The goal of Partnerships for Change (PfC) Sustainable Communities is to assist communities in their efforts to develop coordinated planning programs with neighboring townships, cities, and villages that protect natural resources and cultural character. Jurisdictions that have participated in multi-jurisdiction planning efforts or service programs know that each government gains through the reduction of redundant efforts and by achieving greater control over potentially harmful external forces. When adjacent municipalities work together, the entire community benefits. Ultimately, cooperation can help to guide development to areas where it is most needed and wanted while preserving the natural and cultural features that help define a community and its sense of place.

Download the full Program Description here

Professional Services

To encourage and support multi-jurisdictional cooperation for land use planning and resource management, PfC Sustainable Communities will provide a broad range of professional planning and technical services to selected multi-jurisdictional partnerships at a fraction of the true cost. These partnerships must be composed of at least two jurisdictions forming a community that is committed to positive land use policy change. Since program funding is limited, this program will focus on those communities most prepared to cooperate and most committed to change.

Professional services and technical assistance provided will be tailored to meet the needs of each participating community. In general, we expect to provide extensive process support and a broad range of services including:

o On-site facilitation services, surveys, workshops and educational support
o Research and analyses (e.g., identifying & evaluating alternatives)
o Geographic analyses and map production
o Development and drafting of land use policies (e.g., plans & ordinances)

The PfC Sustainable Communities Program also incorporates the expertise of an expert Program Advisory Committee with knowledge in natural resources, government, business, and economic development. In addition to helping to design this incentive program, they will assist in the selection of the multi-jurisdictional partnerships to participate in the PfC Sustainable Communities Program.


Low-Cost Education & Training

In addition to the service program described above, PfC is supporting the development of training programs for municipal officials and others interested in multi-jurisdictional planning and cooperation. These efforts began with the development of a workshop series called Multi-Jurisdictional Planning – Improving the Bottom Line. This workshop has been offered jointly by LIAA, MML, MTA, and MAP in many locations across the state over the past three years.

In June 2007, a seminar on Inter-Jurisdictional Diplomacy was offered in three different locations across the state. Emphasizing the development of skills needed to create multi-jurisdictional partnerships, this seminar was sponsored by LIAA, MAP, MML, MTA and the regional chambers of commerce of Saginaw, Kalamazoo and Traverse City.  A DVD of the seminar offered in Traverse City is available through this web site.

This web site also offers resources to citizens and municipal officials interested in expanding multi-jurisdictional cooperation. Look under the Library & Research heading to find useful documents and materials as well as web links to other information sources that can help communities succeed.

Program Evaluation & Reporting

PfC Sustainable Communities has contracted with ANOVA Consultants,  an experienced, independent program evaluation expert. The evaluators will use standard survey and interview methods to discover how well the program is being received by municipal officials, the effectiveness of this intervention in bringing about change, and the relative amount of change achieved.