For most of the 20th century, the essential images of Northwest Michigan have been its inviting forests, peaceable orchards, and sparkling blue lakes. These treasured attributes are threatened as the next century approaches, since the entire region has been swept up in a powerful economic restructuring. Traverse City is now an influential regional center of information age industries. Jobs are being generated in record numbers, spurring fast-paced growth in nearly every township and village within 40 miles. If current trends hold, by 2020 the population of the five-county area surrounding Traverse City will reach 190,000, a 41 percent increase from today.
Most residents are of two minds about the growth.
A century after the natural frontier was settled, a new economic frontier based on banking, construction, education, medical care, professional services, recreation, telecommunications, transportation, and energy development is providing welcome business and career opportunities in Northwest Michigan. The business and environmental groups involved in the regional planning project believe there is a deep political resolve in Northwest Michigan to blaze a new path to improve the region's economy, preserve its small towns, and sustain its clean environment. Amass a more extensive database on economic policy and land use management. Establish a much more inclusive public education program to bring in residents, business leaders, and public officials. Gain access to teams of technically qualified professionals to help them understand the distinctive growth challenges they face and come up with sensible regulatory responses that work.