Connecting community assets to market demand to build lasting livelihoods.
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“Capital matters, but we need to make the case that information matters just as much.”
—Dennis West, President, Northern Initiatives
Not long ago, typical visitors to Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula drove up from the Detroit area to visit family or friends, maybe fish or hunt a little. After a decade of local collaboration, new visitors are streaming in from all over to visit The Great Waters—and to explore a world-class mix of landscape, heritage, recreation, local food and lively culture.
Photo of Pictured Rocks Cruises courtesy Kiyo via Creative Commons license
The stranded assets. Michigan’s eastern Upper Peninsula (UP) is off most beaten tracks. Most travelers turn west after crossing the Mackinac Bridge from the Lower Peninsula. What do they miss? More than 16,000 square miles of forests, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and hiking. Cultural traditions and artifacts. The freshwater shorelines of Lakes Superior, Huron and Michigan. Maritime lore, shipwrecks and picturesque lighthouses. Hidden, underutilized treasures.
The stakeholder circle. The five eastern UP counties had been losing population for over a decade. In 2004, a set of stakeholders—small firms, local tourism bureaus, chambers of commerce, cultural organizations, food concerns, artists, local governments, and land managers—came together to figure out how to connect their dots to attract more tourism. As they talked, enthusiasm grew for trying “something together.”
The regional development group. Northern Initiatives (NI), a regional nonprofit community development financial institution, convened the stakeholder circle. NI set out to build a more diverse and resilient economy across the UP, the northern Lower Peninsula, and adjacent Wisconsin counties. NI knew that beyond access to capital, small rural businesses need up-to-date information on markets and what customers want.
In the UP, tourism has always been on the map. But “real” economic development had long meant mining and timber, both now in deep decline.
In the early 2000s, UP residents started worrying about their tourism economy as well. Stocks of yellow perch, popular in sport fishing, began dwindling. Hunting and fishing license applications had fallen off. Younger generations were leaving. Tourist cottages were being sold off as private homes. Local tourism businesses—lodging, outfitters, shops and restaurants—were struggling. In spring and fall off-seasons, unemployment neared 30 percent. A nature travel expert visiting the region offered advice: Embrace your potential as a great outdoor destination. Broaden your marketing efforts and partnerships.
The region was behind the marketing times. Too many visitor bureaus measured success by how many brochures they distributed—not by profits or visitor traffic, spending or satisfaction. Multiple tourist bureaus and destinations promoted only their own locales. Many mom-and-pop firms simply weren’t up to date on travel and business trends.
Add this: 85% of the eastern UP is national or state park or forest land—or available to the public for recreation. The public managers aim to preserve the land assets, but had rarely marketed them as natural attractions. And the resource-strapped park services were not very visitor-friendly.
Once stakeholders started convening, they recognized these stranded assets. They also spotted the ingredients to build a stronger regional identity that could bring in more tourism and benefit them all. In short, if they banded together, they could brand it together!
Among the underutilized treasures: the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
Photo courtesy Richard Bonser via Creative Commons
But first, they needed to know what tourists wanted. NI linked them to research, data, the state tourism bureau and its Pure Michigan brand campaign. They learned that today’s savvy travelers are looking for recommendations, route guides, convenience, quirk and quality—and a rich mix of experience on one trip.
Two critical challenges also surfaced. Too few tourists knew what the eastern UP had to offer. And the region was further from their target markets than competing destinations. Bottom lines: They had to meet rising tourist expectations—and get tourists to go the extra mile.
Locals next identified shared goals: Build out the “shoulder” timeframe of each tourist season. Attract new markets and track visitor trends. Elevate the brand profile. Help visitors navigate the region. Offer reasons to travel further and stay longer.
Critical to every goal was developing the brand, which emerged as The Great Waters, calling forth the region’s location amidst three Great Lakes—and the great wonders that lie between.
The initial stakeholders reorganized as the Great Waters Steering Committee—with business owners, tourism councils, chambers, museums, historical groups, local government, development agencies, Tribal organizations, the state Department of Natural Resources, and the National Forest Service. With NI as lead convener, connector and capacity builder, the Committee started weaving in a network of resource partners who could both help and benefit.
Early on, the Committee realized that local tourism promotions were not reaching the right audiences—or linking visitors to each other’s attractions. And their colorful brochures stashed in Welcome Center racks weren’t the answer. With The Great Waters, communities pooled funds to afford buying into a partnership with the Pure Michigan campaign—leveraging their visibility into wider regional and national markets.
To drive people further and deeper into the region, the Committee developed three “trails” tourists could follow over a block of days—each named after a Great Lake. They launched a website that integrates places to see, events, lodging and outdoor recreation options. Facebook and social media campaigns followed.
NI worked with many small tourism related firms to boost business planning and operations know-how, and leverage marketing and financing. In a partnership with Northern Michigan University, tech savvy students developed new websites for local firms.
Local government and public land managers facilitated more access to natural and cultural sites. Old territorial habits started melting, as cross-marketing each others’ attractions helped them all do better.
And NI has kept the useful data flowing. For example, a 2010 visitor survey helped the Sault Tribe of the Chippewa Indians recognize a market beyond gamers. The tribe is now developing cultural tourism In tandem with its casino.
To drive people further and deeper into the region, the Committee developed three “trails” tourists could follow over a block of days—each named after a Great Lake.
Map courtesy greatwaters.net
Tourism revenues have stabilized or grown in eastern UP communities, despite recent economic downturns and weather woes. Jobs have been retained and created.
Local perceptions that tourism can’t produce a better economy are changing, as ripples move beyond tourism. For example, Mackinac Straits Fish Company has retained jobs and diversified its market to meet growing demand from local customers. Pictured Rocks Cruises’ business increased by 12 percent in a period in which tourism grew by only 8 percent.
Successful Great Waters collaboration is reviving “community.” Some local firms and organizations witness higher participation by board members. Others report more frequent and effective meetings. Local firms are seeking ways to share marketing and outreach efforts. And overall, small firms are finding and adopting regional “best practices.” New young leaders are emerging. Even the state Department of Natural Resources has been holding community meetings, asking, “What can we do differently? How can we better connect with local communities?’”
Not two decades ago, denizens of the declining eastern UP saw little future. To some, their Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point might have felt more like a metaphor for their economic situation than an economic asset. But today, the museum caps their new Lake Superior Trail and draws new visitors. Working together, finding common ground and linking their resources, isolated communities and firms in the eastern UP have become The Great Waters—“where the wonders never end.”
The Great Waters and Northern Initiatives believe in tracking great data to tally progress and prospects for their region. Here’s a sample:
Specialties: Local Food, Placemaking, Renewable Energy
States served: Minnesota
Additional details: Enhancing the vitality and quality of life in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena counties is the mission of Region Five Development Commission. Resiliency, inclusion and collaboration are guiding concepts in achieving mutually shared goals that continue to evolve with local municipalities, state, federal, philanthropic, non-profit and social advocacy agencies.
Contact: Cheryal Lee Hills, 218-894-3233
Mailing address:
200 1st Street NE, Suite 2
Staples, MN 56479
Alternative contact: Dawn Espe, 218-894-3233
Website: http://www.regionfive.org
Specialties: Food, Forestry/wood products, Tourism
States served: Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Additional details: RDI was formed in 1991 in response to the timber industry crisis facing the Pacific Northwest. Our nationally recognized programs and services help communities help themselves with effective and results-oriented training and resources necessary for individuals living in rural communities to build and sustain a better future in their communities. Our work is based upon our genuine commitment to build rural capacity through Leadership Development programs and strengthen Rural Economic Vitality through moving capacity into action.
Contact: Amy Hause, (541) 255-9590
Mailing address:
Rural Development Initiatives
91017 S Willamette St
Coburg, Oregon 97408
Alternative contact: Heidi Khokhar, (541) 684-9077 ext. 7011
Website: http://www.rdiinc.org/
Specialties: Food, Forestry/wood products, Housing, Tourism
States served: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Region details: RCAC serves 13 western states including: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. We also work in the U.S. territories of the Marianas Islands, Marshall Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Additional details: RCAC Value Chains, economic development and Wealth Works are embedded in RCAC’s Building Rural Economies program. With over 10 years of experience in these arenas we technically assist communities who wish to envision and create their future.
Contact:
Carol Cohen, 435-671-7068
Mailing address:
3120 Freeboard Drive
Suite 201
West Sacramento, CA 95691
Alternative contact: Ellen Drew, (575) 421-0261
Website: http://www.rcac.org/community-economic-development/wealthworks-west
Specialties: Energy efficiency
States served: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming
Additional details: Midwest Assistance Program (MAP) has been helping communities and tribal nations find solutions to their infrastructure and development needs through information, resource management, expertise, and technical assistance since 1979.
Contact: Chris Fierrros, 660-562-2575
Mailing address:
303 N Market Street, Suite 2
Maryville, MO 64468
Website: http://www.map-inc.org
Specialties: Bio-energy, Food
States served: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas
Region details: Communities Unlimited serves seven southern states: Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee. Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama. This is an area that includes 60% of this country’s persistently poor counties, including large percentages of African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans.
Additional details: Communities Unlimited has 40 years of community economic development experience in the South. It seeks to move rural and under-resourced places toward prosperity by identifying a community’s assets and the market demand for the products or services created from those. We then build value chain collaboratives based on WealthWorks principles to create new economic opportunities. Since 2013, we are demonstrating the success of this approach through a farm-to-fuel value chain in the Arkansas Delta.
Primary Contact:
Martha Claire Bullen, 479-443-2700
Alternative Contact:
Ines Polonius
Mailing address:
3 East Colt Square Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72703
Alternative contact: Debbie Luther, 870-509-1331
Website: https://www.communitiesu.org
Specialties: Arts, Food, Forestry/wood products, Tourism
States served: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont
Additional details: Community Roots, LLC is a Vermont firm specializing in rural community and economic development consulting. Melissa Levy of Community Roots, LLC has been working with the WealthWorks framework over the past several years. She’s been a trainer, coach, workshop facilitator, and presenter in the WealthWorks community.
Contact: Melissa Levy, 802-318-1720
Location: Hinesburg, VT
Specialties: Arts, Energy efficiency, Food, Forestry/wood products, Manufacturing, Tourism
States served: Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Additional details: The Central Appalachian Network is a regional network of six anchor organizations that pursue collective sustainable economic development strategies across the Appalachian region of Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. CAN builds regional partnerships and also works deeply at the sub-regional level around sectors and opportunities including local food value chains, forestry, new energy, small business development, social enterprise, recycling/upcycling, implementation-focused research, advocacy, and organizational capacity-building. CAN’s members are Appalachian Center for Economic Networks (ACEnet), Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD), Coalfield Development Corporation, Community Farm Alliance (CFA), Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED), Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF), and Rural Action.
Contact: Leslie Schaller, 740-592-3854
Mailing address:
1456 C Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28806
Website: https://www.cannetwork.org
