We’re all in this together

 
And that is, ladies and gentlemen, exactly what I’m talking about.

Mark Wyckoff, of the Land Policy Institute at Michigan State University, gave a presentation last night on “Strategic Growth and Placemaking for Prosperity in the New Economy.” Wow. Everything he had to say was right on. Sadly, there was only a handful of people on hand for the event hosted by MSU Extension – just about twenty participants there at the Lapeer Education and Technology Center.

Nevertheless, I , for one, was vastly encouraged that it took place at all. That people are thinking about it. That people recognize the need to head in a new direction, and that they have a sense of the urgency.

Without turning our backs on local heritage, we need to face the future with daring, creativity, intelligence and courage. We have to break with the old ways of doing things, and embrace the new. It’s a good thing. And, it’s the right thing. This place isn’t about what was, or the “way we’ve always done it.” This place, right now, is about whether there’s a future here for our kids, and their kids.

So, rather than wait for the old style manufacturing economy to magically deliver those 400,000 jobs back to us (surprise, it won’t!), we need to take the bull by the horns and make a plan. A plan that involves educating our children for a knowledge-based economy. A plan that involves placemaking – building on our assets to develop a quality of life that is attractive to the talented, educated, idea people that will drive the new economy. Instead of depending on the auto industry or the state to deliver, we need a plan that embraces entrepreneurism, diversity, culture. And, we need it yesterday.

Turns out, back in 2007, a local group got together, did a little brainstorming, and came up with a “Vision” for Lapeer County. Their summary is here.I’m not sure that this is exactly the vision, but it’s certainly a great place to start. The question is: what happened since 2007? How come I don’t know about this vision? I wasn’t the only person there who wasn’t familiar with it, either. We need to drive it. We need leaders.

Wyckoff made it clear that we need to have a plan, we need to have someone facilitate the effort, and we need to engage broadly. As he pointed out, “We’re all in this together.” And, we need to get started!