Gov. Rick Snyder: Strong Communities Are Rooted in Strong Collaboration

Press Release

Michigan succeeds when its communities have the tools, resources and collaborative spirit needed to ensure a sustainable, growing economy, Gov. Rick Snyder said Sunday as he joined state and local leaders to welcome the Village of Ontonagon to the state's Rising Tide program.

"Project Rising Tide is about getting everyone at the table to solve challenges, set goals and work together to ensure a stronger economic base for communities across the state," Snyder said. "It's also about inspiring collaboration, and realizing Michigan moves forward when we all work together on a local, regional and state level."

Ontonagon is the fifth community to join the second round of the Rising Tide program. It joins Albion, Eaton Rapids, Hamtramck and West Branch, and soon will gain expertise from the state and guidance from program graduates.

"The village has so many great community assets," Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan Director Roger Curtis said. "Where Project Rising Tide can help is in developing robust economic strategies that leverage existing assets and future opportunities to develop a village ready for new businesses and residents to call home -- growing the region and the state at the same time."

Project Rising Tide kicked off in 2015 and started with one community from each of the state's prosperity regions. Led by the Talent and Economic Development Department of Michigan, the program connects communities with technical assistance and expertise from the departments agencies; Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and Talent Investment Agency.

"Michigan is on the rise," Curtis added. "This program is designed to ensure each community, no matter the size, can play a part in the rising tide happening around the state through a bottom-up approach."

Second-round communities were selected based on four criteria, including unemployment rate, labor participation rate, vacancy rate and percent of population with a high school degree or less.

"There is no doubt we have a lot of work ahead of us," Ontonagon Village Manager Joe Erickson said. "But with hard work comes great reward. Project Rising Tide provides both and we're ready to get to work and create a stronger community and region that shows we are open for business."

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