Direct Technical Assistance
he Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) Regional Planning and Community Development Department provides services and programs for the county and local units of government in the ten-county Northwest Lower Michigan region.
The NWMCOG Regional Planning & Community Development Department’s goal is to provide useful resources and services to enable and enhance local decision-makers', stakeholders', and the public's ability to evaluate and make the best possible choices to protect, enhance, and promote a high quality of life in the region. Serving the collective vision and interests of communities in northwest Lower Michigan is the reason we're here.
NWMCOG’s planning philosophy is that the community affected by the planning process is the planning expert- not us. As planners and facilitators, our job is to complement the community’s vision and knowledge. We provide approaches and experience that have found success in other communities and planning processes, and integrate those best practices into a community-driven planning process.
NWMCOG Regional Planning staff provides assistance and resources to county and local governments, on a fee-for-service basis, in the areas of community visioning, partnership building, master plan development, recreation plan development, transportation planning, plan and policy implementation, and education and resources.
Community Visioning
NWMCOG provides assistance in guiding and facilitating the public input and community visioning processes, through workshops, questionnaires, and public awareness and communications activities. Visioning projects include facilitation, organization, resources, and coordination.
Partnerships and Facilitation
As a neutral convener, NWMCOG helps communities build coalitions and partnerships in preparation for community plans and projects and in the implementation of goals that cross government boundaries and involve multiple stakeholders.
Master Plan Development
NWMCOG provides facilitation, communications, and technical assistance for communities developing or updating their master plans. Staff provides guidance in public input, goal setting, plan development, and procedural requirements throughout the planning process. Master plan activities include communications, coordination, facilitation, and plan development, as well as data, analysis, and mapping for local master plan updates
Recreation, Parks, and Trail Plan Development
NWMCOG provides facilitation, communications, and technical assistance for communities developing or updating their recreation plans; and for communities or regions developing plans or policies for specific parks or projects Staff provides guidance in public input, goal setting, plan development, and procedural requirements throughout the planning process. Recreation planning activities are conducted for a variety of geographies and issues areas, including recreation plans, management plans, and non-motorized trail plans.
Transportation Planning
NWMCOG provides meeting coordination, facilitation, and implementation assistance for transportation projects including state heritage route planning and implementation. Projects include scenic heritage route designation, committee coordination and facilitation, plan development, and implementation.
Plan and Policy Implementation
NWMCOG provides assistance to communities as they work towards implementation of policies and planning goals. Assistance many include grant writing and administration; zoning ordinance amendments; and partnership building. Projects include technical assistance and resources regarding zoning amendments, tax incentives, and other policy decisions; and energy efficiency grants and implementation assistance.
For more information on NWMCOG Regional Planning services or activities, or for bids or proposals on specific projects, please contact us.
