New Request For Proposals Announced  - Deadline For Proposals Extended!

We are happy to announce the availablity of over $150,000 in professional services and technical assistance through the Partnerships for Change (PfC) Sustainable Communities Program. These new service grants will be awarded to combinations of municiplaities that have agreed to work together for productive changes in their shared communities.

Administered by the Land Information Access Association and sponsored by Michigan Townships Association, Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Association of Planning and Michigan State University Extension, this program continuesto bring jurisdictions together who wish to plan for and protect shared community resources.

PfC Sustainable Communities is offering three levels of project assistance, beginning with First-Steps Service Grants.  First Steps Service Grants will focus on the needs of local governments just beginning to consider inter-jurisdictional cooperation in land use planning.  The second two levels, Small and Large-Scale Service Grants, will provide services for a defined inter-jurisdictional land use planning, regulation or resources objective. 

Any combination of cities, villages and townships are welcome to apply.

A detailed Program Description and the  Small/Large Scale RFP (grant application)are listed below. Proposals for First Step Service Grants may be submitted at any time until June 1, 2010. Proposals  for Small/Large Scale Service Grants must now be submitted no later than Monday, October s, 2009. - extended deadline!

Apply Today!

• Download the New Program Description Here
• Download the Short Version (for handouts at meetings) of the New Program Description Here
• Download a Special Announcement (for handouts at meetings) of the New request for Proposals Here
• Download the First-Step Service Grant Request for Proposal (grant application) Here
• Download the Small/Large Scale Service Grant Request for Proposals (grant application) Here 

Q:  Can neighboring townships apply or must a city or village be included?

A:  Any combination of cities, villages, or townships may apply. However, the participating municipalities should be adjacent to one another and represent a single, coherent community.

Q:  Can a community apply if it has previously received a PfC grant of services?

A:  Yes.

Q:  Must documentation of municipal support be included with the application?

A:  Yes. Resolutions, meeting minutes or other official documents should clearly show that the participating municipalities are determined to support the proposed project. If the application is submitted electronically (i.e., by e-mail), please include scanned images of the support documents (e.g., as a .pdf).

Q:  Who should I contact with questions about the application?

A:  You may contact LIAA's Community Planners or Executive Director. Click here for their contact information.

Q:  Can in-kind support count toward the cash match requirement?

A:  No. Matching funds must be provided to support this project. However, up to 50% of the cash match may be provided by other sources on behalf of the community (e.g. community foundations).

Q:  Can a county or another organization be included as a partner?

A:  Yes. However, at least two cities, townships or villages are required as a part of the community partnership. We believe that the county government as well as other agencies and organizations could be very helpful as project partners.

Q:  When are the first-step proposals due?

A:  Proposals may be submitted at any time until June 2010. Proposals may be submitted electronically as Adobe Acrobat .pdf files, sent through the U.S. Mail, sent by delivery service, or hand delivered.

Q: When are the small/large scale proposals due?

A: Proposals mustbe submitted no later than September 14, 2009. Proposals may be submitted electronically as Adobe Acrobat .pdf files, sent through the U.S. Mail, sent by delivery service, or hand delivered.

Q:  Does the grant provide cash to the participating municipalities?

A:  No. The PfC Sustainable Communities Program offers grants of services only. Through the program LIAA will provide a range of professional planning and technical support services to assist selected communities.