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Roadmap to Rural Prosperity

Background on the Roadmap

The Michigan Office of Rural Prosperity released Michigan’s first-ever report focused on rural issues, the Roadmap to Rural Prosperity, in January 2024. By synthesizing input from rural community leaders combined with additional research on key rural challenges and opportunities, the Roadmap aims to give voice to rural communities, foster a statewide understanding of rural needs and priorities and help guide local, regional and state leaders in advancing collaborative and collective action to achieve prosperity across rural Michigan.

View and download the Roadmap

Key Strategies

The Roadmap identifies opportunities for local and regional leaders, businesses, funders, and all levels of government to collaborate and work in coordination to achieve rural prosperity through the following strategies:

  • Grow and diversify the workforce across sectors
  • Improve individual health and economic well-being
  • Support local and regional capacity to deliver services
  • Expand quality and attainable housing opportunities
  • Build and maintain resilient infrastructure
  • Enhance regionally driven and place-based economic development efforts
  • Protect, conserve, and be a responsible steward of natural assets

2022 statewide listening tour led by the ORP Director reaching 58 counties to discuss challenges, opportunities, and community priorities with cross-sector groups.

2023 statewide survey that received responses from 2,489 rural stakeholders covering all 83 counties.

Leadership Summits hosted in six rural regions - including the Upper Peninsula, Northwest Lower, Northeast Lower, East/Central Michigan, West/Central Michigan, and South Michigan rural communities - engaging a total of 350 rural community leaders.

Topic-based roundtables with rural employers and community leaders.

2023 ORP staff participation in more than 175 local and regional discussions.

ORP participation in regional and statewide planning initiatives, such as the Rural Health Equity Plan, led by the Michigan Center for Rural Health and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; the Michigan Statewide Housing Partnership; and select Regional Housing Partnerships.

2023 analysis of more than 175 Rural Readiness Grant Program Letter of Interest results, which identified priority needs and projects across a range of topic areas in rural communities statewide.

Ongoing engagement is a key element in successful policy and program solutions. As strategies in the Roadmap are explored and implemented, Rural Prosperity will continue testing, refining, and reassessing with rural stakeholders to successfully implement a vision of thriving residents, businesses, communities, and natural environments in rural Michigan.

Spread the Word!

If you would like to have the Roadmap material presented at your next event, contact: Lisa Miller at MillerL45@michigan.gov.