By Ross Yednock, Director of the MEIC at CEDAM Michigan policy has long held our state’s families living in or near poverty back from saving for emergencies and planning for the future. That has now changed, thanks to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s announcement earlier this year that increased asset limits for three Michigan assistance programs. As...
The Michigan Rural Council is pleased to announce the release of the Rural Philanthropy in Michigan Report. The Report serves as a collaborative effort between the Michigan Rural Council (MRC), a project of the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM), and the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) in discussing the role of rural philanthropy...
The Citizens’ Institute on Rural Design (CIRD) has issued a request for proposals to rural communities facing design challenges to host local workshops in 2013. Selected communities will receive a $7,000 grant along with design expertise and technical assistance valued at $35,000. The deadline for these proposals is Tuesday, March 5th at 5pm. CIRD works to help rural...
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s released an informative FAQ-style briefing on the expiration of the 2008 Farm Bill and what it means moving forward. The farm bill expired as of September 30th, after Congress failed to pass a new farm bill or enact a short-term extension of the 2008 bill. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food...
MLive recently reported that Governor Rick Snyder approved over $36 million in supplemental funds to the 2013 budget. The $48.5 billion budget was already an increase over the previous year by 1.25%, but Snyder deemed the extra funds worthwhile in the long run. While the largest portion of these funds ($17.6 million) is going into...
by: Lindsey Scalera, Michigan Voices for Good Food Policy As we move toward a developing a more healthy, sustainable food system in Michigan and beyond, there is a lot to consider. Because of the opportunities and challenges this shift presents, it is helpful to have a bigger picture understanding of how farmers and food businesses,...
Last month, rural organizations from across the country submitted applications for the Rural Digital Advocacy Grants Program, which provides $10,000 mini-grants to rural policy networks to apply digital tools in their advocacy work. Thirteen eligible projects are now being reviewed by a grant selection committee, who will make the final award determinations. However, the proposal...
Yesterday there was a flurry of activity in the Senate as they voted on a number of amendments to the 2012 Farm Bill. If you have been following the Farm Bill saga to date, you know that the Michigan Rural Council has issued multiple calls to action related to pieces of the Farm Bill, specifically...
by: Arnold Weinfeld, Michigan Municipal League The importance of Place has become pervasive throughout Michigan policy conversations, from the offices of state officials to community groups. There now exists a greater realization that our state cannot prosper unless we have the types of communities that attract people. While this revelation represents a significant shift in conversations...
The Lansing State Journal is reporting today that Governor Snyder’s administration has proposed a severance tax on non-ferrous minerals being mined in the Upper Peninsula. According to the article: Under the plan, a 3 percent tax would be levied on the value of minerals removed from the ground, said Keith Creagh, director of the Michigan...
