From a lack of people stepping up to fill elected and staff positions to a lack of funds to repair aging infrastructure, rural local governments sometimes struggle to do the business of government.
Rural Michigan
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan got $173M to transform rural health. Where is it going?
Some rural healthcare leaders say the first round of funds allocated from the Rural Health Transformation Program don’t go far enough to stabilize their industry amid federal cuts.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Dozens of deer found dead in Saginaw area, disease suspected
Earlier this week, an angler found deer after deer lying dead in a river in Saginaw County with no visible gunshot wounds. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources suspects a viral disease that is transmitted from a small biting fly.
Posted inMichigan Government
Where Michigan governor candidates stand on rural government crisis
As townships struggle with leadership voids and money woes, GOP candidate John James backs reform. Democrat Jocelyn Benson supports local control.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan villages have a fix for shortage of officials. Townships can’t use it
Michigan’s rural communities are struggling to find people to hold public office. Lansing has been slow to help.
Posted inEvents, Michigan Government, The Center for Michigan
Issues Watch returns Sept. 30 to discuss Michigan rural government crisis
Join Bridge for a virtual event to explore how small communities throughout the state struggle to deliver services and attract officials.
Posted inMichigan Government
Rural townships squeezed on all sides in Michigan, as money woes mount
From leaky roofs to crumbling roads, the signs of Michigan’s rural communities’ financial struggles abound. Will the state help?
Posted inMichigan Government
Survey: Michigan local leaders sour on data centers, want more regulations
Data center development has turned toxic among Michigan’s local government officials, with the majority saying the projects are a negative — and desperate for Lansing to do more.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Copperwood Mine foes sue to block $50M grant for project near Lake Superior
A lawsuit claims Michigan set an ‘extraordinarily dangerous precedent’ by dedicating taxpayer money to a foreign company. Defenders say the project could revive mining in struggling area.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Groups fight to keep 16,000 acres of national forest in Michigan road-free
Around 16,000 acres of national forests in Michigan are for the most part protected from permanent-road construction and logging, but that could change under a USDA proposal.