We Love Where You Live

Host: Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Mike Bills, President, Owner & Founder, MB Strategies

On this edition of Economics of Place: The Podcast, Dan Gilmartin talks with Mike Bills, president, owner, and founder of MB Strategies. Mike is an expert on leadership, executive coaching, and strategic planning. He’s done a lot of work recently with the Michigan Municipal League. They talk about Mike’s work with the MML as well as his work in other organizations and in communities. Mike also explains the ever-changing role of leadership at the local government level.

Host: Matt Bach, Communications Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guests: 
Chris Hackbarth, Director of State & Federal Affairs, Michigan Municipal League
Deena Bosworth, Director of Governmental Affairs, Michigan Association of Counties
Tom Frazier, Legislative Liaison, Michigan Townships Association

On this episode of Michigan Politics, Huh? we sit down with the legislative advocates for the Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Association of Counties, and Michigan Townships Association and discuss how these three organizations work together in fighting for their respective memberships. We talk about the power of numbers and how we’re able to get more things done when we work together.

Host: Lisa Donovan, Communications Specialist/Editor, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Shanna Draheim, Director, Policy Development, Michigan Municipal League

Sustainability is a key issue for many Michigan communities. The Michigan Municipal League, along with our partner organization Michigan Green Communities, brings together local governments and university staff to collaboratively learn from each other about how to move sustainability forward and participate in the annual Michigan Green Communities Challenge. The League's Shanna Draheim shares some of the amazing environmental success stories from communities across the state.

Host: Anthony Minghine, Deputy Executive Director & COO, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Anna Clark, author, The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy

Tony Minghine sits down with Detroit journalist Anna Clark, who was inspired to chronicle Flint's water tragedy in her new book, The Poisoned City: Flint's Water and the American Urban Tragedy. They talk about the people who caused the crisis, the people who suffered from it, and the people who ultimately exposed it.

Host: Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:
Clyde Robinson, City Attorney, City of Kalamazoo
Christopher Johnson, General Counsel, Michigan Municipal League
Jennifer Rigterink, Legislative Associate, Michigan Municipal League

Recreational marijuana is now legal in Michigan. Understandably, many people have questions about how that will impact their community. Matt Bach sits down with two attorneys to learn about the legal side of the equation. Then he chats with the League's legislative associate about the logistics for municipalities.

 

Host: Lisa Donovan, Communications Specialist/Editor, Michigan Municipal League

Guests: Municipal leaders from Muskegon, Owosso, and Saginaw

Innovative projects from the cities of Muskegon, Owosso, and Saginaw were in the running for the League's 2018 Community Excellence Award. Learn how these communities brought new life to their downtown through the unique development of retail, office, and community space. Read more about each project on the Community Excellence Award website and in The Review magazine: Muskegon (Jan/Feb 2019), Owosso (March/April 2019), and Saginaw (May/June 2019).

Host: Dan Gilmartin, CEO & Executive Director, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Patrice Frey, President & CEO, National Main Street Center

Helping bring life back to downtowns has been the mission of the National Main Street Center for the past 40 years. Patrice Frey, the organization's president and CEO, sits down with Dan Gilmartin to discuss the successful 4-point process they've developed that helps cities identify their vision and assets and gets community members involved in moving a revitalization plan forward. She also talks about the effect of globalism on downtowns and how communities can use it to develop a more robust entrepreneurial landscape.

Host: Matt Bach, Director of Communications, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: State Rep. Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Township)

The Michigan Municipal League’s Matt Bach sits down with State Rep. Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Township, at a coffee shop in downtown Allegan. They cover everything from revenue sharing to auto insurance. They even get into the power of drag racing and the flute! It’s a fun, informal chat.

Host: Emily Kieliszewski, Membership Services Specialist, Michigan Municipal League

Guests:

Gisgie Gendreau, President, Michigan Municipal League Foundation

Karen Lancaster, Finance Director, City of Ann Arbor

This episode focuses on MML Foundation’s #GivingTuesday campaign, which is raising money for the League’s 16/50 Project. Emily chats with MML Foundation President Gisgie Gendreau on what #GivingTuesday is, why they chose the 16/50 Project for their campaign this year, and the positive things the Foundation does for our members and communities. Emily also talks with Karen Lancaster, finance director for the city of Ann Arbor, about her role in 16/50’s Women’s Municipal Leadership Program, some of the specifics the current class of women have learned to help them become successful managers, and why these trainings are critical for women looking to get into the field.

Host: Lisa Donovan, Communications Specialist/Editor, Michigan Municipal League

Co-Host: Luke Forrest, Director, Civic Innovations, Michigan Municipal League

Guest: Katharine Czarnecki, Senior Vice President, Community Development, Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Michigan Municipal League partners with Michigan Economic Development Corporation on a variety of projects. MEDC's Katharine Czarnecki shares her thoughts on the Public Spaces Community Places crowdgranting program and Redevelopment Ready Communities, MEDC's flagship program to get communities in a good position to accept new development.