Latest Progress Reports

Annual Report 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

Funding Report Benchmark Summary Report

Lead Entity: Clare County Board of Commissioners

Demographics

State: Michigan
Counties (Census Tracts): Clare (9801, 9802, 9808, 9809, 9810, 9811, 9805)
Population: 14,396
Poverty Rate: 28.01%
Net Land Area: 427 square miles

• Highest number per capita of children on public assistance in state
• Unemployment rates have exceeded national average every year since 1970
• Population growing at 4 times the state average.

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 the pine forests and lakes of northern Michigan, and the economy is dependent upon small-scale agriculture, light industry, and tourism. A recent plant closing resulted in the lost of 150 jobs. The zone is home to a large Amish farming community, and the process of developing the strategic plan resulted in partnerships and a level of understanding never seen in the past. The land-use planning and cultural sensitivity priorities reflected in the plan are a testament to this increased appreciation of each other’s needs. While the area has wealth of lakes, streams, forests, recreation sites, it does not have any major destinations or resorts, and faces stiff competition for tourist dollars from the areas closer to the Great Lakes.

• Environment – Reduce blight by disposing of old abandoned cars and tire mountains
• Value-added agriculture- Farmer-owned cooperative ventures a part of local business development strategies
• Land-use planning and zoning to better coordinate resources while preserving the environment and local culture.
• Community will concentrate efforts to encourage all businesses to pay a "living wage."
• Establish a recreation department; create an Arts/Cultural Council.
• Establish a farmer’s market
• Develop local domestic violence shelter
• Proved health services to outlying areas

Partners include state and local agencies, private organizations such as the Hard Times Café which is a nonprofit organization which includes current and former welfare recipients, families in poverty and people with physical and/or mental disabilities. A new partnership was forged in the process with the local Amish community.

For each benchmark, a detailed accounting of matching and in-kind resources are identified- $457,650 has been committed. An additional $8.8 million in matching and in-kind resources are expected to be received in the first two years.

Meetings were held throughout the area at varying locations, days, and times to ensure maximum participation. Local residents played an active role in developing surveys, needs assessments, and benchmark priorities. Low-income residents and youth groups were sought out and played significant roles in the process. The Amish community became active in the planning process.

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