped more than 40 new public interest
organizations across Michigan launch their work. It also provides community activists
with the skills to be effective advocates. With this assistance citizens:

  In Acme Township are effectively responding to a proposed million-square-foot “lifestyle center” and working to replace it with a traditional town center.

  Executed a campaign in Charlevoix to successfully block a new Wal-Mart supercenter that business owners said would damage the regional economy.

  Helped the Traverse City commission approve a new downtown bus station over the objections of local business owners who contended, without supporting facts, that the station would reduce property values.

  Halted a proposed $700 million coal-fired power station in Manistee and replaced it with a proposal to establish a cleaner, greener regional energy strategy.

  Developed strategy and communications tools that helped citizens block the state from allowing a Cadillac electric utility to burn dirty tires for fuel.

  Provided technical, communications, and financial support that enabled Friends of the Cedar River, a new citizens organization, negotiate a $135,000 court settlement to protect the Cedar River in Antrim County.

  Assisted an exceptional citizens group with communications, strategic planning, and capacity building in their successful work to preserve farmland zoning in Milan Township near Detroit threatened by a 1,000-acre industrial proposal.

  Provided staff, communications, technical expertise, and coalition-building support to conservation organizations that revived the state Natural River Act and achieved formal protections under the law for the Pine and Upper Manistee rivers, the first new designated Natural Rivers since 1988.

  Protected 40 miles of Great Lakes coastline by establishing locally implemented ordinances that guide shoreline development.

  Helped manage and guide a coalition of citizen organizations that prevented changes in the state’s Drain Code that would have made building on soggy ground easier.

  Provided strategic planning, communications, and staff support to a citizens organization in Acme Township to advance the goals of a conservation-based master plan and prevent a big box retailer from violating that community vision with a new 80-acre super store.

  Worked with Filer Township and the Health and Human Safety Committee in Manistee County to protect the public from exposure to toxic hydrogen sulfide, and then develop and enact new public health protection standards that are among the best in the nation.

  Provided strategic planning, communications, and message development support that enabled citizens in Bear Creek Township to overwhelmingly approve a voter referendum to defend their rural quality of life. The vote prevented a big box retail developer from violating local zoning and master code provisions.

 

If you are interested in Grassroots Support Center services, please contact Keith Schneider, 231-882-4723, ext. 11, keith@mlui.org.