Economic Develop.

Clare County

CLARE COUNTY

ENTERPRISE COMMUNITY

Overall Mission of the Clare County Enterprise Community

Improve the quality of life for all citizens and make for vibrant communities that are economically diverse, self reliant, and promote the preservation of families.

On January 13, 1999, the announcement was made that Clare County, Michigan was among those to receive Enterprise Community designation – one of 20 new rural Enterprise Communities (ECs) and five new rural Empowerment Zones (EZs) nationwide.

The federal designation, coordinated by the US Department of Agriculture, is designed to reverse years of economic decline in some of the nation’s neediest rural areas. The program seeks to empower communities by supporting local plans that coordinate economic, physical, environmental, community, and human development.

Community Overview

Clare County is located in the central part of Michigan’s lower peninsula, about 90 miles north of Lansing and 180 miles northwest of Detroit. Seventy-five percent of the county is in the designated zone. The county lies in the region where mostly agricultural land gives way to northern Michigan’s pine forests. While the area has wealth of lakes, streams, forests, recreation sites, it faces stiff competition from areas with established resorts, cultural venues, known historical sites or proximity to the Great Lakes. The economy is dependent upon small-scale agriculture, including a large Amish farming community, light industry, and tourism. Recent plant closings resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs. While developing the strategic plan, partnerships and a level of understanding never seen in the past were established with groups of persons who traditionally have few opportunities to express their needs.

Demographics

The Enterprise Community (EC) designated area includes 427 square miles or seventy-five percent of the county. The EC area touches every city, village and township in the county.

Sustainable Community Development

The creation of jobs is the first critical step toward the creation of a livable and vibrant community where human initiative, work, and stable families can flourish.

However, economic development can only be successful when part of a coordinated and comprehensive strategy that includes physical development as well as human development.

A community where streets are safe to walk, the air and water are clean, housing is secure, and human services are accessible, and where a vital civic spirit is nurtured by innovative design, is a community that can be a source of strength and hope to its residents. A community where learning is a commitment for life can foster the skills, habits of mind, and attitudes that will make work rewarding and families nurturing.

Lead Entity: Clare County Board of Commissioners

Governing Board: Clare County Enterprise Community (CCEC) Board. The Board of Directors represents the designated EC area and a wide range of interests, meeting each month to provide guidance regarding Enterprise Community activities. The 21 board members are elected to 3 year staggered terms with one third of the board being elected each year. After the board is seated, they elect an executive committee consisting of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. View Members, the position they hold and Meeting Dates.

A Message from

USDA Rural Development

Michigan State Director, Dale Sherwin

A Message from

Clare County Enterprise Community

Executive Director, Edward Kerr

As the newly appointed State Director I have been reviewing the accomplishments of the Clare County Enterprise Community. The progress that has been made in only four years is impressive. Rural Development is proud to have played a part in our mutual goal of improving the quality of life and expanding economic opportunity in Clare County.

The Enterprise Community has worked on a number of fronts for the betterment of Clare County. The EC has worked to make low income residents aware of homeownership opportunities and established transitional housing for families in need. Grants have been obtained to improve public services like fire protection. Public investment in water and sewer infrastructure will entice private investment in the county’s economy. Clare County communities are working together to market the area for economic development. The EC is also working to fund job training programs to make the area desirable to potential employers.

This year promises even more opportunities for Clare County. The farmers’ market is set to begin operation and new early warning sirens will warn county residents of dangerous conditions.

Although there has been considerable capital investment through Rural Development and other sources, this is not the most important accomplishment of the EC. Through the EC, neighboring communities have learned to work together to set and achieve common goals. It is this accomplishment that will most benefit the residents of Clare County.

Healthy communities require constant attention and nurturing. Communities become what they are based on decisions people make over a long period of time. Now at the end of the first four years, as shown in this Progress Report, the Clare County Enterprise Community (EC) has been making many positive changes to ensure that Clare County is an ideal place for living, working, raising families and enjoying our beautiful forests, lakes and rivers.

In 1998, progressive community members working with a forward thinking Board of County Commissioners led area residents in county-wide strategic planning that established a bold and innovative new vision. The plan included 52 benchmarks or goals for improving the quality of life, developing the area economically and supporting families to become more self-sufficient. Since the county first learned of its federal designation as an Enterprise Community in 1999, there has been a constant forward motion of progress.

Since accepting the Executive Director’s position in January 2000, I’ve enjoyed working with the founding EC Board of Directors as well as the present Board of dedicated members. These Clare County residents come from every census tract in the Enterprise Community as well as represent particular areas of interest such as business, low-income, youth, education, and more.

Rural community empowerment programs are designed to address a comprehensive range of community problems and opportunities, establish long term partnerships among public and private groups, promote broad based citizen participation and prioritize the principal issues relying on local decision making. That process of planning and prioritizing is ongoing. We welcome your participation. The EC meets the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the basement of the County Building. Come join us !

To learn more about the Clare County Enterprise Community contact:

Edward Kerr, Executive Director

P.O. Box 439

Harrison, MI 48625

Phone (989)539-7805

FAX (989)539-2791

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