The Vibrant Michigan City economic inclusive initiative has taken a large leap forward with the unveiling of the official playbook to the community at a recent event.
The playbook is the result of a collaborative effort between the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City, the Brookings Institute and Local Initiative Support Services as well as local leaders and community members. It will be a comprehensive guide for the West Side, Midtown and East Side areas that have faced challenges within the city.
“While this is the final step of the playbook process, this is the first step of making a true impact on these areas that is rooted in real research, data, discussions and expert guidance,” said EDCMC Executive Director Clarence L. Hulse. “We invite all of our community members to hear first-hand about this unprecedented effort, what has led us here and where we are going next.”
The playbook presents actionable steps toward creating and fostering a vibrant and thriving community in these areas. The Community-Centered Economic Inclusion initiative has united perspectives and ideas from a cross-section of the city through a comprehensive and collaborative process. The steps, or agenda items, have been driven by research and data provided by The Brookings Institute, public feedback from community members of the priority areas, an advisory of key stakeholders in the city and expert guidance from LISC.
Agenda items from the playbook center around economic development, civil/social life and built environment, with key players in each area to help ensure that the initiative continues progressing. To keep the playbook on track and progressing, leaders for the agenda’s action items will continue to meet regularly. The Brookings Institute and LISC have committed to a three-year partnership with Vibrant Michigan City to provide support and services where needed and to begin the implementation of the various agenda action items.
Michigan City is one of three small cities in Indiana that had been selected by Brookings and LISC, which usually work with larger metropolitan areas, such as Indianapolis and Los Angeles. Seymour and Warsaw are also part of the initiative to address economic stagnation and inequity. The playbooks from each city will be published nationally to serve as a guide for other small towns and cities to bolster their efforts in developing economically inclusive environments for their residents.
Check out the playbook and the latest updates on the initiative at the Vibrant Michigan City website.