Regionalism: Partnerships In Action

For years, attempts at regional cooperation in the Lansing area ran into continual roadblocks as political turf struggles, clashing agendas and rivalries marred attempts at progress.

Things started to change in the 1990's, partly out of necessity due to the prospect of losing General Motors massive presence in the region, and partly according to regional leaders, as a result of a growing relationship of trust between public and private sector officials. Today, regional partnerships are beginning to flourish and the results can be seen in some very high profile projects.

The success of the Keep GM effort can be traced to a willingness of the city of Lansing and Delta Township to join forces with General Motors in a 425 Land Agreement that cleared the way for construction of the Lansing Delta Township Assembly plant. A similar arrangement between the city of Lansing and Alaideon Township resulted in the new headquarters of Jackson National Life Insurance.

Regional leaders cite a couple other developments in recent years that have strengthened regional cooperation. First, was an initiative led by the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce (LRCC) and twelve mostly public sector partners to hire the Pollina Corporation to conduct an economic assessment of the region.

"There was enormous frustration in the public/private sector that we didn't have a road map," said East Lansing city manager Ted Staton. Officials also credit the emergence of Michigan State University as a more active regional partner for galvanizing economic development strategy.

"MSU has always been a world class institution and an economic driver, but just recently engaged more actively," said Delhi Township manager John Elsinga.

The leadership of the private sector in coordinating regional economic development efforts was solidified recently as the result of a strategic alliance between the Lansing Regional Chamber and the Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP).

Officials see closer ties fostering improved public/private relationships.

"The challenge is to try and put the words into action," said Meridian Township manager Jerry Richards. "It takes trust."

A glimpse of the potential for increased regionalization efforts might best be seen in the joint Metro First Team formed five years ago by the cities of Lansing and East Lansing and Meridian and Delta Townships. Fire departments in those four jurisdictions have been training together, formed a hazardous materials response team and have saved thousands of dollars through the joint purchasing of materials and equipment.

"The Metro Fire Team bodes well for the future," said Staton, who sees the potential down the road of the effort evolving into a Regional Fire Authority. "The more we work together, the more we will be able to accomplish in the future."

Regional cooperation in public safety is also evident in the planned consolidation of dispatch services in Ingham County. It is expected that East Lansing, Meridian Township and MSU Public Safety will be consolidated into the countywide dispatch program in the next 12-18 months.

Staton also sees great potential in combined efforts between Lansing, East Lansing and Lansing Township to improve the Michigan Avenue corridor from the State Capitol to Michigan State University. A recently completed corridor study is expected to result in the creation of a Michigan Avenue Corridor Authority that will work towards making the corridor a regional showcase.

Delta Township manager Richard Watkins thinks that rising energy costs are a big reason why regional partnership efforts will need to focus on transportation.

"We all need to look at transportation on a regional basis to figure out how we are going to efficiently and effectively get people around the region," said Watkins.

If there is a single key ingredient that has broken down barriers and nurtured the growth of successful partnerships in recent years, it is clearly a growing sense of trust between regional leaders.

"We've learned over time that people can do so much more working together than working alone." said Richards.